ACQUA - White Bear LakeIt is not much to look atIt is not much to look at from the outside, however, the inside is very quaint. We were seated in the upper most room (reservations were made a month before) with high vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, beautiful wood floors and antique sideboard service stations. The food was excellent and the service was superb, They easily accommodated our special requests because of food allergies. It is a 45 minute commute from where we live and well worth the drive. We will be back as we are looking forward to the outdoor dining overlooking White Bear Lake.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMYummy seasonings and best scallopsFood was outstanding. I had both specials: Caprese Salad, which I always enjoy, and Gnochi with bacon and sausage. The smoked paprika made the dish. My husband said his were the best scallops he had ever eaten (they were part of a seafood dish).5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved the view of the lakeLoved the view of the lake and the food was exceptional! Ryan and staff was fun and friendly and were great about accommodating the floral arrangement on the table. Wanted to go back the next day!5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways fabulous...We celebrated my husbands birthday and all was spectacular. We've literally NEVER had a bad experience and will keep coming back.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfecto!Acqua never fails us --- another fabulous meal, service and great sunset over the lake! The butterscotch budino is to die for!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe were there to support theWe were there to support the Aliveness Project, which was made simple for us.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food, great service!Great food, great service! Scallops and shrimp were amazing. Calamari also fabulous.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have dined at Acqua WBL,We have dined at Acqua WBL, on numerous occasions and the food and service are easily Top 5, in the TC Metro.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWent for our anniversary andWent for our anniversary and were happy to find that the food was great and the service was impeccable. Great for special occasions or just a nice romantic dinner.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous food, excellent wineFabulous food, excellent wine and cocktails, impeccable service and overall good vibe. Highly recommend!4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat experience.I had an excellent overall experience. The food was great and the service was top notch.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI have enjoyed a number ofI have enjoyed a number of dinners at Acqua and have never been disappointed. Flavor, flair, fun. It's all there. I would recommend this to all folks. However, bring your check card. Can be a bit expensive, but worth it!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe experience at Acqua isThe experience at Acqua is always excellent and consistent. The food is delicious and creatively prepared. It is always the first place we think of when celebrating a special occasion, and it's nice to have a restaurant of this caliber in our neighborhood.4/18/2013 12:00:00 AMMy wife and I had a greatMy wife and I had a great time. The food and drinks were excellent. The only negative was that it was lound. Patrons at two other tables were talking loudly and it was difficult for us to talk and hear each other.Otherwise the food was great, the service was good and we are looking forward to the next time.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother great evening withAnother great evening with interesting and delicious food, well prepared. Service is attentive and friendly but unobtrusive and professional. They accommodate food allergies and special requests without fanfare or grumbling but in a kind and helpful manner.
This is a great place to enjoy an evening with friends!4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMWe enjoyed our meal, the foodWe enjoyed our meal, the food & service were great. My only complaint is that i specified on our reservation that we were celebrating my husbands birthday, i also mentioned it to the waitress. We were'nt offered desert which we both found odd, and maybe insincere on Aqua's part. It would be a nice & appropriate gesture for them to offer a bday desert.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMI've been to Acqua severalI've been to Acqua several times on business and this was my wife's first visit. We were there with some friends from WBL who say Acqua is their favorite restaurant. Did not disappoint, everything was wonderful, I hope you always keep the butternut squash ravioli on the menu!4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFelt a bit rushed throughFelt a bit rushed through dinner, as waiter mentioned it was a busy night.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, the food was outstandingAs always, the food was outstanding. My husbands fav is the Osso Bucco. It did not disappoint. Tender,melt-in-your-mouth goodness The pork piccata special with house-made Parmesan ravioli was delicious. Also, the calamari appetizer was tender, perfectly seasoned and disappeared4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMI would have to say this isI would have to say this is the best food I have eaten in a restaurant in many, many years!! Simply outstanding in every way. Mouth-watering food, excellent service, beautiful view of the lake and an all-around great experience. I have already recommended to MANY people. Word of mouth is the best advertising!!4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMAquaHad the Halibut special with mashed potatoes. The potatoes and halibut were really dry and didn't have much flavor at all. Waiter was awesome!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMA great meal by any measure.We went on a busy Saturday night and were surprised that the usual management team was missing. No worries. The service was great, the mussels were particularly good, the wine fairly priced, the eggplant parm way above what you think eggplant parm is. Acqua bounces between very good and great and this night it was great!4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMThe Pork Shank was amazing!The Pork Shank was amazing! And the sea-salt caramel desert was delicious! Service was top-notch.4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMI had heard a lot of greatI had heard a lot of great things about Acqua so I was prepared for disappointment. However, Acqua exceeded my expectations at all levels. Although a little crowded in the waiting area, the hostess made sure we were comfortable and took our drink orders while our table was readied. The bar and bartenders are top-notch. Our waitress was knowledgeable and very helpful, which was much appreciated given the menu. Oh, what a menu! Though not expansive, it was extremely difficult to choose from what was available. The beef carpaccio, lobster bisque and caesar salad were all excellent. The ossabucco, beef long rib and the Pesci freschi were all can't miss selections. The portions are generous, but we did try the butterscotch budino. Wow!!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAfter the Soccer GameAsked for a late night dining time, 9:30 PM for 6 persons. We were welcomed and accomodated perfectly. The service and the appetizers and of course the entrees were very very good.
