Spoonriver

Recently, my husband and I had a wonderful dinner at Spoonriver- not only was the food interesting and inventive, the service was fabulous (despite what other reviews have said). Granted, it was a less crowded Sunday evening, our server was very attentive, knowledgeable about the menu and forthcoming with great suggestions. Our entrees (the pork tenderloin, and an udon noodle with poached salmon special) and desserts (chocolate coconut mousse, and a fig stuffed puff pastry with fruit compote and cardamum yogurt) were great. The "spoon dips" appetizer was a bit blah and the wine list is a little disappointing but other than that, it's a lovely place that I would certainly recommend. Pros: great food, good service Cons: wine list more

The food here was pretty good, but as other reviewers are saying, the service was sub-par for the cost. Hopefully, the owner can improve on this and encourage the wait staff to be friendlier! Pros: Location, Food, Drinks Cons: Service more

The food here was pretty good, but as other reviewers are saying, the service was sub-par for the cost. Hopefully, the owner can improve on this and encourage the wait staff to be friendlier! Pros: Location, Food, Drinks Cons: Service more

I signed up to CitySearch just to review Spoon River. I was in MN for business and decided to eat out, alone. Now, I love all things organic, local, fresh, and value high quality food worth the money I spend on it. I was looking forward to Spoon River. more

I signed up to CitySearch just to review Spoon River. I was in MN for business and decided to eat out, alone. Now, I love all things organic, local, fresh, and value high quality food worth the money I spend on it. I was looking forward to Spoon River. While the food was stunningly mediocre (basic ice tea, herbed ricotta ravioli on the hard side of al dente, tasty lemon tart) the service was stunningly nonexistant. The place had maybe 15 of its 40 or so tables full, but the host took about 5 minutes to consult with his colleagues to find a table to seat me. Finally seated at my table on the pleasant patio, nary a water glass in sight, I waited 20-25 minutes before someone even said hello to me, and gave me a glass of water. Two waiters passed me by multiple times and I smiled at them, but there was no response. Finally my waiter came, said "Are you ready?" No specials, no hellos, nothing. I ordered, received my meal, ate my meal, waited another 20 mins for him to come back. The lemon tart was tasty with blackberries and an edible flower, but at $9 not good enough. I've been in the service industry and know it's tough, and sometimes we all have bad days at work. But because of how they made me feel like an afterthought, and because I spent $38 on a meal that slightly bored my taste buds, I will not be going back to Spoon River. I will recommend it as a place to avoid to my colleagues and friends who travel to MN. There are too many other exciting places to eat, so don't waste your time or money - or a meal - here. more

I met a friend at Spoonriver on a Thursday for a light early dinner before a show. I arrived alone and found an empty dining room and 1 person at the bar (this was only 5:30). When I asked for a table for two the waitress sneeringly asked if I had a reservation, I responded no and asked if it would be possible to take a table on the (empty but for one couple) patio. She obliged with an eye roll. My waitress was extremely pleasant and recommended a great drink; unfortunately right after that the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up. I hesitantly and apologetically asked the waitress if I could move to a table inside - she laughed and said it was no problem. As we reentered the dining room the waitress asked the hostess which table I should be seated at. After the hostess glared at me for a few seconds she showed me to the worst table in the place - jammed between a pillar and the second worst table in the place. Pros: Nice waitress, decent food Cons: Very rude hostess, overpriced, limited vegetarian options more

I met a friend at Spoonriver on a Thursday for a light early dinner before a show. I arrived alone and found an empty dining room and 1 person at the bar (this was only 5:30). When I asked for a table for two the waitress sneeringly asked if I had a reservation, I responded no and asked if it would be possible to take a table on the (empty but for one couple) patio. She obliged with an eye roll. My waitress was extremely pleasant and recommended a great drink; unfortunately right after that the clouds rolled in and the wind picked up. I hesitantly and apologetically asked the waitress if I could move to a table inside - she laughed and said it was no problem. As we reentered the dining room the waitress asked the hostess which table I should be seated at. After the hostess glared at me for a few seconds she showed me to the worst table in the place - jammed between a pillar and the second worst table in the place. My friend arrived and the friendly waitress came and took or order, the basic ceasar salad and roasted red pepper soup were quite tasty - but somewhat overpriced. As a vegetarian I was very dissapointed by their vegetarian options. I would not return, given the hostess was so rude, the food was good but overpriced; I hope the waitress finds a more pleasant environment to work in. Pros: Nice waitress, decent food Cons: Very rude hostess, overpriced, limited vegetarian options more

