[Mpls] A New 'Gem' In Ward 6: Emma's

[Jenny Heiser]

Emma’s was mentioned in Rick Nelson’s S’trib column in the Taste section a couple of
week’s back as “soon being open.” Well, it’s open and you better run-n-n-n-n 
 do not
amble, do not dally. Run-n-n-n to the latest greatest restaurant to open in Ward 6 (home
to an ever growing number of fine eating establishments):

 

Emma’s Restaurant & Lounge

2817 Lyndale Avenue South

612-879-5800.

 

If you don’t run to this place very soon 1) you won’t have bragging rights about having
‘discovered’ Emma’s before all of your foodie friends and 2) you’ll be standing in a long
line waiting to get a table.

 

“Emma” is short for Emily Streeter, the owner and head chef, who looks to be only 25 yet
cooks like a pro with many more years of experience. She has her own gig after working in
the kitchens of Une Deux Trois and the 38th & Grand Avenue Bakery & Café. Emily’s brother
Zach is helping out at the bar. Katrina and Kim are wait staffing the front dining area
and another server, who’s name we didn’t catch, holds down the back dining room. The
evening Dean and I stopped in, last Thursday, was the one week anniversary of Emma’s
opening. Just long enough for some of the new shakedown/out to occur that’s inherent in
opening a new business. Dean worked closely with Emily in navigating the shoals of City
Hall in order to get a beer and wine license in time for her restaurant’s opening in
mid-May. Naturally he was curious to see what this new addition to Ward 6 was all about. 

 

The décor could be described as funky minimalist. But I don’t think the ‘minimalist’
element will last for long. Emily told us that she’d like to encourage local artists to
stop in and talk to her about displaying their work on the restaurant’s ample empty wall
space. Emma’s reminded me of some of the off-the-beaten-track neighborhood bistros on
Manhatten’s West Side: hip but not off-putting, comfortable while not completely informal,
with a lively atmosphere that’s not overbearing.

 

Right now Emma’s opens at 4 pm for dinner only and closes “around” 10 pm. Weekends it’s
open later, like around 11 pm or 12 midnight. Though Dean and I were ‘walk-ins’ (or
‘bike-ins’ might be more accurate), we were seated immediately. However, I have no doubts
that before long you will need to make reservations.

 

Bon apetit!

 

Jenny Heiser

Whittier

 

P.S. Our neighbors across the street – avid quality food types -- ate at Emma’s the next
evening based on our recommendation. They haven’t stopped raving about it yet.