Cafe Ena venue
Capsule review: *
(Rick Nelson, 5/31/2007)
Where
4601 Grand Av. S.
Minneapolis, MN
55419
612-824-4441
11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Photos
User reviews & ratings
Ratings:
- Average rating: ***** 1 user
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Fusion in an unlikely place
posted by Vieno66 on May. 17, '07 at 8:41 PM
Hector and Erin, the owners of El Meson, have opened a new FA-B-U-L-O-U-S restaurant in an unlikely part of town, 46th & Grand, which means you can park easily and dine outside without all the traffic cacophony of other downtown, Uptown and midtown spots.
This new and already popular hangout, which opened May 4, melds Latin, French and Italian cuisines -- and does it well.
My attentive and friendly server convinced me to order the Conchas, scallops with a pomegranate plum sauce, julienned vegetables and a cauliflower and broccoli croquet. The scallops were amazing but the croquet (which I didn't eat) seemed an odd and heavy addition to an otherwise fresh and summery dish.
Much to my delight they feature Rosé wines. For me, it's the perfect wine for the spring/summer.
Ena occupies the old Grand Dairy (where Erin used to buy candy and pizzas as a child) and showcases the original wooden beams with additional arched woodwork giving the room a Latin feel. Contrasted by the hanging lights and pulled back curtains which also give the room a definite Italian feel.
I ended my experience with a lacklustre flan that didn't have nearly enough yummy caramel sauce for my taste.
But? I'll be back, many times most likely, to work my way through the menu.
Reservations recommended on the weekends; wine/beer only; open Mon.-Sun.
Rating: *****
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