Pairings BistroDelicious and intimate!Pairings is a fantastic place to go with a small group if you want high quality food in Harford County. The staff is friendly and helpful and the menu is second to none in the area. Also, save room for the tres leche cake!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThe tables are to close. WeThe tables are to close. We had a couple of guys right next to us and I could smell his terribe breath. No kidding. Also my grandson ordered the chocolate cake and the outside of the shell was hard. My daughter and my dessert was terrific. I love the place.5/8/2013 12:00:00 AMFANTASTICThis was my 3rd visit to this amazing gem of a restaurant. Service was impeccable and food magnificent. 3 of us opted for the pre-fix menu (amazing value) without the wine pairing we opted for bottle of wine and their unique beers. Started with the fried oysters - perfectly battered and cooked - not too much breading, fried crisp and crunchy, not greassy - oyster remained plump and juicy. Followed by cream of crab soup (loved the extra sherry) beet salad (visually beautiful with layers of flavor and textures), grilled caesar salad with brioche croutons, the fish tacos (perfectly balanced with the sweet red cabbage and chipolte sauce) bbq shrimp/cheddar grits, tres leche cake, cheesecake and ice cream special. Can't wait to return....5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMVery EnjoyableWe selected the 4 course with wine pairing. Each course was outstanding in flavor, freshness and presentation. The wine pairings were great, and generous. Cream of crab was excellent! They had outdoor seating, but portions of it were still under construction so we opted to eat inside. Tables are a little close, but not too close. Our server, Eric, was outstanding as well. Would recommend.5/2/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious food with greatDelicious food with great wine pairings. Knowledgeable staff - ask for Ian, he is fab!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my first time eatingThis was my first time eating at Pairings Bistro and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the food and service were. The ambience is what you would expect at a nice wine bar and the service was top notch. The waitress was very helpful and pleasant, as were the other servers who came periodically to clear plates or refill drinks.
The food was amazing up until dessert. Although the desserts were good, they were clearly overcooked. I had the beignets which were very small and fried to the point of being dark brown and crunchy. My husband ordered the lava cake which had been cooked to the point where there was actually no "lava" left in the center.
I would certainly go back and also recommend this restaurant to friends and family!4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMgreat food and wine.. Salad ?I really enjoyed the food and wine with only one small objection, I would have enjoyedmy salad more had it not been served whole on the stalk,preventing it from being thouroughly washed. I would have liked to see a fewbottles of Italian red on the wine list, maybe a nice Bunello di Molttalcino!ps: I would have given the food one more star had it not been for the salad..4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMI went there to celebrateI went there to celebrate my girlfriend's birthday. The waitress was very friendly, open, and knew the wines very well. We left with full stomachs and bought 2 bottles on the way out. Food and wine was delicious. Service was fast. Defintely will come again.4/24/2013 12:00:00 AMDelivers without disappointment!Another consistently good dinner service. This time with the Spring menu. The cream of crab soup is the among the best I've ever had.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, Pairings met ourAs always, Pairings met our high expectations. This time our server was exceptionally friendly and generous in meeting our requests. The restaurant has recently expanded a bit and created a different entrance, so not having the door in the main restaurant room opening all the time is a definite plus, especially in cold weather. Food was great and the pairings were well done!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMI loved the experience, myI loved the experience, my only issue was the small portion of my salad, which I paid extra for tuna on top. I was hungry afterward and there should have been some kind of bread or side with that.....just not enough greens!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFive Stars!Pairings is the best restaurant in the Harford county area. They have an excellent menu made from local tastes and favorites, well paired wine and beer selections, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and a newly expanded dining room and patio with great decor and atmosphere. If you haven't been there, you need to go...you are missing a treat.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delicious asThe food was delicious as always. The new renovations are great! We did notice that their portions have gotten smaller, which was a little disappointing but they now have the option of a double order.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI was there 4/18 and I thoughtI was there 4/18 and I thought it would be nice to sit in the back room. Granted there was a large party but the noise was so loud I could barely hear my friend. We asked to move and thankfully we were able to find another seat.
