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Phil's Tara Hideaway

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15021 60th St N
Stillwater, MN 55082

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(651) 439-9850
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Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Phil's Tara Hideaway - Stillwater, MN
Reviews
( 16 )
( 6 )
( 0 )
( 1 )
( 3 )

Best

This little log cabin has loads of charm and quaint atmosphere. Parking is not a problem if you go at the right time of day; just like seating or wait-time....go when you know th...

Worst

I'm not the type who usually takes the time to write complaints about restaurants.I figure every place has there good and bad days.However,after talking to some friends I felt I s...

Very Poor Hostess 9/12/2009

Arrived at 5:15 ( 1 person ), was told a 30 minute wait....that's OK. But, after 55 minutes, was told "" oh, I thought you were going to eat at the bar and we gave your table away for a big party, problem there is you didn't think, it will be a longer wait"" Pros: 0 Pros from me. Cons: Poor Hostess more

Great Greek Food - go for lunch! 8/22/2009

This little log cabin has loads of charm and quaint atmosphere. Parking is not a problem if you go at the right time of day; just like seating or wait-time....go when you know they are less busy and enjoy your meal. If Brenda is your server, you know you will be treated right! The food is fabulous and spicy and tender and hot and just plain old marvelous for the piehole! Prices are fair, but again, if you go for lunch they are very reasonable. Don't skip out on the Athenian potatoes or the gyros or their homemade salad dressings! We'll be back next time we're in town! Pros: Athenian potatoes and gyros are not tobe missed! Cons: REALLY BUSY at suppertime - too crowded. more

Great Greek and eclectic food 8/9/2009

I've consumed many renditions of gyros over the decades, and this is the best I can recall having. Other Greek items were very good, too. It isn't all Greek, though; there are many eclectic preparations as well as standards such as prime rib. Two of the four of us on a recent Friday night had fish specials which they pronounced very good. The ambience is Northwoods log cabin, so the inventive preps and the Greek food are unexpected. Even more appealing is that the prices seem to run about 30-40% less than the equivalent items at venues closer to the urban core. The sevice was friendly, although a bit slow, which we attributed to the large crowd - speaking of which, we arrived about 6:30 and had a 20 minute wait, which we understand is normal since no reservations are taken unless the party numbers at least 6. In better weather than we had (rain), there is a pleasant patio outside to which libations can be brought as one waits. I might add that the hostess, assuming she is the same one who has been criticized by others, was efficient and friendly. Now for the criticism: It's so loud that conversation is difficult. This is endemic at restaurants now, it seems. I doubt anything can be done about it, given the log walls and ceiling, although the number of tables, already too close together, could be reduced. Of course, that would mean less revenue. The decible level notwithstanding, if you like Greek food (and non-Greek) at very nice prices, by all means you should try it. We'll be back - just not on a Friday or Saturday night. Pros: Possibly the best gyros on the planet. Cons: Noise more

Why the rudeness 8/1/2009

I'm not the type who usually takes the time to write complaints about restaurants.I figure every place has there good and bad days.However,after talking to some friends I felt I should vent my frustration somewhere. My family was at the Tara on a moderately busy weeknight. We had a short wait which was okay. The hostess put a few tables together right by the front door with one of the chairs in the aisle. After we were seated and comfortable she came over and said we had to rearrange ourselves because we were blocking the aisle-right where.she put us! We said we were fine and she responded by giving us a look of disgust and stomping away.Not used to not having her way I guess.All in all a little thing as the meal tutned out to be wonderful and the waiter extremely good.The next day I happened to mention the experience to a friend and she said that she knows of other people who have also had unpleasant encounters with the hostesses at the Tara,some of whom have stopped going there.It seems odd that a restaurant that has so much going for it would allow this rudeness to continue. Pros: food and service Cons: Hostess more

