Haute Dish

Just noticed that most of the reviews listed are for Cafe Havana, NOT HauteDish.... anyway....\r \r Went around 5:30 on a Wednesday. Not many people there, in fact looking in the front window we thought they were closed at first. (note: it did get busier over the course of the 2 hours we were there)\r \r Ordered Mac 'n' Cheese (w/ crab), Pork 'n' Beans, TaterTot HauteDish, and Lamb dish. It took over 50 minutes for our first two dishes to arrive, in a mostly empty restaurant. The Pork 'n' Beans was good. The pork belly had this wonderful smokey flavor which more than made up with pedestrian beans. The TaterTot Haute Dish was also good. The Tater Tots are pureed potatoes that are frozen into large tots, then fried with cheese inside. The short rib served with the tater tots was very tender and quite good. The Lamb dish was just ok. The sauce with the lamb was not a good match in our opinion and the lamb was over cooked. Saving the worst for last was the Mac 'n' Cheese. It was cooler than room temperature when it arrived. When we asked about it, our server went to the kitchen to find out... 15 minutes later she came back saying that it isn't served warm (wait, Mac 'n' Cheese that's not supposed to be warm?) but they would take half off for that dish. Considering we barely touched it I would have preferred it being completely removed from the bill, but I wasn't in the mood to argue. \r When the bill arrived (after 2 hours) we were already late for a concert so I just gave my credit card to the server. When she got back I took a quick peek at the itemized bill and noticed that 4.95 was discounted off of the $15 mac 'n' cheese. She apologized and disappeared yet again. The manager (well I assume he was the manager, seemed a little young for that role) stopped by and asked what the issue was. We explained the cold dish, was told we'd get half removed from the bill. He said that he didn't realized we had already paid and was there anything else he could do. ??? So you can't cancel the credit card bill charges and re-run the check? In addition to not being of much help, he was also smarmy (my wife's opinion). Seeing we were already late I dismissed him, paid the bill and left. \r Based on the food I would give 3 stars, but with the slow service and inexcusable management I would like to give zero, but the minimum is a one. \r I miss Cafe Havana... Pros: Good bartender, Tater Tot Haute Dish, ambiance Cons: Management, wait staff more

We went to Haute Dish tonight. We had no trouble getting a table for 4 at 7:45pm on a Friday. The restaurant is quite large with several large spaces. We were in the back, with the open kitchen. Unfortunately there were some issues getting the AC down a bit (although the staff was quick to move us to a table without such a down-draft). The cocktails were good (Pimm's Cup, MN Mule, Old Fashion). We had 2 ""Firsts"" for the table - the charcuterie platter (4 house made items including the best chicken liver pate I've ever had). We also had the shrimp cocktail, which was served over a great horseradish sauce with a visually interesting (and tasty) curly crouton. We had one ""Second"" split for the table - the Mac & Cheese (with crab). We also had two of the Tatertot HauteDish, which were delicious. Overall, we had a great dinner. With the moderate pricing, ability to share (many of the dishes are plenty large enough to split) and the interesting approach, we will be certain to visit again soon. Pros: Inspired menu, fun location, full menu until late (1am) Cons: Overly large space seemed empty & sparsely decorated more

Decor was beautiful. Smaller than I thought but it was nice. \r Yuca tasted great- the potroast out of this world! The flavors and spices all came together. \r Had the same waiter both times we went and he was great- helped us with the menu and\r his recommendations were right on. Try the Mojito's - awesome. Will definently go back and\r visit. Pros: service, great tasting food Cons: price more

We had been wanting to try this place for a long time. Always looked interesting, but it had not worked out for us to go until this week. We should have definitely gone sooner. It was a wonderful experience. The mojito was the best we had ever had, the staff (especially our waiter from Peru) was super attentive and wonderful, and the food was great. My husband had the tuna and I had the beef roast special and both were seasoned to perfection and tender. The valet parking was a definite plus too! My only regret is that we didn't make it there sooner. Pros: Valet Parking, great service, great food, great drinks more

Last year on a cold snowblown winter night I drove by Cafe Havana for the 1st time and looked through the windows at a most wounderful sight! Here in Mpls. was a place out of the past. Old building,narrow, white tablecloths, candles glowing, I had to go there someday. Well I did this last sat. and was blown away when the vision matched the reality. Service - perfect. Noise level - great ( you could talk to each other). Price - 85.00 for two ( less than I had expected). Parking - Valet ( a real nice thing in this area, the next door bldg. is S-x World ((Citysearch won't let you use the real word)). Food - Interesting ( in a nice way. Very nice flavor. I had expected hot but I don't think anything on the menu was spicey. We tried a lot of things and the only thing I didn't like was the choc.cake, and that is also the only thing I can spell!) Table - I like booths and got one here as the tables seemed too close together.\r \r I loved this place so much that I won't go back there for a least a year. I usually wear out my love for a place by going there too often. Cafe Havana I intend to savor for some time more

My wife , son, and I went there last Saturday and it was fantastic. I have many food allergies and the waiter and manager were both very helpful in assisting me. They prepared the ahii tuna steak for me. Everything was very posh and clean. We had a very nice time. There was live Latin music and free valet. The prices aren't cheap, but they're well worth it. For three of us to eat it was less than a hundred dollars. Try the mojito! Pros: everything Cons: nothing more

