Cow by Bear is an American pop-up steakhouse founded in San Diego by an anonymous chef dressed as a Kodiak bear.
| Cow by Bear | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2011 |
| Head chef | Chef Bear |
| City | San Diego |
| Country | United States |
| Seating capacity | 10-14 |
| Reservations | Yes |
| Website | www |
History
editOriginally based in San Diego,[1] Cow by Bear was founded in 2011 by an anonymous chef known only as "Chef Bear",[2] who began cooking out of their own apartment.[3] After six years in San Diego, Chef Bear launched Cow by Bear Seattle in partnership with head chef Osa Bear.[4] Chef Bear also commissioned Chef Aleppo Bear to operate a Cow by Bear restaurant in Savannah, Georgia.[5] In May 2019, Chef Bear, together with Osa Bear and Lil' Osito Bear, returned to San Diego.[2]
Description
editAccording to the restaurant's official website, Chef Bear is a Kodiak bear who "was kidnapped at a young age and put into a traveling circus", during which time he "learned to both talk and walk upright", before embarking on his culinary career.[6] However, Chef Bear does not verbally communicate with his patrons, preferring to use either body language or e-mail.[7] The restaurant is only open from Thursday to Saturday during dinner hours and each of its temporary locations has a single table that can accommodate around ten to fourteen diners;[3][8] diners will only receive the restaurant's location by e-mail a day before their reservations.[9] The restaurant serves a five-course tasting menu that changes each month;[7] Chef Bear describes his cuisine as "fine dining, wild animal style".[10] Dishes served include a 50-day dry-aged ribeye steak,[7] smoked salmon, and lamb ragout.[11]
Reception
editWriting for Modern Luxury San Diego, Keri Bridgwater called Cow by Bear the "most eclectic supper club" in San Diego.[12] Reviewing the restaurant for the Netflix food reality television series Fresh, Fried and Crispy (2021), Daym Drops commented, "I might need all my steaks done by a bear."[13]
References
edit- ^ Tutko, Marie (April 27, 2021). "What We're Craving, Sipping, and Talking About in May". San Diego Magazine.
- ^ a b "About". Cow by Bear. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "Episode 22 – Dining With Cow By Bear". Noon on Tuesday. September 12, 2017.
- ^ Stansbury, Michelle (March 2, 2018). "San Diego's Secret Foodie Scene: Cow By Bear". Eat, Drink, Be San Diego.
- ^ Jarrett, Justin (May 22, 2018). "Cow by Bear". South.
- ^ "Chefs". Cow by Bear. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Billock, Jennifer (April 8, 2016). "Eat Dinner Cooked by a Bear". Smithsonian.
- ^ Rietmulder, Michael (November 27, 2018). "This Creepy Bear is Throwing $200 Underground Dinner Parties in Seattle". Seattle Magazine.
- ^ Valentini, Valentina (August 15, 2016). "Cow by Bear, San Diego's Strangest Pop-Up, Has Its Own Short Doc Series". Thrillist.
- ^ "Meet Chef Bear of Cow by Bear in Downtown". SDVoyager. September 20, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Neidigh, Kate. "A dinner series hosted by a Bear? 'Cow By Bear' is an experience you'll never forget". Seattle Refined. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
- ^ Bridgwater, Keri (July 29, 2019). "The Mysterious Chefs Behind Cow By Bear Return with Another Pop-Up Dining Experience". Modern Luxury San Diego.
- ^ Patterson, Daymon (host) (June 2021). "San Diego". Fresh, Fried and Crispy. Netflix.