Grand Cafe

Simple Good and Tasty (SGT) is a local website whose mission is to “support local, sustainable, and organic foods and the people who produce them”. To help fulfill this mission, SGT hosts monthly dinners at restaurants that uphold the “local eating” philosophy. Anyone can attend; you just need to sign up on their website. It’s a great opportunity to support local businesses and to meet the chefs/owners of restaurants around the Twin Cities.

Just one year ago, SGT started out as a hobby for Lee Zukor who has since turned the website into a full time business. They are actually planning on going national and will be in several cities by this time next year! To celebrate this milestone, SGT turned this month’s dinner, hosted by Grand Café, into an anniversary party for itself and its readers.

Grand Cafe is situated in a quaint Minneapolis neighborhood and possesses the classic architecture of times gone by. The solid wood construction, cream colored walls, and soft lighting only add to the ambiance. Upon my arrival, I was warmly greeted by Mary Hunter who owns the restaurant with her husband Dan. I waited for Debbie and her husband to arrive at which point we ordered our drinks and had a chance to chat further with Mary and with Lee Zukor himself.

Just before dinner, Lee gave a short speech about the past year at SGT and how it has changed his family for the better by simply learning to eat locally. We then took our seats and eagerly awaited the first course which was a Roasted Local Beet Salad with Marinated Chêvre, Oven-Dried Onion, Spiced Pecans and Kumquat Lemon Vinaigrette. The flavors of the salad were soft and well balanced. Even the Chevre was mild and did not have the normal punichness that I’m used to. The oven dried onions where chewy and slightly sweet, and the pecans had savoriness about them with just a hint of cinnamon.

For the main course, we were served a Cassoulet of Au Bon Canard Duck Confit and House-Made Smoked Garlic Sausage served over a Ragout of Cannellini Beans and Vegetables. The duck was fall off the bone tender, and the smokiness of the sausage permeated the dish. The entire cassoulet was well seasoned with a house blend of special spices.

Between dinner and dessert, Chef Jon Radle went to each table to say hello and to answer questions anyone had about the dish, the kitchen, or himself. The young chef was a bit shy and struck me as one who preferred to stay hidden behind the shelter of his stove rather than to be out talking with patrons. As our table of 10 spoke with him, his bashfulness turned into a sheepish humility which only endeared him to us even more. It’s nice to meet the talent behind a delightful meal, especially when it’s someone as humble and likeable as Chef Jon.

Our evening wrapped up with a dessert of Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Preserved Kumquats and Toffee Whipped Cream. The pudding was chewy and cake-like with a crispy edge and top – much like you get in a pan of homemade brownies. I really enjoyed the flavor combination of the citrusy tang from the kumquats, the spicy ginger from the cake, and the sweet toffee cream.

The owners of Grand Café are wonderfully hospitable people and made us feel like we were guests in their own home. It was the perfect location to host this celebratory evening. I hope to return to the Café soon – especially for their weekend brunch as I’ve heard nothing but good things about it. This place is definitely worth a second visit!

Additional Details:
1. Website: http://grandcafempls.com
2. Parking: there is a small parking lot behind the restaurant as well as free street parking. They also have valet parking on the weekends.
3. Check out SGT's local food lover's program. By signing up, you get some great discounts from Twin Cities area businesses.