Typical bar fare for happy hour. I don't eat such things on a regular basis, but their's is alright. Nothing special or surprising.
The flat bread pizza is ok. Could be more flat to someone like me. The so-called hot wings are certainly not hot for anyone who eats actual hot food. They're doused with something that tastes like Tabasco or Louisiana red hot sauce. Again, nothing to get excited about. My hot wings burn your stomach just smelling the marinade, so I like actual hot food.
The service was really slow on this night, which was marginally acceptable. They were busy, yet our waitress seemed a bit more negligent than expected.
If you're in the neighborhood and are seeking a place to settle in with friends and have a somewhat quiet chat, then this is your place.
JUST DON'T.
This place is a downer. The happy hour is complicated and the servers don't keep you in the loop very well. Only chardonnay for happy hour wine along with certain draft beers of a certain cost that come out luke warm. The food is blah, way too much cheese on the pizza and I quote from the menu - chicken "wings" - whatever that means. The only way to enjoy this place is for a short time in the bar/patio area after you've already got a buzz and just want to drink a mixed bevie.
Highlights:
Free parking
Patio is small but doable
Big bar area
Bar games
Fabulous Fern's Bar & Grill = I'd rather not
i enjoy fabulous ferns as a bar and a great place to grab a little something to eat. Â I usually sit at the bar or pert near close to it. Â The bartender is usually friendly and helpful and i love the pinneapple infused vodka they have shaken and strait up..I have had flatbread/pizza appetizers there, artichoke dip, baked potatoes, soup, grilled cheese...it is all good...typically nice and chill inside you can chat with your friends or loved one while enjoying your beverage. Â It does appear they have a nice busy patio too with little umbrellas...I have never sat outside here...
Review Source:Fern's has come back huge in the food area with the team they've put in place in the kitchen. Â There are plenty of places in the Twin Cities to get a good drink, but the number of places that are the Bar & Grill type that have great food is not even close. Â We stopped in with family after a long hiatus from this being one of our favorite joints, but all that appears to be changing. Â
On our recent visit the Kalbi wings were perfect, and are highly recommended. Â The baguette we were served reminded me of eating the bread served in some really tasty French restaurants. Â Â The Southern style chicken salad, with grapes and dill, makes me think there might be someone from the Georgia on their staff. Â It was so good, that next time we might have to have them put it on a croissant and make it a sandwich. Â I haven't had the hot hoagie there in years, but after this I'll be ready to give it another shot. Â If you like meatloaf, and not just the variety with ketchup on the top, give the Cajun Meatloaf a try, it was juicy and had just the right amount of spice and a boatload of flavor. Â
The service was there when we needed, but not hovering, and everyone at our table agreed that Ferns had jumped back into our short list of favorites in the area of casual dining in Saint Paul. Â Kudos on bringing back an old favorite and rejuvenating the kitchen after several years of absolutely crap food that had me only drinking at Ferns, but not eating. Â The bar still seems like a great place to watch a football game or play some games. Â Grab one of the seats by the window or a booth for the best dinner seating.
We started out with Kalbi wings and received half the number than our last visit accompanied by a higher price. My husband ordered the Szechuan salad, which was excellent, and I ordered the fish and chips, which was average. The battered fish was frozen, not freshly made in house, and the chips were room temperature and unsalted. The bread was stale and rewarmed. The iced tea was bitter. Our server was nice and efficient (she still got a good tip), but I won't return for a long while. We used to be regulars, but the food has gone downhill as the prices have increased. Two stars.
Review Source:Hubs and I stopped in during Happy Hour. Â Huge beer selection. Â Its loud and busy with some average choices of appetizers. Â We just stuck to a couple Guinness which we discovered AFTER we got the bill that it wasn't one of the beers on their Happy Hour list. Â Maybe if our server would have mentioned it, we would have chosen another.... maybe not, but it was a bit of a shock.
Review Source:Went on a Sunday (early afternoon) during brunch. Â A little bit busy, but not over crowded. Â Ordered off the menu since we were there specifically to try the menu. Â Dining room is very tidy and well kept. Â Was seated at a very nice table next to a big beautiful window overlooking Selby. Â Only downside was that it was right next to the kitchen (lots of activity/noise - kept the baby's attention though). Â
Had Calamari to start with-very good dish. Â Perfectly cooked, had a nice crispness to it but was still tender and flavorful - I found the seasoning very appealing. Â Came with 2 aioli's - one lemon (not very fond of this one), one red bell pepper (I liked this one). Â Ordered the Country Club Sandwich which was good - nothing really memorable, but was a good club sandwich. Â Came with a Caesar Salad which wasn't too great at all - had very little dressing, and the leaves that did have dressing had no flavor whatsoever (nice crispy croutons though). Â Overall it was a good experience, but a just a little pricey for me. Â Will probably return if there wasn't any other readily available options on Selby.