We were the only party in there on a Tuesday night, which should have been our first tipoff. I had the shrimp w/okra cornmeal (which wasn't fully cooked!) The food was okay at best. The service was fine (but like I said we were the ONLY ones in there)\r After a couple of days I was looking at my bank statement and noticed they charged my debit card twice. It's been over a week now, I have called and called and called the restaurant. I finally had to get my bank involved and the Cafe Havana manager is still dragging his feet about refunding my money! This has been one of my worst customer service experiences. I wouldn't go back anyway, but this fiasco has made it even worse!!!\r DON'T EAT HERE!!!!!! Pros: nice interior Cons: we were the only ones in there! more

A taste of Old Havana in Minneapolis! From the moment I stepped in, the waiters dressed in white coats went to great lengths to take care of me. I sat at the bar, ordered some great tequila, listened to an amazing jazz band that was playing that night...this place is great. I tried the the pork ""viejo"" and it was incredible, I would highly reccomend it. There should be more places like this in this world, get rid of the Chili's, the Outback, the Bennigans, this is what life is about. more

The ropa vieja was lovely, as was the chorizo and plantains. Also check out the mojito martini...And there's live music almost every night! more

The food was strangely addicting-though $20 for a plate heaped with beans and rice was a little insulting. Went on a Friday night, we were the only table seated, the other patrons were the upscale, apres-work crowd hanging out at the bar (which seemed a little ominous). We were celebrating an anniversary and the experience was not a special one. In short: not authentic food (they did not even have tres leches cake and the plaintains were abismal), decent mojitos-not watered down, pretty dining area (sit in the front, not back by the kitchen). Service was average. Once is enough, wouldn't go back. Pros: dining area Cons: expensive, no authenticity more

We have been meaning to try this place out for a while. The food I thought was ok and I thought the restaurant had a cool atmosphere. Personally I didn't care for the lobster cake, didn't taste like lobster at all. Would be a nice place for drinks but I don't think I will be having dinner again. They did have a good key lime pie. Pros: Ambiance Cons: Price, parking more

An interesting surrounding, but classically snobby and rude service. These people unknowingly just turned out young money. If you are young, expect to be treated inferiorly. I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone looking to have a relaxing, romantic evening with their significant other. I also found the food to be bland, not horrible but not exemplary either. Overall, pass on this restaurant if you get have a choice. Cons: snobby service, bland food more

Service... good. Wine/beer selection... check. Atmosphere... triple check (this place is simply gorgeous). It's too bad you can't literally chew the scenery, though, because the food was an overpriced mess. Not an awful experience, in totality -- but be prepared for a thudding crash of culinary reality after your expectations are set aloft by the amazing appearance of the space. Pros: Atmosphere, Valet parking, Service Cons: Food -- bleah! more

Went on a Tuesday night with a work colleague (traveling from San Francisco). The food was delicious, the drinks were great, and the server was very attentive and knowledgable. I will definitely be back on my next visit to the Twin Cities. more

Went with a small group. Atmosphere and music were great, everything else was a zero. Everyone was disappointed by their food - lobster cake had no lobster flavor, saffron rice was low on saffron, mashed yuca tasted like margarine. Worst mojitos I've ever had - way lacking lime, mint, ice, sugar - basically just watery rum. Waitress was MIA most of the night and totally incompetent when she did show up - kept us hanging for drink orders, brought the wrong bottle of wine, didn't take entree orders until after our appetizer dishes had been cleared, made us hold onto used silverware between appetizers and desserts. I'm not going back. Pros: Cool atmosphere, great live music Cons: Tasteless food, Horrible service, Bad drinks more

I love Cafe Havana. The Chorzio is excellent as are the tostones (double friend plantains). Had a great little jazz trio playing last time I was there also. BEST MOJITOS I've had in the twin cities. Pros: Great staff, Beautiful ambiance more

Very Impressed. We called for reservations late in the day and the hostess got us in. Our waiter was very helpful, and the food fantastic. I recommend this to anyone looking for something different and VERY tasty. more

I have had most of the entrees and have left happy each time. The prices are slightly high, but are justified by excellent food, knowledgable waitstaff, great atmosphere (don't miss the jazz trio on fri, Sat) and much needed class in this city. I recommend the avocado-stuffed salmon above all others, but the pot roast special and pork tenderloin are wonderful too. Make sure to have a mojito at the bar. Pros: great food, great atmosphere, style Cons: slightly expensive, gets crowded more

Service was excellent. Valet parking is a plus. The tuna and Sat. Pot Roast is simply delicous and flavorful. Greatly enjoy the bad on Fri & Sat evening. Almost forgot, they make the best mojitos. Pros: decor, valet parking, creative food Cons: neighborhood, crowded bar, burnt chorizo more

My guest and I found the Hostess to be pleasant and williing to help. However the service was on the slow side. The food was tasty and creative if not Cuban. The music and decor was worth the trip alone. It is definitely a place I will try again. If you like plantains, cuban music and rich decor, give it a try! Pros: Location, ambiance/decor Cons: Speed of service more