There’s nothing better to top off a great weekend than a Sunday Brunch. Rarely do I get to…

• sip coffee at leisure
• order a drink before noon
• eat syrupy food without guilt

So yesterday, I decided use that bonus hour from daylight-saving to try out Icehouse’s Sunday Brunch.

Icehouse opened this summer on Eat Street in the historic Cedar Lake Ice & Fuel Co. building in Minneapolis. It has already established itself as a hip spot for local music, date nights, and some killer brunch. I’ve been hearing about it all around town and decided that a no-cover brunch would be the best introduction — remember, I’m on a 20-something’s budget.

We carpooled down to Nicollet around 11:30 am with the other Hicks’: my brother-in-law, Phillip, and his lovely wife, Kristin. When we arrived, the parking lot was packed. Luckily I had put in a reservation through the Icehouse website, not knowing how busy it would be on daylight-saving Sunday.

We passed the side entrance off the patio and walked to the Nicollet Avenue door. We were greeted with a warm welcome and seated near the stage. The bluegrass band was a welcome addition to our double date.

Our waitress dropped off menus, poured us some waters and mentioned the daily special, a tempting brioche. We all commented on the atmosphere: everything from the menu clipboards to the water jugs were tasteful. It’s fun to be in such a visually pleasing place.

Since I’d been up since seven, I already had my fill of coffee. Phillip and I opted for bloody mary’s ($9). We were both a little disappointed that our pricey drinks didn’t come with a beer chaser, but my skewer of pickled veggies was delicious!

 

After looking over the menu and getting some suggestions from our waitress, we put in our order. I have to mention that the servers use iPhone software to take orders which gives the appearance that they’re playing angry birds while you place your order. Pretty amusing!

I ordered the French Toast. Three pieces of crisp, toasted bread topped with a heaping of apples, maple syrup, and a dusting of powdered sugar. I was surprised to see no side of syrup, but with my first bite I realized it wasn’t needed. Buttery, sweet, and perfectly “eggy”.

Phillip ordered the Crispy Pork Biscuit.  He found it a little ironic that the meal looked like a sandwich when it was plopped in the middle of a thick pool of gravy. But, that doesn’t hold a man back from a plate of protein. A delicious dish in a generous portion.

 

In typical fashion, Alex and Kristin ordered the same meal: the Brisket Hash with crème fraiche and a dollop of harissa. It was presented beautifully, making me want to lean over and take the first bite myself. The hash was starchy with a strong bean taste. Both Al and Kristin mentioned that the hash was a little mushy, but were pleased with their choice.

Our waitress brought the bill, thoughtfully separated by each person’s order. It’s not a deal breaker, but I always appreciate when a server splits up the tab for us. I mean, c’mon, does it look like I can afford to cover everyone’s bill?!

Overall, a great Sunday brunch. Definitely check it out.

 

 

Atmosphere
Masculine. Modern. Hip yet classically Minnesotan. A great location for any occasion.

Service
Service was slow, but it encouraged an unhurried brunch. Our waitress was very personable and took her time with us.

Presentation
The “feel” of the restaurant came through on each plate. All the dishes had a rustic look placed on a clean, white background.

Taste
It was some tasty food. The three others said theirs were good, but I’d say my French Toast was delicious.

Value for Dollars

A decent value for the food and the great atmosphere, yet on the pricey side. A good choice for a special Sunday brunch.

But don’t take my word for it…

ICEHOUSE

2528 Nicollet Avenue South
Minneapolis, Mn 55404
612-276-6523

Brunch: Sundays, 9 am-2 pm
www.icehousempls.com
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