Cutest Little Place Around! 2/1/2009

This is the cutest place for small groups or couples. I would highly recommend this place if you are not in a hurry and want to enjoy the people you are with. It gets very busy and crowded but it is worth the wait because the food is fantastic. The staff are very helpful and can tell you what every dish tastes like. If the menu and staff don't change I will be going there for a long time to come. Also if you are planning to attend during a holiday call and see if they are making reservations otherwise you could be waiting a long time to be seated. Enjoy! Pros: The Best food you will ever eat. Cons: Can be crowded at times. more

Thank you-now leave! 11/11/2008

This has been the special occassion place for my family for years.The food and service have always been great.It can get crowded and noisy but that's part of the retro ambiance.The last few times we have been there a new unpleasant aspect has been added.The hostess apparently has no idea of the concept of ""customer service"".We realize there is going to be some waiting time on the weekends because they don't take reservations but if you inquire about the status of your party you are greeted with a rude reply or icy stare.Sorry!!!Also,after dinner we like to have a cup of coffee and talk for a few minutes but as soon as our plates are taken away the hostess parks herself by our table and stares at us in a not-so-subtle attempt to get us to leave immediately.Thanks for joining us-now scram.Gonna have to check out the Elmo Inn for the next get together. Pros: food and service Cons: hostess more

BEST Prime rib!! 9/28/2008

This is now one of my favorite restaurants. I love the prime rib. I've tried a lot of prime rib and this is defiantly the best I?ve had and the price is reasonable too. Get the king cut!! Great atmosphere and some tasty deserts. This place is defiantly worth the drive! Pros: Great food more

Do they serve dessert? 8/14/2008

We arrived for an early dinner at about 4:30pm. We were seated pretty much in the main walkway. Not cool! Our waitress was very unfriendly, looked at us like we were aliens or something. I don't ask for much but a smile is always expected. After the server delivered the food she didn't say anything and never came back. The number of problems with the way our meals were prepared is close to endless. One of the baked potatoes came with s/c but not the other. No lemon for shrimp?! The 10 fries on the plate were extremely well done. Good thing she had brought out a pitcher of water at first or we would have been without drinks the entire meal. There was a credit card on our table for at least 15 minutes and finally are waitress showed up. The hostess stared at us and the credit card the whole while. Are plates were stacked up on the table we were clearly ready to leave. I asked that the meals be split up two of us were paying with check cards. She just stared at me and said how much do you want on this card? She had picked it up off the table after having to the math in my head tax and all I told her how much. So she brings that card back and asks the same for the next card. Never brought a remaining bill or anything. Unbelievable never going back. Good luck to those of you who do. Pros: Nice lights Cons: to many tables in small area more

We Love Phil's 8/2/2008

We have been to the Hideaway five times in the last couple of weeks. We would drive by but never stopped so happy we did. We travel all over the world and feel we found a real GEM of a place. Its like going to a friends for dinner. Every meal we have there keeps getting better. The tuna is wonderful:) Today we had the prime WOW!! Pros: value Cons: only have prime on the week-ends more

The best place in Stillwater!! 6/30/2008

We love it!! we have a great time, and leave happy. The food is out of this world!! I love the changes they have made with the outdoor seating for drinks before and after dinner. The place is so cute! Pros: The food and it is fun. Cons: can get crazy.. more

A wonderful of chef and friendly staff under the conditions. 4/11/2008

A wonderful of chef and friendly staff under the conditions. Pros: Very popular. Taste, freshness Cons: crowded if you can't take it more

Great service & food 12/5/2007

A group of friends and I went to the restaurant while in Stillwater. The food and service were great. I'll definately stop in again if I'm in the area. Pros: Food, service more

