Look, I love wine, but I'm no sommelier. I usually just point and say, "That one looks French!" But…read morewalking into The Hawthorn Bottle Shop and Tasting Room in Helena changed the game. This isn't one of those stuffy, velvet-rope wine bars; it's genuinely "New York chic meets Montana," which is the only atmosphere I ever want to be in. The main reason this place is magic? The staff. We had a server who was less of a server and more of a wine wizard. I told them I liked things that were "a little sassy, maybe a bit moody," and they didn't even blink. Instead, they completely crafted the perfect flight of wine flights for us to sample. It was like a personalized, four-course journey for my tastebuds. Every single pour was a winner, and the knowledge they dropped on us was actually interesting and not at all intimidating. I learned more in 30 minutes than I did in a decade of frantically googling "what is terroir?" If you're looking for an amazing wine bar where you can relax, learn something new, and taste truly incredible stuff without feeling like you need a wine degree, this is it. Go for the ambiance, stay for the wine, and definitely let their knowledgeable service steer the ship. They won't steer you wrong. Highly Recommend: Just tell your server to surprise you. It's the best way to do it.

First, the place has amazing service…read more We had an amazing Italian wine on tap, the charcuterie, and cheese board. The environment was a perfect place for three old friends to reunite and hear each other speak. I highly recommend this place for the food, drink, and a place where your friends can have a conversation.

So I had an interesting experience here…read more I sat down at the bar and asked the bartender if they had a menu. She replied, "Lucca's is closed" referring to the Italian restaurant next door. I replied, "No, a drinks menu" to which she did not give me a menu but said, "Do you like sweet drinks?" At this point I had no idea where this conversation was going but I replied, "No.." and then she said okay and handed me a menu. I asked why and she said that she can make better drinks than what the menu says. She said she only liked a couple drinks on the menu (ginger basil martini, prairie press, and maybe the huckleberry mule and that's it) and she also does not recommend any of the wines. The brutal honesty is good for me and bad for the bar, but some saleswoman she is I guess? Who knows. I asked her if she was the only person who had these strong opinions about the menu and she said no and that all the bartenders felt the same way. If everyone feels the same way about them and they're the ones who have to serve customers then they should make a change right? It's just weird that you have that attitude towards the business and then project that toward the customers. I said I'd listen to her recommendations and ordered the ginger basil martini ($12) which was actually pretty good. It's refreshing and slightly sweet from the sugar rim. She mentioned that she made the drink less sweet because she knew that I didn't like sweet drinks and then went on that menus can't offer the same personalization as a bartender who listens. I mean I guess the intention is good that she wants to be able to personalize cocktails to the customer's taste preferences but again the attitude of going on and on about how you're a great and thoughtful bartender just rubbed me the wrong way. For my second drink I wasn't going to order off the menu so I asked if she could make a last word. She didn't know what that was and I told her how to make it. She replied, "I don't know what green chartreuse is." I said, "Okay never mind, how about a paper plane?" Again she did not know what that was and I listed the ingredients and she said, "What's amaro?" At this point I'm frustrated so I just ordered an old fashioned ($12). You go on and on about how you can get creative and make a variety of drinks but you don't even know what green chartreuse or amaro are. So you're not as knowledgeable of a bartender as you think you are. The same type of attitude and boastfulness happened after the second drink as it did the first. I seriously couldn't wait to finish my drink and get out of there which never happens. It felt like lazy bartending for not amazing cocktails for craft cocktail prices. The negativity and complaining is just not the vibe I want at a bar. Another note: the men's restroom does not lock but not just that, it does not close all the way so it's always slightly open outward and I don't know why no one has bothered to fix that. Many things are very wrong here; I don't how to fix them but it just didn't give me a good vibe and left a bad taste in my mouth.

Stopped here on a whim after leaving The Hawthorn. The two could not be more opposite, which is…read morewhat we liked! When we walked in the front, it was totally deserted. However, the back was lit up with a small crowd and two bartenders. As the night went on, the place got busier. We met some really great people, and both bartenders were very attentive and conversational. We only meant to go in for one drink, but ended up staying for hours. We found this place really fun!

Davin was amazing! The place was great and friendly. Staff was accommodating and very friendly.read more

Cheap drinks, super chill environment. Jesus was a good bartender. Food is separate and literally…read moreacross the room (separate business). Will return!

Evan made our birthday dinner at Silver Star truly exceptional. From the start, he was welcoming,…read moreattentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. He helped guide our choices without being pushy, and his recommendations were spot-on. For his birthday meal, my husband ordered a steak and I had the salmon--both were cooked perfectly and absolutely delicious. Evan checked in at all the right times, making sure everything was just right without ever interrupting the flow of our evening. What really set Evan apart was how he elevated the celebration. He acknowledged my husband's birthday in a genuine, thoughtful way that made the night feel special without being overdone. His attention to detail and friendly, professional demeanor made us feel taken care of from beginning to end. If you're dining at The Silver Star Steak Company, ask for Evan--you won't be disappointed!

