?? WHAT'S COOKING: Variety and atmosphere abound at Black Fork Bistro in Loudonville

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While a variety of tasty burgers are the main draw, the diverse menu at Black Fork Bistro on West Main Street in Loudonville is what makes the two-tiered restaurant so inviting.

The classic burger, made with a half-pound of angus beef and a choice of toppings, is served with house made chips, seasonal slaw and a pickle.

The classic is just one of seven burger offerings, which include the butter burger, the hangover, the wild mushroom and swiss, bacon and brie and the Kyle Ketz Burger, from which a dollar from each burger sold goes to the Kyle Ketz Scholarship Foundation.

The Firetower burger is one of the more popular choices. It features onion straws, pepperjack cheese, jalapeno jam and fresh jalapeno and barbecue sauce on a brioche bun.

Black Fork Bistro runs weekend specials and also offers a burger of the month.

Other sandwiches include the ever-popular Reuben, a grilled portabella, chickpeas sliders and smoked BBQ chicken sliders, as well as wings, fish and chips and pizza.

Dinner options include a variety of pasta dishes, braised short rib and pan seared salmon.

Purchased in September by Vince and Lisa Richardson, the owners have tried to maintain the vision of the original owners and keep the dream of growing downtown Loudonville by broadening dining options in the community.

Black Fork Bistro opened in March 2020 and features a casual, inviting atmosphere that pays homage to the Mohican River area.

The bistro is unique to anything Loudonville has seen before, according to Lisa Richardson, who has spent the last 30 years working in the restaurant industry.

"We pride ourselves on the care and thought we put into each menu item," she said. "We avoid GMO’S, artificial flavors, preservatives and antibiotics when possible. We incorporate fresh and local ingredients. We also offer a wide variety of gluten free and vegan options."

They also source a lot of their products locally, from lettuce to pork and beef.

To prepare for the busy summer months when the Mohican area is jamming, Black Fork has added more seating and a full service bar upstairs, able to accommodate up to 70 additional diners.

Black Fork Bistro opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday-Sunday. It is open until 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 8 p.m. the remainder of the week. The Bistro is closed Mondays.

To check out last week's What's Cooking, Caribou Coffee, visit The-Daily-Record.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: ?? WHAT'S COOKING: Burgers a draw at Loudonville Black Fork Bistro