Afton House Inn

I am just writing to say how incredibly disappointed my wife and I were with the Father's Day Sunday brunch this morning. We had heard good things from friends who have dined at the Afton House Inn previously, but they've obviously been lucky enough to have missed out on brunch.\r \r This was our first time at this restaurant, and from the moment we set foot inside we were unimpressed. Three servers standing immediately in front of us did not acknowledge our presence, despite the fact that we stood there for 3-4 minutes. We finally wandered over to the hostess desk, where we stood for another 3-4 minutes waiting for someone to just say hello. When we finally were seated, it took another 10 minutes before anyone came by our table and offered us something to drink. \r \r The first thing my wife noticed when we sat down was a half-empty wine bottle covered in cobwebs sitting in the window display next to our table. Now there were several bottles ""artfully"" arranged in the window, but this bottle in particular was obviously a leftover remnant of someone's previous dining experience - it still had the towel wrapped around it. \r \r Our plates from the buffet were dirty - mine actually had a clump of skin-on mashed potatoes clinging to the bottom of it, which I had the misfortune of sticking my fingers into. \r \r Keep in mind, we started dining at 10:15 AM. Now if I'm not mistaken, the buffet service doesn't begin until 10:00 AM. Could someone please explain to me why it was that the eggs Benedict were cold, the hollandaise congealed, and the yolks cooked so hard that the undersides were green? The sausages were terrible, the ""apple stuffed pancakes"" nothing more than commercial pancake batter wrapped around canned pie filling, and the champagne chicken was so dry and unrecognizable that in the first couple of bites I thought for sure I must have taken some sort of ham by mistake. Three pasta dishes, all with the same penne noodles, and not one of them was good. A cold pasta salad simply needs more than chicken, red onion, and a bottle of ranch dressing. \r \r We thought for sure maybe there was a chance of redemption with the dessert table, but that was frankly pathetic. A chocolate fountain with overripe pineapple and melon, and some previously frozen dessert cakes? For the amount of money we paid, we truly expected more. At one point I actually vocalized that we would have been better off (with price and food quality) going to the Old Country Buffet. Sadly, the older couple seated behind us said the exact same thing not 5 minutes later. \r \r We can only say that we are thankful we didn't actually take our own fathers to dine with us. They should be ashamed for giving people this sort of experience on such a special day.\r Pros: nice location? Cons: poor food, mediocre service, dusty and uninspired decor more

I took my wife to the Afton Inn for diner as it was our 5th anniversary and a new neighbor had recommended it for just such an occasion. The chocolate covered strawberry's waiting for us on the table (their suggestion) were outstanding. We started with an appetizer of crabcakes. Tasted very nice, however, not worth $16 for 2 small ones (Oceanaire's are 20 times better for less $). Next, we both got the table side Ceasar salad. Although it was very fresh and tasted good (as long as you like a lot of garlic), each serving was enough for 4 people. My wife had the salmon stuffed with crab, which we both enjoyed. \r Had it not been for the ""prime"" Filet (3 -2 ounce pieces stuffed with mushrooms with sauce) I ordered, this restaurant would have gotten 4 stars instead of 2!!\r First of all, I ordered it Med. and each one was rare on one side and med.on the other, but, not a big deal. Server took back to kitchen and re-fired it. MY PROBLEM WITH IT WAS IT WAS DEFINITELY NOT ""PRIME"" FILET. It was chewy, gritty, and defintely not ""prime"". If you're menu says ""Angus prime beef only"", you better have exactly that. \r Overall, a little over priced and mis-represented beef (shame on you Afton Inn), but has potential (with some tweeking...) Pros: chocolate covered strawberry's Cons: a little over priced, false advertising on the beef! more

Everyone made this a great evening at the Afton House. We enjoyed celebrating my friends birthday here. Very nice ambience and the Flaming Bananas Foster was unbelievable.........not to mention the Ceasar Salad prepared at our table. Very gracious staff and a must to recommend. Pros: Ambiance, Dessert, Tableside Cooking, Staff, Service more

