The Round Bistro

I was on the fence after reading these reviews but I pulled the trigger.
1^st off, they offer Alaska Airlines Dining miles, huge plus as many Carolina places don’t.
2^nd the prices here for what you get are amazing. They had a «small» bottle of wine for $ 10. It’s 750ml which I’m 110% sure is a normal bottle of wine.
3^rd the food was great. My side salad came with cherry vinaigrette, pecans and blue cheese crumbles. It was done very well.
I went with the crab stuffed portobello for dinner. I got it with asparagus and it comes with rice. It was great and I left stuffed.
The one qualm I had was they put a little too much cheese on the portobello.
Overall, Gastonia you should be pleased with this place! They also had $ 3 Stella’s on tap. I didn’t partake since I had an ENTIRE BOTTLE OF WINE for $ 10.
I’ll be back on my next work trip.

I haven’t actually had any of the entrees or main dishes, only the Sunday brunch buffet. So as for everything on the menu, I really can’t speak of it.
We went last week for Sunday brunch. It was an okay experience service-​wise: our waitress was friendly enough, but for it being fairly slow, our cups were definitely not being filled like they should have been. Also as far as ordering food it was incredibly slow for what we got, but I’ll get to that later.
The buffet is medium sized with a section for salads, then a sort of soul food selection including fried chicken, Mac and cheese, BBQ, wings, potatoes, etc. All the meats were good, but the mac and cheese was very bland and dry. Actually, none of the sides were really anything to talk about. There was an option for ordering pancakes and French toast, which we got, but it literally took forever which I couldn’t understand… it’s literally a piece of bread dipped in egg and then fried. By the time it came, we didn’t even want it anymore.
Overall the food was okay and the price was alright, but I wish there was more variety in the food, especially breakfast items on the buffet. I’d also really like to see some fresh fruit since it is a brunch.

Build your own burger was amazing. Great service and quality food. I will come again!

We just moved to the area and decided to try this place out for dinner. The pretzel appetizer is weird, it’s not pretzel dough, it’s like brea dough. The mustard is nothing special, as if it comes out of a dijon mustard bottle.
The server acted like she didn’t want to be there. She was not attentive and made everything seem so difficult.
The water tasted strange.
The crab cake stuff portabella was okay. It tasted fresh. My husband enjoyed his burger and fries. I ordered (based on the waitresses recommendation) the sauteed spinach. I was not told that it was sauteed and then doused with mustard. It was gross.

We bought a Groupon in hopes we’d find a new favorite local spot. Wrong! There was no hostess at the door so had to wait a few minutes. Then it took 20 minutes. No lie. To get our drinks from the bar. A glass of wine and tap beer shouldn’t take so long! The restaurant was not busy at all. The food was good. Nothing spectacular but good. Everyone looked like they were running around like crazy even though nothing was quick. I would eat there again if it were free!

