Protagonist Kitchen and Bar

Food was excellent- we have been here three times now. Service….. needs more attention. Waited a bit longer for our drinks than we hoped and didn’t have the mix I requested. NBD When the excellent food came, we were pleased but when we asked for salt, pepper, ketchup…. It didn’t come until we were on our last bites. Not critical, but there was no check in after the food came… Will return because the food is tasty and we love that the breakfast menu goes late on weekends

Protagonist is a fantastic restaurant that fully deserves 5 stars. The contemporary, stylish dining room sets the stage for an excellent dining experience. The cocktail menu features creative, handcrafted options like Gatsby and Lebowski. The food menu ranges from shareable small plates to hearty main courses, all focused on quality and seasonal ingredients. Standouts, in my humble opinion, include the Truffled Mac and Cheese, Poutine, and crispy Brussels sprouts topped with melted cheese. Their burgers, pizzas, pastas and other dishes are all excellent as well. The service is friendly and attentive. While the prices are on the moderate to low side, the quality of the ingredients, skilled preparation and presentation, and enjoyable ambiance make it an absolute bargain!

Absolutely loved this place! Husband and I decided to go last minute on a Saturday evening! Quick to get in, our server was super sweet and informative, they played the perfect music, restaurant was a total vibe and the food was outstanding! I had the Steak Tacos and my husband enjoyed the fish and chips! Parking was free in the ramp and we walked in thru the indoor office park! Looking forward to going again soon!

We’ve had several great experiences here now and it has become one of our local favorites. Sammi was our waitress this latest time, and she was just lovely! Service was great, and she was helpful :) Pan Seared Salmon was delicious. Happy hour house wine (house red is currently an organic Tempranillo) is a good deal. Pleasant, clean atmosphere. Family-friendly. We will be back again and again!

First time eating there... My husband had the BLAT and just loved the depth of flavor offered by the pork belly on the sandwich! I had the truffle mac 'n cheese...wow...just wow! The creaminess of the sauce with the subtle truffle flavor was amazing. I am not one to order the same thing twice, but I would go back for this! I can't forget the beet salad. I really liked the combination of oranges with the beets. All in all a great experience. We will definitely go back!

I’m embarrassed to say that it took us this long to drive five minutes down the road to check this place out. The food was amazing and the staff was welcoming, kind, and attentive. I had the shrimp & grits (this is definitely going to be something I’m craving regularly this fall & winter) and my husband had the turkey burger. We don’t eat beef so have tried a LOT of turkey burgers in the Twin Cities. This one will def be a new favorite. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the grits had awesome flavor. We also shared the beet salad. I would order all of these again! We’ll be back soon!!

Often times restaurants have a nice atmosphere with OK food, or great food but not a great vibe. Not so with Protagonist. Great restaurant design with books on shelves, nice lighting, perfect for a brunch or date night. I love how they designed it. We ordered the chiliquiles, strawberry French toast, and biscuits and gravy. All of it was fantastic. Added pork to the chiliquiles which really added flavor. Perfect level of spice. Large portions and everyone enjoyed their food. We’ll be back!

How is this restaurant not more popular? One of my family members lives nearby so we walked to this restaurant on a Monday night. Service was quick and friendly. The food was delicious! All six of us said we would gladly return. Two members of our group ordered the Smash Burger. We thought they were some of the best burgers we've had in the Twin Cities. Thin, flavorful patties with classic burger toppings. A little messy but worth it. Two other members of our group ordered the Fried Chicken Sandwich - one regular and one Nashville Hot. I tried a bite of one of them and thought the chicken was cooked perfectly. Both members enjoyed their meals. Another member had the Philly Cheese Steak. Again, it was one of the best we've had in the Twin Cities. Sauteed vegetables and flavorful meat combine for a delicious sandwich. The other member ordered the Dill Pickle Flatbread. We all shared some of this. It was okay. The fries served with the burgers and sandwiches were hit or miss - some crispier and more flavorful than the others. Possibly separate batches. Overall, we mostly loved the food and will likely return. If you're looking for classic American food, give this restaurant a shot!