Ursula"s Wine Bar & Cafe is a quaint, intimate, quiet fine dining restaurant. With 39 seats it is a romantic setting for a first date or anniversery. The monthly changing menu offers selections that showcases local farmers. The award winning wine list contains 150 wines. The outdoor deck creates a beautiful place to enjoy Minnesota summer. The staff is friendly and knowledgable. Ursula's brings back thoughts of a small European bistro in a metro suburban setting.
"Inside the restaurant, it smelled so much like pinesol, I could hardly breath. Luckily the sun was out & we could sit on the deck. Yet, 2 of 3 umbrellas were broken & the ambiance was less than on my own patio. The wine was good but not worth the price & only about 1/4 of a glass. The food was fair but for the price, I would have expected better. The trout was very good. The filet was tasteless & chewy. The creme brulee was partly cold & partly warm, which was not very appealing and it had no presentation to it. No different than any other restaurant that costs 1/2 as much. After years of waiting to try this restaurant due to the prices I have to say that I was completely disappointed and will stick to my regular places in WBL."
Dined on 6/10/2013
2012
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"It amazed us that this wine bar did not have a wine list. We were told that that they were in the middle of seasons. In addition, our waitress did not have knowledge in regards to wine. Though the food was very good overall, we were very disappointed."
Dined on 6/09/2013
2012
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"No matter what our mood is, Ursula's fits right in> Kurt & Sarah greet us like ole friends. The food is fabulous, the wine always delicious (we have Kurt pick out our bad habits for us). A true "neighborhood Gem"."
Dined on 6/07/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We have been to Ursala's several times over the past few years (probably two to three times a year). The food was outstanding as ever. There are not significant adjectives to describe the quality and presentation of the food. The service was a complete disappointment. We have never had such poor service (even at McDonalds) and unless something comes to our attention providing a reason for this poor service and assuring us that there will be changes made, I doubt that we will bother visiting Ursala's again."
Dined on 6/08/2013
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"Tired of the deafening restaurant scene? Want fantastically prepared food, small seating, and one of the best wine lists in town? Owner/bartender Kurt has has the place for you! It is homey and welcoming, a perfect neighborhood bistro, where regulars begin to recognize each other. We go at least once a week, and his reasonably prices and low markup in wine make it very affordable."
Dined on 5/23/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I've been to ursulas a few time and I've never been disappointed. My only concern was the lack of wine. It used to be full of different wines. I hope they are not closing..because I would be very sad."
Dined on 5/02/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I must have been in a different place than the other reviewers. 1st impression, smelled like Lysol or a cheap bar urinal cake. White table cloths, oh wait they covered those with a sheet of paper. Took an hour for my steak to arrive, it was cooked as ordered and had a really nice rub, too bad I had to leave 1/2 of it due to fat and gristle. My side was 5 green beans. Coffee was good though, no wait, the bottom of my cup was full of grounds, waitress just poured more in, instead of offering a clean cup. My date's crab cakes could be copied from any frozen food section. Rudy's or Gordy's would be a much, much better choice for the money, or any of the others within a mile and save $30."
Dined on 5/11/2013
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"Ursula's Wine Bar in White Bear Lake was a fabulous choice for my partner and I as we celebrated our anniversary. The professional wait staff and host greeted us promptly and seated us quickly. The small restaurant is at once a high class dining experience, and a friendly down-to-earth spot for couples and friends. The wait staff is friendly and the manager was a polished, charming professional. The food was a glorious surprise. I had a light penne served with a mushroom spinach cream sauce and rabbit-rattlesnake sausage. I was quite clearly the predator of my dish, and I may have eaten it with something less than finesse. Ursula's is a worthy choice for any looking for flavorful, interesting food and a pleasant atmosphere."
Dined on 5/04/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"First time experience here. Went with another couple for Saturday night dinner. Cozy and quiet atmosphere which allowed for good conversation. Chicken breast with risotto was very good, as was flat bread special. Lamb shank was rated "ok". Service was attentive and friendly. Entrèes start at $20."
Dined on 4/27/2013
Special Features: romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"I have very mixed feelings towards Ursula's. Atmosphere could be better. I assume the wine steward/bartender is the owner. He could definitely be more friendly. almost felt we were imposing. crab cakes, eggplant salad and carrot soup were phenomenal. Entrees did not make it past bland and boring. We were so pleased with our first and second courses we were expecting to be overwhelmed with fabulous entrees. Did NOT happen. We had the coffee roast beef which honestly - I've had better at a diner. Nothing really to recommend it. The pork tenderloin was worse! no sauce, no spices, no herbs. just plain fried(?) slices of pork tenderloin on a bed of raw spinach. I make an awesome currant/cassis pork tenderloin that blew this away."