I don't know, Fern's. I guess I have indeed experienced better from a neighborhood bar.
A group of us cousins came after Thanksgiving dinner for beers. Positives?
-Our server was nice, especially considering it was a holiday and sometimes that can mean unhappy servers. She was cool.
-There's darts and whatnot.
-Free parking lot.
The negatives?
-My beer wasn't cold, which is a pretty major problem at a bar. It wasn't one of those supposed-to-be-room-temp draughts (I checked), so I let the server know and she kindly brought me another. It was also not cold. It kind of made me worry about their keg cooler while I was drinking my giant lukewarm beer. Or if I was drinking the beer that had been warming in the tap lines all day. I used to bartend and understand that things like this happen, but I was still surprised and disappointed that the bartender didn't do a thorough check... at least on the second beer.
-The lighting is t'rrible (That means it's so bad, it doesn't even deserve the "e" in "terrible." Really and truly, so bad that it's actually worth noting in this review.). I realize how weird that sounds, but I had to mention it because it just ruins whatever atmosphere there might be in here.
Excellent service! Â Fern's was great for watching football and playing trivia on a Sunday afternoon. Â Bar food at its best. Â Everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Â Pretty good beer selection for a small neighborhood bar - Bell's Two Hearted always hits the spot. Â The Cajun Meatloaf which I ordered was quite good. Â Will be going back sooner or later.
Review Source:This is a great place to get a beer and chat. Â I haven't ventured into the dining room yet, but I've sat at both the bar and a table in the bar area thus far and the atmosphere is great. Â Not too loud to carry on a conversation, but loud enough that you don't have to feel weird about laughing a little to hard.
The beer selection is great! Â They keep a nicely updated beer menu with sufficient descriptions of the beers. Â Major plus in my book.
I've only ever eaten there late-nite, but the menu is a decent one. Â Pizzas, salads, burgers and I think a couple of appetizers. Â I'd like to see some more, healthier options (a la Merlin's Rest's hummus platter), but a salad is a good backup. Â The food is good, and it's a step up from plain Jane bar food which is reflected in the prices.
TONS of TVs around the bar area with lots of different sports on. Â Watch out for dart league night when the bar will fill up, and curling club which causes the parking lot to fill up.
This place has fairly good food, but a little too pricy for the quality. Also, the place looks like it was decorated by an 80-year-old woman -- lots of old, plastic/fabric flowers, gaudy paintings and outdated wall and table coverings.
I'd go back to this place eventually I'm sure. But I haven't been there in about 4 years and haven't had a craving to go back yet.
I never have the highest expectations when it comes to bar food, but this visit exceeded my expectations.
Met a friend for happy hour eats and catch up. Ordered the potato skins which were quite good and loaded with cheese. Also split the 10 inch special pizza which consisted of gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, garlic and knockwurst which was very tasty and had an excellent crust.
Our server, Molly was great and attentive. Plenty of refills. Great service.
I'll have to remember to not be so judgmental when it comes to bar food.
I haven't been to Ferns since I lived a few blocks away, like 18 years ago so I thought I would give it a whirl. I experienced my first taste of Alligator here. I don't see the Alligator on the menu anymore, surprise, surprise.. Nothing much had changed with the decor, I remember it as being pretty cool back then but now it looks like the dining room of a nicer nursing home...
We ordered an appetizer, Buffalo Shrimp, which was the best part of the meal. I might go back just to eat this. Our entrees were a grilled portobello sandwich and some other vegetarian sandwich, I honestly can not even remember what it was called, that's how unremarkable it was. Our waitress was very nice and we had good service but that alone does not warrant three stars. The prices were rather high considering what you get so that, along with having to sit in a nursing home type of atmosphere forces me to give Fern's a Two star rating.
I probably won't be back.
The only reason we go here is that its close by, and serves dinner somewhat late in the dining room. The food is "Blah" to say the best. Nothing special. The dining room is very "old-lady," but then there is also a bar area that is completely different. It's almost like two venues in one. I hear they have a brunch buffet, but have never been. Service is decent.
