Ursula’s Wine Bar and Cafe

In White Bear Lake, MN, there is a small, unpretentious restaurant tucked away on a side street just off of Hwy 61. There is nothing flashy about the building on the outside. On the inside, however, is something special and unique.

This small restaurant has become a treasured place for many White Bear residents and holds a special place in my own heart. I can say with confidence that without Ursula’s Wine Bar and Cafe I would not be writing this blog or loving food and wine as much as I do. Because this place is so important in my own life, I thought I would share about my recent visit there in the form of a restaurant review of sorts. Obviously, my opinions are not exactly objective, but take my word for it: this place is wonderful in every sense.

When first walking through the front door, patrons are greeted by Kurt Hegland, proud owner of Ursula’s. Many people choose to sit at the bar to engage in some witty conversation with Kurt while enjoying a glass (or two or three…) of wine.

In this restaurant, you don’t sit at the bar because the tables are taken. You sit at the bar because it is the place to be in the restaurant. Kurt, a White Bear Lake native, has the uncanny ability to remember exactly what was ordered the last time someone stopped by. He also seems to know something about every topic one could ever want to talk about.

The staff at Ursula’s are less like waiters and more like good friends. Sara Jones, a hilariously funny and wildly entertaining woman who knows her wine, was waiting tables during my visit. Her laugh is infectious and her jokes can turn up the corners of anyone’s mouth, no matter what kind of day they have had prior to walking in the door.

I began my evening at Ursula’s with a glass of the best Rose I have ever had. Robert Sinskey’s Vin Gris from Pinot is the perfect combination of light, fruity flavor and crisp dryness. When the days start getting longer and warmer, this is the first wine I crave. 

Then came something equally as delicious: heirloom tomato salad. Classically simple, beautiful ingredients come together to create a visual, textural and flavorful work of art.

The beautiful red and yellow heirloom tomatoes have a sweet taste and meaty texture. They are perfectly layered with bright basil and soft, fresh mozzarella cheese. To further enhance the flavor, fruity olive oil and rich balsamic vinegar, speckled with black pepper and sea salt, surround the salad. Perfection on a plate.

Another reason Ursula’s is so unique is the artwork hanging inside. Sara Jones, the server mentioned earlier, has done much of the art decorating not only the walls, but the entryway as well. One of my favorite pieces is a big wine barrel, painted on the outside and decorated with wine corks on the top. The barrel holds the most current issue of The Onion. Such a quirky, creative combination. I love it.

The art is just one more indicator of the passion for wine and food inside this small space. The personal touches are what separate Ursula’s from many other cookie-cutter restaurants.

Alright, back to the food. After my delicious Rose and the heirloom tomato salad, I was able to try an item appearing on this months menu at Ursula’s. Andrew Whalen, the executive chef, put together a beautiful plate of grilled pork chops with cherry tomato and bacon confit and herbed fingerling potatoes. The earthy flavor of the herbs (grown at the restaurant just outside the patio), along with the sweet and salty combination from the confit was alluringly simple.

In a world where so many dishes are cluttered with too many ingredients, this was a breath of fresh air.

To finish off this fabulous meal (who knew it could get any better?) was a dessert loved by all chocolate fanatics: chocolate lava cake with homemade toffee ice cream.The center of the cake was warm and gooey, which paired perfectly with the cool creaminess and slight crunch of the toffee in the ice cream.

Served alongside my dish of chocolate deliciousness was a glass of late harvest mourvedre. Fruity, intense, but not heavy.

It goes without saying that I thoroughly enjoyed myself at Ursula’s. The company was wonderful, the food delicious, and the wine perfectly paired. Whether at the bar, at a table, or on the deck next to the herbs, Ursula’s is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy yourself. With people like this, how could you resist? For more information, visit http://www.ursulaswb.com and to hear more of Kurt’s wine musings, visit http://hisroyalwinous.blogspot.com.