Mad Rabbits Feast Kitchen & Cocktail Emporium — Restaurant in Crosslake

We came as a group of five for cocktails at 9:30 on a Saturday night in July - prime vacation season and well before their 11 PM closing time. Despite that, it felt like they had already checked out for the evening. When we walked in, we were immediately hit with the strong smell of floor cleaner and saw a mop out by the front. All the overhead lights were turned up uncomfortably bright, completely disrupting the moody, ambient vibe the space is clearly designed to offer. Even after we were seated, the staff continued sweeping and mopping right around us, making it hard to enjoy what should’ve been a relaxed cocktail experience.

The service was polite but minimal. Our server didn’t engage with us much beyond what was required, though she chatted casually with coworkers and friends. One woman, who appeared to be a friend or family member of staff, sat at the end of the bar and stared at our group in an uncomfortably intense way, which multiple people in our group noticed.

Strangely, after we arrived, a group of two came in, followed by a group of three. Clearly, there was still business coming in. So it’s unclear why the staff had started closing up so early. It made the entire experience feel rushed and unwelcoming, which was disappointing given how beautiful the space is and how good the...

Overpriced hipster wannabe restaurant. If you’ve ever wanted to spend a week’s grocery budget to be emotionally bullied by bread, welcome to this hipster hostage situation. They call it “artisanal,” but I call it “day-old Cub Foods clearance rack, now with 300% inflation and a side of lies.” The butter? Completely unsalted. Honestly, I’ve tasted more flavor licking a frozen window in January.

The menu reads like a Brooklyn poetry slam gone wrong. “Rustic Heirloom Loaf” = hard bread you could patch drywall with. “Handcrafted Pairing” = butter they unwrapped from the exact same tub you buy when you forget to make a list. Freshest thing in the place? The berries. And guess what, Karen — berries don’t need a chef, they need a fridge.

This isn’t a restaurant. It’s a dessert kiosk dressed up like a lifestyle brand. The savory options exist purely to lower your defenses before they shank you with a $22 slice of cake.

And let’s be real: the whole thing feels like someone asked ChatGPT to “invent a quirky, farm-to-table concept,” but forgot to proofread. If AI wrote a restaurant, this would be it: • Step 1: Take grocery-store leftovers. • Step 2: Give them a pretentious name like “fermented wheat essence.” • Step 3: Charge enough to ruin...

My husband and I took our 9 and 12 year old grandsons here. We loved the decor, were greeted and seated right away. Service was awesome. Menu offered a wide variety of interesting options. We ordered the Cheese Bomb appetizer which was huge, fresh and delicious. The side salad was full of fresh veggies and 1/2 hard boiled egg. Our craft cocktails were tasty and beautifully presented. Our Entrees did not disappoint! Portions were hearty and each dish was full of flavor. We shared bites from each other’s selections and enjoyed them all. Although we were full and taking home three containers, we had to try the desserts which also were unique and delicious. We dined inside although the boys spent time outside on the patio enjoying the swinging chairs during our short wait for food. You’re going to spend a bit more but it’s not your typical burger/pizza place. It’s wonderful to have this fun...