Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group

Where/Why:

Don’t let the name fool you, The Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group is far from the cafeteria you probably remember from your school days.  It smells much better and you won’t see any ‘Italian Dunkers’ on the menu.  It’s a unique place to come for happy hour with some friends or reserve a lounge area on their sky bar for your next special occasion and enjoy the amazing view.  It’s located on Lake Street, right smack in the middle of the Uptown’s main stream, you can’t miss it!

The Menu:

They really have delicious food here; I’ve never been disappointed with what I’ve gotten.  I love their appetizers, try their jalapeño-poppers and you’ll most likely be coming back for more.  Not a jalapeño fan?  They have everything from breakfast to dinner to cheese fondue, mussels, and tofu - catering to your everyday food lover (and hipster).  One of my favorite things on the menu is their ‘Big Hippie Salad’, pictured below. 

This salad is loaded with all sorts of veggies, quinoa, green beans, avocado, peppers, and a light vinaigrette that ties it all together.  This salad is definitely a meal, you will be full!  I usually have to split this with someone and I’m still full!  Another unique thing on their menu is a ‘late night pancake feed’ which runs Sunday – Thursday after 10pm.  It’s all you can eat buttermilk pancakes for $5...something to keep in mind if you want to mix up your usual after-bar food routine (mine was always Jimmy Johns!).   I also can’t leave out that incredible beverage next to my salad.  This is their blueberry mojito, it has actual blueberries in it and is absolutely delicious!  Be careful though, this is the kind of drink you can down like juice it’s so good!  Don’t forget this is an adult beverage despite its sweet and delectable taste! 

The Price:

Things can definitely get a little spendy here if you’re not careful, watch your drinks if you want to avoid that huge feeling of guilt looking at your bank account the next day.  I’m not saying it’s over priced - given their location, great food and drinks, and awesome view, it’s probably just about right…but you be the judge!  Lunch menu ranges from around $10-$13, and dinner menu ranges from around $12-$16.  Their beer is pretty reasonable, between $4-$7 like most places and drinks usually around $7-$9.  Tuesday nights after four they have an all-you-can-eat taco fiesta for $11…not bad!

The Service:

On any given day they usually have plenty of people on staff to help you get what you want.  They do get busy…extremely busy…especially if you’re looking for roof top seating, so just keep in mind evenings and weekends are going to be crowded, get there early or make a reservation! 

This is a great place to enjoy a summer evening on their sky bar, or a Sunday morning for their bloody mary bar and breakfast.  Cafeteria has one of the best roof-top views in Uptown and fantastic food and beverages to help you enjoy your experience.  Grab a group of friends and reserve your spot! 

The Lowry

Where/Why:

The Lowry is located right on 21^st and Hennepin Ave, you can’t miss it.  Some of you may remember their location as the old Hollywood Video like I do.  It’s conveniently located right off Highway 94, and has its own parking lot which is great, and certainly a necessity for the location.  But don’t let the chaos you encountered getting there fool you, sit on their secluded patio out back on a summer evening and you just might forget you’re sitting right off Hennepin Ave and feel like you’re at your own little get away.

The Menu:

They’ve got some fantastic options on their menu.  I’ve tried their breakfast and dinner and am fans of them both.  I have not tried their oysters yet which is one of their specialties but plan to soon.   Breakfast menu includes the usual – eggs benedict, biscuits & gravy, chilaquiles, frittatas, and your basic American breakfast which is perfect if you’re looking for just some eggs, hash browns and bacon.  I tried the spinach frittata which was absolutely delightful.  It comes with brie, spinach, parmesan, tomatoes, and fresh herbs.  It’s full of flavor and is extremely satisfying.  It’s filling, but not so heavy you feel like you need to be taken out on wheels. 

They also have some very enjoyable appetizers on their menu which they call their ‘snacks’ (love it!).  Some of their snacks include tempura green beans, sweet potato fries (extremely delicious and served with very tasty chipotle pesto), wings, cheese curds, and deviled eggs.  One I tried recently are their buffalo chips – if you try any of their appetizers I suggest these!  We didn’t stop devouring these until the basket was completely empty…and we still had burgers coming…they’re that good!  They come with Yukon potato chips, pulled chicken, blue cheese, and buffalo sauce drizzled on top to add the perfect spice.  A must have!

