Spoonriver

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

my food was bland, and under-cooked. I will never go there again. Highly over rated, I would rather eat breakfast at Denny's. I appreciate that they are trying to have beautiful, healthy, earth conscious food, but I think the challenge is to also make it flavorful, and exciting. They failed here. I would not recommend Spoonriver. Pros: next to the guthrie Cons: the food was reeeeeaaaalllllly bad. more

my food was bland, and under-cooked. I will never go there again. Highly over rated, I would rather eat breakfast at Denny's. I appreciate that they are trying to have beautiful, healthy, earth conscious food, but I think the challenge is to also make it flavorful, and exciting. They failed here. I would not recommend Spoonriver. Pros: next to the guthrie Cons: the food was reeeeeaaaalllllly bad. more

Easily my favorite place to go in the Twin Cities. Not only is it inventive food in a swanky atmosphere, but you can leave without feeling weighed down!! Best of all, it is not pretentious. The chicken quesadilla is fantastic. I have had it every time I have gone to Spoonriver. Perfect for a lunch or to share to start you dinner. You will love the mango cranberry coulis as a sweet alternative to your everyday salsa. Vegetarians rejoice!! You can eat with the meat eaters and have a real meal. The Sloppy Jane is the best mock duck sandwich I have ever had. Instead of french fries you will love the crunch of the jicama. Poultry eaters will enjoy the chicken in mole sauce. My favorite entree was the scallops I had a few months ago. Great light airy scallops seared nice a crisp to create a slight crunch. The seasoning was just enough to highlight the unstated flavor of the scallop. We go to the Guthrie and before every show we go to Spoonriver. While I love the food, wine and martinis; Brenda made me a fanatic about this restaurant. She is serious about running a conscientious up scale restaurant with health in mind. Love her, love her food, love her restaurant. Pros: Cool Place, Comfortable, Half Bottles of Wine, Fantastic Owner Cons: I can't eat there every meal more

Easily my favorite place to go in the Twin Cities. Not only is it inventive food in a swanky atmosphere, but you can leave without feeling weighed down!! Best of all, it is not pretentious. The chicken quesadilla is fantastic. I have had it every time I have gone to Spoonriver. Perfect for a lunch or to share to start you dinner. You will love the mango cranberry coulis as a sweet alternative to your everyday salsa. Vegetarians rejoice!! You can eat with the meat eaters and have a real meal. The Sloppy Jane is the best mock duck sandwich I have ever had. Instead of french fries you will love the crunch of the jicama. Poultry eaters will enjoy the chicken in mole sauce. My favorite entree was the scallops I had a few months ago. Great light airy scallops seared nice a crisp to create a slight crunch. The seasoning was just enough to highlight the unstated flavor of the scallop. We go to the Guthrie and before every show we go to Spoonriver. While I love the food, wine and martinis; Brenda made me a fanatic about this restaurant. She is serious about running a conscientious up scale restaurant with health in mind. Love her, love her food, love her restaurant. Pros: Cool Place, Comfortable, Half Bottles of Wine, Fantastic Owner Cons: I can't eat there every meal more

While the atmosphere is chic, the food is just plain bland. I recently tried the sea bass special, which was supposedly pecan-crusted, though the nuts were crushed so finely that it was difficult to tell. The fish was very "blah", and it was accompanied by even blander plain rice and cold asparagus. The desserts I tried (chocolate cake and coffee pudding) were similarly dull. They need to add some flavor! Also, charging $2 for a bread basket seems over the line. more

While the atmosphere is chic, the food is just plain bland. I recently tried the sea bass special, which was supposedly pecan-crusted, though the nuts were crushed so finely that it was difficult to tell. The fish was very ""blah"", and it was accompanied by even blander plain rice and cold asparagus. The desserts I tried (chocolate cake and coffee pudding) were similarly dull. They need to add some flavor! Also, charging $2 for a bread basket seems over the line. more

