Who’s been to the new Minneapolis Restaurant ‘Cafeteria and Support Group’?
According to this article, Twin Cities Monster Based Restaurant Group, Parasole, just dumped a cool $4 mil to open their newest venture: Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group.
The restaurant, which just opened last nite (June 15th), has been renovated to compete as “Uptown’s Coolest Restaurant”. Really? I’m anxious to hear what everyone has to say. Of course talk was just as big just under a year ago when Parasole opened IL Gatto in the same building, bringing folks in from all over the city to check out Calhoun Square’s newest face-lift from its previous Figlio. With a campaign ad focused on a very bad kitty, the group may have thought about dumping more into their culinary renovation than their billboards. After going once, personally I never felt the need to go back. I was more impressed with Figlio’s $2 Sloppy Joes than I was with the $20 fish entree I had at Il Gatto. Not so bueno.
With an area of the city that’s filled with restaurants already, I’m curious to see what this new $4 million space has. Will the food be just an un-impressive as Parasole’s latest two gigs: Il Gatto and Burger Jones, or will this be their next big jack-pot? Only time will tell. Everyone, I’m sure, will head out and check it out but how long with the honeymoon period last for this new venture?
I’m hoping that they did something right with this project, I’d love a restaurant in uptown with something ‘new’ to eat and with a decent wine list.
If anyone’s been or has a review on the Cafeteria and Support Group – send me a comment, I’d love to hear! Besides, what’s the ‘Support Group’ all about anyways? Maybe they needed it for themselves… Someone PLEASE fill me in here.
Comments 6
The menu at Uptown Cafeteria looks promising, the wine list less so. I don’t know what the whole Support Group bit is about, but it sounds rather contrived.
Parasole’s Salut has become a fast favorite of ours (Edina > St. Paul for dining room atmosphere, St. Paul > Edina for menu execution and patio). I had some kind of massive and delicious mocha ice cream puff at the St. Paul location a few weeks ago for an absurdly low price, and KT’s mocha was of equal value.
Thanks Nick! I’ll have to try the mocha ice cream puff at the St Paul Salut. We’ve had good and bad there. I feel like I’m always reprimanded by the bartender at the Salut bar in Edina for my calorie intake. Funny. Ask him about how many calories are in your food sometime there? Get in to the Uptown Cafeteria and see how it goes, I’m curious!
Hey Leslee,
I’m so sorry you had such poor experiences at both Il Gatto and Burger Jones. In the past year, both their menus have been reworked. We would love to have you come back, again.
Uptown Cafeteria is simply “the Food we love to Eat.” Nothing fancy, just great food, great company, great atmosphere.
To respond to Nick K- regarding the “Support Group” – It is simply that we all need support. Our employees support one another, our social networking sites allow us to support our customers/friends/neighbors and them each other. We are trying to provide an interactive dining experiene with our guests. That’s it. Nothing contrived, just it is what it is.
Sarah,
Thanks so much for your response! I appreciate it so much. I will head back into both spots and give them both another shot. I’m always looking for great local restaurants to support, I would love to say ‘What a great experience!’
As for the Uptown Cafeteria, I look forward to trying it for myself. Thanks for checking out the Crush Pad and I hope to hear from you again!
Leslee
It’s been forever since we’ve been to the Uptown area (normally hit there for the Famous Dave’s buffet before going to a Twins game), so I don’t know when we’ll check out the Cafeteria. I figured the Support Group was a fun play on the bar end, which I really liked. As for the Salut cream puff, it’s beyond fantastic and one of the best desserts I can think of around the Cities. For the buck there’s nowhere else that can come close!!!
Guess I really have to try that cream puff now! Thanks guys!