Thistles Restaurant

11/20/06

GREAT FIND!

by secj at Citysearch

My husband and I dined with two other couples on a Friday night at 7p. We were seated at a great table right next to the bar/by the back door/in front of the open air kitchen. Mike was our server - he was awesome and very attentive. He was quite knowledgable and helpful with menu choices. We dine out quite often - and have to say - it was one of the best dining experiences AND best food we've eaten in the Twin Cities. The other couples agreed and we call can't wait to meet and dine at Thistles again. My husband had the hashbrown crusted Salmon - and commented that it was the best Salmon he's eaten. I chose the Crab filled Walleye - and it too was the best Walleye I've ever experienced. It didn't taste like fish - rather more like a seafood. Other's at our table ordered the ribeye and pastry puff pork loin - and raved about their entrees as well. We all ordered a different dessert - and the portions were perfect for one. Of course we all had a bite of each others - and they were absolutely ALL incredible. It's a great choice - highly recommend it - after all - FREE parking too! Pleasantly decorated - and live music on Friday night too. We'll be back! Thanks! and I hope you all enjoy Thistles as we did!

• Pros: FREE Parking, Great Service, Ambience,

11/02/07

Creme Brule and lobster bisque - deelish... NOT too bright and NOT too noisy - who's the curmudgeon

by cingarsnvino at Citysearch

For starters... the music is great. Go in there with the mindset that you want to relax. I don't know how it could be too noisy. Even though a jazz band would use speakers to amplify their music, let's keep in mind that it's Jazz. Chill baby!

For being too bright... wrong again. The kitchen provides a warm glow to the bar side of the restaurant. The action is fun to watch while you listen to the music.

Now.. on to the menu. TERRIFIC. Kick your meal off with a Mint Julep... they're good, but if you're male, ask for the big boy glass... not the Pat O'Brian's hurricane style glass. It's a tad on the feminine side for bourbon. A bit out of character for a Mint Julep. You can't go wrong with the wine selection and the menu is delicious. The scallops are terrific, the lobster bisque is creamy and flavorful, and the creme brule is some of the best I've had (and I'm a creme brule snob).

The wait staff is friendly and attentive. The place isn't that big and the kitchen is out in the open, so your server is in eyeshot most of the time. So, to say that you get bad service, is pretty tough, either you are not making eye contact or you are not assertive enough to raise your hand to stop them as they pass by (never do that while they are talking to another table... that's just rude, c'mon I know some of you do that).

• Pros: food, price, drinks, and atmosphere
• Cons: Hurricane glassed drinks and grumpy patrons - if any

07/10/07

Examples: Best pizza anywhere, Avoid on Friday nights, Great customer service

by lisa1422 at Citysearch

Be conversational: Write it as if relaying your experience to a good friend.

Be specific: Generalities like "lazy service" or "tasty pizza" leave people wanting more detail.

Be yourself: If you're an expert on burgers, let us know. If this is your first-time massage, say so.

Compare apples to apples: Burger joints shouldn't be held to the same standards as four-star restaurants

03/31/07

A Friday Night Date

by mzmee at Citysearch

I finally heard the owner talk about the restaurant on the radio and decided to check the place out being it's located a reasonable distance from home. My first impression was ~ small, but quaint. Two rooms to dine in. We were seated in the area away from the entertainment~ which was actually really nice. We could enjoy it as background rather than too loud or close. Although we decided the room we were in was probably a much better space to put live music. The food was good. My husband ordered a wild rice meatloaf~ I had the Salmon. The menue is a nice array. Anything from Fajitas to a Walley dinner. It's not your typical dinning experience...it felt more intimate. We were impressed that two different staff members who may have very well been owners for all we know stopped by to ask how dinner was. Our waitress was excellent. Overall we enjoyed the experience. I think the only complaint my husband had was the chairs. Mine was being seated against a wall ~ thinking the seating could be done differently. I will most definately go back again for a second opinion.

06/01/06

Great

by nopayne at Citysearch

Fantastic place to chat with friends. Interesting menu items - good service and my favorite patio in the area. It is cozy and off the street - a nice place to relax and enjoy dinner

03/06/06

Family Birthday

by tom_westman at Citysearch

We made reservations for 10 on a Saturday night at 5pm. Our waiter was friendly, knowlegable, and attentive. Our food was fantastic, the best plated food I have had the pleasure of being served in the Twin Cities. All ten of us ordered different items on the menu and we all tasted each others entree's. The only thing that may have been sub-par was the chicken alfredo; but the rest was magnificant and the desserts fantastic! We heartily recommend the wasabi tuna and the bouillabaisse. The Key Lime Tart on the dessert menu was fabulous. I wish I remembered the name of the wonderful waiter we had. Try this restaurant, you wont be dissappointed!

• Pros: Service, Plating, Taste

01/13/06

Surprises at Old 13 Moons

by sleeplessinmpls at Citysearch

We went to Thistles with a group of about 30-40. When I walked in I could hardly believe that it was the same place. They did so much remodeling. We were put in a very lovely decorated room with a huge window looking out at the street. It was almost like we had the whole place to ourselves. The wait staff was very attentive, no one was ever without a drink. The food was very inventive and tasted great. Great options on the menu for Vegetarians. They made the dinner into a very special event. I would recommend this restaurant to everyone!

• Pros: Great food, Great Ambiance, Great Service
• Cons: It is in Robbinsdale

12/08/05

The Best in the area.

by blue_eyed_angel_3000 at Citysearch

I found this hidden gem in Robbinsdale and could not believe it. the food was fantastic, the service fast and friendly and the prices extremely reasonable. Definitely the nicest place in the area!

• Pros: Great staff., Fabulous Food, Nice Ambiance

10/19/05

Great place in Robbinsdale

by alixb at Citysearch

It's so nice to have a place like this in Robbinsdale, where there are so few nice restaurants. The food was great, and came very fast. Wonderful atmosphere, loved the piano. Highly recommended.

10/18/05

Out on the Town

by outonthetowners at Citysearch

I have been to Thistles several times since January with my husband as well as in larger groups. The food is outstanding! I am an adventurous diner, so it excites me to see new menu items every visit. My favorite is Wasabi Tuna, but I have experimented with just about everything on the menu and they are all wonderful! The last time we were there with a larger group. The newest additions to the menu were the wine flights. Everyone at the table ordered one and we had a great time sampling each others flights. The staff is always friendly. They remember me and thank me for returning on every visit. Gusteating, this is the only thing that resembles a "Cheers atmosphere" that I have experienced and I enjoy dining at places where the staff remembers me and appreciates my business. You should give them another chance...

• Pros: Friendly Staff, Excellent Menu, Wine Flights
• Cons: Limited Appetizers