20 21

 

2

3

Mary H.

Champlin, MN

The Asian fusion food was excellent but I thought that our waiter
was not interested in answering questions about the menu.  He
acted bored and said it was a "given" .  However, the service was good and the waiter brought us an extra hors d'oeuvre.

I was impressed with the presentation and the freshness of the
food.  The spices in the sauces were delicious.

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20

88

Pamela A.

Twin Cities, MN

I had made a reservation at 20.21 for 7:30.  My gal pal and I arrived at 7 o'clock, because it's always nice to sit at the bar and have a drink first.  Because we were early and they weren't busy, I asked the hostess if she could just seat us at the first available table by the window.
Around 7:40 or so, I saw the hostess getting our table ready.  Or so I thought.  
With a flashing smile and a flip of her hair, she promptly seated four 20-something year-old guys there.  When I asked her what-the-heck, she tells me, ah shucks, those guys had a reservation at 7:00 and had been waiting, all.that.time.  Um, yeah; I don't think so.  I mean, it's a small place, you know who's in the bar waiting.  So, whatever.
About 10-15 minutes later we were seated - at a table by the window -(in a VAN down by THE RIVER) - thank you very much and I must say the hostess *was* very nice about it ... apologizing for the "wait," (instead of keeping it real, "like, yeah, omg, those guys are totally hawt!  I had to seat them first!").  And, she sent an appetizer to our table to make up for it.  
She played it off well, so kudos for mostly making it right.
The food at 20.21 is *superb* and I'm not kidding.  Loved it.  It's spendy but definitely worth it.
Get a table by the window if you can.  It's a nice view out over Hennepin Ave.  The atmosphere is a little too stark for my tastes, and there was a seriously foul odor coming from the bar (and coincidentally or not it was also in the bathroom).  It's that rank smell that comes from bars when crap builds up in the water lines, etc.  Ew.  Once seated, however, it's forgotten and the rest is pure heaven.

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8

80

jenny A.

Saint Paul, MN

My husband and I went here for an elegant lunch.  It was a week-day, but business was brisk.  The room alone is worth the trip.  It's one of a handful of TC restaurants where the atmosphere and beauty of the room are as memorable as the food.  Being in the new wing of the Walker, the space is perfectly designed-- open and dramatic and yet small enough to feel cozy and without many of the horrible acoustic problems of cavernous spaces.  The windows open out onto spectacular views of downtown.  Best not to be seated too near one if you have vertigo, because you will quickly realize that the whole room is cantilevered out over Hennepin Ave.  The tables, chairs, flatware and china are all reproductions of museum quality items.  Design within Reach must have made a killing when this place opened.  

The service was prompt and polite, but not in your face.  Just right, I thought.  

We ordered from the bar and drinks were some of the best I've had locally.  Granted I had my usual champagne cocktail which any idiot can make, but the key to this drink is always the bubbly which was top notch, natch.  My husband got a martini that had a delicate little sprig of artfully carved cucumber in it.  It was gorgeous, and the gin was something I've never had before--Hendricks I think, and you can bet I'll be picking up a bottle soon.

I ordered from the tasting menu which is such newbie mistake in most restaurants.  But this one was reasonably well put together in terms of selection, pairing, price and pace.  I didn't feel like I was being vaulted along to finish my meal in time to keep up with my dining companion, who just ordered off the menu.  Part of the reason for this was the portions, which were diminutive.  Seriously, Solera, which serves tappas, gives bigger portions.  It was all very tasty and good for the waistline.  

I started off with a goat cheese, beet salad, something I've had many times, but here was pleasantly surprised to find the beets where a golden variety, presented like little amber jewels in a fluffy bed of watercress.  My husband ordered a deep fried quail which was like someone took a shrink ray to KFC.  It was tasty but being a big strapping lad he inhaled it in about 12 seconds and started looking hungrily at my tiny little cutlets of cantonese duck.  The duck was fantastic, perfectly tender without being greasy with a crispy skin that was subtly sweet.  I've decided the secret to eating duck is to go someplace where they don't give you very much of it.  I've attempted to soldier through enough half and whole ducks to know that less is definitely more.  Even the rice and green beans were nicely done and well presented.  

