05/05/08

Great for Escaping the Buffet Brunches in Town

by dnaily

My wife and I are Sunday Brunch diners. Like most brunchers in the cities, we have had countless buffet-style from "fine dining" restaurants down to the chains. This past weekend, we wanted a brunch that was neither a buffet or a typical breakfast menu. Our search revealed the Nicollet Island Inn and its five course brunch, and I am pleased to say that we've found a new brunch to add to the rotation.

I made reservation for 12:30, arrived on-time, but not early, and found a smooth transition from the host to the table. ("Smooth" as in - I told the host my name and within seconds I was following someone to my table.) If you haven't been to Nicollet Island, the scenery is tops among dining locales in the Twin Cities, and seperates itself from other scenic restaurants like the St. Paul Grille in that you have a view of the water and St. Anthony Main outside your window. A waiter came to us right after we were situated, asked if we had the Sunday Brunch Menu, when we said we didn't, he gave us a brief overview of the menu and the process, we chose courses, and he was off to get my wife a mimosa and me my coffee and OJ. The first course (pastries) arrived, they were fresh with a decent variety, I chose the Creme Brulet French Toast for my second course, the syrup had a full flavor and tasted more like the fruit (raspberry) than any other fruit-based syrup I've had in recent memory. I chose a flan for the third course, which seemed to prime me for the fourth. For the fourth course, I went with the salmon. The salmon flaked properly, was cooked to the right temperature, and the accompaniments added excellent flavor. For desert (fifth), I had the cheesecake, which capped off an nice dining experience.

The courses were well timed. Nothing came too fast and we didn't have to wait for the next course. The portions are well done so that you don't get full on the journey from beginning to end. This visit makes me want to test the rest of the options. We'll be back.

• Pros: Five course menu, unique brunch menu, enough options to come back

05/05/08

Wonderful Brunch experience!!

by Missm15

I threw my girlfriends Bridal Shower here and I was very high maintenance with 18 women! They couldn't have been nicer. The food was wonderful and our server was amazing!

03/31/08

Everything of the best

by Tevamae

My husband and I went here for our 1st anniversary. We were wowed beyond belief. We got there about 45 minutes before our reservation and thought we would wait in the bar. The bar had excellent windows with horse carriage rides outside( not provided by the restaurant, but availible for a price ). We had the scallop appetizer which was fantastic! All of our drinks were very good and we had a great time. When it was time for our reservation , we didn't get seated for another half hour, but were having a good time so we didn't mind. My husband had requested the best table availible, but we got sat at an aquardly placed table for 4 people even though there were only two of us. We saw an open corner booth and asked if we could be moved. Once we moved over the experience was great. Our waitress was not the best, but she was good enough. We ordered the Chef's 5 course meal paired with the wine tasting and were having a great time experiencing it. When the final course of dessert came out, we were blown away again by the size of portion and presentation of it. We were open to the experience and were just enjoying each others company for our anniversary, but we thought it was a fantastic place to go. Our bill was $190.00 for two people(bar tab included) which was a bit over the top, but the evening was one we both will remember for a long time!

• Pros: Very cozy, parking availible, upscale and inviting, good food combinations
• Cons: Staff did not communicate the best

03/16/08

Good food, horrible waitstaff service

by completelyunexpected

Arrived for brunch at 12:45 with a reservation and was seated immediately. A waiter (Paul) finally came with some water a 2pm (over an hour later). While he provided suggestions on the menu, he didn't wait for us to actually order-- instead referencing that he had plates to clean up and that he'd stop back.

He came back fifteen minutes later, and got our food and drink order.

The food itself (all five courses) was excellent. However, during dessert they opened the blinds and several box elder insects fell down, one of which fell onto me. They also brought out the wrong dessert and incorrect drink for my partner.

I wound up having to refill my own water glass for the meal since we never really saw the waiter again until he gave us the bill. Fortunately there was a pitcher nearby, although I never got the refill on my mimosa. By the time we finally got the bill it was 3pm. We waited for another half hour for him to come get the bill, and finally gave up and left a check on the table.