Review Source:At first i was not sure about the place.. is fern a guy or a girl?? well when we got there we ordered a guiness it came out right away and they had some type of drawing for some prize well we sat down and got a ticket and we won a vikings jeresy lol every one was mad because they were there all day trying to get more tickets to win and we came in for 5 min and won. well the food was very good and the prices are about the same for the area. thereBBQ is good an pasta was good too
Review Source:A solid bar in the Selby/Dale area. Pretty easy for larger groups giving it edge over Muddy Pig, Gnome, or other nearby places (for larger groups). That's really it's best quality. The beer selection is ok and prices are in line with bars nearby. Free oversalted popcorn if you want to munch. Darts, big buck hunter, and Golden Tee all sit in corner.
Years ago we'd go their for sunday brunch, the quality detoriated over the years, but I haven't had brunch since probablyl 2007, so it might be back to good standards. Granted a few of my sub par trips were when I was pretty hungover and didn't make it until later in Brunch service when food wasnt fresh and like any buffet/brunch if it's in the off time, you're eating warmed over food.
If you're out doing a pub crawl or planning an even over 5 people that other nearby places cant accomdate, good stop. Otherwise I'd head over to the Muddy Pig.
Letting your date choose the restaurant can speak volumes about them. Â This was my experience at Fabulous Ferns. It is in a great location, spacious but a little rough around the edges in decor. The place is comfortable and you immediately feel at ease. Â The staff is friendly and attentive. Â Relaxing at Fabulous Ferns is easy.
The food is ample but overbearing in flavor and fat content. Â There is something for everyone on the menu but nothing that you would pine for after you leave. Â The wine list is adequate but not discerning and they do have Guinness on tap which is an unexpected plus.
Fabulous Ferns is a great place to go when you are unsure of others tastes or expectations about formality. Â And when your date starts a conversation about the validity of Barak Obama's birth certificate-they will bring the check quite quickly.
Between lunches with collegues and dinners family and friends, I've pretty much sampled everything on the menu; most everything is good and several have proven to be addiction producing!
Lunch or dinner we always start with the bruschetta -- thick buttery garlicy slabs of good crusty bread slathered with pesto and piled high with tomatoes, basil, and a mountain of shredded Parmasean. Other appetizers worthy of mention include all incarnations of the wings...
The entre that REALLY gets me, the entre I get more often then others, the thing I'm certain must be packed with narcotics for potential for addiction is the...Cajun meatloaf! Thick slacks of spicy and uncommononly good meatloaf topped with a tasty onion gravy and sided with baby reds and some of the best sauted vegetables I've every had keep me coming back, even though parking is a battle, again and again and again and again and...
Other favorite entres include the pot roast and ribs. The salads and sandwiches, especially the grilled tuna sandwich, are very good too...
Desserts are big enough to share though we've not strayed beyond the hot fudge sundae and bread pudding.
The wait staff is great -- Bruno and Jessica are our favorite servers and always greet us with a smile and warm hello. I feel genuinely appreciated when staff know who I am and know what I eat...
I know a girl named Fern and she's pretty fabulous, so I knew this place would be pretty dees (decent).
The decor is pretty schnazzy and you can definitely tell that this is an Irish bar... By that, I mean that the whole place is... green!
This place also has pre-dinner bread. Â Not the best, but hey, it's good to munch on something as you watch some of the drunks across the dining room in the bar area.
Dinner consisted of an opened-faced ruben with a side of coleslaw and fish and chips with a baked potatoe. Â The opened-faced ruben was pretty spectacular but the the coleslaw wasn't really touched. Â The fish and chips was pretty good with the house-made tartar sauce, but ended up soggy due to the vegetabeles served on the side. Â Oh, talking about sides - side note: Fern's, you don't need those veggies on the side; no one eats them.
Dessert consisted of creme-brulee and whiskey vanilla bread pudding. Â The creme-brulee was standard and enough for two drunken Irish-folks. Â And the bread pudding... well, let's just say you only need one dessert.
The best part? Â Dinners and desserts for under 36 bucks! Â Score!
Our server was pretty darn friendly, but also somewhat creepy. Â The parking is confusing (I don't think we were suppose to park in the lot). Â But the area is beautiful.
A cozy bar for a good night. Â Maybe it's the neighborhood. Â Not sure, but I really like this place. Â I am only rating the bar portion. Â They have all the keys - perfect lighting, darts, music, popcorn. Â PLUS, they gave me a very large sample (as in free of charge) of their sangria and I la-oved it! Â It wasn't packed with real fruit, but it was a nice mix of flavors. Especially since I had a very poor sangria about an hour earlier. Â That made me appreciate the service even more! Â Hats off to Fern!
