Last night we had good reason to celebrate and thus The Wife and I decided on a restaurant which would fit such an occasion. After consulting with Minnesota’s most down to earth foodie, MSPD, to find a restaurant which wasn’t overexposed, was worthy of a celebratory meal, and which we could bring along The Rooster he suggested Corner Table, a restaurant I have long wanted to visit due to their organic and local focus but one which I figured The Wife would not appreciate due to the non-traditional menu items. However with their local focus comes a need to highlight seasonal fare and thus The Wife’s favorite fall food: pumpkin. In typical Wife fashion, the pumpkin was the hook and so off we went.
We had reservations for 2.5 at 5:30. We arrived right on time and found the restaurant mostly empty. A small and simply decorated space with vinyl records spinning Dire Straits, Corner Table had me at hello. Our server was bubbly, knowledgeable, and sweet with The Rooster. While Common Roots Cafe’s, another locavore haven in Minneapolis, staff exudes a superiority complex yet unmatched by any other restaurant I have stepped inside, there was none of that at Corner Table. In fact, we felt comfortable conversing with the servers as they moved throughout the space repeatedly smiling at The Rooster and making us feel completely welcome even with a baby.
The menu at Corner Table is ever evolving to match the seasonality of their suppliers and changes about once a week. While this could be a problem for those who are looking to enjoy repeats of their favorite dishes on each and every repeat visit, this was absolutely delightful for me. Based on the reviews others have left for the place, I was apprehensive but open minded. Many complained that it was too expensive for the small portions and even my wife remarked that the CityPages “Best Restaurant When Someone Else Is Paying” award was more like a backhanded compliment than a ringing endorsement.
We looked over the menu dated November 4th, 2010 closely and carefully weighed the specials. We eventually made our choices with The Wife ordering: Pumpkin Goat Cheese Tart with apples, bourbon, and thyme for $8 for a starter and the Pan Roasted Chicken Breast with duck fat fried potatoes, roasted cipollini onions, and tomatillo marmalade for $19 for her entree. I ordered the Bison Carpaccio appetizer special which included hard boiled egg, and sprouts for $9 and the Roasted Trout over Brussels sprouts, bacon, sweet corn, jalapeno, and tarragon for $18 for my entree.
The pumpkin goat cheese tart was a little slice of heaven. Reminiscent of pumpkin cheese cake, this tasty morsel was somehow able to pass itself off as a light and complex treat which could have passed as dessert just as much as an appetizer. The Bison Carpaccio was delicate and extremely flavorful. While I have had plenty of beef carpaccio dishes in the past, this one blew my mind in taste and texture. The seasoning was spot on and gave only a glimpse of just how perfectly the chef used salt in all of the dishes. My sole complaint was that the egg yolk was a little underdone. While I am not squeamish at all about egg yolk, I am going to guess a good number of people would have preferred it done a little more.
With the complaints about portion size fresh in my mind our entrees arrived. The Wife’s Pan Roasted Chicken Breast was definitely not small and was presented beautifully. The cipollini onions were a stunningly deep maroon and the potatoes were glistening with flavor. While I could not see the tomatillo marmalade, The Wife noted it was there and only lightly applied noting she would have had to really try to make sure a little was on every piece of the abundant chicken. The chicken was perfectly seasoned and when tasted with both the potatoes and onions together you could taste each separately in your mouth. A dream on a fork–something which I never thought I’d say about chicken. It was as if the salt had be meticulously placed on the meat and exploded in your mouth only when the chef planned on it making me seriously wonder if he knew in advance how we were going to eat each and every bite.
My Roasted Trout taken by itself was absolutely phenomenal. However, when compared to The Wife’s chicken and our appetizers I have to admit it wasn’t up to par with the other dishes on the table. While the fish was a little boring, the Brussels sprouts were roasted to perfection (just the way I love them) and the bacon and tarragon were clearly evident while the jalapeno and corn were either non-existent or totally overpowered by the rest. While the chicken was ample, the trout was not but still I enjoyed every last bite and nearly licked the plate clean to enjoy each of the unique flavors which were presented.
