My other half and I went to Gather last week for their Brewer-in-Residence event, which coincided with the Walker's Target Free Thursday Nights, so we were able to get free admission to the museum, enjoy some free samples of beer, take advantage of HH specials (Thurs 5-7pm) and take a stroll through some of the galleries afterwards to walk off our meal! We decided to turn happy hour into our dinner, so we ordered 4 different small plates (on HH special for $5 each). Our selections included: Shrimp Fries (with chorizo emulsion), Organic Salmon Crudo, Chipotle + Ancho Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos, and BBQ Beef Short Rib Banh Mi. My favorite, BY FAR, were the tacos...in fact, the moment Island Boy and I took our first bite, we decided we needed to order another plate of them because 1 taco each just wasn't going to cut it. Mahi mahi doesn't have a lot of flavor, so it's all about the seasoning...and the chipotle + ancho chili rub was great (I actually thought it could use some more heat, but the flavor was spot on). The combination of the spice with the cabbage, cilantro, smashed avocado and lime creme fraiche was sublime, and it made for one of the best fish tacos I've had in the Twin Cities! The banh mi vegetables were pickled to perfection and kept a good crunch. The beef itself didn't really offer much flavor, but the BBQ marinade saved it and I enjoyed the sandwich as a whole. Now, the shrimp fries aren't really "fries" at all...they were puffy chips/crisps that looked more like pork rinds. They were fairly tasty (though not what we expected), and the dipping sauce served with them was incredibly flavorful--the real highlight of the plate. The salmon crudo was a little underwhelming for me...I love salmon, but with all the flavors mixing on the plate, the fish was a little overpowered (especially by the fennel & orange). I would have given Gather 4 stars, but a couple things dropped it down a notch: our server wasn't very attentive--in fact, when I tried to get her attention to place the order for our 2nd round of tacos before HH was over, I actually made eye contact with her when she was at the next table over and motioned for her, but she turned right around and walked away...only to return minutes later (and just barely before the HH cutoff). Also, one of my 3 beer tasting glasses had a lip imprint on it when it was served to me, and I noticed a number of other full tasting glasses ready to be served on trays with the same mark of a dirty glass. I know they were busy, but that is no excuse for diminished quality control! If you plan on going to Gather on a Thursday night, I highly recommend reservations. When we arrived w/o one, the host said they are crazy busy every Thursday, but we truly lucked out when the table right behind him was a no-show!
(3)
Jen W.
It's a tough place to review since the chef changes every month (by design). To be honest, I don't totally undestand the concept of this place. If I want to try Russell Klein's menu, for example, I would simply go to Meritage where he brings his A game every night. I went when the chef from D'Amico Kitchens was the guest chef. I thought the food was fine, but nothing extraordinary. Kind of what I expect out of anything D'Amico. The space is weird. It feels very much like you are dining in an airport lounge. And it is packed for Thursday night happy hour (they are only open in the evening on Thursdays which is another weird thing) but cleared out almost completely by 8:00. I doubt I will go back, unless there is a guest chef from out of town that I am curious about (but I think they only do local chefs).
(3)
Christina R.
I experienced Gather for the first time today and must say that it definitely left an impression! The sweet corn empanadas were SPECTACULAR - they come in a serving of four small rounds, approximately the size of half dollars. The flavor was excellent and the accompanying smoky ancho tomato sauce was a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the corn. The ginger lemonade was very refreshing and the chocolate torte with fresh mango was a nice ending. From start to finish, the entire experience was excellent. The staff was friendly, prompt, and professional while the food was delicious, fast, and filling. I can't *wait* to go back for more!
(5)
Jeannine D.
Pretty people, pretty food, pretty views. I wish I could work up the energy to say more, but overall, it didn't inspire me. Maybe my BF's culinary snobbery is rubbing off on me. It's a nice spot for group get-togethers, yay for locally-sourced food, and the happy hour menu has tasty treats for a reasonable price...oh, see there, now I did have more to say. I wouldn't say that there are menu must-haves, but here are my if-you-happen-to-stop-by-consider-trying-these list: -Beet & arugula salad -Fish tacos -Banh mi -No-jito
(3)
Kre C.
