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| The eatery opens. |
Urban Eatery celebrated its grand opening Saturday night with a rollicking party. Taking over the space that once housed the View in the Calhoun Beach Club, the new restaurant has undergone a remodel and re-menu that seemed to please the crowd--who clearly came to eat, drink, and be merry. The Hot Dish stopped by the festivities to sample some menu items and take in the festive atmosphere hosted by Kaskaid Hospitality, the folks behind Crave and the new Sopranos restaurant.
Care to take a look at the food, fun, and decor at the new Urban Eatery?
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| Shrimp scampi on cheese grits |
Executive chefs Jim Kyndberg and Eli Wollenzein were on hand as servers handed out food from the new menu. We tasted shrimp scampi on cheese grits with spinach, chicken potpie with puff pastry and a mushroom cream sauce, sweet potato fries with spicy ketchup, Asian pork sliders, white pizza with duck confit, and chicken banh mi sandwiches.
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| Asian pork sliders |
The spicy sliders were tasty and fun, with a chewy roll reminiscent of a steamed bun. One of our bunch loved the duck pizza, and another devoured three banh mis. Also, the entire lunch and dinner menus were on display. One of the employees told us the breakfast burger with sausage, fried egg, hash, and cheddar was, in her words, "So wrong that it's right."
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| Duck confit, pear, blue cheese and fig molasses |
The offerings are inspired by a variety of cuisines--Asian, Latin, and comfort foods among them. There are starters, burgers, pizzas, salads, and soups, as well as some pastas and entrees. The most expensive food item is the $19 bison pot roast.
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| Sweet potato fries just $4 |
The menu trumpets its local vendors, including Kadjean, Sonny's Ice Cream, Fischer Farms, and Liftbridge, which they carry on tap. The wine and beer list is plenty large for a casual eatery, and runs the gamut from Miller Lite to Boulevard Wheat to Veuve Cliquot and a Silver Oak Cab.
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| Big crowd in the new wooden decor |
Wood planks cover the walls, and beautiful glass globe lamps illuminate the tables and booths, with the bar looking much like it did at the View. The back room has attractive wine displays and additional seating with fun touches like this plate holder and buffet.
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| Charming furnishings |
The night seemed quite a success as the crowd filled the front room by 9 p.m., sitting under the gorgeous light fixtures. Signs on the door showed that Urban Eatery would be open for brunch starting Sunday at 11 a.m.
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| Looking down on the new booths |
We're told that Urban Eatery will have a patio facing Lake Calhoun in the warmer weather, in addition to the 6,000 square feet of inside space. Will it rise above its predecessor and appeal to folks outside the Calhoun Beach Club community as well as those in it? That remains to be seen. We'll leave you with a final shot of the sparkling bar...
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| Taps in action. Guiness anyone? |
Urban Eatery2730 West Lake St., Minneapolis
612.920.5000
Monday through Wednesday, 4-11 p.m.
Thursday through Saturday, 11-1 a.m.
Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
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