08/23/09

Unbelievable service (really, you won't believe me).

by HeartbreakHotel

After a typically extraordinary dinner there this weekend, I asked (without realizing who he was) Scott Pampuch if I could order soup to go for my mom who was sick. I was really just wondering if they had containers and could do takeout at all. He said "sure" and went back to the kitchen and filled up a huge container with (amazing) carrot soup. Then he refused to let me pay for it and wrote a get-well-soon note on the lid to my mom. Where else on earth are you going to get service that touches that??

• Pros: Food, food, setting, service
• Cons: Too far from my house

01/04/09

poor service, overpriced, bland food, loud

by rebeccatr

I have never written a restaurant review before, but feel compelled to do so in this case. First, I very much appreciate the attempt of many restaurants to serve local and organic food, and I would love to patronize such restaurants. But--this restaurant was extremely disappointing. The menu is small and limited, especially for vegetarians. Prices are very expensive and for small portions and pretty uninteresting food. The restaurant was so loud that I got a sore throat trying to talk to my friends. And the service was extremely poor. Our server recommended the polenta, but when it came, it did not look or taste like the polenta on the menu description. After talking to two other servers (ours never noticed my attempts to get her attention, even though she was serving the couple next to us at the "communal table"), I realized I had been given the incorrect item. When I finally received the polenta with wild mushrooms that I did order, my friends were finished with their meals, and I had had a lot of bread (which was the best part of the meal) and a salad, so I didn't think I could finish the polenta, but it was only about 5 smallish bites worth of pretty mediocre food. Earlier, I had had a spinach salad with roasted beets (about 10 very small dices) and shaved fennel (about 4 small half circles)--for $8. About the most pathetic salad for the price I have ever had. Our original server never addressed my polenta/wrong order, even though she was always close by and she came back for dessert orders. She never apologized or asked how our food was. And what service we did receive from her was with a very superior attitude and with no patience or interest in us at all. The polenta did not appear on the bill, which was evidently the server's way of addressing the screw-up. Needless to say, I will never go back here or recommend this place to anyone.

• Pros: we were seated promptly
• Cons: food, service, value, ambience

10/06/08

Great Menu, Ingredients, Service

by tmkipp

Love the menu - organic/local ingredients and all incredibly tasty. Everything we ordered was great - I was tempted to lick my plates. The drink and dessert choices were also outstanding. The atmosphere is neighborhood-cozy. And we went on old LP night so the music was great. I always recommend.

• Pros: Great Food/Ingredients
• Cons: Average Decor

09/21/08

The chef's tasting menu was superb

by bluerose1027

We went on a Saturday night, and had expert friendly service. The restaurant noise level did not become an issue until after 8:30 pm when almost every table was full. We opted for the chef's tasting menu with the flight of wine. The food was excellent, the portions small enough that we had a good taste of each 6 courses without being too full to continue. Wine choice were somewhat eclectic, so keep an open mind. Not every wine is for every taste, but with 6 or 7 varieties served, going without wasn't an issue.

• Pros: Liberal use of in-season vegetables and fruits to enhance the menu.
• Cons: Difficult to carry on a conversation when the restaurant is busy,

09/11/08

Frustration

by mplsbishop

Four of us gathered for a good meal out. I pride myself on trying new places, this place caught my eye for the "localvore" concept. We were running late and called to let them know. No problem getting a table when we got there, the room was about half full. It had a nice atmosphere and seemed like the kind of place we were going to have a great meal. We were given a choice of where to sit, we sat by the window. Water was brought to the table and menus. This was the last server that we saw. Twenty minuites later, no stopping by to answer questions or let us know that they would be with us soon or can I get you a drink. We left, and I am sorry that they could not find the time to say hi, so we said goodbye.

• Pros: Nice room, interesting menu
• Cons: worst service ever

02/10/08

Why did we wait so long to go?

by jl501

I like this restaurant. For whatever reason, I dragged my feet for going here sooner and am kicking myself for it. Busy, fun, younger crowd and most importantly, very approachable. I am a big fan of confit and theirs was a chicken confit which was perfectly made. The local sourcing of the food is great because we started talking with the talented and approachable server and she told us that the creamy and clean chevre on the starter plate is available at The Wedge.