We were well able to put away a couple of mini deserts.  A poached fruit thingy and a little pastry that was sort of like a very fancy muffin top.  With coffee, dessert, drinks and tip, the whole bill came in well under a hundred bucks which is pricey for lunch, but not bad for a special occasion date.

2021 is going to be my go to restaurant when I'm dieting.  I'm serious.  As much as I love the once a year gorging on heavy foods at Vincent, it is nice to know I can get dressed up, have a swanky meal out in the city without having to spend the next eight hours on my Nordic Track.

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0

2

Susie B.

Minneapolis, MN

Yuck. I don't claim to be a gourmand, but this food was really quite bad. Let me back up. It's family style ordering, so for our party of 5, we ordered 4 entrees to share. We started with a beet appetizer which was quite good.  Then they brought out our entrees. Awful. I don't eat fish, but the other ladies at the table who do eat fish were a bit grossed out by the crispy, crusty, whole fish (head and tail intact) that was brought out. The guys didn't seem to mind. The lamb chops were not good. The chicken was dark, fatty meat on the bone. Really not good.

The service, however, was quite good. The ambience is a little sterile, the chairs, if you're a petite person, hard to manage, they slope backwards so I had to perch on the end to feel like an adult at the table, rather then a kid at the big-person table.

Of course, the view is excellent!

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Elite '08

36

91

Kristin R.

Chicago, IL

This restaurant goes down in history as one of the best I have EVER been to. I briefly skimmed some of the other reviews and nobody mentioned that this restaurant just happens to be in the Walker Art Center, one of the finest art institutions in the world, which makes it even that much cooler! You could head over, especially now since they have their Frida Kahlo tour exhibition there (take the multimedia tour, it's awesome!), then finish your day/evening at the museum with a tasty treat at this gem of a restaurant.

Everything I got I loved. We started with the tuna sashimi appetizer. We decided not to do anything family style as we were both more than happy with our own entrees of choice; I went with the Green Thai Curry Seafood dish while my counterpart settled on the Cod. I can only speak on my experience and this curry Thai dish was absolutely orgasmic. I mean, phenomenal. It had a little kick to it but nothing that sent me straight to the bathroom or sweating profusely. They have a great wine selection as well and the coffee was just as fabulous as everything else.

It's pricey so pick a special occasion to come here but please, COME HERE! They have a varied menu so if you're a meat eater, great, and if you prefer your veggie dishes, well there are those as well. Something for everyone! AND, an amazing art collection to go along with it. I'm in love.

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13

88

Javier O.

San Francisco, CA

I went here with a group of about 20 to celebrate our year end accomplishments at work.  the food was great the atmosphere was right and the service.... well.  
Due to the size of our group, we had to order from a limited menu design for group this large.  Although it contained a great variety of the existing menu, it almost seemed like the servers teased us with the served portions.  In some cases, not enough food came to the table for everyone and we had to wait until they came back with more, and in the case where they served out more food, they took it back to the kitchen with them.  What's up with that?  I feel bad for the table that got our "left overs"  Come to think of it, did we get any other table's left overs too?
The deserts were all spectacular.
So, if you decide to come here with a group, be sure to get your money's worth.

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Elite '08

19

137

Douglas C.

Newcastle, WA

Stopped in one New Years Eve and had a great meal.

The menu is complete and has a lot to chose from. Even for people like me who hate shellfish.

The menu is served family style, which is a new concept for me when eating fine dining (AKA outside of Buca and PF Changs). I enjoyed it very much. The wait staff would stagger the dishes so that we would only have 1-2 plates on the table at a time - tapas like.

The desserts were fantastic - the hilight of the night. Try the spoon fudge and cherry. (I think thats what its called)

One complaint would be that I felt some of the food was rather bland- needed to be seasoned. Quickly remodied when ofther food would knock my socks off.

Great place for a date!

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19

167

Sarah J.

