Barbette

Recommends

lisa1422

Joined 7 years ago

Service is a definite negative. I have patronized Barbette a few times and found it charming,eclectic and intimate. The food was wonderful and the waitstaff seemed very pleasant.

It's a nice place for a date and with that in mind I came there recently on a busy weekend afternoon. We were greeted by a very rude and harried hostess exclaiming gruffly that "we'd have a long wait and if we wanted to sit outside don't expect service anytime soon" She barely listened as we told her we'd just go somewhere else and she certainly did not care.

I understand when restaurants such as this are busy and I'm cool with that - even if service is slower than normal, but there is never any excuse for that attitude in a service industry. They need to take a cue from big city restaurants such as NYC and SF and their approach to service. Even in the "divey-est" venues their service is heads and shoulders above Minneapolis. It's too bad.

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sigridsf

Joined 7 years ago

What a pleasant surprise. This is one of the best meals I have had in Mpls. since moving here. On par with a typical night out in SF - that is a compliment. Basic, good, non-pretentious food that is elegant, but not intimidating in a comfortable and intimate setting. Every single thing I had here was great - from the appetizers down to dessert and coffee. I hear they may be opening a place in the NE - I can not wait! Good quality food, good service, good atmosphere.

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sophia55416

Joined 7 years ago

cold, limp, greasy fries. great decor and ambiance. Went on a quiet weeknight around 8pm. Had a nice table for two. Liked the atmosphere, lighting, decoration. Parking is a negative. Server was neither attentive or indifferent. Took my order, brought my food, brought a bill, pretty standard. I had the steak and fries. Steak was great, fries were greasy, limp, cold, not good. Friend had a salad and said it was good. I thought it was overpriced for what it was, but it would be a cool date place if you like the hip and trendy uptown thing.

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mgmaddox

Joined 9 years ago

Amazing late night. I like to come here after the dinner hour. It's nice to cozy up to a special someone and have a glass of wine, share an appetizer...best darn fries EVER! Also have a great mini steak type thing for appetizer...super yummy!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

This Uptown cozy bistro draws courting couples and fans of decadent French cuisine.. In Short
This spacious spot on Lake Street in yuppie-fied Uptown has cushy burgundy banquettes and tables for twosomes. Framed prints feature vintage French circus posters--Barbette was a legendary aerialist in the '20s and '30s. The quirky, bright room bustles with a diverse clientele and a welcoming waitstaff. Lunchtime specials include croque monsieur, a buttery toasted sandwich of ham and Gruyere cheese. Evening entrees include a wild mushroom risotto spiked with truffle oil and traditional steak au poivre.

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chkpls

Joined 8 years ago

Late night dining. This is a great place for late night dinning and a glass of Champagne. We had the mussels and they were hit or miss. Some we good others were gritty and about broke a tooth. Hopefully it's just a bad batch. The rest of the food we ordered was great and we will be back.

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bestchef

Joined 10 years ago

User review by bestchef. Atmousphere: bustling, crowded, somewhat noisy - things that remind me of a bistro in the Marais. Food: Authentic, rustic as well as refined. No skimping corners on all the necessary rich, indulgent ingredients. Pommes frites were exactly 3-1/2" - 4", crisp on the outside and fluffy inside with a garlicky aioli. Only frying in goose fat could have improved them. Even though we were seated at the bar, the service was very good. That plus a reasonable house red and Lillet Aperetif (blanc, on the rocks with an orange twist).

Maybe my new favorite Twin Cities French?

Doesn't Recommend

kkremer212

Joined 7 years ago

Don't waste your tim. Got seated right away, hmmm, no wait on a saturday for brunch? That should have been our first clue. Slow, poor service from the start. Wanted a Waffle, sorry it is 2:05, can't get a waffle after 2, forget the fact that we were sitting there for 15 minutes. Fries were out first, they were good, but then we sat and waited. An hour later we left with a dinning experiece that we could have gotten at Denny's, for a fraction of the price. No atmosphere or hip trendiness is worth the wait, price or horrble experience! Get a clue, or better yet, some experience at customer service!

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stephanieg6

Joined 7 years ago

so good. The champane is fantastic...accompanied with the roasted organic chicken sandwhich and fries...Over all terrific experience and would highly recommend all of the above!

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flybigd

Joined 7 years ago

Steak + Frites - Waiter Attitude. Barbette is a great neighborhood spot - I wouldn't come from too far to go there, but to walk to it is perfect. I have been there many times and basically had the same thing each time - Steak and Frites. If the steak is cooked as ordered (most of the time it is) it is very very good and the fries are great. Followed it up with a molten chocolate cake to share and you will be happy. The service is another issue - the waiters, in general are pretentious and annoying.

I do recommend Barbette for a drop in meal or late night dessert or wine (or dessert wine) but be in the mood to abide out of work actors practicing their craft.