Step inside the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel in Eagan, and you’ll find a restaurant that feels both welcoming and next level. Kyndred Hearth, led by James Beard award-winning chef Ann Kim, creates an atmosphere where sharing a meal feels like gathering around a family table. While Chef Kim’s signature dishes have made the restaurant a dining destination, it’s the cocktail program that keeps guests talking long after the evening ends.
A Philosophy Rooted in Simplicity
For Ayman Ekladious, Area Director of Food & Beverage (US Core Properties) at Omni Hotels & Resorts, Kyndred Hearth is built on a culture of family, community, and authenticity. “We tell our people in training to imagine that everyone coming into the hotel or restaurant is a member of your family,” he explains. That perspective extends into the menu itself. Simplicity is the foundation: dishes and drinks are crafted with care, allowing ingredients to stand out without unnecessary embellishment.
This approach is echoed in the cocktails. Presentation matters, but not in the sense of over-the-top theatrics. Instead, the bartenders emphasize balance, freshness, and thoughtful pairings. “The focus is on the drink itself, not just decoration around the glass,” Ekladious shares. A touch of citrus, a locally sourced garnish, or a house-made infusion is all that’s needed to create something memorable.
A Menu That Feels Personal
Though the restaurant is attached to a hotel, Kyndred Hearth is designed for locals as much as travelers. In fact, during the quietest days of the pandemic, when hotel occupancy dropped to zero, the restaurant stayed busy with neighborhood guests who craved comfort food and craft cocktails that felt both familiar and special.
Part of that appeal lies in the ownership the staff feels toward the menu. “Some of the cocktails we have are created by our local bartenders,” Ekladious explains. “The team feels like they own the menu, both food and beverages. This makes them very proud, and it makes it more natural for them to talk about the menu with guests.”
Guiding the culinary team is Restaurant Chef Matt Weaver, who brings a background in luxury restaurants and global cuisine. With influences from Asian and Italian traditions, Weaver works closely with Ann Kim to translate her vision into dishes that are approachable yet distinctive. His leadership prioritizes that every plate feels personal, crafted with care, authenticity, and pride.
Where Familiar Meets Elevated
Just as Chef Kim has reimagined favorites like pizza, pasta, and burgers with her signature touch, the cocktail menu takes familiar profiles and refines them into something new. A well-balanced Old Fashioned might incorporate a locally crafted bitters. A martini may feature house-pickled garnishes or a seasonal twist drawn from nearby farms. Guests will recognize the drinks, but they’ll also notice details that make each sip distinct.
Pairing cocktails with the food menu creates another layer of experience. A wagyu ribeye might be matched with a bold red or a whiskey-based cocktail, while Ann Kim’s three-day fermented pizza pairs beautifully with lighter, citrus-forward drinks. Each choice is meant to complement, not compete, letting diners enjoy flavors that feel complete and cohesive.
The Hearth at the Center
The name Kyndred Hearth captures the heart of the restaurant’s philosophy: a place where people gather around warmth and conversation. The wood-fired oven sits in the center of the dining room, anchoring the space in both design and spirit. Meals are served family-style, encouraging guests to share dishes and stories across the table.
The cocktail program mirrors that spirit of connection. Drinks are crafted to be enjoyed together, whether in a celebratory toast or as a slow accompaniment to conversation. Every detail, from the spirits poured to the garnish placed, is a reflection of the belief that hospitality is about creating memories as much as meals.
Hospitality That Lasts
For Ekladious, who has spent 25 years in hospitality across Egypt, Dubai, the Caribbean, and Europe, working with Omni Hotels & Resorts represents the culmination of a career shaped by both global influences and local connections. “OMNI was a target for me. This is where I wanted to work, because it’s a company that believes in its people, in family culture, in supporting the community,” he says.
That philosophy resonates throughout Kyndred Hearth. The restaurant is so much more than a dining room in a hotel. It’s a gathering space where chefs, bartenders, and servers infuse each dish and drink with care, where locals feel just as welcome as travelers, and where a cocktail becomes more than a glass. It becomes part of the story.
So whether you’re stopping in for a handcrafted pizza, a wagyu ribeye, a Minnesota Vikings-inspired burger, or simply a cocktail at the bar, Kyndred Hearth invites you to sit down, share in the experience, and raise a glass to connection.