Made a reservation and got a beautiful table by the window. The food was unremarkable to bad...and expensive. Not a good combo. Fish & chips: batter dark on outside , not cooked on inside. Chips were mostly overdone. The fettuccini was dull--no one flavor showing through and no brightness...shrimp were not deveined at $17 for a lunch portion. The chicken was said by a fellow diner to be delicious. But, geez, at those prices, each dish should shine! Our waitress brought us someone else's bill that had already been paid...I considered....but the dine and dash is for younger folk. Won't be back.
(1)
Nichole K.
Love love loved the truffle fries & assorted small grilled cheese sandwiches. Dessert wise the goat cheese panna cotta with amarene cherries was to die for; Overall quite expensive but enjoyed myself and the view nevertheless.
(4)
Jennifer S.
With time to spare before the British Arrow Awards on Saturday night, we stopped in for something to eat. The place was busy but as we agreed to be seated at the end of their "community table", we were seated promptly (we'd called while on our drive there and had been assured that they'd be able to seat us when we arrived). During the run of the British Arrow Awards, they had some traditional British fare available at this place. I spied "fish and chips" on their menu and ordered it. My companion ordered the "Scotch egg" and a glass of sauvignon blanc wine (either AUS or NZ). Ouch! That first piece of fish I picked up to take a bite of was boiling hot! And soooo good! It rivaled the deep fried Ling Cod I enjoyed a few times while in Alaska. It was the best deep fried fish I've ever eaten in the continental USA! I will wish that this place would continue serving this prep. The "chips" were also really good, too - thick wedges with their skins on. The bowl holding the food contained a smaller bowl of their "British pub sauce" and it proved excellent on both the fish and the chips. My companion enjoyed the Scotch egg and the wine. Too bad this space closed at 9pm - too late for us to go back in for a glass of wine post show.
(4)
Siobhan W.
Apparently reservations is de rigueur here. I showed up without a reservation, while the man before me, and the group behind me, appeared to have one. After helping the man before me, the hostess comes back, and stares at the ground. So I smiled and asked for a table. The hostess then begrudgingly obliges me and seats me at a small table near the front. No smiles, no warmth, and certainly no amount of welcome from this very morose, brown-haired, middle aged lady. It appeared as if she hated her job...which sucks not only for her, but for the rest of us who have to deal with her. I've worked in customer service for over a decade, and so I know what its like to serve other people, and I know how to be professional about it even if I'm having a bad day. I was seated near the front nearby the less than enthusiastic hostess. Being seated by the front sucks by the way, it's like you're seated in the museum hallway! The only good thing I can say about the place, is that Celeste, my waitress was wonderful. She was friendly, attentive, welcoming, knowledgeable and professional. Couldn't ask for a better waitress. Thanks Celeste, you're why this place gets 3 stars instead of 2 stars! As I left Gather, I made eye contact with and smiled at the misanthropic hostess. She stared back dully at me, not saying a word. I don't plan on coming back to weirdo Gather. Aside from the lovely waitress, the overall experience was lopsided, mediocre, and much lame.
(3)
B Q.
Very tasty! I went during the British Arrow Awards, so there were several English faves on the menu (everything I ordered and sampled was flavorful). The concktails were fun AND delicious (not just a pile of sugary syrups mashed together - I loved the ginger cocktail and the holiday grog). The place has a fun, trendy atmosphere with an open kitchen and tables fairly close together. We had a great table next to the floor to ceiling windows overlooking downtown.
(5)
heerain p.
This is a great place to eat...we discovered it just 'cos we were hungry during our visit at the walker art center. I had the barbecued beef bahn mi - flavorful meat with a great beefy texture served on crispy bread. My wife had the turkey on miche. The creamy ricotta is to die for! Excellent ambience too - the wait staff is courteous (and cute) and the chef stopped by to visit for a bit.
