The Bicycle: a Global Bistro
Baltimore, MD 21230-4529
Phone: (410) 234-1900
- Price:
- $$$$
- Hours:
- Sun-Thu 5:30 pm-10pm , Fri -Sat 5:30 pm-11pm
Editorial Review for The Bicycle: a Global Bistro – by Laureen Miles Brunelli
The Scene
Just a few steps into this Federal Hill restaurant, you'll notice an open kitchen takes center stage--much like the food. Oversized windows and sparse furnishings stave off claustrophobia in the warren of cozy dining rooms, as earthy green and brown tones warm the minimalist background. While the staff is quite knowledgeable, popularity has its price: overburdened servers' attentiveness declines in proportion to the number of people seated.
The Food
"Small plate" starters such as tuna and avocado tartare and lobster ravioli are anything but small. The tartare's whirlwind of Asian-influenced flavors highlights its freshness. In the red pepper bisque with Maryland blue crab, the piquant punch of the spices makes the sweet crab a mere sidekick. The Hereford tenderloin medallion stands out in a triumvirate-of-meat dish, where the Kobe beef top sirloin and short ribs in a Burgundy reduction sauce took the silver and bronze in a close competition.
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Insider Tips
Where to SitOpt for the back dining room, which provides a more intimate dining experience.
Know Before You GoWherever you sit, table size is small. Parties of four or fewer will be infinitely more comfortable.
User Reviews for The Bicycle: a Global Bistro
07/14/2007 Posted by einthecity
My boyfriend took me and our parents to Bicycle for my birthday and it was the biggest disappointment ever. We are no strangers to fine dining and with the price tags those plates had, I expected much more out of the service. Our server was stale and pushy. After a bottle of wine she kept pushing for another and when our mothers decided on Chardonnay, I said I dont like it and didn't want any. The waitress kept insisting it was wonderful and I would love it which, of course, I didn't because I DONT LIKE CHARDONNAY! After that, she kept pushing me to get a glass of something....repeatedly. It was about 85 degrees in the small back dining area, even though it was November which only added to the unpleasentness. The spotlights were shining on me and after 15 minutes of no server, my father got up and dimmed them only to be reprimanded by our server upon her return (finally!)...which really bothered me. The food all sounded wonderful...definitely unique. The presenation was beautiful...very nice to look at. The quality of the food was also good but the general consensus was that the dishes were too complicated...too many flavors that didn't compliment each other well. Aside from sweating profusely from the heat, the atmosphere was nice, though. Visually, the experience is very pleasing. I can not say, though, that the value was there. $450, 6 people, no one was very impressed. Never a good sign.
Pros: Delightful atmosphere, good wine selection, very nice presentation
Cons: our particular server, food/experience was not worth the money
07/08/2007 Posted by msmith51
My husband and I dine out often and were highly impressed with this resturant. I dined here previously (about a year or so ago) with business associates and enjoyed the food. This time I was even more pleased. The service was excellent, the presentation of the food was superb, and as before the food was outstanding. This restaurant is a bit inappropiate for children, but for a intimate evening, a highly recommend it.
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