As the evening moved on and dessert was upon us, my wife was looking to get her chocolate fix on and the only flaw of the night revealed itself: no chocolate on the dessert menu! Our server told us that they used to have an amazing flourless chocolate cake but it had been pulled from the daily menu (much to the server's disappointment as well-I am lobbying with you through this posting to get it back). So when the table next to us ordered the "chef's choice" dessert taster plate, the chocolate cake appeared on their table. And this is what capped an already great night for us: our server went back into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of nuggets of one of the best prepared pastries in the Twin Cities. Smooth, rich chocolately goodness and to be perfectly honest, chocolate is the one thing I really can take it or leave it but this stuff I will seek out. It was our first time at the restaurant and our server (who's name I regretfully didn't get), treated us like VIPs. Simple little thing but it pushed a good night into the memorable category. We are fans and look forward to making a reservation for the chef's table the next time we go to see where we very willingly will let the chef take us.

• Pros: Highly recommended. Service and food are excellent.
• Cons: Being mad at myself for waiting so long to go.

08/05/07

Great neighborhood restaurant

by jmaplemn

We were a little hesitant to try the Corner Table after reading the previous review. So glad we went ahead with our reservation. Four of us enjoyed an excellent dinner of appropriate proportions. We all had salads, an entree, and desserts. Each item had the flavor only fresh in season produce can provide. We were very pleased and will definitely return to see what the fall menu brings.

• Pros: The excellent food
• Cons: A small delay in serving our entrees (a large group was being served just ahead of us)

06/19/07

Corner Stable

by tap000

When we got our meals I was thoroughly disappointed, I didn't remember reading on the menu that the beef, that was $24, was a children's portion! I had four, very small, strips of beef and about 5 pinky sized slices of a potato. My date had more food then I did for $18, not to mention I have had better chicken in Fargo, North Dakota. To be honest the meat was no more tender then my mother's home cooked steaks. It won't say it was bad, but put the size and quality together and I expected more. Even the presentation was lacking, at least if you are going to charge $24 for four half slices of beef you could impress me with the presentation. After we finished, we had to wait another 20 minutes for the waitress to come bring the check (no dessert with those small of portions!) and I left a tip not too small, but according to how the experience was. Now if you think this restaurant experience is what really upset me, you are wrong. Three days later I was online viewing my checking account and saw that I was charged around $7 dollars over what my bill and tip equaled. My first thought was this was a simple human error, but looking at my receipt I saw that it just so happened that I had a '1' in the bill total section, that included the tip, and the amount charged to my checking account simply had exchanged the '1' for a '7'. I doubted that it was a coincidence and could see my waitress, upset with my mediocre tip, changed my '1' to a '7'. Now you can think what you want about this "mistake" but I have ate at quite a few restaurants similar to The Corner Table and have never been over-charged nor would I expect "Minneapolis' Best Cafe" to make a mistake. When I called and asked for a manager, which I did not get, I was only refunded the money that was over-charged without any kind of apology or regret.

• Cons: Price, Service, Accounting

02/26/07

Wonderful Restaurant in S. Mpls

by cks55407

We went to Corner Table this past weekend. It was WONDERFUL! A true asset to S. Mpls dining options. The atmosphere is warm, comfortable, and contemporary. It has a friendly neighborhood feel to it. The menu was small but very interesting and unique. They pride themselves on using local agriculture in the upper midwest. We tried an appetizer called sweet bread w/brussel sprouts...it was yummy. Then I had the rissoto and my husband had a catfish special. The food was flavorful and presentation was great. We finished up with dessert: choc flourless torte w/avacado frozen custard (it was awesome) and bread pudding. The only thing that was a little disappointing was that on their website they had a specific speciality brew that when we got to the restaurant...it wasn't on their beer list. I would highly recommend this place. Just make sure you are open to trying new things...this is not a burger and fries restaurant. It would be a great date restaurant...very romantic.

• Pros: Food, service, ambience, location
• Cons: Beer selection on website is different that restaurant

02/13/07

A Wonderful Find

by sewthere

The food was stunningly well prepared. As older diners, we were pleased with the portion sizes, (NOT huge), and prices. We had multiple courses, well priced, and did not leave feeling like we would burst. Our waitperson was courteous and well-informed about the menu choices. As first time guests, she let us try our own combo of courses. We will return for the chef's choice menu. I'm sure it will be sensational. One small fault: Corner Table does not take American Express, for such a well run place, we find that peculiar.

• Pros: food from local sources, WELL PREPARED.
• Cons: Don't take American Express