Dined on 03/29/2013
2006
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"Very small dining room with wine bar which appears to target the affluent 40-70 year old demographic. Small menu, variable results. Nothing was bad, but nothing was outstanding either. A great Groupon value, less of a value at full price. But, that being said, it's nice to have some non chain dining in the White Bear area!!!! We will return, occasionally."
Dined on 03/25/2013
2007
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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"First time visit to Ursula's (Groupon brought us in). The food was outstanding. The service amazing. The ambience excellent. What a quaint little restaurant!"
Dined on 03/23/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, hot spot
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"Overpriced flavorless food. No pepper available or offered. We had a reservation and yet felt we were rushed out of there in 45 minutes. Much better options in White Bear Lake. Won't go back."
Dined on 03/22/2013
2013
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"We were there for three hours and the waiter only asked us once if we wanted to order a drink. He never asked us if we wanted a second glass of wine so we did not. We had to constantly ask for refills on water and then we had to ask for coffee with our desert and then we had to ask for refills on coffee. We basically were ignored the entire evening. We felt really wanted...."
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"We had a reservation, and were seated about 45 minutes late. It's a small intimate restaurant, so if one or two tables take extra long, what can they do? Once we were seated, I thought our service and the food was great. The menu wasn't extensive, but their menu had unusual things like pinapple risotto and mole sauce. Yes, I want to go back. As an added bonus, there was accoustic music happening that night. I love quiet live music, just adds to my evening experience."
Dined on 02/21/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Service, while gracious, was slow. Wait staff seemed to consist of one waiter and a bartender when we were there. Don't know if the slow service was caused by slow kitchen or busy waiter. Still, our group of four enjoyed thw low level of the music and background noise which allowed us to converse while waiting for our food. The food was very good and my only complaint was that the rice served with the trout was mushy and wet rather than fluffy and firm."
Dined on 03/07/2013
2010
Special Features: notable wine list, special occasion
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"Owner has a smug attitude. Chicken was dry and had little taste. Fish was not flavorful. Service was slow. Reservation are required and no other accommodations were attempted on a previous visit."
Dined on 02/28/2013
2009
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"Great daily specials, superb wine list and a very friendly, intimate atmosphere. The base menu is not huge, but I've never had trouble finding something between the menu and specialls that both sounded appealing and tasted even better. Usually, I'm choosing between two or three options. It's a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the trip!"
Dined on 02/24/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"We had another good time at Ursula's. The staff is great and the food was very good. I only wish there was a few more choices for entrees (less game items), but thats just me. My husband loved it."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2012
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"Ursala's had a unique menu with choices you won't find just anywhere. The food was great and portion sizes were neither too big or too little. We even had room for dessert. I also really enjoy how small and intimate this place is. It is a very cool place for a special night out!"
Dined on 02/23/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Excellent is everything about Ursulas Wine Bar. The experience begins with a warm geeting from the owner and ends with good strong coffee. I like calling on Kurt for wine suggestions to match the food. He will suggest a glass or a bottle from his vast cellar. I like Ursulas because it is small and cozy. The menu, is always interesting, making it difficult to chose. My main course was trout over French lentils with a red pepper sauce. They do not try to do too much, so what they do is lovely. I highly suggest the drive to White Bear Lake to expereince this under the radar gem."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"We asked the server if the chef had a vegetarian option not listed on the menu. She returned offering a vegetable stir fry on lentils. Delicious! Thanks to the chef for understanding. It should be on the menu all the time."
Dined on 02/22/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"The server was very attentive and helpful. The owner recommended an excellent wine. My only hesistation from ranking it more highly was the very small table size and the somewhat casual environment. If you want to get dressed up and go out fancy, this isn't the place. But if you want interesting food and excellent wine with great service, this is the place."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"This is a good little restaurant in which we have dined many times; however when it is busy, the staff is easily overwhelmed. On Valentine's day, we were seated rapidly; however there were only 2 servers (and a bus girl) in the dining room and they were stressed. The people at the table next to us waited a VERY long time even for water. This used to be a favorite of ours, but now we will have to be sure to go on nights when it's not crowded (no Saturday nights or holidays). I know that all restaurants have more trouble with crowds, but most good ones handle it better."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2005
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