Even with unreasonably slow service and a bland atmosphere, Crossroads Delicatessen in Minnetonka, Minn. draws a surprisingly loyal crowd. While servers are friendly and mean well, the wait for an appetizer can exceed 15 minutes, and the wait for a meal can take even longer.
The toasted cheese ravioli appetizer is just okay. The sweet ricotta filling does not complement the tartness of the "Tuscan Tomato & Herb" dipping sauce and the breading is a bit too thick. Opt instead for a popular menu item, "Scott's Famous Matzo Ball Soup". When the soup is at its best, the matzo ball is large and fluffy, resting in a big bowl of delicious chicken broth. Paired with Crossroads' homemade bread golden raisin and cinnamon bread, Scott's soup makes a savory lunch. It is only offered by the bowl because the ball is so large. Be aware that there are occasions when the ball is mealy, similar in texture to instant couscous, and the soup is too salty to finish. However, it is most often outstanding and worth the risk.
Order the grilled Rachel sandwich as a hearty lunch for one, or as a light lunch for two. A heap of delicately sliced turkey served on caraway rye bread is complete with delicious tart and tangy sauerkraut topped with Thousand Island dressing. At $12, this sandwich doesn't come cheap, but it is well worth the price.
Feeling adventurous? Try the tongue sandwich, or create your own from ten fillings and six breads. Add cheddar, swiss, pepper jack, muenster, or provolone cheeses for a nominal charge.
Crossroads Delicatessen is a nice, hometown restaurant offering simple but hearty meals. On a cold day, the slow service is easy to overlook because a bowl of hot matzo ball soup is so comforting.
Lunch for two runs about $30 - more if you start with an appetizer.
Crossroads Delicatessen
2795 Hedberg Drive
Minnetonka, Minn. 55305
www.crossroadsdelicatessen.com
952.546.6595 | map
Spasso, a new Italian restaurant opened just off Hwy. 101 in Minnetonka, Minn. From the road, it appears like a tasteful, welcoming restaurant. The inside atmosphere also does not disappoint. Most nights, Spasso is incredibly busy, creating a somewhat noisy ambience. However, the decor was warm and inviting. Lights are just dim enough to create a romantic feel but bright enough to easily read the menu. As is typical of a restaurant just getting started, there are a few hiccups with the food. However, none are severe enough to prevent a return trip.
Spasso offers several starter plates during dinner seating. Divided into several disorganized sections on the menu, it may be easy to miss the “appetizer” section. Look to the top-center of the menu for Polenta Fries and Garlic Prawns. The Antipasto Plate is not recommended. Described on the menu as “Cured Italian Meats & Cheeses”, what is served is actually a salad. Curiously, the Chop Chop salad is described exactly how the antipasto plate is served with one exception - chicken is included with the Chop Chop. The combination of small cheese cubes and pine nuts are divine but not enough to save the dish. The dressing drenches the field greens and the slivers of meat are too small to taste noticeable flavor.
Ten pizza delicious-sounding pizza choices make for a difficult selection. Mushroom lovers should try the Don, topped with truffle fondu and roasted portobello. The Rae Rae, topped with spinach, artichokes, roasted red peppers, and chicken was fairly good. Perfectly cooked chicken with a smoky flavor is what makes this pizza worth sampling. Unfortunately, it is topped with a sauce, not listed on the menu, that strongly resembles Cheez Whiz in appearance and tastes like a cross between Thousand Island dressing and honey mustard. The concept is great. Just a little tweaking will bring this pizza from “pretty good” to “outstanding”. As the restaurant progresses, little issues like these will be worked out.
If you crave a burger, try the Spicy Ham & Provolone Stuffed Burger. Fresh lettuce, tomato, and onion top richly flavored beef with a crisp, smoky crust. Looking for fish? Spasso offers a crispy walleye filet on focaccia with roasted red pepper mayo.
If you save room for dessert, be prepared for an incredibly long list of sorbets and gelatos. Blood orange and vanilla are subtle selections with gentle, but fresh-tasting flavor. A real treat, the mint chip gelato is in a class by itself. Like biting into a fresh mint leaf, that first bit taste was shocking, in a good way. Rather than tasting like peppermint extract, this gelato had a strong kick. Unfortunately, tasting other flavors afterwards is difficult. After so much flavor, other more subtle selections are not enough intrigue for the palette.
Spasso offers additional desserts, including the tempting Rielsing Poached Pear Bread Pudding with cinnamon gelato and reisling glaze and Lemon Chiffon Cheesecake with nilla cookie crust and lemon curd. Be sure to make use of their international dessert wine menu - sample glasses from Hungary, Portugal and Italy.
In time, Spasso will tweak the menu and get the food right. Give it a chance. They are not necessarily fine dining, but are definitely better than most Minnetonka eateries.
Dinner for two, including dessert will run about $40 if you sample pizza and sandwiches. Expect a much higher bill if you select from their entrees.
Spasso
17523 Minnetonka Boulevard
Minnetonka, Minn. 55345
www.spassomn.com
952.224.9555 | map
To eat lunch at Kabobi is to step away from the greasy burgers and deep-fried, battered chicken typical of fast food restaurants. This unique Eden Prairie, Minn. eatery unfortunately seems to be overlooked by most local business workers in favor of Chipotle, Noodles & Co., and Ruby Tuesday. As a quick service restaurant serving kabobs, gyros and burgers, the quality seems better than fast food, even if you can tell the food was cooked in a hurry.
Order a gyro wrap or kabob dinner plate and you’ll be satisfied. Food is served hot and tasty, and surprisingly quickly. A side of hummus and pita is a perfect starter to split with a few friends. Large groups are well accommodated, orders are taken quickly, and meals served in no time - accurately.
Kabobi does not offer enough variety to visit more than a couple of times per month, but it is a great alternative to drive-thru nutrition. Don’t go for the burgers though. A burger at Kabobi is one-size-fits-all. A bit boring and cooked fairly well, not medium rare and definitely not juicy.
For dessert, try the baklava. It may not be the greatest you’ve ever eaten, but for the price, it’s a tasty treat. Because the pieces are plated ahead of time, the honey has mostly soaked into the dessert, leaving it a bit soggy, but the sweet flavor is on point.
Far healthier than average fast food, Kabobi offers Persian fare for a reasonable price. Expect lunch for two to cost around $20.
Kabobi
13250 Technology Drive #102
Eden Prairie, Minn. 55344
www.kabobi.com
952.937.1414 | map
Even with unreasonably slow service and a bland atmosphere, Crossroads Delicatessen in Minnetonka, Minn. draws a surprisingly loyal crowd. While servers are friendly and mean well, the wait for an appetizer can exceed 15 minutes, and the wait for a meal can take even longer.