I rarely write reviews, but this was a must! What a fantastic place for dinner. I can't say enought about the food and delightful server we had. From the nice greeting when we arrived to the great service and the fantastic food we will definately be back. Be sure to try the Chicken Drops! Wow! Pros: Everything is excellant more

One of our favorite places to go. Service is top notch and always professional. Pace yourself because you want to leave room for dessert. The wine dinner events are not to be missed! A place where you can get to know the owners and chef. \r \r Pros: Creative Menu, Great Staff, Great Wine List more

The Afton House Inn has all the amenities......... hotel rooms, dining, dinner boats, romance, everything. The food is spectacular. The food is outstanding and the flavor and presentation is amazing. The service is excellent, and the servers are always courteous and attend to customers' wishes. During the winter the inside is cozy. The real secret, though, is in the summer. The area is beautiful and this restaurant is without question one of the best in the Twin Cities area. This restaurant is one of the best kept secrets in the TC. Pros: Romantic, Surroundings/Area, Quaint, more

The Afton House Inn is an exceptional dining experience. The food is absolutely FABULOUS! This is the best restaurant I have been to in the Twin Cities Area! Superb service! The ambiance is wonderful and the food is to die for. We will be back to visit the Afton House again. Pros: Service, ambiance, food more

Wow! We stayed here and I was totaly suprised by my husband for our anniversary. I've heard great things about the Afton House but was seriously blown away. We stayed in one of the most romantic rooms I've ever been in (Huge Jacuzzi, Fireplace, Quiet, 4-poster bed, tranquille decor). I felt more relaxed than in Maui. We were given a tour and were guided to our room from the very nice and professional welcome/check-in staff and every encouter with the staff was impressive. The biggest suprise though was dinner............WOW! The dining room is romantic and the decor creates a relaxing setting. The food was with out saying nothing less than amazing. Gorgeous plate presentation and unbelievable flavor combinations. Like I said.......blown away. The service also was outstanding and she was extremely well versed with the menu and describing everything from first course to dessert. I was impressed equally with her knowledge of their 150 some bottle wine list and very pleased with her wine recommendations. I was really delighted...............wonderful attention to detail..........perfect service and very friendly. So........ I give this place a 5 star rating and would without question tell you to go there and experience the Afton House for yourself. Oh, one last thing, it's about 30 minutes from our house in Up Town, but I seriously felt like I was 1000 miles away. Can't say enough. First Class, 5 star experience that we will do again! Pros: Relaxing, Date Spot, Food, Rooms, Service, Romantic more

Our server at the Afton House was superb! She was attentive and helpful with the menu and our choices. We loved having the Chef visit our table and chat with us during the evening. We started the night with chicken tempura drops which was remarkable and we ordered the Walleye and Lobster for entrees. We will be back with friends and we will talk you up. Pros: Romantic, Service, Exquisite, 5 star! more

It was our first time joining the Afton House for dinner. I was pleasantly surprised, it surpassed my expectations. The chef is simply an artist. The food preparation and presentation was wonderful. The taste was fabulous and we were very impressed. We should have brought our camera, but we will definately be back with it. Pros: Service, taste, quality, presentation. more

Relaxing atmosphere. Compliments to the chef for amazing flavors and presentation of menu combanations. Superb service.....very attentive and knowlegable. Have'nt experienced this high caliber of dining in the TC in a long time. Definetely check out what they are doing at the Afton House. We are going to stay the night next time! Pros: Service, Relaxing, Romantic, Unique, Superb in all aspects more