Excellent food!! 5/14/2007

Visited for the first time last weekend. The food was outstanding. We had a delicious shrimp appetizer special. The flavors were amazing. I had the pan seared scallops, and my husband had the Pasta Adriatica. We both loved our dinners. Somehow they are able to acheive intense flavors in their food. The scallops were cooked to perfection...just seared, so they were moist and tender, not tough and chewy. The atmosphere is a little strange for the type of food served. Gravel parking lot. It feels like a small back woods cabin, yet they serve upscale food. Dress is very casual. Feels like you're on vacation somewhere. Can't wait to go back. Highly recommend. Pros: excellent food, nice deck waiting area Cons: gravel parking lot. small dining area, usually have to wait for a table. more

VERY ROMANTIC, VERY COZY IN THE WINTER! 12/13/2006

This place is the greatest. You may have to wait for a table, but it's SO worth it. Ambience A+ and Service A+... whatever we have ordered has been just wonderful. We totally enjoy this place whenever we go there. LOVE IT! more

Best Lamb Chops Ever!!! 12/6/2006

I fell in love!!! I felt like I was out of town in the cozy warm setting the restaurant had to offer. Wow !What a beautiful dinner. I had friends in from out of town ,a co-worker told me about the wonderful time they had he was right. I had the lamb chops .I have never had more perfect lamb chops anywhere in the world. Two of my guests had the fish special and loved it. The steak was out of this world! We enjoyed the great wine list and the server Joe's picks. Thank you Joe!! You showed us all a wonderful time. I give the hide Away a 10!! Pros: everything Cons: I have to drive 20 miles more

Exemplary!!! 10/28/2006

We can not say enough about this restaurant! We went there on a recommendation, and will thank our friends immensely. The ambiance is very quaint and cozy, the service is exemplary. The food is beyond compare. We travel throughout the country and have never been as pleased. We highly recommend the Chicken Corinthian and any of the steak items, especially with the seasoning and mushrooms. Lovely to experience a restaurant that cares. more

Nasty! Grizzle Fest 6/5/2006

This place is a joke! A 14 ounce steak where you leave 8 ounces sitting on the plate un-chewable or you had to spit it out. And a sirloin cooked to the brink of nuclear distruction when ordered ""medium"" I heard the hype and I am resolved to the fact that most people I know must not have ANY taste. This place is a joke and the wine list is Sams Club 101! Pros: cute Cons: nasty food more

FANTASTIC 4/24/2006

I from Duluth. I was taken to Phil's Tara Hideaway on Sat. April 22, 2006 to celebrate my birthday. Everything about this place was fantastic. Yes it is cramped but that doesn't take away from the experience at all. I shared the Oyster Rockefeller and they are to-die-for! I had the Hazelnut Walleye, never tasted anything like it before! Pros: Fantastic Food, Great Service, Ambience Cons: Cramped, Busy, Small Bar more

Oysters Rockefeller 4/7/2006

On the weekend the fresh seafood is in . . . if the chef puts Oysters Rockefeller on the menu, don't miss it! Not your standard recipe . . . this delight features a creamy gorgonzola/blue cheese topping as opposed to hollandaise . . . I call ahead to make sure it is on the weekend menu! My absolute favorite . . . and have never been disappointed with any of the other menu options -- adore the home-town atmosphere . . . we dig this place! more

Hooked! 2/16/2006

One visit and we were hooked. Our table had a steak, prime rib, fried shrimp and Greek salad. Grandma's shrimp were the biggest I've ever seen. Very little table conversation as everyone was saying, ""Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm..."" It's become a favorite for us. Ambience can be loud; go early or late! Beautiful setting unless you're into sleek and modern. It truly feels like a Getaway when you go to the Hideaway! more
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Menu for Phil's Tara Hideaway


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Editorial
  • In Short
    A true hideaway on the outskirts of Stillwater, it's a place you'd expect to find in the backwoods of Wisconsin--dark log walls, kerosene lamps on the small tables. The pasta...

  • 7/21/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon - Fri, 11am - 10pm; Sat, 4pm - 10pm; Sun, 4pm - 9pm
  • Payments: Master Card, Visa
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