606297 Mon Mar 23 21:42:49 -0700 2009 7 8 Midwest 0 4532268 I'm supposed to meet some friends here this week. Is it any good? I haven't heard much about it. What to order?? How is parking?? Mon Mar 23 21:42:49 -0700 2009 171426 jenniegirl 1 4533787 I have not eaten there, but I've seen a few things on places like Facebook and Twitter. People generally have been very unhappy with both the food and the service. Tue Mar 24 11:30:27 -0700 2009 4532268 56203 churchka 1 4533867 There was a thread when it first opened: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/520699 And there have been a few mentions in the local media. James Norton (at City Pages): http://blogs.citypages.com/food/2008/06/first_look_cafe.php Jeremy Iggers: http://www.secretsofthecity.com/magazine/blogs/breaking-bread/2008/06/cafe-agri-slow-food-comes-neighborhood Rick Nelson (Strib): http://www.vita.mn/story.php?id=40320787 So far, I haven't read anything that has made me want to go. But I'm not vegan or gluten-sensitive, so maybe I'm not their core audience. If you go, I'd love to hear your impressions after your meal! Anne P.S. I think parking should be fine - it's on the corner of a neighborhood street. Tue Mar 24 11:49:14 -0700 2009 4532268 12541 AnneInMpls 2 4534894 I am gluten intolerant, but I did not lose my tastebuds with my diagnosis. LOL I ate there once and found my food to be bland and watery. I have delicious, safe meals at places like Heartland and Ngon, who are able to work around my diet restrictions beautifully. My two cents. I admit I would be thrilled if a gluten free restaurant opened that was on a par with our best local offerings. Tue Mar 24 16:24:32 -0700 2009 4533867 123341 zennenn 3 4537699 Well, unless I hear anything good, I'll put my vote in to go to Ngon's. We went here for the first time during "date nigh" last week, and I still can't ge the pho out of my mind. Wed Mar 25 13:19:17 -0700 2009 4534894 171426 jenniegirl 1 4767596 Well, I was in the mood for some wholesome, light food yesterday, so I finally got over to Cafe Agri. In contrast to earlier posts on here, over time they've added quite a few things to the menu that sound appealing and have dozens of organic/sustainable wines, as well as a handful of beers. The atmosphere is cheerful as was the server. I had the smoked trout sandwich on multi-grain bread, and added the mixed green salad instead of chips for $2.00. The gluten free ranch dressing didn't do anything for me, nor for the salad. The greens were, as expected, very nice -- carbon copies of the ones we've been getting in our CSA the last few weeks. I probably would have preferred them without any dressing at all. The sandwich was very flavorful. The "mild aioli and pistachio tapenade" were pretty much indistinguishable but worked well together. The trout was excellent, great flavor, but less abundant than I would have liked. And the bread was your run-of-the-mill multi-grain sandwich bread which is just fine. I would ask for it untoasted next time...just personal preference. If you go in thinking of the place as a revolution in sustainability and/or some other risk-heavy culinary brilliance, you probably won't be too impressed. But if you go in thinking it's a good place nearby to get a nice soup and light sandwich with the added benefit (and couple dollars in price) of high quality ingredients, you'll be just fine. I'll certainly be back to try a few other items. Fri Jun 12 13:34:10 -0700 2009 4532268 11110 MSPD 2 4770221 thanks for the update mspd- I thought I recalled that their whole menu is gluten free- no? So the multi-grain bread would have been gluten free in that case...am I wrong? Sat Jun 13 15:47:27 -0700 2009 4767596 11890 faith 3 4770507 To be honest, I'm not sure. I didn't get the impression that the entire place was gluten free as quite a few of the menu items say "gluten free" and many don't. I seem to recall her noting things that were gluten free as she read off some of the options (dressings, bread). It's worth a call if you are interested. The gorgeous day had me far too relaxed to care too much about anything! Sat Jun 13 18:05:10 -0700 2009 4770221 11110 MSPD