Stones Gastropub — Restaurant in Wenatchee

Dichotomy of a rating: Staff was super helpful, friendly and accommodating (shout out to Tessa!). Then we're onto the food. The food is this city one of three types: 1. Fast Food Chain 2. Mexican 3. Ridiculously Overpriced Attempt at Fine Cuisine but Miserably Fails. This place falls into #3. Ordered the Mussels & Goat Cheese Salad. Mussels were clean, so that was a good start. But the sauce... which I'm always super excited about... was bland, mundane, and nearly flavorless... except for a hint of lemon. They added two gigantic pieces of focaccia bread, which , for most dishes, would be great. But focaccia dipped in mussel juice and lemon sauce... does not work at all. My favorite culinary activity in the world in dipping hard, crispy bread in mussel sauce. This totally ruined that dream for me. Goat Cheese Salad - Dressing was completely flavorless, but the greens were fresh. Though I don't know how they did it, but the green mix was also totally flavorless. I know what you're thinking, it's salad. BUT, there are so many greens with popping flavor out there, they chose the ones that taste like air. And not the fun, polluted kind, but just normal, boring, air. Had to bombard the salad with salt and pepper to try and salvage it. Was also able to get a visually detailed description of the sirloin steak. $40 for less than a 6 oz end cap of bottom cut beef. Please let a culinary expert come into this beautifully scenic town and spice things up. They just...

My husband and I enjoyed our orders. I had the sweet and spicy country fried chicken Caesar salad. It was an unusual combo, but the chicken was perfect--hot and crispy, boneless, with a sweet then spicy layering of flavors. Just delicious. The salad was good too, but it got in the way of eating the fried chicken. I would have preferred two dishes instead of one. My husband had the vegetarian creamy coconut polenta. He enjoyed the grilled artichokes and savory mushrooms, and the slightly sweet and savory raspberry beetroot sauce. I felt the menu was limited, heavy (for summer)--lots of cream sauces, and too fruity; raspberry, pineapple, blackberry in a limited number of entrees. There were no specials and only one vegetarian option. Our waitress was cheerful and on the spot. I did not like being charged for the refill of lemonade, the small bit of aioli sauce, and using a credit card. The small serving of skinny French fries, about a cup, costs\ $8 alone. The atmosphere was somewhat haphazard; my hard chair rocked and had to be exchanged. The items decorating the shelves were random and unorganized, but that fried chicken was...

GREAT FOOD WITH A GOURMET TWIST, Stones Gastropub is a great experience. We went when the place opened with friends at 3pm. Apparently after 6pm the restaurant is quite crowded. Their menu is pretty simple with a handful of appetizers, main courses and burgers, not to mention a larger menu of beers, ales and wines. But alas, my wife and I don't drink. The atmosphere is very much a pub environment and the staff are very nice. On their house "Stone Burger" features a bacon jam and portabello mushroom. Fabulous. Their fish and chips are very good and quite generous. Don't forget to try their "dirty fries," a modern spin on poutine. Very good. We will be back...at 3pm again. UPDATE: Since the original review my wife and I have been back numerous times. They flat out have the best fish and chips in the region. Their shrimp carbonara is also a specialty that shouldn't be missed. The place is quite crowded for dinner Thursday through Saturday, so get reservations. Yup, don't miss...