Three stars is probably about right: if The Philosopher's Stone Tavern were a car, they'd be a borderline interesting sedan - few surprises lurk within, but that doesn't mean those within can't be happily transported. I wandered in here on a Saturday night, on the September breeze that brought me. What I found was a fairly spartan arrangement, patio seating out front, and a cozy bar inside nestled in a corner.
I chose the latter. Interesting though: when I asked if they carried an Ayinger Dunkel (there was a branded chalkboard hanging next to the bar), the bartender looked at me like I was speaking French and didn't know what a dunkel was...offering me a Chimay instead. I drank it, and for the next hour and a half or so I settled into a familiar rotation which included the tasty beers they did have on hand and some regular, solid wait staff service. Not a remarkable experience, per se, but definitely not a bad one. I'd try 'em again if the time was right.