This is a great place to have an intimate dinner. The location near the new Guthrie Theater and the Stone arch bridge provide some nice things to see in the neighborhood if you want to go for a stroll after your meal. My date and I sampled the dinner specials (at the suggestion of the bartender) and they were both terrific. The service staff does a good job while not intruding. Great meal, very stylish place to have a dinner, great people watching. I have also found that the Caesar salad with chicken is one of the great values in town for a quick lunch. For healthy food it cant be beat. Pros: Great healthy meals, nice design and ambience, good service. Cons: Sometimes parking is a little difficult but there is a ramp nearby. more

This is a great place to have an intimate dinner. The location near the new Guthrie Theater and the Stone arch bridge provide some nice things to see in the neighborhood if you want to go for a stroll after your meal. My date and I sampled the dinner specials (at the suggestion of the bartender) and they were both terrific. The service staff does a good job while not intruding. Great meal, very stylish place to have a dinner, great people watching. I have also found that the Caesar salad with chicken is one of the great values in town for a quick lunch. For healthy food it cant be beat. Pros: Great healthy meals, nice design and ambience, good service. Cons: Sometimes parking is a little difficult but there is a ramp nearby. more

Who wouldn't love this new ""ultrahip"" downtown spot. I recently ventured out to Spoonriver for Saturday brunch, and despite the hustle and bustle of the farmers market was plesantly suprised by the service and the food. Our server was friendly and fluent with the specials and our food arrived at the table promptly; hot and fresh, not to mention local, organic and sustainable, a claim of which I dont think a handful of restaruants in the downtown area can make. We had a fresh scone (one of the best I've ever had), a curry tofu scrambler, a sloppy jane, a side of potatos, and a couple of bloody marys, all excellent. I will definitely be returning to 'the River' for a another tasty meal, dinner next time. more

We had an impromptu brunch at Spoonriver during the Mill City Farmers Market a couple of weeks ago. Our group was made up of four adults and two small children, so we were pleased that they sat us promptly. The restaurant is really beautiful - as much so on a Saturday morning as it is at night. They were very accommodating with the kids and all of us enjoyed the healthy and tasty dishes - mine was the fruit crepe. The apple coffee cake was amazing. Pros: Neighborhood, Ambience, Healthy Food more

Who wouldn't love this new "ultrahip" downtown spot. I recently ventured out to Spoonriver for Saturday brunch, and despite the hustle and bustle of the farmers market was plesantly suprised by the service and the food. Our server was friendly and fluent with the specials and our food arrived at the table promptly; hot and fresh, not to mention local, organic and sustainable, a claim of which I dont think a handful of restaruants in the downtown area can make. We had a fresh scone (one of the best I've ever had), a curry tofu scrambler, a sloppy jane, a side of potatos, and a couple of bloody marys, all excellent. I will definitely be returning to 'the River' for a another tasty meal, dinner next time. more

We had an impromptu brunch at Spoonriver during the Mill City Farmers Market a couple of weeks ago. Our group was made up of four adults and two small children, so we were pleased that they sat us promptly. The restaurant is really beautiful - as much so on a Saturday morning as it is at night. They were very accommodating with the kids and all of us enjoyed the healthy and tasty dishes - mine was the fruit crepe. The apple coffee cake was amazing. Another note: I've heard from friends that you can't go wrong with the fish special for dinner. Pros: Neighborhood, Ambience, Healthy Food more

If you can get a seat in this delicious new cafe, grab it! Now have had warm almond scones on Sunday brunch along with farmers market veggie omelette and two scrumptious dinners--wild salmon, starting with a watermelon salad was the fav. fresh on all accounts. try the beers and tinis. On saturday there is a charming all organic, all minnesota grown, raised and graised market behind Spoonriver. Drop in on the market (it gets rockin' around 9--try the yak steaks..kid you not) and then pick up an apple cranberry pie to-bake-at-home from Spoonriver. The crust is to die for. Spoonie's decor pops the eye. Prices totally on the mark. People watching on Guthrie nites is extra good in this newest minneapolis neighborhood. more

