Blue Heron Tavern — Restaurant in Stillwater Township

The Tavern can best be defined as mediocre, in need of better staff management, and better food quality. The cheese board advertising Marconi almonds came adorned with mediocre untoasted California almonds. The blue cheese was as unremarkable as the rest of the meal. The lobster lettuce rolls brought back memories of a brothel tour of Singapore. I have never experienced fishy lobster before, however, in addition to the notes of vinegar, I was given unsolicited flashbacks of unsavory times. The short rib was among the driest slow cooked cuts of meat I have ever eaten, the burner potato nest it came seated in followed the same trend. The barbacoa at Chipotle is better executed. The elk tenderloin was so heavily salted, if it had been left outside for a few days, it would have turned into charcuterie. The New York Strip came adorned with gremolata caused two of our guests to bang out with food poisoning when they completed the 5 minute drive home. Projectile vomiting of steak, poison gremolata, off brand olives, and brothel-tinged lobster are not commensurate with the 500+ dollar check. Additionally, the service was so awkward and lackluster, it made me wish that we had left before dinner. Staffing is hard, but 80+ dollars for 90 minutes should come with impeccable service. The servers cared more about changing empty soiled table cloths than serving their guests - which seems futile in a dining room with 4 seated tables. Go to The Circle or The Hide Away, save 50%, have a better meal, don't feel neglected by your server or later threatened over facebook for your review, and most pressingly, avoid the overpriced starter culture for food borne infection. 0/5, would not recommend. At all. Ever. Run. Screaming if possible. It will be a good warm-up for the vomiting to come. Adding an addendum here: not only was the food terrible, and the management never answered our review, but, apparently the servers father felt it necessary to threaten me after stalking me on social media, all over a bad review. Let's add unprofessional to this...

We have been to the Blue Heron Tavern 9 times and we have had fabulous meals each time. The overall experience is serene and tranquil as you overlook the lake. Certainly this is not an inexpensive evening, however the food, service, cocktails, and hospitality are well worth it.

This past weekend, Saturday night, was another meal to remember. We started off with a Peach Aperol Paloma and La Beaume cocktails expertly prepared. For starters we ordered the ‘Burrata and Grilled Peaches’ (Over arugula with sliced almonds, prosciutto, and honey garlic vinaigrette) and the Fried Calamari (I do not have the full description - but soft & tender!). Two glasses of well priced and delicious wine; and for our entrees: ‘Black Peppercorn Crusted Elk Tenderloin’ (Foie gras truffle whipped potato, snap peas, topped with fried onions, whole grain mustard cream), ‘Pan Roasted Herb Crusted Berkshire Pork Chop’ (Over roasted potatoes, zucchini, and squash, topped with apricot chutney and pickled red onion) and ‘Seared Scallops’ (Fingerling potato crab hash, asparagus, lemon beurre blanc and pomegranate glaze). For dessert we had an espresso martini, chocolate martini and a cup of coffee.

I can not remember the last time we had such a spectacular culinary experience.

Do yourself a favor, make reservations and experience this hidden gem in...

We had a great 1st time experience at the Tavern last night. We started with a round of expertly prepared and presented cocktails (mine was a whisky sour special). Round of appetizers, salads & soups enjoyed by all. The gumbo was very smooth, and full flavored without being overly seasoned, my husbands mushroom soup also looked very good. For entrees My husband had the elk med/rare it was beautifully presented, mine was the bone in pork chop with batter fried artichoke heart, the salmon also looked well prepared and everyone in our party of 4 savored every bite. Others at our table who have eaten at the tavern several times said they had never been disappointed. We will definitely be back and look forward to enjoying the beautiful view in the...