Hard Times Café
1821 Riverside Ave.
Four months after closing for what was expected to be a month-long renovation, Hard Times Café, 1821 Riverside Ave., reopened Saturday, Dec. 15, to once again “provide folks with Gypsy stew, tempeh Reubens and coffee that can defend itself,” stated Hard Times Cooperative in a release.

Peter Dodge, who owns the building that houses Hard Times, put up $150,000 towards the city-mandated renovations, which included an entirely new kitchen, a new ventilation system, piping, sinks and a dish washer, as well as façade improvements, wall coverings and a “fake ceiling” to cover exposed ventilation, according to Susannah Dodge, who manages the property for her father.

Seward Café loaned Hard Times $10,000, as well, said Hard Times cooperative member Troy Pieper. He called Seward’s help “one of several outpourings from people in our community.”

Ward 2 Council Member Cam Gordon was glad to hear of the café’s reopening. “I’m looking forward to eating there again and looking forward to them doing a great, booming business,” said Gordon, who will resume his monthly ward office hours at the café every first Tuesday from 9:30–11 a.m.

Red Stag
509 First Ave. NE
612-767-7766
www.redstagsupperclub.com
The Red Stag is the latest venture by innovative restaurateur Kim Bartmann, owner of the Bryant-Lake Bowl and Barbette in Uptown. In addition to its unique menu of stylish, updated supper club fare, the Red Stag stands out as the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified restaurant in the state. LEED sets construction and design standards for making buildings energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Many of Red Stag’s cozy furnishings have been recycled or reused, the restaurant uses energy-efficient LED lightbulbs, as well as 70 percent less water than most new restaurants.

McMahon’s Irish Pub
3001 E. Lake St.
612-722-1377
Longtime Irish pub proprietor Dominic McMahon transformed the former Poodle Club into what he calls “the world’s first Irish blues pub.” The long, angling bar is still there, but McMahon’s features a selection of local and European beers and spirits, live blues onstage, new pool tables and dart boards, and a “hybrid Amercian/Irish” menu that includes a dozen styles of chicken wings, cooked-to-order fish and chips, stews, soups, sandwiches and one-pound baked potatoes. McMahon’s serves breakfast and brunch on weekends.

128 Café
128 Cleveland Ave. N.
651-645-4128
Just across the river from Southeast Como, 128 Café has reopened under the new ownership of longtime employee Jill Wilson. Head Chef Ian Pierce returns, as well. Call 651-645-4128 or email 128cafe@gmail.com for reservations.

Harry’s Food and Cocktails
500 Washington Ave. S.
612-344-7000
www.harrysfood.com
Following the closing of the white-linen Levain last New Year’s Eve, Chef Steven Brown brought his gourmet expertise to the former Nochee space. Harry’s — owned by Dwight Bonewell and Adam Smith — offers a range of cuisine, from “contemporary comfort food” like hamburgers and fries to more gourmet fare. A Monday–Friday Happy hour runs 4–6 p.m., and Harry’s validates parking in the adjacent ramp, off Washington and Portland avenues.

Brasa Rotisserie
600 E. Hennepin Ave.
612-379-3030
www.brasa.us
Brasa is the second Marcy-Holmes establishment for Chef Alex Roberts (a Marcy resident), who co-owns Restaurant Alma, 528 University Ave. SE. Roberts transformed the former Betty’s Bikes and Buns into the cozy and colorful Caribbean-style charhouse, with a menu based on spice-rubbed rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted glazed pork shoulder. Side dishes include sweet plantains, crispy fried yucca, sweet potatoes with andouille sausage, black-eyed peas with Berkshire bacon and yellow corn grits with sharp cheddar. Brasa also offers wine, beer, iced tea, sodas and desserts such as chocolate-chocolate cake, a sweet biscuit with seasonal fruit and cream and coconut-tapioca pudding with passion fruit.

Merlins Rest
3601 E. Lake St.
612-216-2419
www.merlinsrest.com
One of two dive-bar-to-Irish-pub transformations on Lake Street this year, Merlins Rest marked the return of the original Molly Quinn’s scene, with music, Guinness and whiskey flowing freely through the friendly bar. Owned by former Molly’s proprietor John Dingley and designed by Bill Watkins, the “Isles pub” in the former Popeye’s digs offers live music — from jazz bands onstage to a corner-booth sit-in — and a menu of Irish fare.

Cereal World and the Minnesota Popcorn Connection
423 14th Ave. SE
612-623-1985
In May, empty-nesters Julie and Mark Marshall opened Cereal World and the Minnesota Popcorn Connection in a former Dinkytown landromat. The menu boasts a long list of goodies, including 25 brands of cereal, 19 kinds of popcorn, Belgian waffles, organic oatmeal, yogurt parfaits and loads of yummy toppings to pile on.

Picosa
65 SE Main St.
612-746-3970
From morning to midnight and beyond, Picosa (“spicy one” in Spanish) wears many hats — brunch spot, lunch buffet, fine-dining room and weekend nightclub — all the while dressed in the stylish coat of the former Sophia’s in Riverplace. Enjoy Chef Lindell Mendoza’s Latin and Caribbean creations for dinner in the dining room or streetside patio, or in the bar, where, on Saturday nights, dancers fill the floor, moving to the sounds of a live salsa band after 9 p.m. Happy hour and all-day drink specials are a steal, as is parking: free in the Riverplace Municipal Lot.

Overflow Espresso Café
2929 University Ave. SE
612-331-4632
www.overflowespressocafe.com
This coffee shop built its own view: a large pond below the sizable outdoor patio. The pond is more than just pretty; it reduces stormwater runoff, and the café received an architectural award in December from University United. Inside, the café includes wi-fi and a public computer, a kids’ play area and two levels of seating. The menu features soups, salads, sandwiches and host of baked and sweet goodies, as well as juices, smoothies and, of course,
coffee drinks.

Spill the Wine
1101 Washington Ave. S.
612-339-3388
www.spillthewinerestaurant.com
With exposed-brick walls, hardwood floors, original tin ceilings and low lighting, the casual dining establishment with a European flare was designed to attract theatergoers and condo dwellers. Housed in the 124-year-old Day Block building, Spill the Wine has an urban feel, without being in the middle of Downtown. Happy hour, 4–7 p.m. daily, features $3 tap beer, $15 bottles of select wine and $5 select appetizers.

Obento-ya
1510 Como Ave. SE
612-331-1432
www.obento-ya.com
Likely the only “bento bar” in the Twin Cities, the bistro offers 17 combinations of chicken, pork, shrimp or fish cooked on a Japanese-style grill and served with rice, salad, Japanese potato salad and miso soup. Whether it’s deluxe sushi or simple beef and chicken skewers, the stylish six-month-old Obento-ya has it all.

Pi
2532 25th Ave. S.
612-877-4368
www.pibarandrestaurant.com
Vibrant colors, a burnt-orange bar and dining room with retro 1950s décor set the scene at this part eating establishment, part dance club. Billed as an “awesome social club for queer women and their friends,” part-owner and General Manager Tara Yule said Pi welcomes people of all sexual orientations. Upscale bar food — think the GBLT (guacamole, bacon, lettuce and tomato) — and more expensive restaurant fare like mahi mahi with soba noodles, are both available. Trivia, karaoke and pool are regular fixtures, and during any given week, there’s a variety of live entertainment. Happy hour is 4–8 p.m. daily.

last revised: January 16, 2008

• Login or register to post comments