I have to admit to some bias: I love this restaurant. Every time I've visited, the service has been friendly and prompt, the food has been fantastic, and the ambience intimate. Don't be fooled by the largely vegetarian menu. There's something for everyone and the portions are spot on. What really sets the restaurant apart is the wildly inventive martini menu. Rarely does every single item on a menu look enticing. Whether it's for fun, romance or just great food, Spoonriver is spectacular. Pros: Great ambience, fun and friendly staff, wonderful HEALTHFUL food! Cons: There aren't more of these in the cities. more

If you can get a seat in this delicious new cafe, grab it! Now have had warm almond scones on Sunday brunch along with farmers market veggie omelette and two scrumptious dinners--wild salmon, starting with a watermelon salad was the fav. fresh on all accounts. try the beers and tinis. On saturday there is a charming all organic, all minnesota grown, raised and graised market behind Spoonriver. Drop in on the market (it gets rockin' around 9--try the yak steaks..kid you not) and then pick up an apple cranberry pie to-bake-at-home from Spoonriver. The crust is to die for. Spoonie's decor pops the eye. Prices totally on the mark. People watching on Guthrie nites is extra good in this newest minneapolis neighborhood. more

I have to admit to some bias: I love this restaurant. Every time I've visited, the service has been friendly and prompt, the food has been fantastic, and the ambience intimate. Don't be fooled by the largely vegetarian menu. There's something for everyone and the portions are spot on. What really sets the restaurant apart is the wildly inventive martini menu. Rarely does every single item on a menu look enticing. Whether it's for fun, romance or just great food, Spoonriver is spectacular. Pros: Great ambience, fun and friendly staff, wonderful HEALTHFUL food! Cons: There aren't more of these in the cities. more

Spoonriver has immense potential, and I'm sure it's location helps to create a lot of business, but it needs a bit of improvement. Our food was fairly bland, and we waited about 10 minutes before a server greeted us. The service was slow and our our server was quite lackadaisical about everything. Like everyone else in Minneapolis, I will definitely go back in hopes that Brenda takes note and makes some improvements! Overall I would say I was satisfied, and I'm optimistic that the kinks will be worked out before my next visit! Thanks to Brenda for supporting organic, local and sustainable farming! Pros: Location, Organic Food, Outdoor Seating Cons: Slow Service more

Spoonriver has immense potential, and I'm sure it's location helps to create a lot of business, but it needs a bit of improvement. Our food was fairly bland, and we waited about 10 minutes before a server greeted us. The service was slow and our our server was quite lackadaisical about everything. Like everyone else in Minneapolis, I will definitely go back in hopes that Brenda takes note and makes some improvements! Overall I would say I was satisfied, and I'm optimistic that the kinks will be worked out before my next visit! Thanks to Brenda for supporting organic, local and sustainable farming! Pros: Location, Organic Food, Outdoor Seating Cons: Slow Service more

Love the location, parking was easy on a Wednesday night, atmosphere was nice, we got right in with our reservation. Food wasn't anything amazing - the dish seemed a little underinspired. I'm used to fresh, local, organic food, etc. etc. and support it 100%, but you have to still use your cooking talents to bring it to life. I had a ravioli dish that was not very flavorful and super saucy (not in a good way) - it was more like a cream soup than a light sauce addition to the dish. The food and service here need to come up to a bit more of a professional level (not stuffy though) and I would be happy. Our waiter was okay - but seemed more like a college student than a professional (perhaps that is par for the course in Minneapolis, not sure). I felt like I could have made the dish better at home, BUT I will go back because I want to support places like this in Minneapolis. Loved the size of the restaurant and that I wasn't served this huge oversized portion that seems to be the normal in the Midwest. Give this place time to get a rhythm. Pros: location, atmosphere Cons: food preparation more