Jack's Bistro

3123 Elliott St

Baltimore, MD 21224 

Upon first hearing about the new Canton food stop, Jack's bistro, you might think the eatery is just another one of those trendy spots with a gimmick that shines at the start, but simply just won’t last. However, give the food a taste, and you may quickly reevaluate the Bistro. Jack's might be around for a long, long time... and that sits just fine with you (trust us). 

Jack's atmosphere is comfortable and casual. You can come right from work or in jeans and feel comfortable either way.  It is small and reservations are for large groups only so there may be a wait on busy weekends. The location is slightly off the beaten path, but parking is easier to find due to the distance between the bistro and Canton square. Be warned however that parking in the nearby lot is not advised; unfortunately it is not owned by the restaurant. 

Much of the food at Jack's is prepared using the sous-vide method of cooking – the menu will tell you this involves food being placed in bags for long periods of time (up to 24 hours) that are submerged in hot water. While this seems like a strange way to cook beef or pork, it definitely produces some great results. 

To begin your meal, there are several interesting appetizers. They range from interesting comfort food like macaroni and cheese with chocolate to steak tartar. The star of the appetizer menu, however, is the Spanish shrimp. This dish features large shrimp soaked in a creamy butter sauce served with warm, fluffy pita bread. During our meal, several plates of the delicious shrimp passed our table and had our mouths watering before our platter arrived. Needless to say, it was well worth the wait. 

Diving further into the menu, Jack's only has eight or nine entrees available at a time, but there is still something for everyone. Vegetarians will not leave hungry after ordering the Bohdi Dal, a dish featuring lentils in a wonderfully seasoned Indian curry. Meat lovers can't go wrong with the Sous-Vide Bistro Steak Frites. The steak is cooked to a perfect 134 degrees and is tender and flavorful. On the side was a perfect sized portion of thinly cut fries that were packed with garlicky flavor. Even true Baltimore seafood fans will like the Bistro Crab Cake.  Rather than trying to just imitate a traditional Maryland crab cake, Jack's put their own spin on it with a Dijon horseradish sauce that was flawlessly flavored. 

For those of you who think that nothing is better than s'mores made by the campfire, the fried s'more dessert at Jack's will change your mind. Gooey, messy and chocolaty, the treat is even better when served with a scoop of chocolate ice cream. The desserts change frequently so for your sake, we hope these s’mores are on the menu when you head to Jack's. 

If you aren't looking for a big meal, Jack's is a nice spot to stop in for a funky martini, glass of wine or a beer. The cocktail list includes unique concoctions such as the Elvis martini (peanut butter and banana of course), chocolate peanut butter martini and Jack's bubble tea. The beer menu is extensive and will almost certainly include something you haven't tried. There are quite a few choices for wine ranging from inexpensive on up to bottles for special occasions. 

While the prices are very reasonable, there are some fantastic specials: Wednesday is $18 wine night, Thursday features a two-course beer dinner, Sunday is $12 entrees at the bar and $15 at tables and happy hour features $2 off beer, wine and appetizers. Pick a night, and enjoy yourself!