Moose & Sadie's

Rating:

The new Moose & Sadie's might be just what the Minneapolis Warehouse District has been missing. Owner Peter Kirihara (who also runs the nearby Jetset and Bev's Wine Bar) has reinvigorated his 14-year-old coffeehouse by bringing in Susan Muskat (former co-owner of the Birchwood Cafe) and her finely tuned brand of counter-service convenience, fresh fare and affordable prices to this condo-crazy neighborhood. Goodbye java joint, hello cafe. At breakfast, Muskat offers grab-and-go sweets like fist-size caramel pecan rolls, then moves along to made-to-order fare, including eggs-any-style with bacon, huevos rancheros, quiche, steel-cut oatmeal and cornmeal pancakes. Lunch starts with jumbo made-to-order sandwiches, from deviled egg salad to hummus-feta-red onion. Roasted zucchini and summer squash over arugula pesto makes for an eye-catching plate-size pizza, and a daily salad special tossed greens with radishes, avocados and a chile-lime dressing. Weekly specials change weekly to take advantage of seasonal produce. The pastry case is filled with all kinds of god-bless-America goodies, including a fantastic walnut-studded brownie, big Snickerdoodles and the kind of blueberry pie you'd hope to luck into at a church bake sale. A refreshing limeade, with a stinging ginger bite, takes the heat off a sweltering afternoon. The once-gloomy room has been gutted, with happy results: a perky linoleum floor, whitewashed brick walls, cool blond furniture and hip lounge music now set the scene. The exceptional sidewalk seating remains and, if you're lucky, you'll get in a chat with Lucy Kirihara, Peter's energetic mother, who keeps the front of the house humming.