Lucy N.
Yelp
I had high hopes for this place but ultimately was disappointed. I'd been here once before for a trendy drink at the bar, and I'd say that's all I'd recommend this place for.
We had a reservation to catch dinner with some friends before a show at the armory on Friday night. We were greeted after a bit at the door, but we were a little unsure which door to enter thru. The initial welcome was not warm, and we were led 3 ft from the door to the table in the entryway. Abrasively bright lights shining on this table and bitter cold air streaming in from the door. I did ask right away if we could be seated further into the restaurant but they stated they had full reservations for the night. We did then ask our server if we could move at least one table away from the door and he said I don't see why not! Of course then we saw 3 tables further into the restaurant sit empty throughout our 2 hours there.
We ordered our drinks and we asked a few questions about them and our server didn't know the answer of what the drinks were like -- as the menu is sorta cryptic. I ended up with what looked like a glass of red wine with an ice cube in it. My friends liked their ciders and tequila drinks. Later, we ordered another round and opted for the popular espresso martini -- not on the menu but just about every table had one that we spotted. That was a very good drink-- I'd come back for that.
Our server was MIA for a while, but did finally come back to take our order. We opted for the focaccia and ricotta, caesar salad, cheese gremolata pizza, penne alla vodka and shrimp scampi. All looked delicious in other reviews and on the menu, but I would probably never order food here again.
We all noted the pizza had no flavor and almost tasted like cardboard. I've never met a pizza I didn't like until now. We flagged down our server to get some olive oil, red pepper flakes and Parmesan in attempts to remedy the taste on our own but we never got the Parmesan. It was just completely flavorless so I'm really not sure why other reviews rave about this. No complaints about the Caesar, but I'd say the focaccia and ricotta was nothing special.
I tasted my friends shrimp scampi and there was a gross overpowering fish taste. Again, never have I ever met a shrimp scampi I didn't like until now. Our friend that had the penne said it was "fine" but not great.
I am not a picky eater and can be pleased pretty easily but I feel embarrassed to have recommended this place to meet friends for dinner. Our server really did try, so no slack to him, but I am not impressed overall, especially with the prices here.
I really wanted to like it here with the unique vibe for Minneapolis, but I wouldn't feel authentic unless I truthfully explained our experience.