While I was eating The Wife was already making noise about dessert. The menus were placed in front of us and were definitely not the typical chocolate cake and creme brule that you see all too often. Instead an array of very tasty options were presented with both of us ordering (and as you know if I order dessert it’s for good reason). I went with a lemon cake which came adorned with brandied apple, honey granola, and malted ice cream for $7. The Wife, following the suggestion of the server, went with the Pots du Creme which was described as maple flavored with a shortbread cookie for $7.
My lemon cake was very heavy and reminded me of a very thick cornbread. The lemon flavor was not as overpowering as I expected and provided a subtle hint of flavor which mellowed the very tasty malted ice cream. While it wasn’t my most favorite dessert ever, it was good–a ringing endorsement from me for desserts.
The Wife’s Pots du Creme gets a paragraph all its own because, according to her own admission, it was the best dessert she has ever had and being that her sweet tooth knows no bounds I suggest you heed her opinion. The consistency reminded me of flan or ice cream but The Wife likened it more to a creamy pudding. Never-the-less the texture was heavenly and the taste was spot on. While I could have done without the shortbread cookie, I kept begging for tastes of the cream which The Wife only begrudgingly permitted. The server noted that recently she walked around the corner in the kitchen and was surprised to receive a spoonful in her mouth unexpectedly which she claimed brought her straight to her knees. Normally I would have chalked it all up to hyperbole but after seeing the look in my wife’s eye and knowing my own feelings about the dessert, I have to admit I just nodded blankly hoping to get one of those spoonfuls as I rounded some darkened corner of the restaurant on my way out the door.
The bill, when it was all said and done (which, in addition to everything mentioned above, included a coffee, an overpriced $7 beer, and homemade pumpkin soda) came out to be just over $100 with tax and tip. While not inexpensive, it was definitely not overpriced and certainly would not have shown up on my radar as a place to avoid unless someone else was paying.
Overall, our meal at Corner Table was definitely the best of 2010 and ranks up there in the top five of my time in Minnesota, quite possibly taking the #1 spot. If you have not yet tried Corner Table and are into local, organic foods and an ever changing menu please stop reading this review and get over there right. now. seriously. go. hurry. Their ingredients, seasonings, and flavors are so spot on that I believe I will dream about this meal and elevate it in my mind’s eye to levels unachievable by any other restaurant for years to come.
Have you ever eaten at Corner Table in Minneapolis? If so what did you think? What was on the menu? Was your favorite? Did you have dessert and were they as good as we enjoyed? Whatever you have to say about Corner Table go ahead and comment on as I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Address:
Corner Table
4257 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55409
Phone:
612-823-0011
Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday: 5 PM – 10 PM
Friday – Saturday: 5 PM to 11 PM
Sunday: 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
See all the photos from Corner Table on Flickr here.
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November 10th, 2010 at 8:05 am
The staff at Corner Table is among the best in town. So nice, so knowledgeable, so unpretentious. And Scott Pampuch is very talented. We had dinner in the kitchen once – it was incredible. Here are the pictures from that: http://www.flickr.com/photos/derusha/sets/72157625230940185/
November 10th, 2010 at 8:36 am
We still haven’t made it to Corner Table but it’s been on our list for years… this review definitely makes me want to go NOW! I’m glad you had such a great experience there.
November 10th, 2010 at 8:37 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by garciasn, Fresh&Local. Fresh&Local said: High praise. Fussy TC hyperlocavore @garciasn loves @ScottPampuch's Corner Table RT @SouthMetroNews Corner Table: http://ow.ly/37fHc [...]
November 10th, 2010 at 8:47 am
I love, love, love Corner Table. I’ve only made it twice due to the price, but now that it is just me, I might stop by more often. I’ve had the cassoulet in the past which was the best I’ve ever had.
A comment on your bison carpaccio… I’m not surprised you loved it. I do tartare with bison and it is above and beyond beef. Bison is the perfect meat for raw and near raw applications. It is so much more flavorful and tender. Num.