I bet this place would be great if you walk in with a Brione suit on and a hot chick on your arm…read more Unfortunately, I only had my adidas black sweat top and tennis shoes one and was not treated well. Other customers that perhaps were perceived as bigger paychecks were consistently served before me. At first I sat at the bar to make it easy for the servers. Unfortunately it was only me and I was abandoned after My drink came and no dinner menus came despite being asked and responding that yes, I need them. So, I took my drink and asked to be seated at a table. the table next to me had about 8 people seated after me, and again they were able to order drinks before my waitress came to me. So, looks matter in this restaurant - a lot! That is never a good sign. My waitress is probably in the wrong career as she was brusque and seemed put off at having to serve 1 person. Maybe she was cursed with being German as I am. The wedge salad I ordered was two small wedge pieces instead of the normal 1 large piece and was ok, but underwhelming in both the size and the amount of blue cheese which was a bit sparse. The 6 oz fillet seemed more like 4 and was ok - the baked potato noticeably smaller than most but loaded at least. The restaurant scene is Helena is pitiful, to be honest. Billings is the place in Montana to be for restaurants. Maybe Bozeman or Missoula but unfortunately, the capital is lacking. The martinis were decent but not as good as the windmill in billings.

Great time with friends and family all visiting Helena for a wedding. The service is 10 stars and…read moreI'm bummed I did not get our sever's name. She was awesome and so much fun. Once I saw it on the menu I had to get the GIGANTIC PRETZEL (GP). It was gigantic and it was a pretzel. Great crispy outside and soft warm perfectly cooked inside. Get it, you won't regret it. We all loved it and the queso and hot mustard were a great match. I had the wings, buffalo sauce, and it came with fries. Both were really good. So much food I only ate 4 wings and 1/2 the fries. GP still weighing heavy in my gullet! The Wife had the Classic Mac and Cheese - nice taste but Luke warm instead of hot. Should have sent back to warm up. Her choice. The Kid had the brisket sandwich and garlic parm fries. The sandwich was so big., she ate 1/2 and hardly touched her fries. The fries were delish, as I had to sample a couple for review purposes. The Friend had a Buffalo chicken salad and The Other Friend had enchiladas. Both enjoyed their meals and had leftovers as the servings are generous. Great Time. Great Food. Great Service. Go! Eat Very Well!! HAVE FUN!!!

The relic of a brothel from days gone by, tastefully transformed into a lively pub in old town…read moreHelena. Biggest challenge is finding a parking space! But once you get there it is pure joy and the best food!! (And although it's gotten a bad rap for slow service, I beg your pardon! This is Montana, a long drive between places is part of the experience, so we should all slow down and enjoy it! I got my craft beer in record time, and order shortly after, the waitresses were very friendly and helpful but let you take your time and enjoy the experience! My wings were Excellent, great homemade sauce with wings on a bed of fries, which caught up the dripping sauce and made a wonderful meal, paired with a salad, this was a memorable and delicious little place to relax and enjoy historic Helena and Last Chance Gulch! Do try this place if you get the Last Chance!

Only food is chips and nuts but the bartender is awesome and the place is a little hidden gem next…read moreto laundromat across from the old train station in Helena. Looks almost like a dive from outside but once you walk in they have a fantastic selection of fine spirits and a few good beers on tap along with a whole section of slots and gambling but it has a great atmosphere and feel inside. Just light enough and just dark enough and if I lived in Helena I'd be there all the time.

Doesn't even deserve 1star. The bartender Luke was the rudest jerk I have come across in my…read morelifetime of 67 years. I had asked him if he had root beer schnapps in which he had replied "yes". He gave us peppermint instead. I told him I didn't order that and he said that I did and that's what I said. I hate peppermint! I asked for our money back as they didn't have it. There obviously was miscommunication, he told me to get the "f" out of the bar and if not, he was calling the police. My husband asked him what we had done, Luke wouldn't answer him. He was violent acting! He grabbed our beers that we hadn't even took a sip out of, called us MF and to get the "f" out. We felt harassed and embarrassed. I had a Haps hoodie sweatshirt on at the time which I am burning. He doesn't know a thing about customer service. He could've handled that situation differently, like offered something else instead but didn't. UPDATE: After a night of no sleep, I called Brent the owner the next morning to talk to him about the incident. He was very understanding and empathetic. He would speak to Luke and ask him why the situation escalated to anger over something so insignificant. He told us to come back in and he would make it right. I definitely will. I love this bar, have been patronizing this bar off and on since the late 90's.

Awesome lunch. Great menu and portions. Exceptional service. Fun place to watch sports. Best prime…read morerib dip we have ever had

Blackened prime rib sandwich was at least half fat. Bad!!! Told waitress and she offered me some…read morefries as my sandwich was the "last one". Understandably!

Great food and service, relaxing quiet atmosphere. Well worth the short drive from downtown. We'll…read moredefinitely be back again

First time here and my dinner was amazing. I had the special which I've included a picture. Cindy,…read moreour server was excellent.