Modern Cafe

Recommends

scooter_pi

Joined 11 years ago

Modern Hash!. Had this twice for breakfast in the last couple weeks, so tasty, it has the pot-roast mixed in. Cool server also. Check it out!

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pwpekelo

Joined 6 years ago

Great experience, except.... After reading and hearing about the Modern Cafe, my wife and I decided to head over from south Minneapolis to check it out. We didn't feel like waiting for a table so we sat at the beautiful bar. The service was great. I think that's an advantage of sitting at the bar at any restaurant, you're not forgotten. The bread was delicious and our meals, awesome. I had the pot-roast that just melted in my mouth and my wife had the ravioli which had the best cream sauce we have ever tasted. She also had a wonderful glass of Pinot Grigio.

Our only disappointment came at the end. One reason we chose the Modern Cafe was because it was on our Minnesota Public Radio Member card. Since I'm in the process of looking for a job, we figured we could use it and save a few bucks. Well, the Modern Cafe stopped taking the MPR card. Its no big deal, the meal was well worth the cost. Its just that it would've been nice to know that ahead of time. We checked MPR's website for updates and it said nothing about the Modern Cafe. The Modern doesn't really have a website to check. I guess we should have called.

Recommends

marcymmc

Joined 10 years ago

The Chef is a genius!. Best food in town!!!! Fresh, local ingredients. They are in a class all their own! We have always had great service. Good wine/beer list.

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nanettelp

Joined 6 years ago

Fantastic food! Excellent service!. I'd read all the reviews complaining about the service and have to say that was certainly not our experience. We found the food terrific and the server friendly with good advice on selections. We spent about 3 hours and truly savored both the food and the experience. The lamb shank with cilantro/mint pesto and lentils was exceptional; my friend's pork tenderloin with cabbage and butternut squash was wonderful. The half-price wine was much appreciated plus they also let us use our MPR discount in combination with the half-price wine (which isn't always the case). I would absolutely return. Sorry to hear the other reviewers had such a negative service experience - our evening was far from that and one of the best dinners we've had in a long time.

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amaeh

Joined 6 years ago

!!!BAD Customer Service!!!. The Pot-Roast was great. Stay FAR away from the beef sandwhich. The SERVICE was also VERY BAD! We would go back for a second try, but if we find they have not hired friendly and approachable staff it will be the last time. Its not worth the trip to have the service staff make you feel like your not wanted, even if the food is good.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Pot roast meets truffles at this retro cafe-cum-gourmet destination.. In Short
Over the years, this Northeast landmark has evolved from blue-collar diner to funky art-scene cafe to highly refined epicurean experience. Retro vinyl booths still welcome locals, and waitstaff still gives the lowdown on the good stuff. Modern's famous pot roast is the main draw, but other menu items include well-sculpted salads, wild mushroom and truffle pastas and mussel stews with fish and pancetta. Old-fashioned desserts, such as bread and chocolate puddings, round out the meal.

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teba

Joined 7 years ago

Show you appreicate good food, and you will be rewarded!. Read the other reviews ... bad/rude service, uneven food, overpriced, etc. Here's a little secret. If you like good food, show it. If you like to try new things, ask about them. Ask the staff to recommend a wine for your order. If you like your meal, pop your head into the kitchen on your way down to the restroom & tell the chef. When you return, pop by again and tell the chef you've returned because the food was great the last time. If you thought the food was lacking, tell the chef why, without cussing at him.

Do that a few times and you will see how amazing this place is. Get to know the people that cook and serve you, and all of a sudden you can ask for half-portions because you want to try a couple of dishes. You get a glass of bubbly one day, unasked.

The food's as inventive as any of the big guns (Belle Vie, Auriga, Levain, etc) ... but within the limits of its budget/ingredients/etc. Just don't keep ordering that Potroast. Don't just go for the weekend Brunch. The prices, well it depends what you compare it to. Sure, it's more than the chain restaurants ... if that what you expect to pay, then you should consider sticking with those. I did some internet checking, and it's on par (and probably less when the final bill arrives) than Barbette, Emma's, Craftsman, Pane Vino Dolce, etc ... less than Salut Bar Americain, Margaux, 112 Eatery, A Rebours, Corner Table, etc ... and just a couple more than the Duplex.

Bad days, I'm sure they have some. So do I. So do you. Yeah, I wish there was a city ordinance banning bratty loud kids, AND their parents. Focus on the food and that will make the difference.

We get nothing but a great "nice to see you again" welcome, great service, fantastic food ... it's not heavy, it lets the ingredients shine, the wine pairing elevates the experience (ask Amy for recommendations) to well beyond its price range. Give it a try.

Doesn't Recommend

restaurantfoodfanatic

Joined 7 years ago

A lesson in service. Breakfast...we both placed a similar order. 40 minutes since we first arrived. We politely asked our server about our food, to which she immediately became snotty and replied, "It is a restaurant, and as you can see we are very full." Finally, almost one hour later we received our breakfast (two eggs, hash browns, toast). The hash browns had obviously been sitting around all morning, so they obviously required no preparation. Eggs and toast were fresh, meaning that the cooks waited 45 minutes to begin cooking eggs, and operating the toaster. We received no apology for the poor service, nasty comments, or the extremely long waiting period. Our bill for two breakfasts (two eggs, hash browns, toast), soft drinks and a horrific experience...$19.00. Our server single handedly shaped our decision never to return, but the entire experience left a poor lasting impression.

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chkpls

Joined 8 years ago

Go anyway. The food is good, they have that going for them. The Pot Roast, not like mom made, is wonderful. Really. You must try it. But the service is lacking in the accomodation area, but my advise is trust the Chef and skip the substitutions. She/He knows what they are doing.

Doesn't Recommend

h2okiki

Joined 7 years ago

Atrocious Service. The employees in this restaurant answer questions and requests with "no" quite frequently. Be prepared to not be able to ask any questions, ask for any assistance, or ask for any substitutions. Need honey for your tea? Don't ask the servers at the Modern. They will sneer at you with evil eyes. I despise going to restaurants in which the waitstaff tries to make you feel guilty for being there. They are simply rude and unhelpful.