I’m going to call this review, «the scene of the crime». The Round Bistro was one of the few remaining decently rated restaurants in Gastonia that we hadn’t yet tried.
We decided to have a valentines dinner early — the date 2÷12÷15, a Thursday — the time shortly before 8 PM.
The exterior of the restaurant looks impressive, but the décor and dining furnishings on the inside are comparatively lacking. The walls appear to have a weird kind of mural.
The bartender seated us and our waitress came over quickly. She told us about their monthly regional food menus — this month was New Orleans themed — and about the daily specials. She recommended the she crab soup. We ordered drinks and a cup of she crab soup and a cup of gumbo. Things went downhill very quickly from here.
It took quite awhile to get out drinks and even longer for the soup. Isn’t soup already prepared and easy to serve quickly? (For reference, the restaurant was not busy at all and there were at least two waitresses — also for reference ours had glasses and multiple tattoos– one being on her hand).
Another waitress brought out bowls of soup (I was confused — I thought we ordered cups?). My wife reported the she crab soup was tasty but barely even warm, almost room temperature. People like soup to be hot… My first bite of gumbo had chicken (also barely warm), the second, shrimp and the third something rock hard. My first thought was a chicken bone, maybe a wishbone from how big it was. I pulled the piece that I had been chewing out of my mouth– it was part of a zip tie. YES, A ZIP TIE in my food. Thank God I did not break a tooth or try to swallow that thing. I was disgusted. I was furious. I knew we were going to leave. Dinner was definitely over.
I tried to get the attention of our waitress for at least 5 minutes but she was way too busy for us. When she came over I showed her what I found. She was mortified and only somewhat apologetic. I told her we were leaving, to cash us out and charge us what she thought was fair. She disappeared for quite awhile. She returned and apologized again. We were charged for the drinks and not the soup. Was that fair? Probably not. Were it my business, I would have said «my god, I’m so sorry — just leave — you don’t owe us anything». It might have cost them $ 3. A manager and or chef should have come over and apologized as well. Foreign objects in food is a really big deal. Lawsuits can happen, and do. It should have been handled in a professional manner and wasn’t at all. The staff really needs some sensitivity training (or maybe just some common sense).
I’m wondering if the staff even informed a manager, chef or owner at all, or just tried to «sweep it under the rug» to keep from getting in trouble.
Needless to say we won’t be back and can’t recommend this place.
I even left left the waitress a tip on our drinks. Why? Because even when others don’t know how to handle a situation, I still try to keep things classy.
I know that odd/​bad/​unexpected things can happen in a kitchen. But this was not a small foreign object and the situation was handled extremely poorly.

This place was amazing! The best fish I’ve ever had cooked in a restaurant. I got the salmon and my fiancée got the mahi mahi. It’s a toss up for what was better. The only slight snag was the waitress forgot to order our appetizer (he really wanted fondue!) BUT she was so apologetic and comped us a round of drinks. Even had her manager come over to make sure we were happy. Great brunch spread too!

A co-​worker recently told me about this restaurant and how much she enjoyed the she crab soup so I was excited to give it a try.
I went today with three coworkers and each of us left quite underwhelmed. First, we ordered the fondu appetizer and we were all a bit disappointed in the cheese as it was quite grainy and not as flavorful as we had expected or hoped for.
For lunch I ordered the Cajun baked penne pasta and my three coworkers all ordered the cilantro lime chicken. The three chicken plates came at the same time and I was left waiting almost another 5 minutes for my lunch. It would have been nice if all the food came out at once.
My pasta dish was served piping hot and looked great but the taste was very disappointing as it was quite bland. I had to add salt and pepper for flavor which was disappointing. All three of my coworkers told me that the chicken lacked a cilantro flavor and was on the dry side.
There were a couple positives: the service was excellent. The restaurant was not very crowded (thank goodness) as the greeter/​hostess was also the server and she was definitely very busy but she kept a great attitude which I appreciated and tipped her appropriately for her hard work and great attitude. Also, the she crab soup was very tasty and I wish I had a bowl and not just a cup.
I have given three stars only because of the service and she crab soup. Had either of these two been sub par I would have only given two stars.
Overall I was very disappointed after reading the positive reviews, looking at the website, and positive word of mouth. Perhaps I just expected to much.

My wife and I just moved to the area from Charlotte. We are already missing the wonderful restaurant were used to live near. So far most of Gastonia is fast food, chain restaurants, or other generally unhealthy options. It was a nice change of pace finding Round Bistro. The food is good and fresh. I got the Crab Cake stuffed Portabella and my wife got the Cilantro Lime Chicken. My wife liked her entrée but mine was fantastic! We both got rice as sides which was ok, her mixed veggies were cooked well, however my mash potatoes were bland. I wasn’t too upset because I could tell they were homemade, they just needed a bit of butter and seasoning.
The atmosphere is nice, well lit, clean and modern. The prices average $ 10 – 15 a plate. Our sever was great too! Very attentive and good suggestions. We will be back.

Had the hot ham and pimento cheese wrap. The breading on the wrap was delicious, service is always great and the drinks are modern and fresh. Highly recommend this Bistro.