(5)
Ann P.
We LOVED Gather. Mind you, I was sick as a dog BUT ventured out around 11 AM Saturday to the Walker Art Center in the splintering cold of MSP. It was surreal, as if Canada was pumping icy area into MSP. I digress, the museum was amazing and Gather was the topping on the cake of this amazing day. The staff all around are great. Our waitress Andi was amazing. She made recommendations that were spot on. The beet salad with asparagus and pistachios was heaven. I loved my grilled corn empanadas. My daughter enjoyed her tomato soup with grilled WI cheddar. Oh the bread basket with sweet butter was lovely...and finally, the Guinness Gingerbread was pure ambrosia. WOW...
(5)
Sarah K.
This place impressed my socks right off. Attempting to impress my out-of-state relatives to the point that they would never want to leave, we went here after galavanting around the Jewelry Sale at the Walker. What a swanky joint! Purple lights, clean lines, tall glasses, and a view that is pretty pretty. :-) My mother and I ordered the ginger lemonade, which was delicious. For our food, my three relatives ordered burgers of some sort, and I ordered chicken. I wish I could remember the name so I could recommend it....it's chicken with vegetables....so good! So the waiter brings the burgers out, and gives me a very apologetic look. "I'm so sorry, we didn't put your chicken in at the same time as the burgers, so it'll be a bit before it is done. Please, let us buy it for you and offer you a free appetizer." Ummm....yes please! I got the corn empanadas with chili sauce....for free!! They were delicious....I really wouldn't have minded paying for them. My chicken, when it came out, was wonderful. To top it off, the host then offered to buy my entire table dessert. I could've hugged him. We got the goat cheese dessert plate and the ice cream...both were excellent. I included pictures so you can get a feel what you're in for. I very highly recommend this place. The people are nice, the food is amazing, the atmosphere is superb. Go for lunch; the price is just right.
(5)
S W.
Mc Manus Pinot, Why doesn't everyone have this? It's just a wine's wine. Fries with Aolli that has NOT been messed with in some cutesy way, just light garlic. Halleluhjah. I can't be the only person who has missed this. Not everything has to be reconstructed in some stupid way. I've been eating a metric ton of bistro fries lately, and these are probably the most impressive in a long time. Sameh Wadi's the chef of the month doing little nibbles - and the char/jerusalem choke soup is worth getting excited about, the lamb carpaccio is ok at best, really would expect better. Good thing the soup's that good. Nice room, good hangout, does exactly what it should.
(4)
Anna B.
The food is good but overpriced. The location is great but dont come here in the winter unless you want to eat in your jacket...freezing cold! Warm beat salad was tasty and so was the fish and chips. The fish tacos were below average. The filling looked like it came out of a can. I might give this another try in the summer or just eat a snack in the main lobby!
(2)
Elyse A.
Had such a great evening last night at Gather, that I just had to hop on Yelp and spread the love. I've lived in Minneapolis for 5 years and have always been curious about the seemingly magical restaurant that hangs over Hennepin Avenue in the Walker Art Museum. I never knew what their deal was. Was it always open? Was it any good? I had no idea until I went last night with my husband and our two good friends. Apparently, the scoop on Gather is that it's only open on Thursday nights when the Walker has their free admission evenings. They also started this special feature where they have guest chefs come in to create unique small plates based on their style of cooking. Last night we were lucky to taste the great work of local chef Tyler Shipton (who owns and runs the new restaurant Coup d'Etat, as well as Burrough). His dishes were DELIGHTFUL and are served at Coup d'Etat in Uptown--one was a tuna tartare that was perfectly balanced, and the other was a pork belly that was so flavorful and savory). Beyond that, my guests and myself all shared and enjoyed the beet salad, the bahn mi sandwich, as well as the short ribs and sweet potato gnocchi. It was all very well-prepared and well-seasoned. Fresh-tasting. And just overall simple and delightful. Nothing too crazy. Nothing trying too hard. Just simple, clean, flavorful food. The service was great! We had attentive and helpful waitresses who guided us to make great food decisions. And the chef himself came over to discuss some of his favorite dishes to prepare. It was a magical night (despite the unexpected April snow storm) filled with great food, conversation and ambiance. Thanks to Gather! We'll definitely be back!