November 10th, 2010 at 9:03 am
Excellent review Bill, one of your best.
But the big question is, what was your reason to celebrate? :)
November 10th, 2010 at 9:18 am
Nice review. I’ve been meaning to get over there. I have a similar Wife problem!
November 10th, 2010 at 9:31 am
DeRusha.
16 courses and you think you didn’t capture all of them?! That is one awesome looking experience. I suspect you dropped a few hundred per head and don’t doubt that it was worth it.
Am I the only one that got a little turned on by the story of how the waitress tried the dessert? If so, my bad.
Thanks for giving me a new place for my gotta go list!
lefty
November 10th, 2010 at 9:36 am
(wiping sweat off brow) Whew!!
Outstanding. I’m so glad you had a great experience! Whatever you were celebrating, congratulations.
November 10th, 2010 at 10:21 am
I was contacted by Chef Scott Pampuch and have made a change to the post about regarding The Wife’s dessert. While I originally noted it was $10, it was actually $7. Whoops.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
I will get roasted for this but IDC…
The portion sizes of those entrees are fitting for a $5-10 appetizer.
I don’t care how good the food is, if it leaves me hungry, it is no good to me.
Flame me all you want, but eating boils down to satiating your hunger, and I would definitely still be hungry after eating that meal.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
However, congrats Bill on the reason for celebrating and I’m glad you enjoyed your meal.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
Dan, I wasn’t hungry after I left the restaurant.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:14 pm
“eating boils down to satiating your hunger”
Maybe in it’s simplest form, but eating at a place like the Corner Table is about a lot more than *just* sustenance. I understand your point, but really, there is no point in spending $100 on a meal if it’s just to satisfy a hunger.
November 10th, 2010 at 1:32 pm
I don’t care how pretty she is, if it doesn’t cover the whole wall, the Mona Lisa is no good to me.
Get it?
November 10th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Dan N
This is why you can spend your money at Granite City and their tasteless, humongous portions, and I can enjoy spending my money at a place that you aren’t taking up a reservation. We both win.
Lefty
November 10th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I think it is about proper portions sizes. The portions at places like Corner Table are the correct size for someone eating a starter, an entree and a dessert. It is actually probably way over the calories a normal person should eat in a regular dinner.
Yes you can go to Applebee’s and pay a quarter of the price for 2500 calories and leave “full,” but the food is all filler and cheese and not worth the $15 you pay since they are paying the illegal immigrant minimum wage to defrost and warm up your food.
November 10th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
High-quality food is full of flavor and rich in nutrients and is therefore more satisfying and more “filling”. With cheap, bad food, your body instinctively keeps pushing you to eat more because it needs nutrients that it doesn’t get from vast piles of starchy, nutrient- and flavor-deficient food. People who equate value strictly with quantity rarely actually get any value and usually learn to equate an over-filled, bloated stomach with satisfaction.
November 10th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
One of our favorites. We don’t get there nearly enough.
November 10th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Nice review….need to get there. Bill have your tried Sanctuary at 903 Washington?
November 10th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Congrats for whatever you may be celebrating. Can’t wait to try Corner Table someday!
November 10th, 2010 at 8:59 pm
1. I love Granite City. We had one in Fargo in college, and it was awesome.
2. I feel betrayed. Where’s the snark, the sass, the f-bombs?
3. You people are full of tact. Pfft. I ain’t congratulating unless I know what for.
November 11th, 2010 at 8:36 am
We have eaten at Corner Table many times & have always had a great time & loved the food. We have never considered it overpriced especially when compared to other restaurants of the same caliber, especially with the creativity that comes out of that kitchen. We’ve even had the fun of eating in the kitchen while learn how to cook with pork belly at one of their cooking classes. Its amazing to watch Scott create the dishes for you as he goes.
November 11th, 2010 at 9:42 am
We used to do brunch there occasionally, back when they regularly did brunch. I was very sad when they stopped. I don’t think I ever had anything that wasn’t great.