The Round Bistro is a block from my house, so it’s become a regular haunt. The Round is a perfect example of a neighborhood restaurant that knows it’s clientele and caters to them. It’s casual, but not low class. and full of regular customers. Owned by a father and son, both named Jack. you will likely meet either or both at one point. Jack Junior is the chef and has created a menu that is traditional American, but still a bit adventurous. They change it up monthly with a bar menu made up of regional offerings from across the United States, like Tex-​Mex or Cajun. They offer drink specials nightly — and most are insane on weeknights, like premium or local craft brews that are cheaper than a domestic in most bars.

I have been several times and generally enjoy the experience. The décor is nice and the food is very good. Food delivery is consistently slow– from the time the waitress takes your order till it is delivered. The only thing I don’t recommend is the fondue bowl– the cheese was not appetizing. The best item is the beernanas for dessert. The first time we got it, we were a little taken aback by the delivery– inside a simple paper bag, torn in half in front of us, with a dipping sauce to the side. It is phenomenal! Sometimes we got eat there, just to round out our meal with the beernanas.

Fabulous dinner! She crab soup was great and the Portobello stuffed with crab was rich and delicious. Restaurant was surprisingly not busy at 8pm on a Saturday night. I will definitely go back!

All the food was great I really enjoyed my shrimp po’boy. Service was great also. Me and my family share the monthly fried alligator tail which was nice and tender and not gamey at all. My wife’s shrimp n grits was very tasty. My daughter salmon was nice and tender and was not over cooked like you would find at most chain restraints. My son’s build your own burger was seasoned and cooked to order, the pretzel buns had nice crust and was testy.

The location is in a strip mall. Inside lots of round mirrors on walls. Comfortable booths. The menu was good. I had she crab soup which was tasty. The crab was ground fine but the soup had good flavor except it was not hot enough. Soup should be hot in my book. I would have sent it back but I knew they would just probably nuke it. The flatbread pizza was good with ground mushrooms and cheese. The other thing that did bother be was my waitress who was very nice and friendly kept calling me hon and honey and touching my shoulder. To familiar for me and her breath smelled like smoke which was a turn off. Please if you are going to smoke use a breath mint. As I don’t live here and was just staying at a hotel to go to the airport I probably won’t return but I would give it another try.
Mint

Cute place. Excellent service.
Food: No so great for the price.
ME: Salad ok, small.
Turkey dinner, turkey tasty, but no gravy? They did make and bring me some after my asking about gravy.
Bouillon cube, stock, flour.
I think stuffing was bread & stock added to
Stove Top Stuffing.
HUSBAND: Salmon mousse with red onion salsa, delicious. So overall 50:50
FYI: I never post reviews, but felt obligated to do so.
Disappointed

Last night marked my second visit to The Round Bistro. Both visits, while markedly different, were equally enjoyable. First thing’s first: I am a picky eater. Like, worse-​than-​your-​average-​preschooler picky. I am always slightly wary of trying new restaurants, particularly those with innovative menus; however, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of menu items that appealed to me. In fact, I have had a difficult time deciding on my order both times.
My first visit was a «date night» with my oldest son. I couldn’t disagree more with the previous reviewer, who referred to The Round as more of a bar atmosphere than a family restaurant. I mean, if you’re looking for Applebee’s, then yes, stay away. But if you’d like to experience a child-​friendly restaurant without the mass-​produced mediocrity of the major chains, this is your place. The bar area is far enough removed from the restaurant area that its patrons, the tv’s, etc. are hardy noticeable. Children’s meals are well-​priced ($ 5 – 6), and well-​portioned. The waitstaff was attentive and knowledge, especially to my son, who can be a bit of a «high maintenance» diner.
I returned to The Round last night with two of my girlfriends for dinner and their Tuesday night special — half-​price wine by the glass. My friends, who drove out to Gastonia from South Charlotte, were wowed by the value, not only of the wine special, but of the food, as well. While slightly more costly than your average Gastonia eatery, The Round’s prices are highly competitive with the restaurants that my husband and I generally drive out to Charlotte to eat at with our city-​dwelling friends. My girlfriends are already planning their next visit. Finally, a restaurant in Gastonia that lures my friends down I-​85 from Charlotte!
As far as food recommendations: potato-​crusted crab fritter & she-​crab soup apps are great. The soup lives up to the hype. Rock shrimp salad is different, in that it utilizes shredded cabbage as a base. As someone who hates iceberg lettuce (told you I was picky…), this detail was very much appreciated. Pan seared Asian tuna was well prepared — not overdone, which I find to be a common problem elsewhere. Wine list is more than adequate. My husband highly recommends the classic «Round» burger, which is served on a unique soft-​pretzel-​style roll. Mac & cheese bites are a hit with kids.
I highly recommend The Round Bistro. This restaurant adds a bit of culinary innovation and local culture to the community, both of which are lacking in the big box chains that line East Franklin. Enjoy!

