The Bistro At Market and Grove

If you are driving anywhere near Petersburg, you have to stop here. It’s like dining in a museum. The food is delicious, and the service was top notch. There are some interesting pieces of décor that you will want to ask about, and you can! I personally think that the best place to sit is in one corner or on the edge because it is fun to people watch.
Support local business!

My wife and I stopped here for an early dinner on a quiet Saturday evening heading to Carolina. The presence of an amerocan Bistro outside of Richmond was very promising.
The outside esthetics were pleasing to the eye and we were eager to dine. As we entered we noticed home kitchen appliances while seeing into the kitchen… ok…temporary storage maybe? Upon being greeted by the hostess we were told that they had a lot of reservations and she’ll see if there was anything available for 2 guests. Looking around to an almost empty dining room and what appeared to be a chefs table that had dirty dishes and soiled linen I was blown away that it took about 10 minutes to seat us. The Chef was at the bar this entire time having it up with friends. He looked a little disheveled with oversized chef jacket, jeans and tennis shoes.
The décor is very inviting, quaint, dainty and masculine at the same time. We were actually dining on our one year anniversary and were wondering if they rented the space for private events. We ordered a bottle of shoe crazy Bordeaux blanc while we went over the menu. It had great legs, a very pungent nose but finished silky smooth. We were excited to see duck breast on the menu. I definitely wanted to try the crab cakes. When we asked out server how the asparagus was prepared her response was «on the stove». Ok, Bistro at market and grove, do you ever plan to train these girls on the basics? I asked again how the asparagus would be prepared to have a good laugh. Again her response was «on the stove».
It wasn’t very long before our entrées came out. My server almost tipped my plate over because she placed it on the very edge of our table. Good thing I was paying attention. The only way to ruin crab cakes is to over mix and over cook. The chef managed to do both. I could see the burned underside of my crab cakes peaking out and was so disappointed. The corn pudding was so sweet that you couldn’t get passed the sugar to taste the corn. I finished my asparagus. It was sauteed nicely and had a bearnaise sauce. My wife’s duck came out cut already like we were feeding an elderly population who has a hard time using knife and fork! The flavor was good but the esthetics… no good.
I’d like to give them a second try. Maybe the lunch menu. Maybe the team had a bad night. Maybe we ordered the wrong items.
Yo no se!

A big kudo’s to Russ Johnson and «The Bistro» for a terrific job at catering my daughter’s wedding reception! With a group of three to four hundred people, I heard nothing but great reviews from the guest about the appetizers and dinner served. From the grapes and sausage, to the crab dip to the prime rib, everything was delicious. Russ listened to everything that the family wanted on the menu and put a spin on it to give it a little «extra flavor». The staff from The Bistro that catered the wedding was extremely professional and friendly as well. Would highly recommend them for any catering event.

Travelers from Indiana looking for a non-​chain restaurant in Petersburg after doing the Civil War Trail. Found The Bistro and were the first diners on a Friday night. Outside appearance could be spruced up, but inside is a nice «shabby chic meets french provincial». You can’t eat atmosphere or décor, so the food is what is important, and at The Bistro, they got it right the night we were there.
We liked the atmosphere. Very friendly and competent server, Mary Beth. She went out of the way to make sure we were enjoying our dining experience. Appetizer of crab soup, very delicious. Hubby had the crab tortellini — very good and strong on the crab flavor which he liked. I had the chicken breast/​fresh mozzarella & prosciutto: huge portion and the flavors were so subtle and pure. Not many diners that evening, but if you are in the Petersburg area would highly recommend this restaurant.

I visited The Bistro with my family for lunch when I was visiting the area earlier this year, and we’ve been talking about it ever since. The ambience was delightful, the people were warm and welcoming, and the food was great. We’ll definitely go back next time we are passing through.

Atmosphere: 4 stars
Food: 5 stars
We almost skipped eating here but I’m very glad we didn’t. As CLC3 students living in Petersburg my wife and eat local often. This was the first time eating at the bistro and the food was much better than expected.
Appetizer: grapes and sausage
This was unusual and very tasty. Red grapes with a spinach stuffed sausage that was just the right mix of savory and sweet.
Main: Shrimp and grits
I’ve had shrimp and grits at a lot of places but this place was one of the top 3 that I’ve ever had. The grits were just the right consistency and the shrimp had a perfect pop in the mouth. Given the option of mild, medium, pr hot, I ordered the spice at medium and it made the whole meal come together.
Dessert: crème brûlée cheese cake
Very good and very decadent
I highly recommend trying this place out and I will definitely come back.

Great place to get good food at a price that matches the quality of food and service. Overall enjoy it here. Very polite staff and the food is 3 ½ stars in my opinion. But definitely worth the stop.

Have not been yet but have heard its wonderful. However, please put a menu online for Unilocal

I was so disappointed by this place that I downloaded this app just to write this review. We approached the restaurant to a beat up and broken outside. Gates falling down, and overgrown landscaping. I could see into the kitchen and just looked like a mess in there too. Okay, no big deal. We walk into the door and smell the worst smell I have ever smelt in my life. I felt as though I was standing in a landfill. It was appalling. The place was a mess. Papers everywhere, people’s checks laying around with their signed copy, not a clean or neat surface in sight. Not the first impression you want customers to have. I wanted to leave at that point because I felt like I was in a s@&t hole. But I figured we’d give it a try.
We waiting several minutes for anyone to appear to seat us (while standing in that gross smell). The server was dirty and stressed. She was clearly the only one on the floor. As we continued to walk in, the floors looked like they’d never been cleaned. It made me wonder when the last time this place has had a health inspection. (I was expecting cool panels as shown in pictures). The décor was… Fine. The menu looked good. Even though it was on a sticky ripped piece of paper. We ordered our drinks and I could still smell that absolutely awful sewer smell in the dining room. It was making me nauseous. We ended up canceling our drink orders and leaving.
This all happened on a Wednesday night. I get that week nights can be slow, but what a shame. No excuse for that smell.