November 11th, 2010 at 11:25 am
The in-kitchen meal was $150 a head, I think, and included unlimited courses, beer + wine. Needless to say, we took a cab home. It was one of the most incredible eating experiences of my life. Totally worth the money.
November 11th, 2010 at 11:44 am
@Moe: Yup, but my point is, no matter how good the food was, at the end of the meal, if you’re still hungry, it wasn’t worth what you paid. I have no problem paying $20+ for an entree, but it better satisfy my hunger once I am finished with it. I don’t need to be full in the sense that I need a nap afterwards. I just need to be full so that I don’t have to eat for another 3-4 hours.
@MSPD your analogy is not even relevant, nor is it even a good one.
@lefty I love it when people make assumptions and judge people before getting to know them. How is that working out for you?
November 11th, 2010 at 11:48 am
lefty, the Kitchen Table is actually only $125/person, not a few hundred. It’s an amazing meal, I’ve done it once and am hoping to go back soon for anther celebration. Tax and tip bring it up a bit, of course, but it’s still perfectly reasonable for a multi-hour meal prepared just for you.
I love the Corner Table, and wish I could get there more frequently. Their special events, like movie nights, are also worth keeping an eye out for, but even just a “normal” meal off the menu has always been sublime.
November 11th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Corner Table is one of our favorite restaurants, so glad you enjoyed it too! I have to say i adore runny eggs so that would have been a plus for me on that dish, but i agree that yolk texture preference is definitely something that falls into the love it / hate it bucket.
CT and Jazz88 are doing a late night diner on Nov 20th that you might want to check out: https://www.thedatabank.com/dpg/84/donate.asp?formid=events&c=9492388
Good cause and great food =)
November 11th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
“lefty I love it when people make assumptions and judge people before getting to know them. How is that working out for you?”
Working out well, chubby.
November 11th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
Disagree, but based on your initial comments, I wouldn’t expect you to relate to or understand the analogy.
Don’t mistake this for a shot at you personally…different strokes for different folks. Some people would gladly pay $100 for a single forkful of food from someone like Grant Achatz, Thomas Keller, Ferran Adria.
I won’t criticize their sense of value and judgment any more than I would someone who takes a simplistic utilitarian view of food/dining like you describe.
November 11th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Everybody places different values on different things, particularly when it comes to luxury goods. If you’re well-off enough that you can spend a few hundred dollars on a meal, and it’s something that’s important to you, then it’s no different than spending a lot of money on a really nice suit, a vacation, etc. There’s no absolute value when it comes to these things.
November 11th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
[...] at 5557 Xerxes Ave. S, both Dara and Rachel get included in Best Food Writing 2010, and Bill Roehl raves about a meal at Corner Table (yeah, they kick a little ass down there from time to time). » Previewing Pizzeria Lola [...]
November 11th, 2010 at 10:15 pm
Great review, can’t wait to try it!
November 12th, 2010 at 9:44 am
I’ve only eaten at Corner Table once and haven’t found occasion to return, but I think your review may just send me back!
I’d like to put in a good word for both the people at Common Roots. I eat there often and have always found the staff to be friendly, sweet, and helpful – no hints of the “superiority complex yet unmatched” you wrote of.
November 12th, 2010 at 11:02 am
Bill is a bitter, negative, foul-mouthed man, so the way he is treated at places like Common Roots is karma coming back to bite him in the butt.
I agree with you SCJ — I go to Common Roots quite often and I’ve never had any unpleasant experiences.
November 12th, 2010 at 11:04 am
And he hates liberals patting themselves on their backs, something Common Roots does very well. But it’s deserved IMO. They make great food and go about it in a responsible way.
November 12th, 2010 at 11:46 am
Fuck you guys.
November 12th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Now batting…number 13….KAAARRRRRMAAAAAA……
Karma digs in. Waits for the pitch. Roehl checks the sign and shakes it off. Here’s the set…..ohh….it’s a big, fat, juicy 74 mph fast ball, dead center of the plate…………..
November 12th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
You’re just pissed off that I had the Olmeca Cuban torta while you were at a meeting. Enjoy your McDonald’s Mr. O’Dowd.
