The Stubborn Bull at Mill Creek — Restaurant in Highlands

This is a charming Spanish tapas (small plates) restaurant with outdoor seating overlooking a creek which is amazing in good weather, but it was October 29, 2024 so we were seated indoors for our reservation. (We were there a year or so before and stayed outside, and I remember they were especially delighted to set a couple having a romantic dinner down near the side door with a beautiful view of the creek.) It was a special occasion trip right before Halloween so the entire NC mountain town had seasonal decoration, the this restaurant didn't disappoint, with Spanish-influenced decor. When we arrived it was very busy, and as a side note, in a town that is set up for seasonal guests, in a restaurant serving higher level food, good common sense is to make a reservation in advance. They aren't miracle workers. 😏 We ordered the Patatas Bravas (I've had this from many places to compare.) which had delicious seasoning and that perfect exterior delicate crunch on the outside and light creamy inside that makes people so crazy about this kind of item. We also ordered Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Albondigas, and then Filet Mignon and Enconcado de Camaron. It was all so delicious. We plan to come back to the area sometime specifically to have the Paella For Two again, which is what we had the first time we went there, the time we sat outside and fell in love with the place. The chef there cooks with love and warm spice in the blood I think. The staff is helpful and seem proud of the place and clearly enjoyed seeing people enjoying themselves.

In addition to the mention that taking a minute to set a reservation is a common sense, I also want to mention something I notice when we travel. In many of these towns with high end hotels and nice restaurants, some staff are locals who work hard, and some are professionally trained with degrees in hospitality, and no matter which each staff person deserves to be treated with kindness and respect, and a guest who is nice to serve will likely receive more enthusiasm from staff simply because they're happy. If you're a person who thinks restaurant and hotel staff exist for you to get your 15-minute power trip having someone to serve you, you may be setting yourself up not just as someone with no class (class having nothing to do with wealth and everything to do with how you choose to act towards others) but you rob others by making a staff person maintain their job by suffering through someone's selfish behavior. It's not Manhattan. It's a charming mountain town with its own population.

Be a good guest, check ahead to see if you should make a reservation, and enjoy a nice time. Don't forget to tip. If you can't afford to tip 20% when you eat out, you can't...

Although the food is good the portions are incredibly small for the price. $26 for two average size scallops is a bit much in my opinion, even for Highlands. We enjoyed almost everything we ordered both visits except for the patatas bravas. (Nothing like the crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside potatoes you get in Spain.) I also think the service was a tad unpolished for a restaurant in this price range. For example, our dessert was placed on the table without cleaning up the crumbs from our dinner. We also noticed when we were first seated that the flower vase on the table was dirty. Granted, these are minor issues, but they are noticed. When we pay upwards of $200 for dinner we expect polished service and a clean table. However, what disturbs me most about The Stubborn Bull (and the reason for lowering my overall number of stars to 3) is the owners' responses to negative online reviews. I think from a customer service standpoint sarcasm is highly unprofessional and very off-putting. Comments like, "if you're looking for free rolls go to Red Lobster" and asking a customer how much wine they had because they were embarrassing is highly unprofessional and immature. It really makes me wonder about the owners and if I want to give them my business. I also find it interesting that the owners stated in one of their responses that the menu would not be changing any time soon, but when we dined there the second time the menu had, in fact, changed. I personally was disappointed the convoluted chicken was not on the menu the second time we dined there because it was very good. Same for the chocolate pistachio cake. Overall the food is very good, if a tad overpriced, but it's really the owners and their attitude that concerns me the most. (And just in case the owners respond to my review with another sarcastic comment or question, no, I am not related nor do I know any of the diners who posted...

An absolute gem of a dining experience! The Stubborn Bull is a culinary haven where every visit feels like a celebration.

From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed with open arms by the friendly staff who treat you like part of the family.

The ambiance is reminiscent of a lively night out in South Beach, setting the stage for an evening of culinary delights.

The tapas selection is simply sensational. Each dish is a masterpiece of flavor, from the perfectly spiced Indian butter chicken tapa to the mouthwatering elk and tenderloin empanada. Speaking of the empanada, the surprise addition of green olives and raisins took me right back to the vibrant flavors of Cuban cuisine in Miami—a delightful fusion of cultures on one plate!

And let's not forget about the Churasco Cuban skirt steak, a dish so succulent and flavorful that I couldn't resist stealing bites from my husband's plate all night long.

And the Peruvian Choufa? A symphony of tastes and textures that left me craving more with every bite.

Overall, dining at The Stubborn Bull was a divine experience that exceeded all expectations. The food, the service, the atmosphere—all top-notch. If you're in search of a five-star dining experience that feels like a warm embrace from start to finish, look no further than The Stubborn Bull. Highly...