819 W 50th St
Minneapolis, MN
612-354-3512
http://www.heidismpls.com/
Category: American Casual
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: 4
Ambience: 4
Recommendation: Average. Heidi’s is a great chef-driven neighborhood restaurant but the uncomfortable noise level and slow service won’t have us returning any time soon.
Heidi’s, owned by chef Stewart Woodman and his wife Heidi (the pastry chef) is housed in the space previously occupied by Pane Vino Dolce in the 50th and Lyndale neighborhood. It’s a great addition to South Minneapolis’ casual neighborhood restaurant dining scene (Broder’s Pasta Bar, Pierre’s Bistro, Café Maude, Arezzo to name a few). The interior has not change
d much from the Pane Vino Dolce days except it is less cramped… the place has a rustic elegance to it with its faux walls and dark lighting, but just like its predecessor, the noise level is uncomfortably loud and it’s really difficult to have a decent conversation without yelling into your dining companion’s 
ear. The dim lighting made it difficult to see what we were eating. The service is also a little slow, which wouldn’t be an issue if we were comfortable in the surroundings. At the end of the two hour meal, we couldn’t wait to get out of this place.
Thankfully, many of the dishes we tried were good so it made up for the ambience. The seasonally changing menu is small and consists of a handful of appetizers and around 7-8 entrees. All entrees cost less than 
$20 and the wine list is also reasonable. We started with a couple of appetizers…the Sliced Beets on Goat Cheese Parfait with Coriander Vinaigrette was ok. We couldn’t discern the flavors because the cheese was too tart and strong. The Crepe with Foie Gras, Curried Black lentils and Hibiscus Syrup was delicious. The richness of the Foie complemented well with the sweet tangy hibiscus syrup the beans came in… a match made in 
heaven. In the entrees, the Sea Bass with Parsley Puree and Creamy Mussel Foam was good. The bass melted in our mouth. The braised Lamb Shank served with wide rice salad was nice and tender and the star of the show (this would be the dish worth going back for). The salad had a nice crunch to it. The Lobster Pot Pie special for the night was disappointing…it wasn’t creamy enough and seemed watered down. The bread served was stale, which might have something to do with the fact that we visited on a late Sunday night.
$$-$$$
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Heidi’s
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4 comments:
My $0.02
We had the same issues with the service. It appeared to us that the service issues related to the useless individual playing maître d'. To start off I appreciate the fact that you went out of you way to seat us 45 minutes after opening with only one other table being occupied, way to put your self out [/sarcasm]. We were getting a kick out of him playing Johnny McGaffer instead of helping the staff out when business started picking up (3/4 full). Nothing like ordering coffee and desert. Getting your coffee, waiting 15 minutes for the desert and not offer a refill of coffee. I will say there was a female waiter that was busting her ass serving her tables and managed to help us out and fill in.
If you’re going to charge a premium for food in this area, good service should be expected. They should fire the maître d' and add a server. I don’t expect this restaurant to make it as there is a lot more competition along the Minnehaha corridor and the (lack of) service seems to be the main complaint.
My advice – save a bunch of money, get considerably better service and equally good food next door at Blackbird.
I couldn't agree more! We went there with high expectations& the service really disappointed us. We had reservations for 5:45 & when we showed up you'd think the host was shock people actually came for their tables, he was so flustered (when he wasn't actually on the phone). Then he proceeds to seat us in front of the kitchen door despite the fact there are other open tables & when we ask for one of those we are moved with quiet distain.
The server was like a robot who could have cared whether we were there or not. He told us the special after we ordered?!
Luckily the food was wonderful. They don't seem to have trouble getting people in right now but if the service doesn't get better the honeymoon will be over soon.
I was here a few months back (March or April) and our waitress was terrible as well. She didn't tell us the specials & they didn't charge us for our coffee on the first bill, and rather than just give it to us for free they asked for my credit card again so they could re-run it with the correct charge! I just reduced my tip by the $4 that we were charged for coffee.
On the other hand, the food was fantastic & I'm willing to overlook subpar service for such excellent food at bargain prices.
I could not disagree with these other review more. And it is a year after these reviews were posted. My husband and I have been there twice (going for a third tonight!), and the service and food have always been exceptional! The first time we had the tasting menu - expensive, but we got to try a little bit of most of their signature dishes. I have some food allergies and they happily adjusted the menu to accommodate me. They even checked back a few times on some details to make sure that I would be ok with it. The second time we took my in-laws for a birthday dinner. My father in-law does not get around very well and the maitre d even offered his chair to him to make it easier for him to get up and down from the table. And the lamb and beet sorbet are just to die for! I love that the cost of the dishes is exceptionally low considering the amazing quality and presentation of the food. Every server that we have had has seemed happy, friendly, professional and knowledgeable. I attended a cooking demonstration by Stewart Woodman at a farmer's market a few weeks ago and I saw many of the restaurant staff there.
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