(4)
Lori J.
Nate was so sweet and genuine without needing to be overly fake smiley or chipper. He was just so calm and professional. He made our experience fabulous. I highly recommend this establishment and especially Nate in particular
(5)
Darrell G.
Gather is only open for dinner on Thursday nights. It's the same night that the Walker is open late for free admission. They have guest chef's come through so the style and feel of your food can vary significantly depending on who is on the bill. It's a concept that works, though. Visiting chefs get a chance to be a bit more experimental.
(4)
Leah B.
Super friendly service, everyone in the front of house was great. Delicious sweet potato gnocchi (has corn and chorizo - who'd a thunk!) Specialty cocktails were tasty (however a run of the mill Manhattan was a little tricky to produce) as was the Mc Manus Pinto. The short rib is a must! However, they changed the menu seasonally as the concept is fresh local food (LOVE). So go and get that rib now. Good food, good drinks, awesome view (might wanna clean the window a little more frequently), totally an upgrade for the Walker.
(5)
Brad L.
Toured the gallery on a Thursday night, my last night in town, not even knowing Gather existed. Saw the sign on the wall, walked up, there happened to be a seat open at the bar, I took it, and was informed how lucky I was to just walk in and immediately get a seat on the first Thursday of the month. Apparently, on the first Thursday of the month the Chef gives taste testers of some unique cuisine close to her heart. Her bio mentioned her passion was pasta. There was almost no pasta on the menu, but her special plate available to taste test was zucchini and squash sliced and cooked for use as pasta. My first time trying this, although I had seen it before and assumed it wasn't tasty, but this taste tester proved me wrong. It can be done well, because she did an amazing job. Not only that, but my actual order, the pan seared chicken with root veggies, chicken confit, and pan sauce was AMAZE! You could tell it was high fat, as the oil was dripping off my fork when I held up some veggies, but man was this an amazing pairing. This chef knows what she's doing in making the meal an experience. Thank you, you've inspired me to add several dishes to my own recipe list. The staff here were extremely quick, courteous, and the overall experience was above par.
(5)
Farah A.
Fun atmosphere, great service, and delicious food! Their burrata salad is out of this world delicious! The fries with truffle mayo are a must. I will definitely come back to try their bigger entrees.
(5)
N B.
I loved my experience and look forward to more Thursday evenings here. The Duck prosciutto with figs and balsamic was the star, but the grilled cheese was...meh. Unless you're a grilled cheese connoisseur, I'd skip those. But between the view, the happy hour prices, the ethereal nature of the restaurant, the company and the friendly staff...I love this. It was so magical! I had no idea this place even existed and I kind of want it to be a secret, but I also want them to do well. So I review...
(5)
Brigitte K.
This place has an amazing happy hour every Thursday night! They have $5 small plates and the best lavender infused vodka ever! The service is great! The decor is pretty swanky. I love the purple leather furniture! Each month a guest chef is featured on the menu. I had an opportunity to taste Chef Jay Sparks sweet bread tacos and corn ravioli in a poblano sauce. The tuna crudo is great as well! I will definitely be coming back!
(5)
J M.
If I was a local I would eat here often! Wow - three of us had lunch together and every dish was exquisite! Top marks for the shrimp with gnocchi - it had a wonderfully intense basil flavor, the chicken salad was an amazing combination of veggies and had a unique and lovely dressing and the beet salad was perfect with pistachios and a slightly sweet balsamic dressing. Do not skip dessert! The panacotta was to die for!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Kohleen L.