Overall the food was good, but not good enough to make up for horrific wait staff service. If service isn't important and you don't mind the associated $30/person breakfast tab then this is a reasonable stop. If not, you're probably better off somewhere else.

• Pros: seated quickly, good food
• Cons: horrible waitstaff service, insects

02/10/08

Great Date!

by EFCalhoun

I wanted to take my girlfriend out for a nice dinner for our anniversary, but I wan't sure where to go. I asked around for some suggestions, but didn't get any new or exciting ideas. After some internet research, I found that the Nicollet Island Inn was rated as "most romantic" on this site and several others, so I figured it must be the right place! I remember my parents talk about the Nicollet Island Inn as an old favorite, but my girlfriend and I had never been there, so I wasn't sure what to expect (my parents and I don't always have the same taste in restaurants!). When we arrived, though, I couldn't have been happier.

As soon as we pulled up I knew we weren't at some chain or cookie-cutter restaurant. The setting is charming and elegant and inside the restaurant was warm and welcoming. We got there a little early so we decided to sit in the bar for a drink before dinner and were surprised (happily) to find a live music lounge! The girl playing piano was perfect -- great voice, great songs, great atmosphere.

They sat us for dinner at a window table overlooking the River. Our waiter was friendly and informative, our dinners (steak for me, salmon for her) were well-prepared and delicious. Our waiter recommended a bottle of wine that matched everything perfectly. Everything was topped off by a petite four (sp?) tray with little bite-sized desserts -- just the right amount after a great meal.

After dinner, we went back to the lounge for a little more music, an after-dinner drink and just to enjoy the atmosphere -- we didn't want the evening to end. The whole evening certainly lived up to its billing as Most Romantic!

On our college budget, the Nicollet Island Inn is a bit too expensive to become a frequent favorite, but for special occasions we will certainly be back!

• Pros: Ambiance, Romantic setting
• Cons: Expensive (but worth it for special occasions)

02/09/08

Food, Setting, Value!

by Steaklovr

My wife and I love steak, red wine, and nice restaurants, we recently joined some friends of ours for dinner at a local steak favorite and had a really good meal. An iceberg wedge salad a porterhouse a tuna, mashed potatoes, broccoli w/ hollandaise and bread pudding, a bottle of Phelps Cab and left really content. Our friends had never been down to the Nicollet Island Inn, so we decided to show them our neighborhood favorite. We also were curious what makes a "steakhouse" different from the great Steaks we eat at the Nic. We ordered the same meals weeks later with our guests, porterhouse, tuna, wedge salad, and cheesecake for dessert, the same bottle of wine same vintage was nearly $30 less. We did not order sides, because the entrees come with delicious creative accompaniments. The bill was over $50 less at our Favorite the Nicollet Island Inn. Don't get me wrong the steakhouse was good, but with great service, delicious steak and a very elegant setting, I'll take the Nic every time. (and we can eat there 25% more times!)

• Pros: Just too good to pass up!
• Cons: ???

01/29/08

Invited and wowed!

by rkagun

A group asked us to join them Saturday night at the Inn and my response was, "why"? They said "you'll be surprised -- meet us in the lounge for drinks".

As my date and I walked down the hall, we heard a piano and vocalist that I thought was a CD. What a WOW when you turn the corner to see this quiant, upolstered, muraled lounge with a live female vocalist singing old and new American Standards ... and It just got better.

The menu was clear and flavorful. I had the big porterhouse steak -- an absolute value -- and my date had what the waiter said was their most popular dish, Minnesota Walleye. Both well-prepared and delicious. Out table of 6 shared four bottles of domestic wine, a $38 bordeaux that was positively drinkable. Just when I thought we were done, the waiter presents a petite four tray with eight house-made pastries (they also explaied that all breads, pastries, etc., were house-made) at $2 each!

Driving away, the car talk was 'this restaurant must be in the top 5 in the city' and 'so comfortable that it can't be duplicated'.

