Now Open: Porter & Frye

Minneapolis got a mega-dose of luxe living when the new Hotel Ivy opened last Thursday: pricey penthouse, super-swank spa, and the year's most anticipated restaurant, Porter & Frye. One of the main reasons for the excitement is that the kitchen is run by chef Steven Brown, formerly of Harry's Food and Cocktails (and Restaurant Levain and RockStar), with the assistance of a number of other notable talents, including Landon Schoenfeld (Barbette, Bulldog NE) and Mark McGraw (Confluence).

The restaurant is located in the original historic Ivy Tower, that moody stone structure by the convention center that sat empty for years. It's set up similar to the Chambers Kitchen, with bar and tables on the ground floor, and a more formal dining area with VIP booths one story below. I haven't eaten there yet, but the menu looks formal with some rustic touches: hot potato salad and chowder with ham hock and rock shrimp for starters, lots of beef and lamb entrees. Review forthcoming, after it's been open a month.