My other half and I went to Gather last week for their Brewer-in-Residence event, which coincided with the Walker's Target Free Thursday Nights, so we were able to get free admission to the museum, enjoy some free samples of beer, take advantage of HH specials (Thurs 5-7pm) and take a stroll through some of the galleries afterwards to walk off our meal! We decided to turn happy hour into our dinner, so we ordered 4 different small plates (on HH special for $5 each). Our selections included: Shrimp Fries (with chorizo emulsion), Organic Salmon Crudo, Chipotle + Ancho Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos, and BBQ Beef Short Rib Banh Mi. My favorite, BY FAR, were the tacos...in fact, the moment Island Boy and I took our first bite, we decided we needed to order another plate of them because 1 taco each just wasn't going to cut it. Mahi mahi doesn't have a lot of flavor, so it's all about the seasoning...and the chipotle + ancho chili rub was great (I actually thought it could use some more heat, but the flavor was spot on). The combination of the spice with the cabbage, cilantro, smashed avocado and lime creme fraiche was sublime, and it made for one of the best fish tacos I've had in the Twin Cities! The banh mi vegetables were pickled to perfection and kept a good crunch. The beef itself didn't really offer much flavor, but the BBQ marinade saved it and I enjoyed the sandwich as a whole. Now, the shrimp fries aren't really "fries" at all...they were puffy chips/crisps that looked more like pork rinds. They were fairly tasty (though not what we expected), and the dipping sauce served with them was incredibly flavorful--the real highlight of the plate. The salmon crudo was a little underwhelming for me...I love salmon, but with all the flavors mixing on the plate, the fish was a little overpowered (especially by the fennel & orange). I would have given Gather 4 stars, but a couple things dropped it down a notch: our server wasn't very attentive--in fact, when I tried to get her attention to place the order for our 2nd round of tacos before HH was over, I actually made eye contact with her when she was at the next table over and motioned for her, but she turned right around and walked away...only to return minutes later (and just barely before the HH cutoff). Also, one of my 3 beer tasting glasses had a lip imprint on it when it was served to me, and I noticed a number of other full tasting glasses ready to be served on trays with the same mark of a dirty glass. I know they were busy, but that is no excuse for diminished quality control! If you plan on going to Gather on a Thursday night, I highly recommend reservations. When we arrived w/o one, the host said they are crazy busy every Thursday, but we truly lucked out when the table right behind him was a no-show!
(3)Jen W.
It's a tough place to review since the chef changes every month (by design). To be honest, I don't totally undestand the concept of this place. If I want to try Russell Klein's menu, for example, I would simply go to Meritage where he brings his A game every night. I went when the chef from D'Amico Kitchens was the guest chef. I thought the food was fine, but nothing extraordinary. Kind of what I expect out of anything D'Amico. The space is weird. It feels very much like you are dining in an airport lounge. And it is packed for Thursday night happy hour (they are only open in the evening on Thursdays which is another weird thing) but cleared out almost completely by 8:00. I doubt I will go back, unless there is a guest chef from out of town that I am curious about (but I think they only do local chefs).
(3)Christina R.
I experienced Gather for the first time today and must say that it definitely left an impression! The sweet corn empanadas were SPECTACULAR - they come in a serving of four small rounds, approximately the size of half dollars. The flavor was excellent and the accompanying smoky ancho tomato sauce was a perfect compliment to the sweetness of the corn. The ginger lemonade was very refreshing and the chocolate torte with fresh mango was a nice ending. From start to finish, the entire experience was excellent. The staff was friendly, prompt, and professional while the food was delicious, fast, and filling. I can't *wait* to go back for more!
(5)Jeannine D.