By the way, I booked a room and a table for two for Valentine's Day. The 'why' definately turned into a 'Wow'!

01/09/08

Not very romantic and poor steak, plan ahead and you'll be fine

by terrix2000

This place has potential for romance and good food, but plan ahead. Get a window seat, don't sit in the booths where hurried servers rush by in a breezy whirl making you wonder if there is a fire somewhere, so ask for a table at the windwo. Be selective about the steak you want, if you want a tender and melt in your mouth juicy steak you will pay more, but make it clear you want it rare and very tender. The salads are wonderful, and flavorful. The three chocolate dessert was out of this world. If you get to sit under the skyline, eat a crispy salad and tender steak, you won't be disappointed. If you sit in a booth, receive a tough steak and have servers running, almost literally, in front of you, then it is no fun. Better, to wait for a good table and view. The bar area is fantastic, and the wine selection is broad. The bartenders are super friendly and very cute.

• Pros: The View of Mpls Skyline
• Cons: Hurried servers, and poor steak

10/16/07

Food, Service, Atmosphere!

by mia6

This was not the best meal I have ever had in my life, but the caramelized onion soup was perfect for the dreary weather. Paul was not only helpful in his description of the food, but he enjoyed what he was doing. We tried the pork loin which was absolutely delicious. Not dry and cooked to death, but moist and accompanied with delicious counterparts. The ribeye was outstanding. They apparently use beef from pasture raised cattle. It was not as succulent as a Nebraska corn fed cow, but the flavor was incredible and there was just enough marbeling so that it was far from tough and certainly not dry. At night they have cute little lamps adorning the windows, the whole place is just really classy. We blew it and did not try anything from the dessert tray, but the cheesecake off the menu was great. There was a young lady playing the piano and singing in a lounge, which really made the evening special. The most remarkable thing was we ate really well, drank wine, left a gratuity which was much deserved by our server and did not feel the remorse that comes along with paying the bill in most restaurants. We will return without a doubt!

• Pros: Just really enjoyable, all aspects
• Cons: Not close to us in the South East

10/07/07

Call FEMA, this was a disaster

by z19174

My girlfriend and I had a great Sunday planned; first we'd do brunch at the Nicollet Island Inn at 11:30 (with reservations, of course), followed by a play at the Guthrie at 1:00.

We were not aware that the NIIR had swapped out their buffet (meats, cheeses, omelettes, veggies, etc.) for a 5-course ensamble. This was 'our bad'; if we'd looked online at their menu we'd have seen it.

At any rate, we got there on time, were seated promptly next to a window that faces the little bridge by E Island Ave. The hostess drew open the blinds, which immediately brought into focus 5 or 6 box elder insects. 3 of the little suckers were on the inside. (By the way, we continued to be pestered by them throughout the meal - I had one on my collar).

We had very slow service throughout the meal. A summary:

1st - I ordered a mimosa - it was good. Laurie ordered a bloody mary. They apparently ran out of tall glasses; her drink came in a low-ball glass. The flavor was ordinary, and the drink was watered down. She also ordered herbal tea - for which the restaurant charged an extra $3.00.

My 2nd course was the egg and sausage bake - this sorry entree appeared to have been constructed maybe 2 hours earlier - it was dry and hard.

3rd course was decent - pecorino stuffed risotto. But it took a long time between courses, and I had to ask to have my coffee cup refilled.

4th course - glazed meatloaf - suffered similar to the egg/sausage bake - I think they pre-build plates, and store them until needed. The meatloaf was dry and hard on the top. The potatoes and brussel sprout leaves were good, however.

We were running out of time - at 12:30 we told our waitress we wanted dessert to go.. Fine.

At 12:48 I informed her that our play started in 12 minutes. At that point, she started getting our check and the dessert.

Bottom line - we were late to the Guthrie, after expensive lousy food, and had to wait in the foyer for the 1st 30 minutes of the play.

• Pros: nice view
• Cons: too expensive for the quality, slow service, insects