Loring Pasta Bar

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327 14th Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414

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(612) 617-8119
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Reviews
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( 11 )

Best

Let's face it...the staff don't have a problem; you probably do. You come in from the 'burbs in your Hummer and expect some type of Oceanaire experience. The Pasta Bar isn't tha...

Worst

I looked forward to going to the recent addition to my neighborhood, the Loring. The food is above average, the decor is a trip and the drinks are swell. However, my first visit...

Give it another shot -- service has improved. 7/6/2006

It seems like awhile since the last review, so I thought I'd share my thoughts on it. I'm sure the service was bad when those other folks dined here, but the service when I went this Friday evening -- while not spectacular -- was at least passable. We were sat immediately at a nice table in the corner with a good view of the place, and what an amazing view! plus were able to see outside. It was clearly busy and seemed understaffed, but we got our food within acceptable time limits and enjoyed ourselves otherwise. At times, the music was loud, but I guess that's the point? The food itself was way above average and the prices were reasonable (I'm from NYC, believe me when I say the food at this level, with this kind of atmosphere, could be much more expensive.) So, in short, I don't know if there's new management or they've gotten wise to the posts here, give Loring Pasta another shot and you should be pleasantly surprised. Pros: Amazing interior design, great people watching, good food Cons: Noisy, service is average, could have a long wait for the table more
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Decor is cool but food is not 5/28/2006

The atmosphere and theme nights are really cool but I haven't had good experiences with their food or service. Last night I went to meet a group of friends for dinner and was made to pay $8 cover for salsa night. No one else at the table (about 8 other people) had to pay cover, so we tried to get our money back since we weren't going to dance, but we were informed that they're going to come around and start charging tables and our friends would get charged anyways. Never happened. The food was only mediocre and I will not go back for the food. $6 for appetizers - dry unseasoned steak skewers, lifeless potstickers, some edemame. But the artichoke dip was good. Pros: atmosphere, decor Cons: food, prices, service more
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Service?! You call that service? 11/9/2005

The decor is worth seeing, but get used to it because you will be staring at it for a very long time before your ""server"" realizes that you exist or that her job is to take your order. These folks need to appreciate several things 1. Customer Service; 2. Italian Cooking (Carbonara is bland alfredo); 3. Finance (they must understand that it is the Customers who pay them money); and 4. zymergy (their beer selection sucks). Oh yeah, even though you entered the building hours before 10:00pm (remember you've been sitting and waiting for your server...) Don't think that your entire evening's wait, and your not insignificant cash outlay, will prevent you from being kicked out in the cold rain&snow only to have to pay $6 to re-enter and enjoy the music in the bar. Don't kid yourself- this place is LAME, &soare the owners the managers &the dumb servers. Pros: nice interior space Cons: everything else more
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Pretty atmosphere, terrible service, bland food 7/20/2005

Walking into the Loring Pasta Bar, I was struck by what a cool looking place it is and how I would have to remember to bring people back there again. Not feeling the same after experiencing the food and the service. It was the worst service I have ever had in a restaurant. From having reservations for 7 yet being seated in a booth, to not having drinks refilled or even offering refills, to being incredibly rude when we asked if we could move tables, to not splitting the check as we requested before we ordered, it was just BAD. The bad attitude extended to the hostess and the bartender. The food itself was very bland and not worth the prices. The best part of the whole meal was the bread with garlic butter. And that was free. Normally Im an easy, forgiving customer, but this was ridiculous. Pros: Great atmosphere, Pretty space, Good bread Cons: No AC, Terrible service , Bland food more
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Slow service, bad food 12/6/2004

We made reservations for 5:00 in hopes of eating prior to a show. Once we arrived, we were informed that the kitchen doesn't start dinner until 5:30. The server knew our plans and was good at checking in and getting our order in. Our appetizers arrived soon, but the food took well over an hour after we ordered. The server appeared to avoid us once we knew the food was taking longer than it should have. Once it arrived, the steaks were grainy & not made to order, potatoes were cold & uncooked. Asparagus was woody. Atmosphere is original and fun; pass if you want anything more than drinks & atmosphere. more
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Not impressed 6/7/2004

The decor of the restaurant was awesome, but it ends there. The menu did not contain anything that appealed to me and the food wasn't worth boasting about. If you want a place to chill, then go to the Loring Pasta Bar. If you want a good meal, you're better off going somewhere else. Pros: people watching, cool bathroom more
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atmospheric 7/29/2003

The restaurant has a bar with hip and attractive young things, outdoor seating for the full Dinkytown experience, and a dramatic space with live entertainment. I found the food precious and pricey, but I have only eaten here once. When I had desert and drinks, my desert was okay (the mousse) and my White Russian was strong. But I had wanted either a Grasshopper or a Brandy Alexander to take advantage of the ""full bar"" the host mentioned, and the bartender could or would not make these. Pros: atmosphere Cons: pricey more
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Wow 6/13/2003

I've only been there once but had an outstanding experience and can't wait to go back! Our server recommended the Alask. Crab Speg. and it was delish! The potstickers were good and the three different breads you got were good too. I was a comfortable place with a lot to look at. There was enough food to the one order to split, lots of food! more
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Great First Date 5/22/2003

