Ursula's Wine Bar

My husband and I stopped at Ursula's on our way through town. We were traveling from out of state. As in other reviews, the restaurant is small with about 15 tables. About 4 tables had customers. The rest was empty. We did learn that they had just finished a special wine dinner, but all the customers had just left.
Since Ursula's is the wine experts, I asked for a suggestion for a white wine, not too oaky like a chardonnays but dry like a sauvignon blanc. The waiter delivered a chenin blanc blend from Napa that was very good. I wasn't very hungry so I ordered an appetizer as my main course. My husband ordered the fish special, marlin. We waited and waited. Eventually some bread arrived. Then we waited some more. My husband's wine glass was empty, my wine glass was almost empty and we still had no dinner. In fact, I found it very odd that a wine bar would not even be on top of empty wine glasses just drooling to get you a refill. Not once during our meal, when it finally arrived, did they ask if we'd like another glass. We did however, ask if they could refill our water glasses that also became empty during our wait. Oh, I know why, our waiter was sitting at a table with a customer just chatting away as if he was being waited on. Perhaps he forgot that there were other customers in the room.
My appetizer, the pizza, was fabulous. My husband said the fish was so-so. When we paid the bill, and started to leave, we said good-bye to the staff behind the wine bar who didn't acknowledge us. You have to know that this is a very small restaurant. Standing at the front door and saying and waving goodbye to three people chatting behind the wine bar is as close as being in someone's living room. But they didn't even look up. Other customers did, but the staff did not seem to care.
This is a nice place with poor service.

Pros: Good wine selection

Cons: Slow Service

Posted 09/30/08

I've occasionally dropped by Ursulas over the past 5 years. Lately I find myself thinking about the really good food there, the friendly owner, the great wine list... and my next visit.
The menu changes monthly which I like, great pasta dishes, well prepared steaks and excellent fresh fish.
This summer I found out the chef is making homemade ice cream. A couple of weeks ago I had curry apricot ice cream...great, and I loved the cinnamon white pepper concoction.
I enjoy going online to look at the new monthly menu. Can't wait until Sept. is posted and I can think about my next dinner at Ursulas.

Pros: free parking, soft lighting, fun wine art, great ambiance

Posted 09/03/08

Ursula's is really an asset to this part of town. It is a bistro type setting and very casual. The food is excellent and the owner always wants to make sure everyone is happy. I know they have a five course wine dinner that will benefit Africa on May 21, and tickets are only $59.99 per person. Seating indoors is around 38 and an additional 20 for deckside outdoors. Tickets for this event are sold on LocalWineEvents or call WineStyles of Woodbury (651) 730-0112.

Giraffrican Mix Wine Dinner Menu for May 21, 2008
Amuse Bouche-Sparkling paired with Citrus Cured Salmon on Cucumber with Mint & Creme Fraiche
1st Course-Sauvignon Blanc paired with Arugula & Spinach Salad with Poached Figs, Marcona Almonds & Meyer Lemon
2nd Course-Chardonnay paired with Marinated Shrimp with Tomatoes, Bacon, Frisee & Sauce Charon
3rd Course-Merlot paired with Gorgonzola & Caramelized Onion Ravioli in a Merlot & Blackberru Reduction
4th Course-Blend paired with Pepper Crusted Beef Tenderloin with Asparagus, Risotto & Wild Mushrooms
Palate Cleanser - Citrus & Anise
Dessert-Syrah complimented with Mascarpone Profiterole with Cherry & Rosemary Chocolate Ganache

Pros: cozy with great wines and food

Cons: Small, sometimes service may not be on the terrific side

Posted 04/04/08

My husband, mom and I walked in on a Wednesday night, without reservations. It was not busy but we were treated with extreme contempt and indifference. The server essentially ignored us. There were four other tables- the restaurant was NOT full, and yet getting the server to pay attention to us was almost impossible. (our server was not the only server.) The food was average. Bills itself as a wine bar, but the selection was poor. Hopefully we had an off night, but have never been back even though it's a local restaurant for us.

Pros: none

Cons: service

Posted 02/15/08

My husband and I arrived at 6 p.m. We had heard so much about Ursula's and wanted to try it. We ordered an appetizer which was olive bruschetta and it was wonderful. We also were served a nice wine. We placed our order of salad and marinated chicken breast on village salade. After a long wait ,and we had wondered why our salad would take so long, our entree arrived. Our salad had been forgotten. The chicken breast sat on top of chopped raw red and green peppers and a few pieces of chopped tomato. These could have been slightly cooked and it would have brought out more flavor. My husband assured me the chicken was not raw but as he finished the breast portion and got to the wing you could see it was actively bleeding. I had stopped eating long before because I could tell by the texture it was raw. We left the restaurant at 7:30 and $58.00 lighter. Others there seemed to enjoy their meals There were 6 tables occupied with 2 to 4 people each and 4 people at the bar. We had spent one and a half hours for our meal. We always give a new restaurant a second chance so perhaps we will try again some time but I think we should have gone to Lucia's which is always perfection. I guess we will know better next time.

Pros: good appetizer

Cons: food, presentation, stained ceiling

Posted 07/04/07