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 |
Cow by Bear is an American pop-up steakhouse founded in San Diego by an anonymous chef dressed as a Kodiak bear.
Originally 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]
According 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]
Writing 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]