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

05/05/09

Overall Amazing

by JLehrer

All the way from the greeting at the door to our exit was great. Our server took care of us from beginning to end and my date and I were able to just relax and enjoy our three courses. I had one of the best steaks i have ever tried, and my date had a baked cheese pasta that was more then satisfying. I will defiantly be returning to Crave.

• Pros: Phenomenal steack and appetizers
• Cons: none

04/30/09

Horrible service - Waterlogged!!

by denred123

My daughter and I stopped in at the Galleria this last weekend to do some shopping. We decided to try Crave because it is in the same location of one of our old favorites Sydney's. It was about 6pm on Saturday so we were seated almost immediately. Unfortunately, we did not have a very good experience. Within 30 seconds of being seated at the 2-top directly outside of the kitchen, a server came out of the kitchen, slipped and sent water all over me, giving my cork soles shoes a soaking. No one even offered me a towel to dry off! Then, our server Katie - rushed us through service. My daughter stepped out of the restaurant almost immediately after we ordered. Katie served my salad - but did not ask about timing for the rest of the meal. She served my glass of wine and took my salad plate indicating our meal would be up shortly. My daughter was not there - Katie served our food and did not even bother to ask if she could keep it warm. By the time my daughter returned 5 minutes later her meal was cold and her milk was warm. To top it off, when Katie asked if we wanted anything more, I said not at this moment (we were planning to order dessert - and my daughter was only half way through her cold food). Katie took my reply as a reason to hand me the bill. In the meantime, I had finished not only my water, but had time to chew everyone of my ice cubes. My glass stayed empty for 10 minutes before katie queried if I would like more water. She never did return to ask if we wanted dessert or anything else. It was clear she wanted us out of the restaurant. Of course, before we left another server came scurrying out of the kitchen dumping another tray of water glasses - soaking me once again. For all of this, I paid $62.02 - and now have cork shoes which are damaged. What is wrong with Crave that nobody cared!!! This restaurant packs tables so tightly that there is no way to get around without bumping into people. And apparently soaking customers with water is customery. I will not be back!

• Pros: Food was delicious
• Cons: Tables packed so tightly that people are always bumping you

04/22/09

the perfect restaurant

by polson52

I live near downtown Minneapolis and rarely make it to Edina. Met up with some friends on a Monday night at Crave. I didn't know what to expect, but was amazed! I had a sushi roll as an appetizer and then tried one of their specialty burgers (only available on Monday). Both were perfect! The server had fun with our table and didn't miss a step. Wow.

• Pros: sushi, burgers and service
• Cons: none

03/19/09

Terrific Food

by lexie1006

We had a fabulous appetizer, wonderful meals, great service! Our server Kathy was very helpful in offering us help and suggestions. The management, Roxanne, stopped by our table to see how everything was going. Crave has a great atmosphere, beautiful dining room, and wonderful staff! The menu was full of tempting entrees and our meal was delicious!

• Pros: Awesome Happy Hour/Great Service

02/28/09

We won't be going here again

by kuphal99

For sure will not be going to Crave again. The service was terrible, we waited at least 10 min before the waiter even asked us for a drink order. The food was average at best. The prices were way out of proportion. Don't get me wrong I have no problem paying $20+ per entree if the food is good but that was not the case here. The food really was average. They also have the nerve to charge you extra for cranberry in a vodka cran. The waiter or bartender also took it upon themself to put in top shelf vodka without asking our preference. I also have no problem paying for a good glass of beer, but $6 for a bottle of Summit, really you get a better deal at the Twins game. There were 10 people with us at our table and all left feeling as though they had been taken advantage of. I can assure you there is no way we will be going back to

Crave again.

• Pros: Layout
• Cons: Food, Service, Value, Attitude

02/26/09

Use to be our Favorite - But no More

by paul4508

Like many other restaurants that get very successful, Crave has fallen to the "We don't have to try anymore!" Small things like while drinking a $ 14.00 glass of wine; they actually had the nerve to want to charge us $ 1.95 for table bread. This is not an inexpensive restaurant. Come on, how cheap can they get? Is this a surcharge to help the Talebi brothers pay for their Mega Mall expansion? Since we only live about 8 blocks from Crave, this use to be our neighborhood place -- I guess our new place will be at McCormick?s and Schmiks. ?and the sad thing was, when I brought this up to James Mullaly, Crave?s GM, he really didn?t care.

• Pros: Busy bar
• Cons: Expensive for what you get, They actually charge for table bread

01/13/09

Amazing experience

by SteveJL

The last two reviews here must be false! My wife and I decided to book a room at the new Westin for New Year's Eve. We had heard good things about Crave and called (very late) to make a reservation that afternoon. A very nice gentleman named James answered and got us right in. He even offered us a seat next to the fireplace.

When we arrived that evening the restaurant was very very busy! I couldn't believe that we got a reservation! The hostess brought us right to our table next to the fireplace. The food and service were perfect. We each had the special and tried some sushi also. The sushi was the best I've ever had!!

At the end of our evening a tall man in a suit stopped by and asked us how we enjoyed our dinner. He thanked us for making the reservation earlier and introduced himself as James (the GM). He was gracious and made us feel very welcome.

We were very impressed by the whole evening. Both of us have dined out at restaurants all over the country and this was by far one of our BEST experiences!

We will be back!

• Pros: Service, Food and Management
• Cons: Not in every city