Pretty people, pretty food, pretty views. I wish I could work up the energy to say more, but overall, it didn't inspire me. Maybe my BF's culinary snobbery is rubbing off on me. It's a nice spot for group get-togethers, yay for locally-sourced food, and the happy hour menu has tasty treats for a reasonable price...oh, see there, now I did have more to say. I wouldn't say that there are menu must-haves, but here are my if-you-happen-to-stop-by-consider-trying-these list: -Beet & arugula salad -Fish tacos -Banh mi -No-jito
(3)Kre C.
Made a reservation and got a beautiful table by the window. The food was unremarkable to bad...and expensive. Not a good combo. Fish & chips: batter dark on outside , not cooked on inside. Chips were mostly overdone. The fettuccini was dull--no one flavor showing through and no brightness...shrimp were not deveined at $17 for a lunch portion. The chicken was said by a fellow diner to be delicious. But, geez, at those prices, each dish should shine! Our waitress brought us someone else's bill that had already been paid...I considered....but the dine and dash is for younger folk. Won't be back.
(1)Nichole K.
Love love loved the truffle fries & assorted small grilled cheese sandwiches. Dessert wise the goat cheese panna cotta with amarene cherries was to die for; Overall quite expensive but enjoyed myself and the view nevertheless.
(4)Jennifer S.
With time to spare before the British Arrow Awards on Saturday night, we stopped in for something to eat. The place was busy but as we agreed to be seated at the end of their "community table", we were seated promptly (we'd called while on our drive there and had been assured that they'd be able to seat us when we arrived). During the run of the British Arrow Awards, they had some traditional British fare available at this place. I spied "fish and chips" on their menu and ordered it. My companion ordered the "Scotch egg" and a glass of sauvignon blanc wine (either AUS or NZ). Ouch! That first piece of fish I picked up to take a bite of was boiling hot! And soooo good! It rivaled the deep fried Ling Cod I enjoyed a few times while in Alaska. It was the best deep fried fish I've ever eaten in the continental USA! I will wish that this place would continue serving this prep. The "chips" were also really good, too - thick wedges with their skins on. The bowl holding the food contained a smaller bowl of their "British pub sauce" and it proved excellent on both the fish and the chips. My companion enjoyed the Scotch egg and the wine. Too bad this space closed at 9pm - too late for us to go back in for a glass of wine post show.
(4)Siobhan W.
Apparently reservations is de rigueur here. I showed up without a reservation, while the man before me, and the group behind me, appeared to have one. After helping the man before me, the hostess comes back, and stares at the ground. So I smiled and asked for a table. The hostess then begrudgingly obliges me and seats me at a small table near the front. No smiles, no warmth, and certainly no amount of welcome from this very morose, brown-haired, middle aged lady. It appeared as if she hated her job...which sucks not only for her, but for the rest of us who have to deal with her. I've worked in customer service for over a decade, and so I know what its like to serve other people, and I know how to be professional about it even if I'm having a bad day. I was seated near the front nearby the less than enthusiastic hostess. Being seated by the front sucks by the way, it's like you're seated in the museum hallway! The only good thing I can say about the place, is that Celeste, my waitress was wonderful. She was friendly, attentive, welcoming, knowledgeable and professional. Couldn't ask for a better waitress. Thanks Celeste, you're why this place gets 3 stars instead of 2 stars! As I left Gather, I made eye contact with and smiled at the misanthropic hostess. She stared back dully at me, not saying a word. I don't plan on coming back to weirdo Gather. Aside from the lovely waitress, the overall experience was lopsided, mediocre, and much lame.
(3)B Q.
Very tasty! I went during the British Arrow Awards, so there were several English faves on the menu (everything I ordered and sampled was flavorful). The concktails were fun AND delicious (not just a pile of sugary syrups mashed together - I loved the ginger cocktail and the holiday grog). The place has a fun, trendy atmosphere with an open kitchen and tables fairly close together. We had a great table next to the floor to ceiling windows overlooking downtown.
(5)heerain p.
This is a great place to eat...we discovered it just 'cos we were hungry during our visit at the walker art center. I had the barbecued beef bahn mi - flavorful meat with a great beefy texture served on crispy bread. My wife had the turkey on miche. The creamy ricotta is to die for! Excellent ambience too - the wait staff is courteous (and cute) and the chef stopped by to visit for a bit.
