Tonight, you’re not cooking dinner. Forget the grocery list, the chopping, and the mountain of dishes. You’re taking a well-deserved break from the kitchen and letting the pros handle dinner. A wave of fantastic new restaurants has moved into the neighborhood, each dishing up flavors you won’t want to miss. So hang up your apron, put on your going-out outfit, and join us on this culinary tour as we pull up a chair at these newest spots around the lake!
Parlour
Head downstairs to the basement at 200 Water Street in Excelsior and discover this gorgeous, classic speakeasy that’s the perfect place for a craft cocktail and a quick bite to eat. Created by Jester Concepts, Excelsior marks the third Parlour location in the Twin Cities. “People love the fast, quick service and the craft cocktails we offer,” says General Manager Wyatt Boyer. “It’s a small menu, but the guests always rave about the Parlour Burger, Fried Chicken Sandwich, and Aoilis we offer. It’s a fun space for a date night or a quick bite to eat with the family.”
Definitely a fan favorite, the Parlour Burger is two patties made with ground chuck, ribeye, and brisket smashed on a flat top grill to create a crunchy texture along with white American cheese on an egg bun. Another popular pick is the Parlour Dog with curry remoulade, fresh and fried onions, and pickle relish.
As it is a speakeasy, you can’t not try one of Parlour’s cocktails, including their delicious NA cocktail options! First on the list of must-trys is the Parlour Old Fashioned made with 114 proof bourbon, Old Grand Dad, and blended with 90-proof Jim Beam Rye, Piloncillo sugar, and cherry bark vanilla, orange, and Bolivar aromatic bitters.
“Our goal at Jester is to be ‘unreasonably hospitable,’” says Wyatt. “We want every guest to feel at home and make them feel as if they are a part of the Jester family. We hope to give them a perfect dining experience every time they walk through the doors.” And at Parlour, you’re sure to experience just that with its inviting ambiance and delicious menu. parlourbar.com
Shiki
Another member of the Jester family, this 30-seat bold noodle bar in the heart of Excelsior is serving up classic ramen dishes and delicious dumplings that you’ll return for time and time again. With a rock and roll atmosphere and Tokyo-inspired vibes, Shiki offers up fun and casual dining where you can get your slurp on and grab a quick bite to eat while on lunch break or enjoy a sit-down dinner with friends.
“Must-try menu favorites include the Kimchi Ramen made with spicy kimchi broth, roasted pork belly, shaved leeks, dried mushrooms, and soft-boiled egg,” says Wyatt Boyer. “Our Pork Potstickers are also a favorite filled with pork, ginger, lemongrass, and chives wrapped in a thin, crispy wonton.”
You’ll also find unique Japanese spirits, sake, classic Japanese beers like Sapporo, and tasty Japanese-inspired cocktails, including their Ube Piña Colada, made with a rum blend, ube, coconut, pineapple, and lime.
“Our guests enjoy the quick casual service of Shiki! Classic Japanese-inspired ramen, dumplings, and cocktails offer a unique concept that Excelsior has not seen before!” shikinoods.com
Mirabelle
Serving up lakeside American-style cuisine, from crowd-pleasing classics to elevated dishes, including steaks, chops, seafood, and mouthwatering apps, Mirabelle’s expansive menu makes it easy for everyone to find something they’ll love. With a coastal-inspired supper club feel, Mirabelle joins sister concepts Shiki and Parlour from Jester Concepts, opening up their doors in Excelsior.
A menu favorite is the Crab Stuffed Walleye, a walleye filet stuffed with crab meat, red peppers, jalapeño, and paprika served with lemon and butter sauce. You also won’t regret starting off your meal with the Smoked Trout Dip appetizer, which is smoked trout with cream cheese, capers, dill, and grilled baguette.
“Guests have been enjoying the large menu with a variety of delicious dishes for dinner!” says Wyatt Boyer. "We have a large selection of wine that our guests enjoy buying by the glass or bottle. Craft cocktails are winning over the crowd with a few dessert cocktail options to end your evening.” One standout cocktail treat is the Silk Stocking, a dreamy blend of 16 blanco tequila, crème de cacao, grenadine, and cream. It’s the kind of nightcap that’s sure to give you sweet dreams!