November 12th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Now that’s just a low blow.
(and I had a Kashi brand frozen dinner, FWIW)
November 12th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hey, that’s three effenheimers from Bill in one day, by my count. Something sure has his undies in a bunch. If anyone should be ticked off, its those of us who spent valuable time today posting multiple thoughtful, scintillating yet ironic comments this morning, taking time out of our day to make this blog even better, only to have our work disappear. How the hell am I going to get to 1000 posts if all of my work is going to disappear or be credited to some dude named “Chad M”? That’s what I want to know. Sheesh. You’d think someone had to restore a bunch of data today or something. From a zip drive. While using a computer with vacuum tubes.
November 12th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Fuck you Chad M.
November 15th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Zip drives rule!
February 15th, 2011 at 8:55 am
I called Corner Table this morning to make a reservation to hear that they don’t take them for parties less than 5 anymore.
Though I completely understand the cost reasons for doing so during the dog days of winter, does anyone know if it is worth my time to walk in there on Friday or Saturday night and hope for a short wait? I would normally want to eat around 6:30-7:30.
Anyone?
February 15th, 2011 at 9:36 am
[...] Wife that we’d have to get up there sometime together. However, being that you have to pass Corner Table along the way, I’m not sure I’d be able to make it further down the street again [...]
February 15th, 2011 at 6:27 pm
@lefty – I’m in there pretty regularly on Friday nights and seating really isn’t a problem particularly if you go in at 7pm or later. Honestly, the place is a blast if it’s crowded.
February 16th, 2011 at 10:02 am
Thanks to all those who have had great experiences and have brought others to the restaurant. We have had some nights that people wait about 15-20 mins for a table and we have had customers walk right in between 6 and 7 pm. It really depends on the weather and the weekend. But really, just come in and meet some new friends and have a glass of wine, it won’t be long.
February 16th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
My compliments to The Chef.
See you this weekend!
February 21st, 2011 at 9:49 am
I had dinner at the Corner Table over the weekend.
Suffice to say, this place is better than Bill’s review would indicate. OK, it can’t get much better, but it was that good.
It was not only the perfect experience regarding service food, service and ambiance, but I really could feel the passion of the ever present chef, who takes this place up a notch by his attention. This was one of the most fun meals I have had maybe ever, in part because of the great company that I was with that night, but significantly because of the staff and the vision that they bring to life each night.
I will be back. I will be back many times. This is not just a special occasion place, but a place that deserves to be frequented all the time.
Thanks Scott P for helping to make an ordinary night extrodinary. Tell your staff the same.
lefty
March 14th, 2011 at 11:43 am
Corner Table had pots du creme back on the menu this past weekend. It was every bit as good as you describe. We could have ordered one for each of us.
May 5th, 2011 at 2:30 pm
lefty, I bet I know where you’ll be going right soon: http://twitter.com/ScottPampuch/status/66222689987211264
May 5th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Hooray!
You are right, I need to get back there, especially with this stellar news that they are going to sell Surly products (not that I had a problem buying Fulton there the past few times).
Though I am sure that their “3-year waiting list” may very well be true for local restaurants to get Surly, I have become more and more convinced that the list is not chronological. I suspect it has more to do with how good the restaurant is (with Carbones in Lakeville and Pizza Luce the exceptions to this particular rule).
May 5th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
lefty, Carbone’s in Lakeville has been open since 2004 or 2005. It’s quite possible they were on the waiting list just as long as the others.
May 5th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Good point. I actually give them credit for the foresight.
I think the whole concept of the waiting list is sort of a misnomer. They are at capacity (though they just added more tanks last week) and growing, so I suspect that the only way they can add a place is if they delete one for the most part.
That said, I can’t see many places cutting Surly from the beer menu unless they simply go out of business.
June 3rd, 2011 at 1:01 pm
I think that everyone here should know that Corner Table served me Breakfast of the Year last Sunday. I was pretty sure potatoes and lefty had parted ways until I succumbed to their Duck Fat Fried ones. Mother Mary holy Sneikies were they good. I also had the “Butcher’s Breakfast” which was a piece of bacon, sausage and homemade “spam” along with a couple of fried eggs and some really tasty beans.
