I am not a food critic (though I wish I were). So, I bring you this “review” not from the critical eye and trained palette of a culinary expert, but of a regular old patron. A newbie to the neighborhood, trying to figure out what’s good in the ‘hood.
Earlier tonight, I asked all four of you my faithful Twitter followers where I should go. I gave them my coordinates of approximately 50th/Xerxes or 50th/France. My only first reply was a suggestion to check out Beaujo’s (thank you!), so that’s what I did.
My friend and I parked right across the street; we got there just after 9 (I think?), and had to wait about 5 minutes before we could get a table. The place is small, dimly lit and narrow. Very, very cozy. We were seated at the very back table for two, and greeted by a friendly server. I don’t remember his name. Having never been there, we were open-minded about food and wine choices. We figured sharing a bottle would be the most economical – and the most fun – way to go. At the server’s suggestion, we sampled both the the Domaine de la Racauderie Vouvray (France, 2005) and the Foxglove Chardonnay (San Luis Obispo, 2007). I typically like reds this colder time of year, but I was in the mood for crisper and lighter, and Ashley (my partner in crime) usually goes for the sweeter whites. We picked the Vouvray at $33/bottle.
As for food, we ordered the Herb and Tomato Bruschetta (herb pesto on baguette with tomatoes, melted goat and gruyere cheese) and the Breads and Spreads (spreads were – olivida, rosemary feta, and sun-dried tomato jam). Each app was $10.75.
As far as quantity, this was plenty of food for the two of us to share over two hours of great conversation. Ashley is one of my oldest and dearest friends (friends since we were… 16 or 17), and she is someone that I love, admire, look up to, confide in, and respect. We had plenty to talk about for 2+ hours and enjoyed every morsel of information and food that we consumed.
And on the cheeses: the more I have gruyere, the more I love it.
After the food and wine was gone, we each had an Americano, chatted a little longer, then headed out. The service was awesome (and knowledgeable – not that we’re pros or serious winos or anything, but it was nice to have a guy know something about each of the wines we asked about or he suggested), the food was amazing – each of the spreads were delicious (I especially loved the sweetness and the freshness in the tomato jam and Ashley loved the rosemary feta), and the bruschetta was SO creamy and herby and cheesy and toasty.
Perfection. And the nice server man was right – the Vouvray was the perfect choice to go with it. Light, sweet and delicious. We had no trouble draining that bottle.
I LOVE my new neighborhood. I’ll definitely hit that place back up (Ash and I have deemed it “our” place), and will keep exploring the other wine bars, coffee shops, and dive bars (are there dive bars this close to Edina? If so, please tell me!) in this fantastic southwest Mpls neighborhood.
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Glad to hear you liked it. That’s my Aunt Jayne’s wine bar. I always enjoy when the family gets together (since we usually get to enjoy Beaujo’s on the house, plus the great family of course).
Though it’s in the family I’ve always been impressed with the service and knowledge from the wait staff, definitely one of the better places for a classy evening in that area.
If you’re into burgers and shakes check out the Convention Grill off 44th and France.