They have plenty of burgers and sandwiches to choose from but I have to rave about the turkey burger!  Talk about some great flavor!  They mix curry spices, peanuts, pepper jack, and pesto in with the ground turkey to make one of the best turkey burgers I’ve had.  It’s juicy, lean, and has a unique spice.  Skip the ketchup on this one, your taste buds will thank you!

The last thing I have to mention is the fact that they have an extensive beer selection to choose from, a lot of which is local which is wonderful.  Pick from Fulton Sweet Child of Vine, Harriet West Side, Surly, Summit selections, Deschutes, Finnegan’s, and that’s only to name a few!

The Price:

For the great location, quality food, and the comfortable urban feel of the restaurant, the prices are great.  You can get most the burgers for $9-$11, and appetizers from $6-$10.  They have great happy hour specials - like all places I love.  Monday through Friday they have $3 rails, and $3-$4 Tap Beers , it ends at 6pm though but it may be worth taking off a little early from work next Friday!  

The Service:

Each time I’ve been here the service was great.  They’re relaxed but certainly on top of everything.   Breakfast seems to me to be one of their craziest times so if you go in the morning or on the weekend early afternoon hours I’d suggest you call in and make a reservation, especially if it’s one of those Saturday/Sunday mornings when all you need is a bloody mary and some eggs and really don’t feel like waiting! 

My favorite time coming here was a Sunday evening sitting on the back patio which was lit with white bulbs around the edges and top, it’s relaxed and you feel a sort of calmness.  But even in the winter you’ll walk into a great ambiance - with the fire going in their fireplace, you’ll feel like you’re right in your own living room!

Kinsen Noodles and Bar

Where/Why:

Craving a unique, relaxed spot for some great Asian food?  Try Kinsen Noodles and Bar located right on Lagoon Ave. in the heart of Uptown.  It’s relatively new with an even newer patio that just opened in the alley next to the bar.  They take their Uptown location and run with it, giving a 10% discount to individuals living in Uptown and adding a great low-key spot to enjoy some fantastic dishes at an affordable price.  Their noodles and delicious sangria keep my boyfriend and I coming back for more! 

The Menu:

Kinsen has some great selections on their menu, and I’m pretty confident in saying I most likely have tried more things on their menu than most – unless of course you work there.  My two favorites are the spring rolls and their pad thai with tofu.  The spring rolls are wrapped in a light rice-wrap, they are also much larger than you’re going to expect (which you will be pleased by) and served with mouthwatering peanut sauce.  Their pad thai is absolutely delicious, you can get meat, seafood, or tofu on it, or mix and match - did I emphasize how laid back they are yet?  They will cater to whatever you have in mind, pick a dish and if you want to change it up they are willing to do so.  They also have house sauces so if you want to spice it up you certainly have a few levels to chose from.  Also on their menu are some amazing curry dishes, ramen (fancier than the ramen you ate in college), cream cheese wontons, egg rolls, veggie tempura, short rib and much more.  Another cool thing about this place is that they provide an option for meat lovers and vegetarians, you might want to try their veggie dishes even if you aren’t vegetarian, it is all cooked with lots of flavor and prepared with care.    

Their beverage selection is nice too.  You can get some great specialty drinks here that you won’t find anywhere else, of course the  sangria, and they might have a smaller on-tap selection but they have some very decent picks like Sapporo and Sierra Nevada.

The Price:

I already mentioned the 10% discount for Uptown residents but that’s certainly not their only great deal.  They have daily specials including Thursday night date nights where you can get an appetizer, two entrees, dessert and a bottle of wine for $45.  Monday is ‘Movie Monday’ where they have happy hour all day and actually show a movie right in the restaurant starting at 9pm with a drink special that goes along with the movie.  They also have industry night on Sunday where you get 40% off if you work in the food industry.

Regular prices aren’t bad either, you can get most their noodle entrees for $11-$14, and appetizers between $5-$7.  I must say, these are better prices than the bar right across the street and the food quality and atmosphere is ten fold! 

The Service:

Friendly, down-to-earth, and laid back is exactly how I’d describe the service here.  They will get to know you, and let you get to know them.  They are personable and definitely fit well in with the Uptown crowd. 

I love this place, it’s relaxed, fun, and in the mean time you’re devouring some of the best Asian dishes in uptown.  Come here with a friend for dinner or try out one of their daily happy hour specials and get a real feel for Uptown.  I love just sitting at the bar just as much as I enjoy their outside seating where you can really take in the feel of the area.  And try one of their Sangria!