Modern Cafe

06/11/2008 Posted by Hezz

This is a small and at times can be a rather crowded place. If you are particular about the food you eat, you have come to the right place. You will quickly realize that the food is well thought out and well prepared. The quality to price ratio is outstanding. Now a few words about the wait staff. I have never found them lacking. They demonstrate excellent knowledge about the food and are very helpful about selections. Face it, when people are busy you may not be the center of the universe. My wife and I have been going to this restraunt for more than ten years. As she will attest, I am not a man that tolerates inconsiderate, rude or plan uncaring service. I am well pleased with the service at the Modern Cafe.

04/28/2008 Posted by MplsStPDiner

After a long weekend in Minneapolis, we wanted to stop at Eva's Europol cafe on 13th. Called ahead of time, and it opened at 11 (on Sunday) arrived at the shop, sign said open at 11, however it was closed and no one in sight. We were going to go to erte, but the line out the door at the Modern peaked our interest, we waited a little bit and made our way inside. The place was packed, and smelled of delicious Midwestern breakfast. And to our surprise there was room at the bar. Snuggled into our seats, were immediately given water and our beverage order was taken. We had to ask for menus which wasn't a big deal, but I can imagine stuffy republicans wouldn't like that (as they like to be waited on hand and foot). We ordered our breakfast, my husband ordered two eggs, bacon and pancakes, and I had the sausage and biscuits. While we waited for our food, we chatted with the wait staff, were offered the Sunday paper to read, my husbands coffee was constantly refilled. Everyone was polite and friendly. And seemed to enjoy their job, but also enjoyed the slow times so they could just relax and chat with locals. Our food was up in about 30 minutes...First off, the eggs were the BEST I've ever had. They were fresh, and probably from free range birds. They were bright yellow and delicious. The bacon, again, was the best I'd ever had. The pancakes were good, definitly in the top 5. I was all excited for my sausage gravy and biscuits. However when it arrived, and the gravy was a brownish color (and not gray, like traditional sausage gravy) and I was excited. It was cutting edge breakfast. ANd it was delcious. It had bit of veggies, sausage, and bacon, and bacon fat (not my favorite, but gave it flavor) and the sauce was more of a chili taste, it had parmesan cheese in it also, and it was poured over two delicious hand made cheesey chive biscuits. SO GOOD. I couldn't even finish it. We made sure the waitstaff knew we were happy, full, and cafinated. In return we were treated well.

Pros: Innovative food, and favorites, cute and kitschy. Easy to find, ample parking

Cons: Potential for long waits.

03/08/2008 Posted by tsell

I'd love to say that I loved this place but....well, we never got the chance: We Came. We Sat. We Left. Notice what's missing? Yeah, the 'We Ate' part...That's because, as we rudely learned this past Saturday, Modern Cafe serves ONLY breakfast *all day long* on Saturday and Sunday. Could we get lunch (it _was_ 1:30 pm afterall)? Nope. A plate of panckaes? Heck yes! But no lunch...very disappointing since no where on their pathetic website, or in their front window, or anywhere that I or my wife could see does it say "We only server breakfast all day long on the weekends". We drove from waaaay out in the 'burbs to try this place too. Would I go back? Well, yes I guess...but ony if I happen to be in the area.

Pros: The place looked nice

Cons: breakfast all day long and that's it??

02/10/2008 Posted by jl501

Everything that people say about the potroast being the best in the Twin Cities is right. I even went in slightly cynical because the press is so good and has been for so long, surely this dish can't be THAT good. Simply put, it is. Overall we had a pleasant night but be prepared for service that feels more like a greasy spoon breakfast joint versus a neighborhood bistro. Also, the hours are strange in that they were closing the doors on a Saturday night at 9:30 and we were the last ones out the door a little before ten. For a funky Minneapolis diner, these hours seem out of line with similar restaurants in this category. (Amusing City Search issue: it won't let you us the word that rhymes with tot in a review so the space in potroast is eliminated to get through their filter.)

Pros: Potroast is that good.

Cons: Service?

01/05/2008 Posted by lauhan1

This is one of my favorite restaurants. It's a nice place when you want to have a cozy meal, a glass of wine and good conversation. Sometimes you have to wait for a table, but it's worth the wait. The food is hearty and the atmosphere comfortable.

Pros: Ambience, food

Cons: Wait for table

11/07/2007 Posted by scooter_pi

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!

Pros: Good food and service

11/05/2007 Posted by pwpekelo

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.

06/05/2007 Posted by marcymmc

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.

Pros: Everything

Cons: Restrooms not handicap accessible (in basement).

02/20/2007 Posted by nanettelp

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.

Pros: fantastic food and service

Cons: none really

01/15/2007 Posted by amaeh

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.

Pros: Comfort Food

Cons: Service