Black Balsam & Blue - Pies|Brews

Reviews about Black Balsam & Blue - Pies|Brews

• 4 / 5

  By Joe Nehila
  I have had a few very solid experiences. Hopefully four stars does not detract - if you are reading this and considering eating here, you should.
  
  The food has been very good. Salads, the wrapped goat cheese app, a few pizzas (including trying their chicken sausage, lamb sausage, bacon, and other items). I am a huge fan of crispy, thinner crust pizzas and this does not disappoint. It is my sincere hope that this restaurant stays open and continues to offer great food.
  
  I've heard a few people hem and haw, but that is because they are comparing this to a $7.00 Domino's pizza. There is room for Dominos, and they have gotten better, but good is good. House made sausage is house-made sausage. Better ingredients, enhanced creativity, and great sauce make pizzas better. This place needs to not be compared to chain pizza joints, or even a place like Mellow Mushroom, you should be comparing it to a mid-range dinner venue. On Tues night, two $10 ten-inch pizzas will fill a couple up, and it would be comparable to a trip to Zoe's. So do we got to Zoe's or BBB, not comparing BBB to Domino's $7 deal.
  
  So, to the ugly matter of losing a star. First, if you haven't been in, you'd have no way of knowing you were in for pizza. The first time I thought I was walking into a gastropub. Second, the ambiance is a bit confused. A little too hip for the older crowd, a little off for a younger crowd - if one exists enough to populate a place like this in Bluffton. The music choices are unusual while the actual look of the place is sleek. Third, of four pies, I had one that was a little more cindery than it should have been. It was still good though, just a bit over-charred on one bubble.
  
  Finally, service is so-so. In a not-very-filled restaurant, the waitress was not very on the ball. I think she may have been in training, as she wasn't part of the family running the joint. Drinks took awhile to be refilled, pizza running was slow, it just wasn't great. This said, service was nowhere near as bad as Cahill's (my favorite bleh service, great food place around). I'm sure these are just blips that will be worked out in time.
  
  So, go give it a try. You will be in for good pizza.
  February 24, 2017
• 5 / 5

  By Moe Lonergan
  Amazing pies, best crust I have had since I lived in NJ, delicious toppings, and phenomenal appetizers. I can't say enough good things about the pizza. Impeccable beer selection.
  
  Additionally the decor is gorgeous. The wood work, metal work, and glassware are world class
  October 28, 2016