My wife and I had dinner at Spoonriver before our show at the new Gutherie Theatre. We started with the Wild Mushroom and Pistachio Terrine appetizer, which was fantastic. We split a Greek Salad that was topped with the most wonderful feta cheese that we ever tasted. For entries, I had the Seafood Okisuki (Japanese noodles and vegetables in a savory broth). My wife had the Duck Confit Salad which was tossed in a tasty apple cider vinaigrette. It was a wonderful dinning experience and we can not wait to go back more

My wife and I had dinner at Spoonriver before our show at the new Gutherie Theatre. We started with the Wild Mushroom and Pistachio Terrine appetizer, which was fantastic. We split a Greek Salad that was topped with the most wonderful feta cheese that we ever tasted. For entries, I had the Seafood Okisuki (Japanese noodles and vegetables in a savory broth). My wife had the Duck Confit Salad which was tossed in a tasty apple cider vinaigrette. It was a wonderful dinning experience and we can not wait to go back more

We went to the Guthrie on a Saturday Night and were looking forward to trying Spoonriver, We had looked it up prior to going, and the website said the kitchen is open until 11pm. As we walked past on the way to the Guthrie, there was a sign that said post-theatre Menu, we were excited. As soon as our show ended we walked over to Spoonriver (around 1015pm.) As soon as we arrived the bartender said, ""sorry kitchen is closed, no food but you could have drinks. "" What!?!? So much for our long awaited date night...But no worries, we walked back to the Guthrie and had a wonderful dinner from the Cue's reasonably priced and phenomenally tasting after theatre menu. Date night saved thanks to the Cue and from now on this will be our first (and only) choice. more

We went to the Guthrie on a Saturday Night and were looking forward to trying Spoonriver, We had looked it up prior to going, and the website said the kitchen is open until 11pm. As we walked past on the way to the Guthrie, there was a sign that said post-theatre Menu, we were excited. As soon as our show ended we walked over to Spoonriver (around 1015pm.) As soon as we arrived the bartender said, "sorry kitchen is closed, no food but you could have drinks. " What!?!? So much for our long awaited date night...But no worries, we walked back to the Guthrie and had a wonderful dinner from the Cue's reasonably priced and phenomenally tasting after theatre menu. Date night saved thanks to the Cue and from now on this will be our first (and only) choice. more

Spoonriver serves some of my favorite kinds of foods, and I seek out restaurants like this one on a regular basis. I like the atmosphere, as it's a nice medium between casual and upscale. Patrons wear everything from jeans and birkenstocks to very dressy/business wear. I've had some great dishes at Spoonriver -- the delicate beet ravioli, the lamb burger and several other mediterranean-inspired meals. Today, though, I had a roasted chicken salad that was terrible, especially considering the $12.50 price tag. The greens were not very fresh and were overdressed, making the salad an unappealing mess. The roasted chicken on the side was a dry piece of chicken breast, dry enough to be almost without flavor. The lentil and mushroom soup I had on the side was okay -- not particularly memorably seasoned. I'll go back to Spoonriver, probably to get the lamb burger, but I'll be ordering other items more carefully. Other reviewers have noted that Spoonriver's service can sometimes be spotty, and I've found that to be the case, too. Some staff are very friendly, some behave as though they're deigning to serve you only with great reluctance. A tip: while you're in the area, check out the Mill City Museum next door. more

Spoonriver serves some of my favorite kinds of foods, and I seek out restaurants like this one on a regular basis. I like the atmosphere, as it's a nice medium between casual and upscale. Patrons wear everything from jeans and birkenstocks to very dressy/business wear. I've had some great dishes at Spoonriver -- the delicate beet ravioli, the lamb burger and several other mediterranean-inspired meals. Today, though, I had a roasted chicken salad that was terrible, especially considering the $12.50 price tag. The greens were not very fresh and were overdressed, making the salad an unappealing mess. The roasted chicken on the side was a dry piece of chicken breast, dry enough to be almost without flavor. The lentil and mushroom soup I had on the side was okay -- not particularly memorably seasoned. I'll go back to Spoonriver, probably to get the lamb burger, but I'll be ordering other items more carefully. Other reviewers have noted that Spoonriver's service can sometimes be spotty, and I've found that to be the case, too. Some staff are very friendly, some behave as though they're deigning to serve you only with great reluctance. A tip: while you're in the area, check out the Mill City Museum next door. more

