I normally don’t do this, but I am just too excited about the new eatery near the store and I really, really want to see it stick around given all the empty storefronts you see these days. Scott & Dean at TangleTown Gardens have opened up Wise Acre Eatery in the old “Liberty Custard” location. (5401 Nicollet Ave)
I have been anxiously waiting to see what they would bring to the neighborhood, secretly stalking their FaceBook page (okay – so maybe not so secretly since I did make comments – a lot!), and outright asking Scott the other day when I was in to get my flowers for the store’s planters. I knew it would be something special after all these guys own the best garden center in the city, and they did not disappoint.
Today is the “Soft opening” so I planned my morning so that I would have time to stop in and grab a cup of coffee and check out the new digs before heading into work. And this is what I found!!!
First, I must confess that I am a donut and pastry girl, so the first place my eye traveled to was the beautiful array of baked goods. After all the hard work of riding my bike to work I didn’t want to be too naughty so I chose a croissant (don’t shatter my delusion by telling me how many calories are in a croissant). One word: Mmmmmm
By the way, Patty ended up stopping over shortly after I did and bought the ham & cheese croissant. She said it was the best croissant she’s ever tasted and then went on about how this is what she imagines the characters in the fantasy books eat when they say ‘Meat rolls’. (she cracks me up).
I could have been really good and stuck to just an apple. But then I would have missed out on that wonderful croissant.
Jelly! (Yes, I have this ‘thing’ for jelly.)
These tables also caught my eye – they are just beautiful. Scott pointed out that the wood in these tables were once part of the plank road of West River Parkway. (I didn’t realize there was a plank road there either). Come to find out the City took up the plank road in 2009 due to noise and deterioration. The planks were then hand cleaned, lacquered and are now beautiful oak tables! How cool is that?!?
Another thing I loved: This plant hanger (or garden) I WANT this in my house!
Another unique idea, the lighting. Again, I didn’t ask, but I’ll wager that these lights were made using gardening hand-tools. I’ll also bet that these will look very pretty lit up at night.
This part of the restaurant has me REALLY excited; a beer and wine bar! YESSS!!!
I grabbed this ensemble for my lunch! (including the pound of granola)
I didn’t ask, but I’ll wager a bet that these vegetables are fresh from their farm.
Once summer gets here, it will be wonderful to sit outside among all the beautiful plants and enjoy a glass of wine. Maybe I’ll see you there.
Great photos! I can’t wait to check it out in person. I think we’re going to have to have a MMQG meeting there, don’t you?
Yes, I already warned them that we may be visiting in July since the Studio was double-booked. (A happy accident maybe?)
I’ll meet you there for a glass of wine outside!
Deal!
I ate there tonight at the to-go window. I ordered the smoked sausage on a bun with stone ground mustard, homemade relish and ketchup. ($7), I also ordered the rootbeer float ($5) and at the suggestion of another customer, the fries ($5) Including tax I paid over $18.
There was nothing special about the smoked sausage but the mustard and relish we pleasant. The $7 seemed a bit high but I could have lived with that. The float advertises two scoops of vanilla frozen custard floating in root beer. The custard was one small scoop, not two. The cup was about 12 oz. this was a completely unsatisfactory experience for the $5 price tag.
The fries were obvioulsy home cut from fresh potatoes. They had a pleasant flavor but were a tad salty. I also felt they could have been hotter and more crisp. They came in an ample box with a Wise Acre logo. If the box had been full, this would have been a reasonable portion. as it was, the box was about 1/3 full. the serving looked skimpy and was disappointing for $5.
I had high hopes for this local venture but doubt I will go back.
[...] When I heard that Liberty Frozen Custard was closing, I was devastated. For years, Scott and I walked to the refurbished 1950′s gas station for the best frozen custard either of us have ever had. My concerns of the unique building being neglected were short-lived because I learned that Scott Enders and Dean Englemann were going to expand their business and transform it into a beautiful farm-to-table eatery that delights all of the senses. Read reviews of Wise Acre Eatery by Heavy Table, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, and local blogger, Nikol of Hubba Hubba Ding Dong. [...]