Minneapolis, MN

The service at 20.21 might be what I like most.  It's not overbearing but the servers are attentive and intuitive.  I do wish they would stop instructing me to order family style though.  I do what I want!  Sometimes that means sharing and sometimes that means eating my whole miso-glazed fishes alone.  I appreciate that the WP thing is family-style food, but let's not be pushy about it.

Best not miss brunch on Sunday if someone else is around to take you - get reservations.  Really lovely food and something about Sunday mornings is perfect for gazing out those windows with a happy mouthful.

Desserts are divine.  And the wine list is small but accomplished (and in places overpriced).  Eat outside if weather permits - great for a snack and a drink after work.

If you go for lunch, be prepared for a dining room full of children, power-lunchers, and the glorious crows of groups of older ladies when they've reached their second round of martinis.  Fascinating.

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17

119

Edie H.

Austin, TX

The best deal going in Minneapolis is to sit at the bar and get their "2021" special--3 courses for $20.21.  The portions are a little scaled down, but still exactly as delicious.  And after an app, main, and dessert, I was full.  

Service at the bar is not so great on a busy Friday night--it took me about 15 minutes to catch someone's eye to even bring me a menu.  But the food made it worthwhile, and once I ordered, the courses came out promptly.

Check with the restaurant for the hours of when they're running the special.

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4

72

Michael C.

Minneapolis, MN

The 3 course menu for $20.21 is a steal considering this is a Wolfgang Puck restaurant.

While the restaurant isn't mind blowing, it is a place I would gladly spend $30 - $40 or so for dinner.  The Asian fusion they serve there is a nice change of pace if you are looking for something a little different.  

BTW - The place is pretty small so if you really want to eat thereI recommend reservations.

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6

46

kate r.

Washington, DC

good enough for a business dinner.  although 13 people were forced to choose on one tasting menu (which was rather difficult).  drinks were weak but the staff was very attentive.

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1

12

Grant G.

St Paul, MN

20.21 is a Wolfgang Puck specialty restaurant. It is simply wonderful. The style is according to their website contemporary asian. In two stages you eat beautiful food. Expect to see the type of very fancy cuisines you see on Iron Chef. The dishes are well designed and the Puck signature open kitchen is fun to watch. If you can get next to the window, which is very large, you'll get a great view of downtown. 20.21 is very elite and going there after the museum has closed gives a feel like you're entering a secret hot spot in the city. Be sure to get reservations and bring your credit card. With a bottle of wine it isn't hard for two people to break $150 after tip. Though you'll remember the experience and the food for a long time.

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Elite '08

17

308

justin v.

NY

Again I was amazed that I would have the chance to spend $150 on dinner for two.  An interesting location on the corner of the museum; however, not much going on visually there unless you are sitting on the window (luckily for us we were).  Even with a reservation made in advance (opentable.com VIP) we had to wait about 20 min.  If you are a city boy this is where you'll eat.
However, I was disappointed that both Chamber's Kitchen and 20*21 are Asian fushion.  Jean George and Wolfgang should have had a conference call prior to opening.

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Elite '08

7

32

Amy C.

Saint Paul, MN

I really like this spot as a whole. It's unlike any other venue in the TC and has a fantastic view. The ambiance is great, especially if you can snag a spot by the window. The service is slightly pretensious but I would expect nothing less from a famous chef's restaurant. But the food on the other hand was pretty darn good. Sometimes high-profile restaurants deliver some poor attempts at progressive cuisine but this was definitely passable. The Sechuan greenbean appetizer they give you on the house was suprisingly vibrant and cooked just right. We tried a variety of small plates including the Ahi Sashimi & Tartare Salad with Citrus-Soy Ponzu, Ten Spice Pork Spring Rolls, and Tandoori Salmon  and Marinated Cucumbers with  Cucumber-Mint Raita and Scallions. My least favorite was the salmon, as I prefer my salmon completely raw or cooked all the way through. This was a seared luke warm dish that has an uncomfortable texture. The drinks were tasty too. I had a chocolate martini. Mmmm ... good. I recommend making a reservation for a window seat, though. The parking is ample under the Walker. After dinner, take a stroll through the Sculpture Garden. What a great way to spend an evening!

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