Crave Restaurant

10/26/09

Exceptional Experience

by Naughty Nick

My fiancée and I dined at the Crave located in the Mall of America based on a recommendation of a friend. I was a week night and the restaurant wasn’t too busy. We were greeted and seated immediately. Our waitress offered some great suggestions for drinks. My fiancée ordered the blueberry lemonade (adult variety) and it was absolutely wonderful. Not only was it visually appealing, it also tasted great.

We split the Baked Crab & Artichoke dip. It arrived promptly and tasted amazing. We try artichoke dips at most restaurants and this was one of the best. For dinner I ordered Crunchy Spicy Tuna Roll and she ordered the Sea Scallop & Shrimp Fettuccini. My roll was great, which is a surprise since I didn’t expect to see sushi on the menu and to have such a variety to choose from. The entrée my fiancée order was nothing short of amazing. The scallops and shrimp were plentiful, and the scallops were cooked to perfection. I love scallops and eat them often at restaurants and this was one of the best I have ever had. We were to full to enjoy desert but left more than satisfied with the meal presented to us.

The bill was a bit on the high side but you pay for what you get. Food was great, service was exceptional, and I will return and recommend this location to everyone. Perhaps dining on a slower night during the week helped our experience.

• Pros: Food, Drinks, Staff
• Cons: Price

10/04/09

WOW, never expected food this good in a mall!

by Zscott

I went to Crave on reccomendation from a friend. We visited the Galleria location, although I understand they have a few others.

There were 5 in our party and everyone was feeling like something different, and that's exactly what we got. We started with a sushi salad for everyone to share, which was fresh, creative, and tasty. We also tried the pesto shrimp appetizer which was amazing. Grilled prawns on perfectly done bruschetta topped with a wonderful pesto sauce.

I enjoyed the Ron Schara Walleye, which was three generous pieces of perfectly battered and deep fried walleye accompanied by harissa sauced potatoes. It was the best variation of "shore lunch" I have ever tried. My girlfriend had a variety of sushi selections, and enjoyed the creative presentation and inventive flavors. One of our friends had a chicken flat bread that looked and tasted phenominal, another had a chicken stir fry with sobe type noodles, and the other gal we were with had a filet mignon that was done to perfection.

We were all too full for desert, so we declined our extremely nice and attentive server's offer. To our great surprise and delight, she brought us out a few small sundae cups of something the chefs "were just toying around with" for us to try free of charge. It was an amazing pumpkin pie whipped with a pie crust and creamy topping. It was sensational, and the perfect end to a perfect evening.

My only complaint is that I live in St. Cloud, and this place is far for me. But anytime I'm in the Twin Cities, I plan to make Crave my new destination.

• Pros: They have everything...and it's all amazing
• Cons: wish it was closer to where I live

05/21/09

Excellent food and ambience!

by iamindra

I've been to Crave several times and found the food and atmosphere excellent! The roasted beet salad with grilled salmon is absolutely the best - you've got to try it! I've also eaten several other dishes there and was never disappointed. The lamb is one of my favorites also, as well as the walleye. And, as one reviewer said, the sushi is the finest around!

I was amazed to learn that most of their food they try to get locally and organic, whenever possible. I've eaten at some of the finest restaurants around the US and in other countries as well, and I must say, I wish there was a Crave in each city I've been to.

The service has always been excellent, and the decor/upkeep throughout boasts of a truly impressive establishment.

• Pros: The creativity of the menu
• Cons: Nothing I can think about