PIROGUE GRILLE – Bismarck

The Pirogue Grille is a very comfortable space finished with exposed brick, woods, and metalwork. Artwork adds a splash of color to the neutral, welcoming color palate.

My evening was off to a good start when I found 20 creative choices on the martini list. I chose one of my favorites - the Grey Goose dirty martini. I sipped my libation as I perused the eclectic menu featuring duck, bison, homemade venison sausage, rabbit & walleye. I was disappointed to find inexpensive olives in, my otherwise, perfect martini. For my second, I requested olive juice only. The rest of the evening was flawless.

My start to this incredible meal was the homemade venison sausage with grainy mustard and a sweet potato relish/salad. The course ground sausage was delicious. The side of diced sweet potato relish was an unexpected, interesting treat.

Throughout the meal our fantastic server, Kristina, ensured our bread basket was filled with warm, wheat rolls with flax seeds. Soft butter is served with the homemade rolls at Pirogue. This, alone, is a huge satisfier for me! There is nothing more disappointing than attempting to spread cold butter across a warm roll.

For my entrée, I selected the North Dakota raised NY strip steak. The strip was grilled to perfection – slightly charred with a pink center… so tender you could use your butter knife. On the menu, the steak was offered with a sauce. I prefer my steak without a sauce. A side of creamy, buttermilk mashed potatoes with a hint of dill arrived with the steak. Yumm!

The Chocolate Pate with fresh raspberry sauce was my choice for dessert. The smooth, rich slices of deep dark chocolate drizzled with a slightly tart raspberry sauce was decadence at its best.

A treat arrives with your dinner check... a small bowl of homemade caramel popcorn. There are seconds for those who ask; I did. Sweet, crunchy and delicious!

Pirogue has been around for 2 short years, but it has made its mark. Gourmet Magazine (October 2007) named Pirogue Grille as one of “The 100 Best Farm-to-Table Restaurants in America.” Pirogue is probably the best fine dining experience in Bismarck. I never expected to find such a wonderful surprise hiding in the middle of North Dakota!

Link to additional Priogue Grill post

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

PirogueGrille.com

$$$$
+++++
✦✦✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”