Met a friend there for lunch a couple weeks back and had a great expeience. My friend was running late and I sat down in the reception area and had a great friendly conversation with the staff and owner as I waited for my friend. I must say you usually dont get that around the TC. Pros: Tasteful, Service and friendly Cons: small tables more

Met a friend there for lunch a couple weeks back and had a great expeience. My friend was running late and I sat down in the reception area and had a great friendly conversation with the staff and owner as I waited for my friend. I must say you usually dont get that around the TC. We had a great special as the server really did a great job explaining it! (salmon). I though everything was exceptionally fresh and creative. More importantly very tasteful! The owner stopped by to check on us and engaged in some short conversation that was genuine. The tables along the window are small and would reccomend the banquettes. Service was prompt and just attentive enough for business conversation without unnecessary interuptions. All in all great from start to finish! keep up the good work! Pros: Tasteful, Service and friendly Cons: small tables more

Decided to try Spoonriver for brunch before a matinee my wife and I were seeing. We are very intelligent diners and rarely ever complain. We ordered a simple omelet and poached eggs, and it took over forty minutes to bring it to us. Thankfully we arrived very early; otherwise we would have missed the show. The waiter didn't come over to us once and ask if we needed anything or to say that the food would be coming shortly. While the food was decent, the service was arrogant, sub par and simply unacceptable. I do not recommend Spoonriver and will never go back. Pros: Food, Ingredients Cons: Poor Service, arrogant employees more

Decided to try Spoonriver for brunch before a matinee my wife and I were seeing. We are very intelligent diners and rarely ever complain. We ordered a simple omelet and poached eggs, and it took over forty minutes to bring it to us. Thankfully we arrived very early; otherwise we would have missed the show. The waiter didn't come over to us once and ask if we needed anything or to say that the food would be coming shortly. While the food was decent, the service was arrogant, sub par and simply unacceptable. I do not recommend Spoonriver and will never go back. Pros: Food, Ingredients Cons: Poor Service, arrogant employees more

I'm glad I tried Spoonriver but won't be rushing back there. The food is indeed earthy and organic, so don't try asking for anything but. I've never felt bad about ordering a Diet Coke before- don't try it, they don't serve it. Service was so-so but we were there right at the close of lunch at 2pm so that could explain part of it, but he still forgot a fork I requested. And made me feel bad for ordering a Diet Coke. The Caspian appetizer with veggies, foccacia and hummus was amazing. I had the quesadilla which was not that exciting, just chicken and cheese with a cranberry dip and a plain side salad. My friend liked the lamb burger, but again, nothing fancy. And she got chastised for requesting french fries instead of chips. They don't do that, either. They do have a great dessert selection, especially since it was lunch time. The chocolate mousse dish was really good and presented well. Cool venue and a great location are also redeeming. Pros: location Cons: hyped up menu that's only so-so more

I'm glad I tried Spoonriver but won't be rushing back there. The food is indeed earthy and organic, so don't try asking for anything but. I've never felt bad about ordering a Diet Coke before- don't try it, they don't serve it. Service was so-so but we were there right at the close of lunch at 2pm so that could explain part of it, but he still forgot a fork I requested. And made me feel bad for ordering a Diet Coke. The Caspian appetizer with veggies, foccacia and hummus was amazing. I had the quesadilla which was not that exciting, just chicken and cheese with a cranberry dip and a plain side salad. My friend liked the lamb burger, but again, nothing fancy. And she got chastised for requesting french fries instead of chips. They don't do that, either. They do have a great dessert selection, especially since it was lunch time. The chocolate mousse dish was really good and presented well. Cool venue and a great location are also redeeming. Pros: location Cons: hyped up menu that's only so-so more

I'm sorry to say that this restaurant was a HUGE letdown. Our check was $120+ for four people, not a bad sum if the food is decent. Every member of our party was disappointed with their meal (we had the quesadilla, champagne salad, salmon, shrimp w/thai noodles, pasta special, and more). The salmon alone was around $30 for a very small portion, not very well executed. The quesadilla included a large rubbery joint of cartilage. Mentioned to the waiter, but he seemed very unconcerned and did not offer any feedback. The only positives I can list are -- the drinks and people watching were good. Please don't waste your money, there are too many other great places to visit nearby -- Alma, for one. more