Sooooooooooooooooo… awesome!
I’m a vegan (recently switched over) and this place was more than happy to work with me and my extreme diet. I asked the waitress if they had any vegan options and she said she would ask the cook. She did and the cook came out and talked with me one on one and offered me a few options. To me, this makes it a 5 star type of place.
The staff was friendly and made sure the party I was with was happy. The food came out slower than other restaurants in the area but I’m totally okay with that. The food was fresh, hot, and tasty. Nothing seemed like it sat in the window for a long time and my dish was absolutely amazing.
I’ll definitely be back again :)

I would give Bistro a 3.5 out of 5.0, so I’ll round up to 4. The service was prompt and friendly. My boyfriend’s glass was empty a few times, but I blame that on the crystal glass and not the server necessarily. The décor was cute with mismatched tables and chairs, large mirrors, old books, and a beautiful chandelier. Unfortunately, the building did have that old Petersburg smell which bothered my boyfriends sinuses quite a bit and my chair was broken which was mildly annoying. That being said, the food was GOOD. We began with the complementary bread and the sausage and grape appetizer (sounded strange but unique and delicious). I had a special of the mahi mahi in a fruit salsa with sides of Brussels sprouts and a sweet potato soufflé. My boyfriend had a Caribbean jerk brisket with Brussels sprouts and steamed zucchini and squash. My serving of fish was large and the salsa very tasty but the fish was slightly overcooked. I still ate every bite though. I really enjoyed the smoky flavor of the Brussels sprouts and of course the bacon. They could have been cooked slightly longer, but better undercooked than overcooked in my book. The sweet potatoes were delicious and could easily be a dessert. My boyfriend enjoyed his meal as well. It was evident that the food was made from scratch with love, and its the food that would have me return again. I especially liked all of the options of sides and the many vegetable choices available.
I’m not sure that this place would stand out in Richmond, but in Petersburg this place is a true gem. I would definitely recommend it if you are in the Petersburg area. I’d like to go back and try the salmon and tuna entrees as well.

This is a really cool place for the historical setting. The food isn’t really suitable for the setting. The chicken salad was great but I had the Bayou Burger. I was not very impressed with the burger or the chips, if the burger was made from fresh ground beef and not a frozen patty it would have bee much better.

Adorable place in Petersburg. Walls with artwork and delicious fresh food. Our group had chicken salad, tuna sandwich and burgers. Everyone enjoyed their meal.

I went for lunch and had the Turkey sandwich. It was good but I could have made it at home just the same.

I love this place. It is decorated with mostly local antiques and is very spacious. The food is absolutely out of this world. The Crème brûlée cheesecake will change your life.

After hearing so many good things about this place, I decided to try. The server was friendly, but considering that there were only four other people in the place, it took an unusually long time to get our food for which the waitress was apologetic. I ordered the prosciutto chicken with corn pudding and collards green. My companion ordered crab cakes and asparagus. We were both disappointed, The crab cake was mushie with no lumps of crab and where we expected two cakes, as pictured. there was only one covered in a bland sauce. The chicken, while tasty, was over cooked. The collard greens were completely under cooked, even if al dente, with no smoke flavor or substitute for smoke flavor,(how about sesame) just doused with to much vinegar.
On the plus side, I really enjoyed the corn pudding and the portabella under the crab cake and all the food looked really good. The décor was appealing and interesting. Because of the raves from others including the dinners at the next table, I will try this place again and just say that my experience was not the normal dining experince

Excellent service & food was amazing!
I ordered the special ‘beef medallions with crab sauce’ (out of this world) — tender meat and sauce was great. My guests ordered the crab cakes & Crab Cake Napoleon both were outstanding.
Décor was eclectic art, very unique & relaxing.
Chef comes out to serve your entrée & he follows up afterwards– a true delight. Our waitress, Victoria, was new yet very capable & on point.
Neighborhood looks under a revitalization but so worth the drive. Parking is safe.
I wouldn’t miss stopping by this place is an upcoming gem!

Had a great brunch mid-​drive on the way back to North Carolina. The food was tasty, our waitress was great, and the décor kept your eyes interested. Love finding cute little places with loads of character, and this one fits the bill.

If you want a superb service this is it! Oh my! We stumbled across this place by accident and I was blown away at the parking lot before we even entered the restaurant when the waiter came out to open the little gate in the parking area and to hold the door open for us.
He was our waiter for the night and was very attentive, even to our 19 month old in a high chair.
The meal was excellent. I had shrimp & grits. It was rich, creamy and shrimp perfectly seasoned & grilled I still think about that dish a month later!
The restaurant has lots to see with all the decorations & arts all around. Bar area is tiny but it had a few people lounging that night.
Highly recommended for a romantic evening… Or even a family night out. You’ll be in for a treat!

10÷25÷12
Had to update my review to 5 stars, I’ve visited them several times since my first visit and the dinner was just as wonderful as the brunch… loved the crab cakes and corn pudding.
3÷5÷12
Beautifully decorated dining area reminds me of a furniture store showroom, large mirrors, lamps, and fancy chairs… very inviting. I’ve been looking forward to visiting the Bistro for a long time and I finally had a chance to have brunch. They have a very limited menu and no special offerings for kids. I tried the corn beef hash with fresh fruit and a croissant and it was simply amazing! Fresh corned beef cooked and seasoned to perfection with fresh cut potatoes and onions… this is definitely not from a can… Looking forward to having dinner at this fine establishment.