With crave-worthy classics and playful cocktails, Mirabelle is serving up plenty of reasons to pull up a chair on Water Street. mirabellemn.com
Vagabondo
“Like everything we do in our family, we do it with purpose,” says Eli Fhima, Director of Operations, and son of chef and restaurateur David Fhima, the man behind Fhima’s in Minneapolis, Maison Margaux in the North Loop, and now, the Scilian-inspired Vagabondo right in the heart of Excelsior.
“As my dad says, ‘If a dish doesn’t have a story, don’t trust a dish,’” says Eli. “All our concepts are rooted in our heritage and story.” And Vagabondo’s story starts with David’s grandmother, Sultana, who would make lasagna, bolognese, and pasta, and who passed down her 130-year-old sourdough starter, which Vagabondo uses to make all their pizzas.
“Using Sultana’s 130-year-old starter dough for our pizzas creates such a unique and incredible crust. The crust rises beautifully, and it’s chewy but not too dense, and airy but not too watery. It has so much flavor.”
Credit can also be given to Sultana for the restaurant’s name. Eli laughs, “She called my dad Vagabondo because he always came home late and dirty and was playing in the streets. The picture in Vagabondo’s logo? That’s my dad as a kid.”
On the menu, you can’t go wrong. Eli loves the Pappardelle Pancetta Carbonara with pappardelle pasta, seared pancetta sautéed with garlic, white wine, cream, and butter. The Capanota is another must-try made in a cast iron with Italian herbs, capers, olives, thinly sliced eggplant, and tomatoes to create an incredible herbaceous and robust depth of flavor.
“I love the Pasta alla Norma. It’s a dish every Sicilian mom makes and the true test to see if you’re really Sicilian Italian,” says Eli. “It’s perfectly cooked penne with marinara, ricotta, candied eggplant, and finished with butter to round out the acid notes.”
For pizza, Eli recommends the Spicy Sicilian Sausage and the Formaggi.
To complement the meal, Vagabondo offers an extensive wine cellar—460 bottles and 30 by the glass. Afterward, head to the coffee lounge for a digestif. “We wanted to capture that espresso bar energy you stumble across in Italy, where time slows and you can enjoy coffee in a beautiful environment.” Soon, the lounge will offer more pastries like cannoli and tiramisu, along with breakfast, brunch, and lunch service.
“We hope to provide a space where the community can leave their problems at the door,” Eli says. “Life can be crazy, but pizza, pasta, and wine make it all the better.” vagabondomn.com
Cabana Anna’s
Right on the shores of Lake Minnetonka in Spring Park, Cabana Anna’s is situated at the lake level inside The Shoreline Hotel, serving up breakfast with scratch-made bakery goods and a lunch and dinner menu inspired by a blend of Floridian coastal flavors and Minnesota comfort food.
“I want you to feel like you went on vacation, even if you’re just stopping by for donuts or a meal,” says owner Kelly Olsen. “I want you to slow down and spend time with the people you love while listening to waves lapping on the beach. I live in the neighborhood, and I wanted somewhere to go where a person would feel taken care of in every way, just like when my grandma would cook for me.”
You’ll notice a photo of Kelly and her grandma Anna hanging on the wall at the restaurant. The restaurant is a tribute to this very special person. “Cabana Anna’s is named after my Grandma Anna,” says Kelly. “She was my maid of honor in my wedding when she was 100 years old. She spent her entire life surrounded by people she loved, she ate locally sourced food, and stayed active gardening, quilting, and taking care of more than 100 direct dependents her entire life. She also fried chicken and donuts, and she wasn’t afraid to eat dessert first. She was 5 feet tall if she was lucky, with a round belly and a full heart.”
Just as Grandma Anna took care of everyone around her, you’ll feel that same hospitality when you walk through the doors at Cabana Anna’s, not to mention enjoy a really good meal.
A must-try dish is the Halibut with warm spring potato salad, asparagus, radish, basil, mint, and pistou butter sauce. Another popular menu item is the Wagyu Smashburger with lettuce, new school American cheese, house pickles, and fancy sauce on a housemade bun. You also won’t go wrong with the Spicy Pepperoni pizza made with housemade pizza sauce, pepperoni, hot honey, mozzarella, and parmesan.
“The response has been amazing! We so appreciate the support from our local community,” says Kelly. So, walk over, drive in, or even cruise in and tie up at their 32-slip marina and enjoy a taste of lake life at its best. cabanaannas.com