All Reviews
Ann Adkins
3 months agoLoved this place! My husband and I went for our anniversary last night and truly enjoy our dining experience. There's such a lack of fine dining options in Ashland so we're pleased to find one in Barbousville. Our amazing server was Trevor. We ordered a whisky sour, cucumber basil martini, oysters, duck, rabbit leg and chocolate torte. Everything tasted great and looked delightful. The atmosphere was old world with intricate detail to the carpentry and architecture inside and out which we appreciated the escapism. The only negative was that they ran out of bone marrow appetizer and certain alcohol spirits. So just don't have your heart set on any certain items. You can still find acceptable alternatives that are just as good. Parking was street parking which was fine for us on a Thursday at 6p, but could be any issue on a weekend. Definitely will come back and recommend to others who are in search for something unique.
Annabel Noe Day
4 months ago5* atmosphere, 5* food, and 5* service, even after closing time! We have never had a bad dish or experience at Bruno’s. Unfortunately, I am developing allergies to food as an adult randomly and when I least expect it. It’s not even related foods, so sometimes it’s a mystery until I scrutinize labels, etc. My latest new allergy hit me right after I ate at Bruno’s. 100% not their fault- just my body being itself! I called right at closing to ask for an ingredient list, expecting it to be sent the next day. Jami so very kindly sent it within 15 minutes to help me figure out my latest food trigger. A+ class acts all around. Highly recommend!!!
Kaylee Tate
8 months agoMy husband and I came here for our 3 year wedding anniversary. We already loved the place just based off of the way the inside looked, the kind staff, and the food, but what made it amazing was when Bruno came by our table to check on us. He asked if we were enjoying the food (which we very much were) and asked where we were from. We live in Charleston, about an hour away, and told him we had seen the restaurant online and decided to come for our anniversary. Bruno was very appreciative that we decided to spend our anniversary there and surprised us with a free toast and a free dessert. Our experience was unforgettable and it was definitely one of the best meals we’ve ever had.
Allison Persinger
8 months agoCame for anniversary dinner. Didn’t even know this place existed. So happy we found out about it because it was so good!! The sourdough bread and mushroom pasta. We will be back
Josh Chandler
a year agoValentine’s Day at Bruno's Spotted Hare in Barboursville was an unforgettable experience. This high-end Appalachian-inspired restaurant blends international flavors with refined execution. We started with the pan-seared diver scallop over celery root purée with green grapes, followed by katsu-style fried rabbit tenderloin with chili and sorghum katsu sauce. The Hershaw Farms mushroom bisque was rich and velvety, while the fried goat cheese salad with apple and cranberry balsamic vinaigrette was perfectly balanced. For entrées, the pan-roasted halibut with sauce Choron, rice pilaf, Swiss chard, radicchio, and botarga was exceptional. The 14oz bone-in pork chop with sweet potato au gratin, roasted Brussels sprouts, and tomatillo poblano sauce was hearty and flavorful. Dessert did not disappoint—a classic New York-style cheesecake with strawberry compote and a decadent chocolate mousse topped with chocolate-covered espresso beans and fresh raspberries. Bruno’s Spotted Hare delivers impeccable service, a stunning atmosphere, and a menu that surprises and delights. A must-visit for anyone seeking an elevated dining experience.
Joseph Stanley
a year agoWe've been wanting to try it since they opened but always like to wait until they've been open a while so that any needed adjustments could be made. First, we love the atmosphere. It feels both upscale and homey at the same time. It has kind of an English hunting lodge feel. There are lots of little details so your eyes never stop wandering. Greeter and server were both friendly and the service was fast but we had to wait for water refills several times. That's more an issue with the tiny water glasses than the server, though. We ordered the trout dip to start. I really like trout dip so I didn't even have to think about it. I wish I had, though. If my wife hadn't been starving and insisted she didn't want to wait for another dish, I would have sent it back. It was so salty as to be nearly inedible (another reason for the empty water glasses). What flavor I could discern was good but there was just so much salt that it was unpleasant to eat. I will likely try it again just to see if that was truly how they make it or if someone made a mistake. My wife got the leg of rabbit and I ordered the venison ragu. Ironically, the venison was under seasoned. We had to ask for salt and some red pepper. The rabbit was good. It wasn't gamey or grainy like rabbit can be if not prepared well. I am a fan of the presentation. It was served with braised whole carrots which look fantastic on the plate. The grits it is placed on were delicious. We ended the meal with a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie. I'm a pie lover and wasn't disappointed. That was probably the best strawberry pie I've had. I wish they were a little more generous with the whipped cream, though. At the prices they're charging, it won't be a regular thing but we'll surely be back. The menu is small and I'm determined to try everything on it.
Chris Spears
a year agoWonderful place to eat. Drinks were tasty. Apps we got were yummy. The duck breast was the best my wife had ever had. The venison ragu was so comforting definitely felt like a nice hearty Appalachian meal. The desserts were superb as well. Wasn't too sure about a cornmeal pound cake but it was scrumptious. Wife loved the strawberry rhubarb pie.
Leah
a year agoDecor is beautiful, details are really nice bravo! Service was attentive and a good pace. Was really hoping for the food to be upscale with ingredients and presentation as described and delicious to reflect the prices, unfortunately not. Came with a group of 5 to celebrate a birthday. We had appetizers, entrees, and dessert. We came on an evening that wasn't busy to get a good experience. A few examples: Temperatures of the entrees weren't hot, slaw was slimy and very overdressed, the "tempura" was more like a thick batter, fish didn't taste fresh- tasted like ammonia. Is the pie fresh made in-house?? Disappointed, willing to try again, though.