Review Source:Ferns puts a smile on my face. Â Went there with a gift certificate so we splurged and got an app. Â Best idea I've ever had. Â The Kalbi Wings were amazing! Â The sauce is my new best friend. Â
Then I ordered my main course - shrimp stir fry and was incredibly happy when i realized that the stir fry was made with......wait for it.....KALBI sauce!  lol  Delicious!
Great portions. Â BF got the pot roast (what they are known for) and it was also delish.
And to top it off - since it was Sunday - we enjoy bloody marys and they were awesome! Â One of the best I've had in a restaurant in quite a while. Â Think and spicy and yummy!
Is the work day over yet so I can go get some kalbi sauce and pour it on pretty much anything???
Fabulous Fern's is a bar and grill
that has some amazing pasta, soups and sandwiches.
I don't feel that it's totally fitting to categorize it under 'American',
but it's kind of lack-of-a-better term thing.
I ordered the Tortellini Rosa with Chicken
and was in complete, blissful heaven.
It was the best tortellini I've had in awhile.
I ate until I was full. . .and then continued to eat
because it was so so so darn tasty!
The appearance of the restaurant is charming.
It has this sort of old, antique classy feeling.
It seems like your grandma would feel right at home here.
They have some vintage floral wall paper and decor
but it's not too stifling that you can't let loose and have a good time.
The waitress we had was a little spacey,
but maybe it was our table of 8 that made it hard for her.
They have a bar that is a little more low brow then the restaurant.
My friend was having a birthday get together,
so we were looking for a nice open space
that kept the cold beers coming.
Fabulous Fern's, you were that place.
Their bar is nice and spacious,
lots of seating.
They have the same o' bar games as any place,
pool tables and dart boards.
The wait staff are pretty decent.
I can't remember the drink prices,
but I'm sure they were probably pretty decent.
I'd remember if they were hella cheap or too expensive.
Those kind of things stick out :)
I'd definitely check it out if you're looking for some good food.
A friend of mine ordered some chili that looked amazing.
Someone got the rib tips and they looked and smelled fantastic.
Fern's is a great place to eat with wonderful menu choices. I love the food, especially the Sunday Brunch. Â On most days the atmosphere is nice and friendly...however, there are times when the owner (of Fern's) gets a bit beside him self and mistreats his staff. Â I have witnessed first hand the "verbal abuse" and "public humiliation"...and frankly, I was appalled. Â I truly understand that people have good and bad days...but there is such a thing as "professionalism". Â If you have an issues with your staff take them aside and talk to them in private...not in front of your customers and the other staff. Â This was a total turn-off for me.
Other than that, I would recommend Fern's.
This place gets a solid: Good.
Their fries were substantially potatoey, not seasoned, but salted. The bruschetta was piled high with parmesan the way it ought to be. The beer from the bar (Fat Tire on tap!) while we waited to be seated was quite satisfactory. The salmon with dill sauce was pretty good, but nothing to shout about.
We did not have room nor time for dessert, but I hope some day to go back and have a taste of their 'Chocolate Obsession': "Dense chocolate cake with a rich chocolate filling and fudge icing. Served with raspberry melba sauce." Service was good, prices were reasonable.
The best part of the menu: dessert is listed first.
We used to go often, until they recently changed their soda brand to Pepsi.
As we drink Coke Products, we go to Fern's much less often now.
(as for what places charge these days, you may as well go where they serve what ya like to consume.)(otherwise it's just a let down at exorbident prices.)
Last few times there has been less than stellar, though they are capable of some very nice meals from time to time.
They have extremely good buffalo wings! A fair steak, some good sandwiches, and various other items. Even a pretty darn good pizza!
Good hamburger...weak fries. (fake)
The restaurant itself, is very nice decor, and generally friendly staff.
Service is spotty, and sometimes your entire meal is dumped on you at once. (Not well timed)(a wait staff issue) Other times, it's very nice.
These spotty issues are normal attributes of a "non-franchise" restaurant. They are maybe less consistent in process than a franchise, but 9 times out of ten, they'll blow the doors off of any franchise in food and, service quality. As do most independant restaurants!
Fern's is in a newly re-developed part of Selby Ave. (@Western Ave.)Part of the Old Blair House Hotel Bldg. Very nicely re-invigorated! There are also some other fine restaurants (some rather upscale) very near in the same area. It's a nice place to stroll with your date!
They also have a nice bar at Fern's, for those that consume.
Fern's is no slouch of a place either. A VERY nice place! Â Try it!
(it's also very resonably priced)
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