Nicollet Island Inn — Restaurant in Minneapolis

In an age where hospitality increasingly gravitates toward the casual and contemporary, it is refreshing—indeed, rather heartening—to discover an establishment that maintains the highest standards of traditional service excellence. Such is the case with Minneapolis's Nicollet Island Inn, a bastion of gracious dining that has been delighting discerning patrons for more than four decades.||Situated in a historic setting, the Inn presents itself splendidly during the festive season. The Christmas decorations, while abundant, demonstrate admirable restraint: multiple trees adorned with tasteful ornaments, and wreaths releasing the most divine fragrance of fresh pine—precisely the sort of seasonal embellishment one hopes to encounter in a fine establishment.||While the Inn offers a formal dining room of considerable elegance, I found myself drawn to the more intimate bar area, where I encountered service that would not be out of place in London's finest establishments. The bartender, Brad—a gentleman whose expertise and attention to detail warrant specific mention—exemplified the increasingly rare art of genuine hospitality. His command of the menu and intuitive understanding of guests' preferences proved nothing short of extraordinary, particularly impressive given this was Boxing Day.||The culinary offerings, while firmly rooted in American classics, display moments of inspired creativity. Consider their interpretation of that humble favorite, the grilled cheese sandwich: elevated with cottage bacon, premium cheddar, and fresh tomato, served on pillowy challah bread. It arrives accompanied by a tomato soup that, when enhanced with their carefully curated selection of condiments (Melinda's ghost pepper sauce being a particularly inspired choice), transforms into something quite remarkable.||The beverage program deserves special commendation. Their signature Island Fashioned, crafted with Buffalo Trace bourbon and an ingenious combination of cranberry and peach bitters, demonstrates sophisticated mixology. The wine list, too, shows careful consideration, with selections like a particularly good Spanish Rioja that proved the perfect complement to a frosty Minnesota day.||Observation of dishes being served to fellow diners revealed consistently high standards across the menu, with the salad preparations showing particular finesse. The Inn also offers special events, including afternoon tea services that any anglophile would surely appreciate.||In conclusion, the Nicollet Island Inn represents that increasingly rare combination of historical charm, impeccable service, and culinary excellence. It stands as a reminder that proper hospitality need not be confined to coastal establishments or European capitals. For visitors to Minneapolis seeking a dining experience of genuine refinement, this establishment is, quite simply, essential.||One final note: in an era where exceptional service often goes unremarked, the professionalism displayed by Brad and his colleagues deserves special recognition. Their dedication to the finer points of hospitality proves that the art of proper service is, thankfully, still alive and well in certain...

5 stars to the EVENT STAFF only! This Historic Inn and the surrounding area are so beautiful. Alyssa and the Event Staff are perfect! They were very flexible for my wedding in 2021. I recommend an event here at Nicollet Island Inn to everyone! I loved their Bridal Suite. It was large and covered with mirrors for many people to get ready. This room also has a full bathroom. They supply a steamer also! I loved being able to have our Ceremony, pictures, dinner, and reception in the same area. Their event patio was beautiful and luscious in August. 5 stars

*ONE star for the Restaurant/Hotel General Manager, Jenny. I would like to preface this story by saying that we had our wedding at the Inn in August 2021. I LOVE the event staff and highly recommend working with them. Until Jenny gets help, I DO NOT recommend the Restaurant. For more details on how Jenny lied to me and blamed me, please read below. The morning after our wedding, I had scheduled Brunch for 20, they put us in a Lounge room that could fit 24 people. More people wanted to come to brunch than originally planned. I asked Jenny if we could get another 10 people to eat, Jenny said there was no room. I asked Jenny if we could at least add 4 more seats to our room that is meant to fit 24, I was told no. One lie Jenny told me was that the Patio was fully booked, and we could not sit out there. My friend found out that Jenny lied to me; the restaurant didn’t schedule enough staff of that day to have customers on the patio. When trying to figure out if the restaurant could fit more of us in, a couple walked through the door. Jenny asked them if they had reservations, and they did not. So, she told them there was no room and she recommends that’s that they make reservations next time. Jenny then turned to me and said, “Do you see what you are making me do, I have to turn people away now.” I was done with Jenny. My new husband and I sat outside of the room we rented for brunch, while our friends and family ate. That day 25 people came to Bruch, so 5 of us sat outside from the room people were eating and chatted. Jenny and 2 other servers kept walking by. I couldn’t help but notice that there were many tables not being used in the restaurant. Then the sweetest Server came up to us to congratulate us on our wedding (which Jenny never did) and this server brought us a glass of Champagne. She then asked if we would like to eat, and I told her that Jenny said we cannot eat. She said that was just wrong and brought us menus. The 5 of us ate brunch and chatted in a near empty restaurant until...

Booking over a month in advance for Valentine's day dinner with Nicollet Island Inn's restaurant, my significant other and I were excited to try their famous lobster and crab cakes listed on the dinner menu and so many of the reviews we read from the internet.

Evening of, we pulled up to the valet 10 minutes prior to our reservation time, checked in and waited in their classy but small waiting area. 20 minutes pass and our reservation name is finally called. The hostess directs us to the small, awkwardly shaped 'L' booth located right next to the kitchen doors, odd I thought given how many open tables that weren't located near the bustling kitchen there were for two people.

Sitting down, our waitstaff comes over, fills the water glasses and deposits a single, thin card on the table before us -- a 'special' set menu that not only doesn't list options of anything we intended to order, but had arguably some of the lowest-rent items available on their regular menu. I politely and quietly ask our waitress if I could have a copy of the regular menu because although a set menu is not that uncommon on valentine's day, often the regular full menu is available upon request -- She states that that is not an option tonight. After awkwardly lingering for a few seconds, she says she'll come back in a minute. I discuss with my S/O whether or not she wants to deal with not only the set menu which eliminated all of our craving pics, but also the worst table in the house to which she replies absolutely not. Before we say another word or have time to inform our waitress that we will be dining elsewhere, she rudely walks past, stopping brifly to as 'So, are you sayin' or goin''. That was the final nail in their coffin. We had made no gesture or vocal request / hint at leaving the restaurant prior to this.

We promptly stood up from our table, retrieved our car from the prompt and courteous valet (that was even good with a manual transmission!) and headed downtown for another table we had booked outside Nicollet island inn while waiting for the car.

As much as we want to go back and get our favorites, this experience has fouled our view of this restaurant so much so that I don't think we'll be back for any reason...