Is Round Bistro cheap? Nope. Is the food worth every penny paid for it? Yep, without a doubt. Chef Jack Acheson is doing some great work in the kitchen of the former Johnny B’s Pizza Pad (now extensively remodeled, I’m guessing.)
My fiancée and I started with the smoked salmon mousse appetizer, served on bagel rounds with house-​made red onion marmalade. I didn’t even know you COULD make marmalade out of an onion. It was incredible. The light saltiness of the mousse and the sweetness of the marmalade played perfectly.
Then, the she-​crab soup. Holy cats. It was rich and smooth, with loads of crab meat. I could have eaten a gallon.
My fiancée had the Asian tuna, which was really flavorful, although I’m more of a «real meat» guy. I had the black pepper pork loin, which made my entire face happy with a great pepper kick and a nicely seared crust.
For dessert, you’ve GOT to try the beer-​nanas. They’re basically beignets with bananas inside, served in a paper sack and dusted with powdered sugar. Dip ‘em in the crème anglaise sauce and you’ll be in heaven.
This is serious food, folks. Don’t come here looking for cheap chain restaurant crap. Come here when you want local, made-​by-​the-​order great meals.

Looking for something different, decided to give it a try. Not very crowded. We were greeted promptly by a child around 11, who was the hostess of the evening. Greeted promptly by our waitress who rattled of the specials of the day and promptly got our drinks. The menu is «different» from the area, which can be a good thing. Combinations of flavors were a little on the questionable side, but you never know until you try it. Prices are in line with Lotus, Nicks, or Rodi’s.
We placed our orders, my husband goes of the burger, I try the Muffaletta?. A combination of meats in a calazone style wrap. Okay. except the use of canned meat. Looked like ham, spam or similar. It was a chunk. might of got by with it if it had been thinly sliced. I’m guessing it was suppose to be the «oven roasted turkey» could not tell. It tasted like a calazone. Husband hamburger was edible. Had mixed greens instead of lettuce. It was funny watching little leaves of greenery fall out of his mouth. The food was not bad, per se, just not something that would draw us back in.
Service– Took longer than need be for the food to arrive. We had to ask for drink refills. Place was NOT crowded. It was 8. 2 hrs before closing. Took us an hour for two «sandwich» meals.
Will we be back​.no. We like to go out for «appetizers and desserts» on our date night… did not see either that would pull us back in. Some of the favor combinations did not entice us to try them. It is a «bar» atmosphere. This is not a family style resturant. It is a «bistro». Not someplace you would expect a child to be working on a weekend, even if it is «helping out» mom or dad in their restaurant. Not cool.

Recently opened in the space formerly occupied by Johnny B’s.
Owned and operated by a couple of locals, Aaron Samole & Jack Acheson.
They have a very nice and varied menu with a good selection for the First Round.
Brushetta, Rock Shrimp, Fish Fritters & Crab Soup.
For the Main Round they have asian tuna, pork tenderloin, wraps & burgers along with some great salad selections.
The are putting together a great craft beer selection and currently serve Shock Top, Guinness and Red Oak.
An exceptional wine selection with something for everyone.
Beer & Wine only so this is more family oriented rather than another bar destination.
They will be offering live entertainment as well.
Check them out and support your local business!