Ms. lefty had some polenta something or other with a nice rosemary accent to it and her plate was clean at the end as well. This is the best breakfast in town, and it is not even expensive. Everything under 10 dollars (I think). It is even better than Be’witched, which is also a great higher end breakfast place. (Yes, I have been to Al’s and most of the rest).
Oddly, we were there from about 8:45 until 9:30 or so and for the whole time we were the only people there eating even though there were 5 or 6 people working. So that is just stupid. They need to get an “open” sign for Sundays. The rest of that street was hopping, but CT looked like it was closed from the outside.
So yeah, you should give it a try. I give Corner Table breakfast the lefty guarantee!
June 17th, 2011 at 8:17 pm
For Father’s Day 2011 my wife treated me to Corner Table. Because CT only serves breakfast on Sundays, we decided to go a little bit beforehand. We’re busy Saturday so we went tonight. We arrived just as they opened at 5. We had The Rooster with us and his bedtime is 7 PM sharp so we wanted time to eat leisurely and get him home before bedtime.
The menu wasn’t nearly as exciting for either of us but we were able to find items which sounded good enough. The Wife ordered the grass-fed burger that as a special this evening and I went with the beer chicken (which the waitress noted was like a picnic on a plate). We took the nosh plate (Whit will love that) which included chorizo, sausage, goat cheese, pickled beets and pickled onions.
The nosh plate was good–nothing outstanding however. The sausage, chorizo and goat cheese weren’t nearly intense enough for me but the beets and onions were both exceptional. We had been served a beautiful olive bread before the nosh plate and while there were some grilled crostini on the plate, I preferred the softer olive bread for the goat cheese.
My beer chicken came with some sort of sauteed greens and ramp potato salad. The chicken was beautifully done and the skin’s char was perfect. Reminded me of the beer splashed chicken a friend of my father’s would make for their fishing club every summer over the huge charcoal grill. The potato salad wasn’t my favorite (I’m a Hellman’s, onions and white vinegar/sugar sort of guy) but was still tasty. The greens were fantastic and really rounded out the dish well.
The Wife’s burger was fucking outstanding. Thick, juicy (although overcooked for my standards), and super flavorful it came open-faced but not stupidly presented like The Dakota’s Cobb Salad Burger, and was quite possibly the best grass-fed burger I’ve ever had. However, the $17 price tag was a bit high for my liking but it is CT so whatever.
For dessert I ordered the rhubarb cobbler with malted ice cream and The Wife went with a sweet potato based dessert with whiskey flan. My dessert was mind blowingly good. Tart and not too sweet, I gobbled it up almost as fast as my Nookie Supreme. The Wife’s dessert was tasty but not nearly as good as I would have expected. It lacked something–sugar mainly. It just seemed dry and plain.
Overall, while not nearly as transcendental as our first experience, we still enjoyed the meal and will be back again and again. Maybe for our anniversary–hint hint.
June 17th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
Gotta love nosh. A fun word to say, and an awesome food concept.
July 11th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
We had dinner plans for 6 of us this past Friday. Here is the basic email exchange between myself and one of the other diners.
lefty: “Where should we eat?”
lefty’s buddy: “How about either Corner Table or Blackbird?”
lefty: “I heard Paumpich got a new job and isn’t really working the place.”
lefty’s buddy: “Blackbird it is.”
I have no idea if CT has taken a turn since Chef Scott got a new job, but it does not take much to move on.
Blackbird was fine, but hardly amazing, btw.
January 25th, 2012 at 7:54 am
[...] in my life. But even so, those two reviews were by far the most fun I’ve had writing since my Corner Table review back in 2010. Even I can find some enjoyment when presented with terrible [...]
June 18th, 2012 at 6:57 am
[...] to try it out. With us hitting both Fogo De Chao and a second and less exciting visit to my beloved Corner Table on Father’s Day already, I was really looking forward to being wowed for a third time on this [...]