Mary T.
Yelp
After spending my morning at Fox 9, followed by getting my Caribou Coffee fix and checking out Office Depot, I was ready for lunch. I was snowed in the day before. I wanted a good place for lunch. I did a search and found Kona Grill. It had great reviews, so I said yes.
Driving over was straightforward. This eatery requires going up a shallow ramp in a strip mall. It's the only business that's slightly elevated. It was weird and cool.
I backed into a spot and walked over to the entrance. There are two sets of doors that you need to get through before you see the check-in podium.
A staffer greeted me. I was led to a booth with comfy seating.
My server was Christopher. He had a voice perfect for radio. He welcomed me and let me know that he had someone training with him.
He asked if I had ever been to this eatery. Nope. He wanted to make sure that I had a great experience and that it wouldn't be my last visit. Already, I felt that this place was different and special.
I ordered a Diet Coke to start. I could tell that I was thirsty because I drank the whole thing before I placed my order.
I took some time looking at the menu. There were also holiday features. The fare is a mix of Japanese and western eats. You can get sake and cocktails, sushi rolls and sliders, and much more.
Because portion sizes are rather large stateside, I like getting a couple of appetizers. I get to try more items and I don't go into a food coma as easily.
My server came back and liked what I was wearing. My purple Converse sneakers reminded him of his footwear back in the 80's. I looked at my outfit and it did look retro. His complement was cool.
I ordered the following starters as my meal:
- Potstickers
- Ribeye meatballs
My second Diet Coke had arrived. I was definitely thirsty.
My food had arrived. They looked good. I thanked both my servers and immediately chowed down.
The potstickers were yummy. They were lightly seared on the bottom. The filling had chicken and veggies. The flavour was on point. The soy dipping sauce was perfect, especially with the green onions in it. They were authentic. It came with a bit of asian slaw, which I consumed effortlessly.
I saw ribeye meatballs on the menu and knew that I had to have them. OMG! Everyone needs to have them. They were fancy and comforting.
You get five ribeye meatballs. Each one is nestled in whipped potatoes. Along the perimeter of whipped potatoes, you get a trail of sautéed shallots and shiitake, and finely chopped macadamia nuts.
You also get two different sauces going. The mashed potatoes have a creamy peppercorn sauce, which was divine. On top of each meatball was a chili glaze that added a flavour change-up that I didn't expect. I would definitely get the meatballs again.
My server returned. I had already looked at the dessert menu. He was telling me about the carrot cake.
I love carrot cake. As much as I had longingly looked at it, I had something else in mind.
"Were you thinking of dessert? We have a luscious, three-layer carrot cake," he asked.
"Yes, dessert is definitely in the cards. I want the butter cake," I said.
"It's the raspberry sauce," he said, reading me like a food therapist.
"Yes," I replied.
I see raspberry sauce in a dessert and I must have it. Moments later, my butter cake came to me.
The presentation was lovely. The butter cake had a raspberry with a small mint leaf on top. There was raspberry sauce on the plate, between the cake and the scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
The butter cake was so good. It was warm and fluffy. It wasn't overly sweet. The raspberry sauce was tart and perfect. The vanilla bean ice cream was awesome. I loved the bits of vanilla bean that made this ice cream fabulous.
My server came over with my third Diet Coke (that's a record) and a question.
"Did you want more raspberry sauce?" he asked the raspberry addict.
"Yes, please."
I got extra raspberry sauce. I love a server who understands you. That sauce went all over my cake. So good and perfect!
I paid using the kiosk on the table. It was easy and straightforward. I paid with a credit card, added a tip, and provided feedback.
My server came over to thank me. I thanked him for everything.
There was a woman who came over to clear way my empty plates throughout my meal. She didn't say much, but she was efficient and awesome.
Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence" played as I left my table and visited the women's washroom. Good music. That song matched my 80's-ish outfit.
The women's washroom is on the far left of the eatery when you first walk in. It was clean and spacious.
I loved eating here. The food and service were outstanding. I'd return for some more good eats when I'm in Eden Prairie again.
(491)