LPB is like the consumate trophy girlfriend, she looks great, is a lot of fun, but she's short on substance. I've been here several times and each time is different. The food and service quality is inconsistent. An aloof, if unapologetic, wait staff seems to be its biggest flaw. Overall though, it's a fun place to be, esp. with with music (be careful though, there might be a cover if you go late). If you want to impress a date with decor, music and drinks it's great. Pros: Decor Cons: Service more
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not sure 3/4/2003

i enjoyed the food, and the atmosphere. If was a fun place to go, especially for college students. Pros: atmosphere, walking distance to U, cool lighting Cons: pay for parking, a little crowded more
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""What a trip!"" 3/1/2003

This place has the most interesting and fun decor! The menu is a bit adventurous, so be prepared. The food is good though and we ended up eating on ""tango"" night so it was superb entertainment during dinner. Pros: Great decor, entertaining!, good food Cons: bad parking, a bit more pricey, very busy more
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Big disappointment 1/24/2003

I looked forward to going to the recent addition to my neighborhood, the Loring. The food is above average, the decor is a trip and the drinks are swell. However, my first visit was rife with reasons not to return. Our server pretty much ignored us, and the iced tea was less than good. The Kitty Cat Klub two doors down is pretty much the same place (same owners, same kitchen), but nicer servers and cheap coffee. Pros: OK music, cool decor, decent grub Cons: No parking, Service lacks, Bit pricey more
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Review 1/12/2003

Met with a large group of people on the second floor on a Saturday night. Enjoyed the convenience of the upstairs bar. Food service was slow but we were a large group socializing so we didn't mind. Food was very good. I had the Thai Shrimp. Crab Pasta also was reportedly very good. The atmosphere is fun but you can tell they tried so hard to be cool. Sometimes it works, sometimes you just have to roll your eyes. The live music during dinner hours was very enjoyable. One complaint I'll make is that this place does not belong in Dinkytown. It is way out of place. They should never have allowed it to be placed there. I think it ruins the college atmosphere of Dinkytown. Beer prices were reasonable at $4 for a draft Summit. Kids would enjoy it and be appropriate for an earlier dinner. Pros: Funky, Food, Trendy Cons: Goofy, Out of Place, Trendy more
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worst dining experience of the year! 1/12/2003

I've been to the Loring Past Bar 4 times now, and each time I say I should never go back. The service was autrocious, food was mediocre at best and I couldn't even hear my dining partner speak. I must say that one server and the manager were nice enough to apologize for the rude behavior and horrible service by others, but that still doesn't change the fact that the only thing worth visiting on this block are the bathrooms! Pros: decor Cons: service, food, loud room more
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SOOO Glad it's not all gone! 10/15/2002

I used to go to the Loring (near Basillica) once in a while - loved the atmosphere, but I'm posing if I say it's ""my style."" Eclectic, fun, something different. Sad to see the old one closed, DELIGHTED to finally get to the ""new"" one. Awesome food, very fair priced, wonderful night out. I realized how important a server's cleaniness and APPEARANCE are (nice server, good-looking? notsomuch) to his tip, but what a fun place! Harley Riders in full leathers doing a beautiful tango? Yeah! An couple married 60+ years necking in the booth? Wonderful! Lovely place. Pros: fun, ecclectic, different more
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just average 9/13/2002

the food is average and the decor - well, they just tried a little to hard to look ""cool""...not bad, but not great. Cons: parking, service was slow more
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mmmmmmmmmmgreat 8/14/2002

Excellent service, excellent food, seafood is prepared the way it should be ( not over cooked ) and they serve real Italian pizza without tomatoe sauces. Not pricey when you consider you are getting the best food in town. Pros: Parking service Cons: buggy/eating outside more
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FABULOUS. 7/29/2002

Never, wait... no, never have I had a dissappointing or bad experience from Loring. Since it opened in Dinkytown(horrible name) it has been the small bright jewel in my bag of evening tricks. Out of towners are always impressed with the decor and the food never lets you down. Everyone in your party can find something, from pizza to duck, it covers everything. There no harsh lights, and you're never upset when you have to wait in such a fantastic bar. One of a kind. Pros: Unique, Inexpensive, $2 Valet!! Cons: On Campus, No Reservations more
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Creative Cuisine! 7/6/2002

We went to the Loring on a Friday night, expecting the usual wait for a table at most restaurants. We got right in, soaked in the fun and gritty decor, relaxed to the live Jazz (yes its louder than Kenny G on a speaker system, but is Live Music for pete's sake! so sit back and enjoy it) and we were greeted by a great server. Very attentive, friendly and helpful. As I looked around I noticed lots of people smiling and enjoying their servers company as well, so I am thinking some of the other reviews were there on an off night. The food was terrific and extremely tasty. Thanks for the great experience!! Pros: Great atmosphere, Good Music, Creative Cuisine Cons: Some pricey items, Small tables more
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Great Date Spot 6/22/2002

Very trendy, great classic atmosphere, even the bathrooms are decked out in style. Food is great but the desserts are lacking. Service was OK, but not stellar. Definite date spot, especially on weekend nights when the live jazz is playing. Pros: Killer Atmosphere, Trendy 20something, Great Food Cons: Poor Parking, Mediocre service, very busy more
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Menu for Loring Pasta Bar


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Editorial

  • In Short
    Right out of a sexy stage set, the long, curvy bar made of brick and the three-story, cathedral-tall dining room fairly overflow with all the right bourgeois-bohemian elements:...

  • 10/30/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Payments: Visa, Master Card
  • Neighborhoods: Dinkytown, University
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