Northeast Minneapolis Institution

I had the privilege of going to Jax Cafe with my husband, mom and two friends, Ray and Floyd. It was a beautiful summer evening so I requested a table on the patio.

We began the evening with a Gorgonzola Cheesebread which was a nice alternative to the traditional cheese bread. It also offered less cheese so it wasn't a rubbery mess on top.

One of the special appetizers for the evening was proscuitto wrapped asparagus with Boursin cheese. I was drawn to the dish since I dearly love all three ingredients, however, the thickness of the asparagus was not to my liking and the presentation was lacking.

 The traditional Caesar side salad was good but could have used less dressing.

The cream of potato soup was your standard creamy supper club soup, as was the beef...

I did appreciate the variety of options in the bread basket. I am particularly fond of anything which resembles a pretzel so I enjoyed those the most.

My mother ordered the fish and it was done very well. There was a light sauce on top but nothing that overpowered the actual fish. The side vegetables were nothing extravagent or memorable.

I tried the bacon wrapped petite filet mignon which was done well and seasoned nicely. The potatoes were the standard whipped potatoes you would find at a supper club.

Kevin opted for the prime rib and they certainly give you your money's worth! He enjoyed it but didn't think it was any better than other places he has tried in the past.

The crispy hashbrowns were smothered in cheese, just like you may expect at a supper club which never seems to skimp on portions. It is definitely worth sharing with the table or planning on taking home at the end of the evening.

 My mother dearly loves au gratin potatoes so she had to give them a try.

The chocolate cake did not disappoint and I was pleased with the various textures represented in the layers. It is certainly worth sharing as it was very rich.

The traditional after-dinner drink of the Grasshopper most certainly didn't disappoint. It was smooth, creamy and worth every calorie! This would be enough of a dessert without anything else. It was especially refreshing on a warm summer evening while sitting on the patio.

The views as the evening progressed...

Overall, I can understand why Jax Cafe has been an institution for so long; however, there are other restaurants which offer higher quality with more creativity for the same price. I would recommend this place, particularly in the summer, for a lighter meal and/or drinks and appetizers. Even dessert and drinks on the patio in the later evening would be quite enjoyable.

http://jaxcafe.com/