Fresh Taste for Theatergoers and Beyond

Kevin and I took my mother for her birthday to Spoonriver prior to attending a play at the Guthrie.

The choice of cocktails were inventive, fun and fresh. The cocktail I ordered was Grey Gardens which consisted of Citrus infused Reyka Vodka in addition to cucumber, fresh dill, lemon and a splash of prosecco. It was a little strong for my tastes but certainly a clean tasting cocktail.

Kevin enjoyed the 2nd & Chicago which included Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Cointreau, and Lemon with a Vanilla Sugar Rim.

My mother's cocktail enjoyed the Minneapolis Mojito. It was made with Prairie Vodka, soda water, lime, candied cranberries and basil. This cocktail was a delicious blend of freshness along with a touch of sweetness with the candied cranberries.

For an appetizer, we opted for the Roasted Free-Range Chicken Quesadilla with Wisconsin Red Barn Cheddar Cheese and Butternut Squash-Poblano Pepper Spread. It was served with a side of Cranberry-Mango Salsa. We thought the poblano could have been stronger to balance the creaminess of the cheese and butternut squash.

Kevin opted for the Alaskan Fresh Cod Sandwich. The fish was crusted with cornmeal and it was served with housemade tarter sauce. It was flavorful while tasting much lighter than a typical cod fish sandwich. The accompanying tarter sauce provided a bit more flavor.

My mother chose the vegetarian dish of the day which consisted of "meatballs" which were made with walnuts and mushrooms. It was served with a fresh salad and rice.

Since I stopped eating meat, I was delighted to see so many items focused on vegetables on the menu. I ordered the Chicken Udon Noodle Salad but swapped the chicken for mock duck. Although mock duck may not look appetizing, it has flavor and texture which complimented the greens. The noodles with the peanut-lemongrass dressing completed this fine dish.

Since it was my mother's birthday, we had to celebrate with something sweet! However, in reality, I never have to have an excuse to order dessert! My mother and I both ordered the oatmeal bar which was a combination of sweetness, some spices and a nicely toasted top.

Kevin tried the cheesecake which was creamy and complimented by the carrot cake crust, which was a nice alternative to the typical cheesecake crust.

The service was impeccable, the presentation was beautiful and the atmosphere was relaxing. I highly recommend this restaurant before you catch a show at the Guthrie. However, I also wouldn't want to limit it's reach to just being a place to go before a Guthrie show. It stands on its own beautifully.

http://spoonriver.com/