Northeast Social

I went to the Ritz Theater in NE Minneapolis for the Fringe Festival Preview. To my surprise this new restaurant had opened just down the block in a very successful space. The room had been totally transformed, and I learned from one of the new co-owners, Joe Wagner, that they had completely done over the place by themselves. It is a beautiful renovation, including restoring a vintage tin roof, exposing a brick wall and building a huge granite bar. Joe told me that they tried to use all local neighborhood building suppliers to great effect. There was outside dining reminiscent of a Paris cafe, and huge windows opening from the inside to the street. The food was excellent and imaginative. I had the well-prepared fried okra and a wonderful lamb sandwich with fresh pesto on sourdough. There is a great selection of wines and beers, including hard-to-find large bottles of “social beers” to be shared by more than one person. I regretted not ordering steak, because looking at the perfectly prepared platters of other customers made my mouth water. This is a wonderful addition to the dining scene in the Twin Cities. I will certainly be back.