Service was a little slower but I think it was due to this huge party.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMAll dishes were good...someAll dishes were good...some excellent. Service was excellent. The restaraunt was a bit too noisy.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThis restaurant just keepsThis restaurant just keeps getting better and better, especially with the new barrel room and wine cellar.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently wonderful. OutstandinConsistently wonderful. Outstanding food and service.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and wine:Excellent food and wine: mac & cheese w/lobster, seared scallops w/sweet potato hash, etc. I keep going back to try everything on the menu. My friends love me for introducing them to Pairings. Love the food, ambience and staff. Best restaurant ever. Jan3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMI wish the tables were spreadI wish the tables were spread out a little more. Felt like we were up against our neighbors. Also just make ever portion a double portion. There are enough tappas places already!!!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMI loved the European feelI loved the European feel to the restaurant and the waiter couldn't do enough for us. It was great that we were not rushed to finish our food. We had a four course meal and I especially enjoyed the "cream of crab soup". Presentation of meals is superb with attention to detail. You have to reserve a table early as it gets booked out pretty quick.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGotta try it!This place is a gem. I've had a great meal every time I've been there. The expansion is nice - easier to get a reservation and the noise level is better. I had the Butternut Squash soup, fried oysters and the Lamb chops - each course was amazing and memorable. I love the wine list too - usual and great selections.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful food and wine pairingsThe food is wonderfully prepared and I always find a new, delicious wine whenever I dine here. The new barrel vault ceiling dining room is beautiful. We have to come here more often.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe table for two was a littleThe table for two was a little cramped, but the food was absolutely outstanding! After a couple of glasses of our delicious wine, I didn't notice how crowded I was.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMI love this place but it isI love this place but it is pricey for the portion of food you get. Especially the salads. Cheese plates are great. I've been 4 times and have not been disappointed with the taste of anything! Overall it's worth it!3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMA notable upscale gem in AbingdonThe prixe fixe meals with the pairings was fun and interesting. I would not recommend the 5 course which serves 2 choices of the main course. The 4 course should be adequate. The ambience was pleasing and the food was delightful. If you like a tasting of wine, it was very convenient that you can purchase a bottle of wine there - as they have a small store in the front of the restaurant. The waitress was not very excited about explaining the different wines. She seemed to be bored telling us about the various wines that were being served. However; it was noted that the other waiters and staff seemed more enthusiastic.
I would recommend this place to family and friends.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMMy wife and I found the restaurantMy wife and I found the restaurant exceptional in menu/dishes, wine list and ambiance.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMNice Place in Bel AirMy friend and I had never been to Pairings Bistro and it was a good midway point for us meeting. The decor of the restaurant is very warm, stylish, reminiscent of a decorated wine cellar. Service here is outstanding! Everyone with whom we came into contact was very friendly, helpful, and had a smile on their face. We started with a two-cheese plate of cabra la mancha and manchego, which was served with warm baguette and walnut spread. My friend had the BBQ shrimp and grits and I had the chicken Marsala with mushroom risotto. Of course we indulged in dessert - a chocolate brownie and warm fruit crumble - which was the perfect end to an excellent meal. Very tasty food with superb presentation, and great service. We would definitely return.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI eat at Pairings severalI eat at Pairings several times a month and am never disappointed. This time I took a friend who warned that he's not an adventurous eater and he was worried he wouldn't like the food. I knew I could pick things he'd enjoy though. First we had the lobster mac & cheese, which he enjoyed so much and had a tough time sharing with me. Then he got the Cider Braised Pork Shank and practically licked the plate clean. I got the mussels which are a classic, and my date even tried a few mussels for the first time ever and loved them. For dessert we got the Hot Cocoa and Marshmallow Brownie with vanilla mint ice cream, which I have had a few times and love. It was the envy of diners sitting at the table next to us.3/8/2013 12:00:00 AMOnce again Jon and his staffOnce again Jon and his staff have done an amazing job serving us fine wine and delectable food. The mussels with chorizo and the side of Belgian frites were my favorite, although the hummus and lobster mac never let me down. It was also wonderful to try the Faustino Rioja, which was a recommended wine by my server. It was great.12/29/2012 12:00:00 AM