Inside Pearl & the Thief, a Southern Charmer in Stillwater

Pearl & the Thief is stocked to the hilt with bourbon and oysters in anticipation of the grand opening Tuesday May 29 at 112 North Main Street in downtown Stillwater. What was once an Irish pub is now a study in ocean blue and pristine white. The kitchen and menu were done by up and coming local chef Justin Sutherland, who also runs the kitchen at the Handsome Hog in St. Paul. He’s teamed with his friend, Pearl & the Thief’s general manager Joe Pirri to create their dream of Savannah charm with refined soul food.

That means that the menu has piles of oysters of all different varieties and a stunning array of dishes that sound familiar, but twist expectations. Creamy bisque is served with crawfish, a buttermilk and herb dressed salad with a massive hunk of bacon is a fine-dining version of ranch salad and fish and chips are a whole fried fish served with sweet potato chips.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Like Handsome Hog, which Sutherland and Pirri opened together (which is under different ownership), this is a bar fueled by bourbon, but not overly serious. There’s a negroni milkshake that’s served in stemware.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Pearl & the Thief is the latest in a boom of new restaurants in Stillwater, but the unique location and elegance set it apart.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

There are two rooms, a lower level dining room that overlooks main street and the river across the street and an upstairs lounge.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

The upstairs bar has been open occasionally already, Anyone in the area over Memorial Day weekend looking for a spot to cool off might be wise to check if the door is open.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

While the downstairs, main dining room is a light and elegant restaurant vibe, upstairs is more like a downtown chic artist loft.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

With another bar.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities

Once open for regular hours starting Tuesday, Pearl & the Thief will serve lunch, dinner and late night.

Kevin Kramer/Eater Twin Cities