Blend Baton Rouge

I brought friends from out of state. They loved it as much as I did and said so on their Facebook page. Thank you !

Great atmosphere for an intimate evening with that special someone

Blend has a very relaxed, almost rustic chic atmosphere. The upstairs loft looked pretty swanky but the atmosphere (unfortunately) was the best part of the dining experience. We had a reservation but wasn't seated until 20 minutes later. It seemed they were understaffed and underprepared for the evening (Valentine's weekend). We got the cheese plate which was average compared to the price. The flatbread served was a bit overdone and the server didn't tell which pieces complimented what on the plate. The wine was again a little pricey but that's to be expected at a wine bar. I don't recommend ordering food here, or going when there is a special holiday.

My husband and I decided to try Blend during the Valentine's Day weekend. We got the fixed menu and a cheese plate along with drinks. He had sweet potato soup, sliced steak, and carrot cake. I had a broccoli Gorgonzola salad, seafood bouillabaisse, and chocolate candy bar. They have an extensive wine and drink menu, which is the highlight. The cheese plate was good, but the rest of the food was fairly mediocre especially for the steep price. I thought the bouillabaisse was fishy, the salad was decent, and his sweet potato soup was inedible. His steak was okay, nothing special, but the root purée it was sitting on was really bitter. The carrot cake was visually a mess and didn't have much flavor. We did enjoy the candy bar dessert which came with a shot of mulled wine. It was really loud inside, and we had to yell to be heard. The service was average. It's a nice bar, but we won't be going back for dinner.

My husband and I went here prior to a show because we've dined here before and know how well you're treated. Our overall experience is always a nice one here, as they take great care of their patrons. It was a steady evening here on a Friday, and the hostess and servers were attentive and courteous with the crowd. We were greeted and seated promptly, and we were brought to a lovely table for two with a nice view of the bar and the outside. Our food was prepared like art, as it always is, and my duck was superb! The shrimp and grits were also a true treat. My only complaint is the portions. You definitely are paying for the atmosphere and the artistic venue style more than the actual food. The quality is impeccable and the flavors are delicious, but it's more of a small plate style venue, so be prepared to pay more for more in quantity if you're super hungry. The prices are a bit high for the amount you get, but the food is always beautiful and is prepared deliciously overall. The wine list is awesome, and they always have seasonal gems for you to try. I love their knowledge and availability of rare finds, and it's nice to be able to sample new choices from time-to-time. They take pride in their selections and it shows for sure! We will continue to dine here because it's a lovely establishment, and they do always take great care of you here. It's a lovely date night spot.