Sunday, May 11, 2008

Hell's Kitchen

No, there's nothing here about Gordon Ramsay...

I'm too tired, burnt out and irritated to do a full write-up but we went to Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis on Monday and it was overall a tasty adventure. Some of it was good, if not outright great, but there was a lingering sweetness to just about everything we tasted from the porridge to even the peanut butter (something they're famous for).

We actually went down for Sunday Brunch and were greeted with a two-hour wait. We came back the next day. Along with myself was Bronwen Serna, author Michaele Weissman, Drew Johnson, Shane Devereaux, Matty K., Mike Yung and Toronto Coffee Whiz-Kid and Foodie Extraordinaire Matt Lee.

For our first round, we just ordered a bunch of plates for everyone to sample and share. I'm starting to like that approach. It gives everyone the opportunity to sample a variety of dishes that they might not have had on their own and then everyone gets their own main plate.

I had the king crab in scrambled egg special. It was okay. Nothing stellar. The flavors didn't really pop for me. I think I would have been happier with their Nearly-Classic Egg Benedict featuring slow-roasted pit ham. Matt Lee went for the Wellington Benedict - an unbelievable monstrosity of toasted buttery brioche bread topped with truffled duck liver pate, charbroiled certified Angus beef tenderloin filet, poached egg and a black truffle hollandaise sauce with white truffle oil. Bloody hell.

Made the mistake (again) of ordering coffee. Seems that coffee in Minneapolis restaurants really sucks. I mean really sucks. The coffee is so bad in this city it's remarkable and Hell's Kitchen coffee tastes like hell.

Overall, it was a good experience with nicely done food - even though much of it was on the sweet side. I'd visit again if I were back in Minneapolis.


Matt Lee ponders the menu while Canadian Barista Champion Mike Yung strikes a pose.


Finished plates


Mahnomin Porridge


Rosti Potatoes


Shrimp & Crab Cake with Poached Egg


Scrambled Eggs with King Crab Special


Eggs with Black Beans


Yogurt with Berries and Granola


Steak & Eggs

Hell's Kitchen
89 South 10th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-332-4700
www.hellskitcheninc.com

One would think that with a name from Hell one would try to secure the 666-6666 phone number.