Scholars Inn Gourmet Cafe & Wine Bar

I took my wife to Scholar's Inn as a surprise. She had said she really wanted to go there sometime. I read the reviews and was nervous we would be disappointed with something, be it the service or the food. I was tempted to bypass what she had said before and go with Restaurant Tallent, because the reviews seemed better. But I decided on Scholar's Inn and we had a fantastic experience! We had the blue cheese steak fries for an appetizer, which were great. I had the cheddar ale soup, which was fantastic. I had the filet mignon and she had the NY strip, and both were wonderful. The filet was really amazing. I had never had a steak like that before. I can't compare it to fancier steak places like Ruth's Chris and such because I've never been to them, but I loved it. We finished with some really delicious chocolate cake. I can't remember what it's called. The service was great. Professional, helpful, kind. The only thing I didn't like was the cost. But once in a while it's good to splurge a little.

I came here with three of my visiting friends for my birthday dinner. We had a nice waiter and really enjoyed ourselves. The only annoying thing about our meal was that there were about 20 sorority girls and one of the girl's had their creepy father at dinner. They were loud and jappy so needless to say the ambience of this nice restaurant was most likely not its usual self.

All four of us girls ordered their signature filet mignon steak. Excellent cut of meat. We enjoyed a nice bottle of wine and a couple appetizers as well but the steak definitely stood out.

It was a Friday night and very quiet at the restaurant. I don't know if it was because we were dining a little later (930pm) or if it's just not a busy place.

This would be a good special occasion/date pot. Definitely the priciest spot I've been to in Bloomington so I think they need to be reminded about just that; this is Bloomington, not a big city, and the steak doesn't have to be so overpriced. It was a great cut of meat but calm down on thinking you're a Morton's or Ruth's Chris.

I would give Scholars Inn 5 stars (amazing martinis, great desserts, awesome appetizers), but,

the service was awful.  

Well, we actually had good service (attentive, got our food quickly, etc) BUT

our waitress was so. freaking. pushy.  

Like, to the point that it was an obstruction to our evening.  

We came here with another couple to enjoy drinks, desserts, appetizers.  We were looking for a cozy, relaxing evening.  Our waitress incessantly badgered us for our order.  Then she incessantly badgered us to order more.  Finally, she pretty much kicked us out by somewhat rudely giving us the bill (not that I think it's rude to give a table a bill, but this was done in a GTFO sort of way).