(5)Ann P.
We LOVED Gather. Mind you, I was sick as a dog BUT ventured out around 11 AM Saturday to the Walker Art Center in the splintering cold of MSP. It was surreal, as if Canada was pumping icy area into MSP. I digress, the museum was amazing and Gather was the topping on the cake of this amazing day. The staff all around are great. Our waitress Andi was amazing. She made recommendations that were spot on. The beet salad with asparagus and pistachios was heaven. I loved my grilled corn empanadas. My daughter enjoyed her tomato soup with grilled WI cheddar. Oh the bread basket with sweet butter was lovely...and finally, the Guinness Gingerbread was pure ambrosia. WOW...
(5)Sarah K.
This place impressed my socks right off. Attempting to impress my out-of-state relatives to the point that they would never want to leave, we went here after galavanting around the Jewelry Sale at the Walker. What a swanky joint! Purple lights, clean lines, tall glasses, and a view that is pretty pretty. :-) My mother and I ordered the ginger lemonade, which was delicious. For our food, my three relatives ordered burgers of some sort, and I ordered chicken. I wish I could remember the name so I could recommend it....it's chicken with vegetables....so good! So the waiter brings the burgers out, and gives me a very apologetic look. "I'm so sorry, we didn't put your chicken in at the same time as the burgers, so it'll be a bit before it is done. Please, let us buy it for you and offer you a free appetizer." Ummm....yes please! I got the corn empanadas with chili sauce....for free!! They were delicious....I really wouldn't have minded paying for them. My chicken, when it came out, was wonderful. To top it off, the host then offered to buy my entire table dessert. I could've hugged him. We got the goat cheese dessert plate and the ice cream...both were excellent. I included pictures so you can get a feel what you're in for. I very highly recommend this place. The people are nice, the food is amazing, the atmosphere is superb. Go for lunch; the price is just right.
(5)S W.
Mc Manus Pinot, Why doesn't everyone have this? It's just a wine's wine. Fries with Aolli that has NOT been messed with in some cutesy way, just light garlic. Halleluhjah. I can't be the only person who has missed this. Not everything has to be reconstructed in some stupid way. I've been eating a metric ton of bistro fries lately, and these are probably the most impressive in a long time. Sameh Wadi's the chef of the month doing little nibbles - and the char/jerusalem choke soup is worth getting excited about, the lamb carpaccio is ok at best, really would expect better. Good thing the soup's that good. Nice room, good hangout, does exactly what it should.
(4)Anna B.
The food is good but overpriced. The location is great but dont come here in the winter unless you want to eat in your jacket...freezing cold! Warm beat salad was tasty and so was the fish and chips. The fish tacos were below average. The filling looked like it came out of a can. I might give this another try in the summer or just eat a snack in the main lobby!
(2)Elyse A.
Had such a great evening last night at Gather, that I just had to hop on Yelp and spread the love. I've lived in Minneapolis for 5 years and have always been curious about the seemingly magical restaurant that hangs over Hennepin Avenue in the Walker Art Museum. I never knew what their deal was. Was it always open? Was it any good? I had no idea until I went last night with my husband and our two good friends. Apparently, the scoop on Gather is that it's only open on Thursday nights when the Walker has their free admission evenings. They also started this special feature where they have guest chefs come in to create unique small plates based on their style of cooking. Last night we were lucky to taste the great work of local chef Tyler Shipton (who owns and runs the new restaurant Coup d'Etat, as well as Burrough). His dishes were DELIGHTFUL and are served at Coup d'Etat in Uptown--one was a tuna tartare that was perfectly balanced, and the other was a pork belly that was so flavorful and savory). Beyond that, my guests and myself all shared and enjoyed the beet salad, the bahn mi sandwich, as well as the short ribs and sweet potato gnocchi. It was all very well-prepared and well-seasoned. Fresh-tasting. And just overall simple and delightful. Nothing too crazy. Nothing trying too hard. Just simple, clean, flavorful food. The service was great! We had attentive and helpful waitresses who guided us to make great food decisions. And the chef himself came over to discuss some of his favorite dishes to prepare. It was a magical night (despite the unexpected April snow storm) filled with great food, conversation and ambiance. Thanks to Gather! We'll definitely be back!