Thanks to Darron and his staff for taking such good care of us, again!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMAs always, we were amazedAs always, we were amazed with the food and service. Too bad that something can't be done with noisy children, parents letting them sit at the bar, and, generally making it somewhat difficult to have a conversation with our guests.
Thank you Daron and all involved with Acqua for great food and great service. Hope the Forest Lake restaurant is going well. We're planning on visiting it when it opens.
Betty Gruenewald3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was the most wonderfulThis was the most wonderful preparation of rack of lamb we have EVER had! The combination of flavors was absolutely amazing and perfect. The minted sauce was not overstated. The couscous/ risotto/quinoa and cranberry accompaniement was superbly flavored. This was possibly the best combination of flavors we have ever had. The tiramisou for dessert was also wonderful. Too bad both were specials and not available regularly.3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMOur visit was fantastic, fromOur visit was fantastic, from beginning to end. While eating dessert, we were deciding when we would be back. The menu had nice variety, not just 3 entrees to pick from. The portions were perfectly sized. We have spent most of our special nights out in Stillwater, but this is one of the best experiences we have ever had.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI recently requested the veryI recently requested the very best table for a very special occation, my wifes birthday. They seated us on the top floor with a beautiful view of White Bear lake. Absolutly the best table in the house with top notch food and service.
Roger Bogotty, North Oaks.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and atmosphere.At Aqua I had the best scallops I have ever tasted. My companion had beef tenderloin that was very good as well. I had a glass of pinot grigio and my companion had a glass of chianti both of which were mediocre. He also had a glass of cabernet that was much better. Service was top notch.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe'll be back!My wife and I visited Acqua on a Saturday evening after having received a gift card from some friends. Each of the staff members we encountered were helpful, knowledge, and very, very friendly. The food was fantastic: she chose the tasting menu with the pork shank and I had the ribeye. My steak was so tender and flavorful and rich, I never wanted the meal to end! The cocktail menu was innovative and fun, and the quiet, intimate ambiance was restful. Though the dining space is small, the tables are spaced well so you never feel cramped or crowded. We were there in the late evening, but the views while it's still light out would be fantastic.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a terrific meal hereWe had a terrific meal here at Acqua. Their kitchen never seems to disappoint.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother wonderful eveningAnother wonderful evening at Aqua. The food was amazing - every bite was so delicious. We were with friends from out of town and they were in awe of the wonderful food and service.
Our server was entertaining as well as gave excellent service. I cannot find a single thing that was not done well.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMAcqua is my favorite restaurant!!Acqua is my favorite restaurant!! It is so nice to have the high quality experience in our local community! We are never disappointed when we visit. Thanks for the great evening out!3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst Rate food and serviceThe food was terrific - both in taste and presentation. The staff was very friendly and out to please. The place is a bit crowded, very small bar area which was packed with people enjoying drinks or a meal. We made reservations earlier in the evening and were fortunate to be seated near the balcony overlooking the lake - beautiful view. Looking forward to trying other items on their menu.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful evening. The foodWonderful evening. The food was great as well as the service.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMAwesome dinng experienceAwesome dining experience!!! Fod was exceptional. I would not order 2 appetisers for oly 2 people cuz they are surprisingly quite a large amount of food for an appetizer.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFood was very good, but notFood was very good, but not outstanding. Atmosphere was beautiful and service was excellent. Nice place to go for a special occasion.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service! Love the roomsGreat service! Love the rooms and the food is good. Very interesting and unique menu.
Will go back again in the summer for sure.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service is outstanding,The service is outstanding, not intrusive and very helpful! The food is really rich, but great. This was our 2nd time here and we look forward to returning.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AM