Cafe Levain - Minneapolis, MN

Cafe Levain (4762 Chicago Ave South) is located in the back of a bakery. They take the time and make an effort to create a pleasant dining experience with creative and inventive food combinations. Overall the food is "home cooking" but with a contemporary twist.

While waiting for the entrees, they serve tasty, chewy bread with butter and pesto aioli. (see photo) This was good enough that I nearly didn't need dinner!

The atmosphere is elegant but casual. There are no white tablecloths, just white paper on the tables. Cafe Levain is only open for dinner so it is subdued without bright lights or loud noises. We went at 5pm (opening time) so there were only a few patrons. If you attend, be forewarned that prices are more than Subway or McDonald's. Appetizers are about $10, entrees about $20, sides about $5, and desserts range from $5 to $10.

Here is the food we enjoyed... note the pictures were taken after some food had been eaten.

Dayboat Scallops . . . (left)
Red Lentils / Mirepoix / Fischer Farms Bacon / Dijon

Local Mushrooms (side)
Shallot / Garlic / Chive / Parsley / Lemon

Roasted Kadejan Farms Chicken Breast . . . (right)
Thyme-Sage Brine / Fingerlings / Roasted Chicken Jus / Lemon

Cabbage (not pictured)
Char / Sweet-Sour Apple / Raw Apple / Dijon

Food: ****

Ambience: *****

Service: ****
(out of 5 stars)