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318 Cafe
Category: Restaurants American (New) American (New) [Edit]
318 Water StExcelsior, MN 55331
(952) 401-7902
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 8 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 8 am - 10 pm
Sun 11 am - 4 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
22 reviews for 318 Cafe
Review Highlights
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"let's check out the live music in the evenings." In 3 reviews -
"...town feel with the big name local musicians and great food." In 3 reviews -
"Had the chorizo tacos." In 2 reviews
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22 reviews in English
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Review from Glendon S.
Minneapolis, MN
9/5/2011
Are you a music lover?
Are you a food lover?
If you said no to either of those, you might as well get out of America. Otherwise, take your time to visit 318 Cafe. This place will give you the experience that most places in the Twin Cities can't. It's the small town feel with the big name local musicians and great food.
Unlike most places that try and turn over their tables, they understand that you might want to stick around for the music. That being said, they take their time and let you have a glass or two of wine before the main course. If you'd rather just eat and get out, this isn't the place for you.
Check the music schedule before hand, because they do get some big names coming though there. Since the place is about 25 feet by 25 feet (including a stage) you might need to call ahead or make a reservation (which they are VERY good with).
The food is all made from scratch and at times, seems like someone went to go buy your food fresh the second you ordered it. Simply an amazing find in the Twin Cities and highly suggested to the music and food lovers in the area. -
Review from Jenn L.
Chanhassen, MN
11/7/2011
We stopped in for lunch today with a http://restaurant.com gift certificate, and even at half price, I still have to give this restaurant a solid "meh." The ambiance is lovely, as in most of the cute little places in downtown Excelsior. Its very small and cozy, but not crowded. There is a fireplace in one corner that wasn't on (would have been so much better if it was) and a tiny stage in the other corner for the live music they have in the evenings. Like previous reviewers, I really wanted to like this place - I love the small town Main Street feel of this area, and there are so many other great restaurants around (Yumi Sushi and Biella, to name two). But unfortunately, it comes down to the food and it just wasn't anything extraordinary.
We started with the truffle and gruyere popcorn, which I would say was the highlight of our meal. It was quite tasty and satisfying, although it did take at least 20 minutes from ordering it to get it on the table. They also serve root beer and cream soda from Spring Grove, MN, and that was also super delicious. After that, it was sorta downhill.
I ordered a flatbread pizza with prosciutto, and ended up picking the prosciutto off and leaving the rest. The crust was neither soft nor crispy, it was just.... crust. The cheese mix on the pizza was way too creamy, and kinda sogged (yes, sogged - I am not a professional food critic) into the crust. I had two tiny pieces and brought the rest home for my husband, who will eat essentially anything. My lunch date ordered the beet salad and a half tuna melt. She said the salad was decent, but the tuna melt was really unremarkable. Although, I feel like it would be awfully difficult to make a tuna melt anything more than exactly what it is - so maybe we had unrealistic expectations?
Regarding the service, I would agree with others who posted that it was a little on the slow side, and way on the inattentive side. Our waitress did the bare minimum required to wait a table - seated us, took our drink order, took our lunch order, brought our lunches, brought our check. We were never checked on in between, asked for refills on our beverages, asked how the meal tasted, thanked for stopping in, etc - all pretty standard restaurant courtesies. It was basically all business. I wouldn't go so far as to say she was "cold," but she was far from warm and welcoming, which is what I imagine the waitstaff at a cute, cozy Excelsior cafe to be. We also weren't offered a dessert menu, which is too bad because I now see in another review that they apparently have a red velvet cupcake?? Could've added a whole star to my review if I had finished off my meal with that....
Oh, well. Like I mentioned, it was half off. We won't go back. -
Review from Michele J.
Wayzata, MN
2/21/2012
Went here for lunch on a Sunday to celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday. It was about 50% full, service was apathetic and rushed. The waitress stopped by every 3 minutes to see if we were ready to order. She brought us our check without even asking us if we wanted dessert, and dessert is something they're supposedly known for. It's too bad because we probably WOULD have ordered a couple things, but when you feel like they're trying to hustle you out, why spend any more money there?
I will say the food was good, I ordered the beet salad and split pea soup. I had their house coffee, it's VERY strong (I've worked at coffee shops around town so I say that with some knowledge) and should not have had that second cup. I called my in-law who also had the coffee later to jokingly see if she thought they laced it with meth or something. I had the shakes so bad (and it turns out, so did she).
I would skip this place for lunch and hit Patisserie Margo just down the street, toward the lake. -
Review from Hale L.
7/17/2011
Wifey and I decided to have a late lunch at the new cafe in Excelsior before we venture into Adele's Frozen Custard (see my review).
