 |
| Eli's expands but doesn't stray from Hennepin Avenue |
Eli's Food and Cocktails at the edge of downtown Minneapolis and Loring Park has long been a well-kept secret of downtown denizens. With its good food, well-chosen beer and wine list, and killer cocktails, it's been a safe-bet dining destination where food snobs and less unadventurous eaters could all walk away full and satisfied. Last Monday Eli's officially branched out, bringing its special kind of neighborhood bar magic to a former sports bar. We stopped in to get an early look.
On the other edge of town, but still on Hennepin Avenue, the new space has a small parking lot and a large patio space that should be a nice place to quaff a gin gimlet come summertime. The new space has been completely gutted and given a supper-club-style finish. Large booths are upholstered with maroon leather, and the walls are painted warm colors resembling cinnamon and turmeric. The shape of the room is unconventional, the entire building is triangular, but they've made it work, with plenty of seating.
 |
| Patty melt with jicama slaw |
The food is similar to the original location. Our server said Eli's kept about 30 percent of the original. Burgers and skinny fries remain, as well as signature items like its penne mac and cheese and the honey-soy-glazed chicken wings. New items are ambitious, like a coq au vin or a tuna tataki appetizer. Also, some suppliers are listed on the menu, such as locally sourced chicken and Berkshire pork.
The beautifully stocked bar gives longtime bartender Richy Rivera plenty of room to play. Add this spot to the growing list of locations offering some seriously high-quality cocktails. On one visit we had an old-fashioned so perfectly crafted--with toasty warm bourbon, just a bit of bright orange, balanced with a twinge of bitter and a bare whisper of sweetness--that we might be ruined for ordering the drink anywhere else.
 |
| Cajun seasoned wings |
Food items we tried were the Cajun wings, a dry spiced but not spicy in flavor crispy wing. It was served alongside some pungent blue cheese dressing. Burgers were cooked to perfection but lacked seasoning. A pulled pork taco appetizer was dressed in an overtly sweet barbecue sauce. While the food wasn't as good as the original location, it is getting there.
The hours are soon to expand as well. Eli's plans to start serving a weekend brunch in two weeks. For the late-night crowd, food is already being served until 1 a.m. daily.
Eli's East
815 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis
612.331.0031;
websiteHours: Monday - Friday 11 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday and Sunday 5 p.m. - 2 a.m.
Write Comment
Email to Friend
Print Article