We had a wonderful anniversary dinner in the restaurant, with very attentive service. The first course of scallops qualifies as THE best appetizer I have ever had, anywhere. The inn lodgings were as depicted on the website, with two caveats: the ""St.Croix view"" from the balconies of rooms 28-31 is across two parking lots and a marina; and the rooms were unexpectedly noisy--TV, conversations, and jacuzzi jets were all quite audible in the next room, rather detracting from the ""just us"" ambience we might have expected. \r 5 Stars for the food, 3 for the lodging. more

Julia was exceptional. Giver her our best regards.............She is exceptional and made our evening very enjoyable. Food was amazing too.............Thanks Chef Justin and your ode to Picaso.......Sorry, I ate every bite of your art. 5 Star............We'll be back! Pros: Presentation of Food, Service, Service, Service, Ambience, Service, Service, WOW! more

Service was impeccable and comparable to none-----as was the food!!! A truly impressive experience. Thank you. We will be back! Pros: Tableside Cooking, Wine, Service, Amazing Food more

I can't remember a better night. We stayed in a gorgeous room with a jacuzzi and balcony but it wasn't just the room that made our stay.....It was everything - The staff, the entire building, the quaint town, an absolutely unbelievable dinner and brunch! Literally everything led me to compliment this place as by far the best time we have had in years. Thank you! Pros: Rooms, Staff, Service, Dinner, Brunch more

Thanks for a great weekend! We planned to go skiing but didn't do much of anything other than jump in the tub in our room and open some vino. Just what we needed though really. Our room was awesome and we just chilled in our huge tub by the fireplace and spent some ""quality time."" The Bar was good too (Awesome Steak and cool appetizers). My wife liked the whole romance thing with the roses on the bed and we both enjoyed the couples massage next door. Cool coffee shop too! Thanks again. We enjoyed the omelets, champagne and huge spread at brunch and hope to visit the nicer restaurant too next time. Worth every penny or was it a Ben Franklin......can't remember but it was worth every bit! Pros: Jacuzzi, Fireplace, Amazing all the way around more

Wow! The Modern Irish Wine Dinner was simply MAGNIFICENT!! We go to wine events across the country and over sea's and this was without question one of the best for the value! We sponsor localwineevents and have been on the Afton House Wine Cruise plus 2 other events at the Afton House and Dave continues to bring us back. He and the Chef really push the envelope and continue to provide interesting wine/dinner events. Also, Brian, the owner from JLohr Winery was very insightful and was a fantastic surprise to have an owner of the winery at this event!. Thank you Afton House.......we look forward to possibly the Spanish wine dinner but definitely the exclusive and rare opportunity in May to taste a vertical offering of the 1992-1997 Jarvis Cab. Thanks again and please continue to tantalize even the most tantalized!!!!!! Pros: Service, Management, Wine, Food, Room/Ambience more

For over 25 years I have enjoyed the WONDERFUL food and GREAT service at The Afton House Inn and Catfish Saloon. We always have a NICE time, and feel like the family when we are their. Carrie and Katie always make us feel welcome whether we are in the Catfish or the Wheel Room. Their smiles always make you feel at home. Try it out you will LOVE it and alway come back for more!\r Thanks\r Stewart and Kathleen more

Incredible!!! Mary & Lisa did a fabulous job.............we will be back. The food was amazing and beautiful. Sauces were great and the wine pairing delightful. Thank you. Pros: Romantic, Service, Food & Wine Pairings Outstanding more

Just what the doctor ordered. My wife and I get away from the hustle and bustle without the kids a few times a year. We stay at nice places but this was the best. Room #8 is awesome with a huge Jacuzzi and an amazing king size bed. The room was immaculate and set the tone for a great weekend. Dinner and the Sunday Brunch were equally impressive. Thank you to the wonderful staff that gave us a ""tour"" and showed us to the room (very professional and welcoming). Thank you also for arranging a taylored romance package and helping with all my special requests..........Afton House staff was great!!! This was a nice winter get away and we already made reservations to come back and visit in the summer and take a cruise on the dinner boat. Thanks again Afton House!!!\r Pros: Best Get Away in Years!! more