CITIZEN CAFÉ – Minneapolis

Citizen Café is a fairly new restaurant (opened June ’08) in the Standish-Ericcson neighborhood. Chef & owner Michael MacKay creates classic dishes using local resources and food products.

The comfortable L-shaped dining room seats approximately 45 guests at wooden tables dressed with heavy brown paper tablecloths. The vibrant posters on the walls add a splash of color. The food is the focus; everything on the menu is made from scratch in their kitchen. The high quality ingredients were apparent in everything we ordered.

Bev and I decided to share a starter as we sipped our goblets of malbec. We had the Country Pate – a large, firm slice of course ground pork and chicken resting in a brown grainy mustard with a hint of horseradish plus a sprinkling of capers. Thin silver-dollar slices of French & rye bread and spreads of soft butter and spicy chickpea were a perfect match for the pate. Delicious!

Both of us chose the Grilled Marlin for dinner. The large fillet was a perfectly grilled – seared, juicy & slightly rare. The marlin was plated with a mound of fluffy mashed potatoes and minced poblano peppers. The generous side of roasted cauliflower, golden beets, carrots & parsnips was excellent. Guacamole and a tomato salsa came with the marlin, if we wanted to take it up a notch. Both were tasty; however, the marlin by itself was perfect!

I have a weakness for crème brulee. We decided to try their version of this classic dessert. This very smooth and creamy delight was topped with fresh, sweet blueberries and strawberries. The burnt sugar was still warm when it arrived at our table.

Megan, our server, was extremely friendly. She knew the menu and her suggestions were spot on.

I will certainly return to Citizen Café for another relaxing dining experience where the staff and the food shine!

http://www.thecitizencafe.com

Mmm, Mmm, Mmm…

$$
++++
✦✦✦✦

Entrée
$ 10
$$ 20
$$$ 30
$$$$ 40+

Staff
+ Stop bothering me!
++ Anyone here?
+++ Stopped when in the area.
++++ As needed and friendly.
+++++ Invisibly perfect!

Overall
✦ “One visit too many!”
✦✦ “Convince me!”
✦✦✦ “I’ll be back!”
✦✦✦✦ “Same table next week!”