(4)Lori J.
Nate was so sweet and genuine without needing to be overly fake smiley or chipper. He was just so calm and professional. He made our experience fabulous. I highly recommend this establishment and especially Nate in particular
(5)Darrell G.
Gather is only open for dinner on Thursday nights. It's the same night that the Walker is open late for free admission. They have guest chef's come through so the style and feel of your food can vary significantly depending on who is on the bill. It's a concept that works, though. Visiting chefs get a chance to be a bit more experimental.
(4)Leah B.
Super friendly service, everyone in the front of house was great. Delicious sweet potato gnocchi (has corn and chorizo - who'd a thunk!) Specialty cocktails were tasty (however a run of the mill Manhattan was a little tricky to produce) as was the Mc Manus Pinto. The short rib is a must! However, they changed the menu seasonally as the concept is fresh local food (LOVE). So go and get that rib now. Good food, good drinks, awesome view (might wanna clean the window a little more frequently), totally an upgrade for the Walker.
(5)Brad L.
Toured the gallery on a Thursday night, my last night in town, not even knowing Gather existed. Saw the sign on the wall, walked up, there happened to be a seat open at the bar, I took it, and was informed how lucky I was to just walk in and immediately get a seat on the first Thursday of the month. Apparently, on the first Thursday of the month the Chef gives taste testers of some unique cuisine close to her heart. Her bio mentioned her passion was pasta. There was almost no pasta on the menu, but her special plate available to taste test was zucchini and squash sliced and cooked for use as pasta. My first time trying this, although I had seen it before and assumed it wasn't tasty, but this taste tester proved me wrong. It can be done well, because she did an amazing job. Not only that, but my actual order, the pan seared chicken with root veggies, chicken confit, and pan sauce was AMAZE! You could tell it was high fat, as the oil was dripping off my fork when I held up some veggies, but man was this an amazing pairing. This chef knows what she's doing in making the meal an experience. Thank you, you've inspired me to add several dishes to my own recipe list. The staff here were extremely quick, courteous, and the overall experience was above par.
(5)Farah A.
Fun atmosphere, great service, and delicious food! Their burrata salad is out of this world delicious! The fries with truffle mayo are a must. I will definitely come back to try their bigger entrees.
(5)N B.
I loved my experience and look forward to more Thursday evenings here. The Duck prosciutto with figs and balsamic was the star, but the grilled cheese was...meh. Unless you're a grilled cheese connoisseur, I'd skip those. But between the view, the happy hour prices, the ethereal nature of the restaurant, the company and the friendly staff...I love this. It was so magical! I had no idea this place even existed and I kind of want it to be a secret, but I also want them to do well. So I review...
(5)Brigitte K.
This place has an amazing happy hour every Thursday night! They have $5 small plates and the best lavender infused vodka ever! The service is great! The decor is pretty swanky. I love the purple leather furniture! Each month a guest chef is featured on the menu. I had an opportunity to taste Chef Jay Sparks sweet bread tacos and corn ravioli in a poblano sauce. The tuna crudo is great as well! I will definitely be coming back!
(5)J M.
If I was a local I would eat here often! Wow - three of us had lunch together and every dish was exquisite! Top marks for the shrimp with gnocchi - it had a wonderfully intense basil flavor, the chicken salad was an amazing combination of veggies and had a unique and lovely dressing and the beet salad was perfect with pistachios and a slightly sweet balsamic dressing. Do not skip dessert! The panacotta was to die for!
(5)