I really wanted to like this place. It's a small restaurant away from the crowds in Excelsior. I had Cuban sandwich and Wifey had the turkey sandwich with brie. Simple dishes done well.
However. We waited 25 minutes for both dishes. Seriously...sandwiches. I've watched enough Gordon Ramsay to know that pulled pork is cooked ahead of time. We didn't complain because we weren't in a hurry. Also, we noticed that there were only 2 other tables that were being served. Far from a packed house.
A simple explanation of why sandwiches took so long to produce would've resulted in a 3 star review. If the server comped Wifey's iced tea, then another star would've been awarded. -
Review from Cheryl T.
Chanhassen, MN
7/4/2011
Had high hopes but was not impressed. We stopped by for a late lunch and there were only about 3 tables occupied on the patio who were already served and we were the only ones inside.
Asked for a beer recommendation as we're new to the area, and our waitress' response is, "I don't drink beer so I don't know." My husband politely suggested what were common sellers there and she then supplied two choices. We also ordered sandwiches, I got the half roast beef and my husband got the full El Cubano.
We didn't keep track of how much time passed, but the waitresses were having a conversation with a friend who stopped by and another couple got to sit down, have several drinks AND get their food before I could wave down our waitress and ask her kindly where our food was.
Again her response was a flat, "Oh it should be right out," because sandwiches take forever and a day to make when the other couple got cooked entrees and were already halfway done right? We finally got them and my half roast beef easily dwarfed my husband's full El Cubano. Each "half" piece was smaller than a playing card. We asked if that was the correct portion size for each sandwich and we got a flippant, "oh yeah."
Trying to forget the service and just enjoy the food, we tuck in. The roast beef was rather rubbery like something you'd get out of packaged ziploc bag at the supermarket and I finished it in four bites and I'm not a fast eater by any means. My husband said the El Cubano tasted good for the few bites he got of it. We waved down for our check and promptly GTFO and went to the Patisserie across the street for something to ease our indignation. -
Review from Brent B.
Hopkins, MN
2/19/2011
Holidays now in the past, we tried again to experience the 318 Cafe.
Glad we did! Service was very attentive without being intrusive. Our server was very congenial and knowledgeable about the menu items. We selected sandwiches: two chose Cubans and I chose the beef with tomatoes and Gorgonzola. Two of us had the field greens as a side, the other chips.
Excellent experiences with everyone's dishes, including a cup of Tomato Lentil soup....which was very well seasoned and very tasty! Two enjoyed the house chardonnay at a very reasonable $6 per glass.
The fine food, reasonable prices, and--now--attentive and personable staff have made this an experience to revisit.
Now...let's check out the live music in the evenings!!!
To be continued.... -
Review from Becky L.
Minneapolis, MN
11/3/2011
Very friendly staff. The beet salad was good and so was the pulled pork sandwich but the split pea soup was barely warm. According to my colleagues the red velvet cupcake was to die for.
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Review from H P.
Cincinnati, OH
3/13/2008
This cafe has an excellent and limited menu. During many evenings it has life musicians of all types and from all walks of life.
At first the menu looked like nothing great. The fact that it has a roast beef on ciabatta or a tuna salad sandwich was not impressing me. I felt the more sophisticated outdoor look and the menu did not match. Alas, I was wrong.
There are few, if any, items on the menu without some type of unusual "earthy" or organic ingredient. My previous meals in such places left me thinking these were nothing more than gimmicks. 318 changed my view. Everything I have had in this menu is outstanding. They do a great job bringing out the flavors of each ingredient.
Their wine and beer selection is good with nothing too "normal" to wreck the ambiance. One unfortunate reality of restaurants this far North is that few have outdoor sitting. (Why pay for the real estate when it is only usable for few months out of the year.) 318 does have four outdoor tables, but they overlook a parking lot. They have tried hard to make them more appealing than it may sound at first glance. I enjoy sitting there, but it is not the main draw for this little cafe.
Service at 318 has always been good. They hire personable, pleasant staff, who are talkative without being intrusive. During busy times they have gotten a food or drink order wrong before, but have always been extremely apologetic and have either added what was missing at no additional charge or have prepared a completely new item.
I feel any place that has "cafe" in its name should serve good espresso. They do. I am happy to taste it is not as harsh-tasting as in many establishments, but it is also not the water-downed version I have had in others. It is, simply said, a good espresso.
Music nights normally have some cover charge after the show starts at 8pm. In addition, space is limited to about 40 persons. Therefore, if you want to have a meal on those nights it is best to make it there before 8pm.
318 Cafe is a nice hidden gem for all those who enjoy a good casual meal. It is also a great stop for persons who enjoy and support life music. -
Review from Shawn S.
