1881 Eating House — Local services in Saint Paul

Best New Restaurant in the Twin Cities!! EPIC!

I only write reviews when I’m really blown away, and 1881 blew me away!

1881 is located in St. Paul’s grand and historic Union Depot, with its 80-foot high ceilings and gorgeous architecture. Dining at 1881 really feels like stepping into another era. I dined here with my husband and daughter, and we had such a wonderful time, we could hardly force ourselves to leave.

Highlights from the dinner menu would include the pan-seared duck breast on a bed of wild rice risotto with almonds, cranberries, and mushrooms; the Canadian walleye; the Hereford New York steak; and the “Sin of the Inn,” a pecan crust filled with caramel, white satin and chocolate ganache, and topped with white chocolate mousse.

Also, I can’t believe I’m saying this, because I’m normally skeptical of plant-based attempts at the real thing, but the chef has a plant-based filet mignon that is UNBELIEVABLE. After trying this, the world will change for vegetarians. In fact, it will change for everyone, because if you weren’t a vegetarian before, you will become a convert. Our waiter, Justin, recommended this, and I ordered it with trepidation. When I tried it, it was so incredible, I practically wept. The chef even came out, and I talked with him to try to understand how anything like this could exist. It’s apparently a dish that he discovered in Chicago, and this must be the only one of its kind in Minnesota. You have to try it to understand. That’s all I can say about it.

I have not yet tried the lunch or happy hour menus, but be sure to check hours and online menus before you go.

A visit to 1881 is an absolute event in its own right, and could be visited for a special occasion, such as a birthday dinner, or just because life is short. However, a visit to 1881 could also be part of an epic weekend, if combined with a ride on the Borealis train line, a nearby hotel stay, and a visit to the St. Paul Famers Market, a Saints game, the European holiday market, Train Days, or any of the other many events that make Saint Paul legendary. Of course, be sure to check the hours for Choo-Choo Bob’s if you have kids.

Enjoy!!!

Getting there: You could always take the Borealis train in from Red Wing, Winona or even Chicago, or you could take the light rail green line, but if you drive from outstate Minnesota, I would recommend parking in Union Depot Parking Lot A (indoors) or Parking Lot B (covered) at 200 E Kellogg Blvd. If lots A and B are full, you could park in lot C (uncovered). After you park, if the weather is nice, you could walk uphill half a block on Wacouta, so you can enter Union Depot through the main grand entrance. If it’s cold out, you could also go up the escalators directly from within lot B. This is more practical and warmer, but slightly less exciting than going in through the front of the depot. I believe 1881 gives parking vouchers for lots A & B if your group spends $75 or more. Otherwise, I think parking in lot C is just a couple dollars, provided there isn’t a special event, but you could always call ahead to double check. (I recently parked overnight there, & paid two dollars when I left in the morning.) However you get here--train, car, light rail, or horse and...

Went here with my partner for our anniversary dinner.

Highly recommend this restaurant; the food is delicious, ambience is beautiful, and service is top notch.

I do recommend making a reservation for a Saturday night, the place does fill up.

We had the sunfish with wild-rice and asparagus entree, and the butternut squash pasta dish (with added steak for protein and a side of grilled brussel-sprouts) entree. All of the food was delicious, cooked perfectly, and full of flavor. We also enjoyed several mocktails with our dinner, and they were very strong in flavor and well made by the bar tenders. Finally, we shared dessert, trying the chocolate cake and the carrot cake. The chocolate cake was of a dark chocolate variety, and quite good. The carrot cake was perfection -- a true mastery of the dessert! The best carrot cake I've ever had, full of flavor and spice, and a sweet but smooth and creamy frosting. Seriously, get the carrot cake, it is phenomenal.

Corey was our waiter, and she was super friendly, helpful, and attentive and truly took care of us in a way that was above and beyond what most wait-staff do. She is wonderful.

We had a lovely night, and do expect to return for more!

Pro's: Entrees are all very high quality, and delicious Table bread and butter is super good too Mocktails are delightful Desert is quite good, especially the carrot cake Friendly and helpful wait-staff Beautiful ambiance of the St. Paul Union Depot building Great special date night place for a classy evening You will leave feeling happy and full

Con's: Reservation strongly recommended for likely busy nights (but can reserve through Google-Maps/Open-Table) Spendy (most dinner entrees were in the $27 -$35 per person range, with steaks...

Saw that 1881 Eating House unveiled some new happy hour menu items and I wanted to check it out! Happy Hour is from a generous 2-6PM. Since Barrio left Lowertown, I've wanted to find a place that has tacos. They serve these tacos as apart of their happy hour menu, which are stacked HIGH with fresh ingredients. They include jalapeños in them, which offers a nice kick, but pairs well with the pickled red onions and crema sauce. Definitely a delightful eat I'll come back for. I also enjoyed the sangria, which is $8 on the happy hour menu, but they also have other kinds of drinks discounted, including a Pyres Raspberry Sour that I'd love to try.I was less a fan of the fries, but I can't quite place why. They're served with a mornay sauce, and I think I might just not be a fan of it. It doesn't have a strong flavor or taste. But with so many items on the menu, I think there TONS of reasons to come back here. The atmosphere and space is gorgeous, with plenty of tables and seats. Service was sweet and attentive but it did take them a while to get back to me here and there. An added bonus? If you eat here and keep your receipt, you can get 10% off at Storyline Books, which is right within...