8/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Food was good but it is sandwiches and salads. Went for the Billy McGlaughlin show- good music and small venue for good live music. Wines were so so - shout out for having Milk Stout on the menu.
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Review from raquel m.
St Paul, MN
11/6/2009
I stopped in with a friend to grab lunch here and my sandwich was delicious.
Will definitely return sometime. -
Review from Jennifer L.
Inver Grove Heights, MN
4/10/2011
Stopped in here while out on Yarn Quest 2011. I ordered a grilled cheese with chips and a lemonade. The grilled cheese was a bit dry. No ketchup on the table and the waitress did not check back until I was finished eating. The chips were just chips. They were fine. Lemonade was fine. Really just an average experience. The bill pre-tip came to just over $10.00. I think I could have gotten a better lunch for that ten bucks elsewhere - but really the place was fine. Meh.
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Review from Ronnie G.
8/21/2010
First Victim.
This place is the ish. Got the truffle oil cheesy popcorn and Guac. uber tasty and brilliant.
Had the chorizo tacos. yum. -
Review from Brandi A.
Minneapolis, MN
4/9/2010
Came in about 6PM to try some place new around the lakes and there was nobody there. The atmosphere was cool but the tables were pretty crowded together (I'm usually dining with my 6'5 boyfriend who needs a little leg room). The house white wine was cheap but pretty bad. The food was nothing to write home about - I had the tacos and tried all three.. the best was the pork. The chicken taco had chicken strip meat that clearly came from one of those "ready-to-eat" packages. My boyfriend had the roast beef sandwich, I believe. He thought the meat was great but the bread was really hard.
Maybe it was an off day for them, who knows. We probably won't go back. -
Review from Philip F.
Hopkins, MN
4/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
The 318 is a real gem in Excelsior - hardly bigger than my living room, it hosts some very talented musicians who truly seem to enjoy playing there and a very appreciative audience. The menu is limited and I'd like to see a bit more variety in food choices but the wine and beer lists are commendable and present great value. I was introduced to the place by a friend and I am happy to be a regular
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Review from Maess N.
Eagan, MN
7/11/2009
Great small outdoor patio. Our server has great. Good wine selection, we spent an hour lingering over our bottle and then had a excellent spicy tomato basil soup and two mammoth salads. I had an excellent pear, cashew and spinach salad with balsamic dressing and my wife had a chicken and apple salad.
Will definitely repeat. -
Review from A. R.
Saint Paul, MN
3/2/2010
I came out here to see some music, and it's a terrific little spot! In a neat old building neighboring some retail shops. Real art on the walls, by a real artist (revolving?). Short but sweet wine list, essentially the basics done well, probably all you need at a cool little cafe like this. A place you feel immediately welcome (by the owner, no less) and want to return to.
I had a trememdously positive experience here based on food (really decent for not having a full kitchen), wine and ambiance. I give them 5 stars for what they are- a fantastic little spot that doesn't try to be anything it's not. -
Review from Connie J.
Excelsior, MN
10/28/2011
Nice place for lunch. We ordered the tacos and shared a salad, it was just right for lunch. Have been there for music in the evenings too, and it is very nice to have that sort of atmosphere right here in the suburbs.
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Review from Scott R.
Minneapolis, MN
5/8/2008
When you're riding (it's on the bike trail), walking or driving past 318 Water, stop in and have some food. Matty's crew is great, food is terrific and Karen's baked goods will make you pause. Go.
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Review from Clinton L.
Minneapolis, MN
10/12/2010
Everything about this place is perfect. Great owner, staff, food, music, location. Love it. Their sister restaurant "Aster" in St. Anthony Main is great as well.
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Review from S C.
Minneapolis, MN
3/24/2010
Wow, this food was delicious!!! The restaurant is small and was very crowded, but the food made up for the tight quarters. I had a glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice and the daily special quiche. I ate every bit of the side salad (which can be a throwaway scraggle of lettuce in some places).
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Review from Mike G.
Minneapolis, MN
6/21/2009
Impressive focus on quality, healthy food. Service could be more engaged.
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Review from Mary P.
Minneapolis, MN
12/7/2010
Went for lunch and won't be returning. As I go through why not, keep in mind the restaurant was less than 25% full. I double checked ingredients of what I wanted to order to make sure it was vegetarian. No meat listed by her, so ordered it as it was vegetarian, along with a glass of water. Lunch arrived,but no water, so I asked again. The server said she'd bring it right out. I started on the lunch, only to discover it had different ingredients than I was told, including meat. Figured the server would be back soon with the water, so thought I'd wait. About 10 minutes later, no server, no water, no one asking if everything was OK, etc. Nothing. It was easy enough for me to find my server chatting with some other employees to say I was leaving and the ingredient list should be reviewed.
