We stumbled upon this restaurant by chance. Charming historic building beautifully restored. Varied menu. Very reasonably priced for beautifully prepared and presented food.
(5)
Danielle V.
My favorite restaurant in Northfield! I've been here several times for both breakfast and dinner and always had a great experience. When my parents come to visit, we always dine here. It's busier on Friday and Saturday nights, so on the safe side you should call and make a reservation. The service was great; we were seated right away and placed our orders almost right away. I noticed that compared to last year some of the items changed on the menu. I decided to try one of their new dishes which was the salmon special. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The mushrooms and vinaigrette on the side accommodated the salmon well. Lastly, I recommend to always save room for dessert. I had the chocolate lava cake, and it just melted in my mouth.
(5)
Blern S.
Very well done! Great menu and beer/wine selection. Cozy atmosphere for any occasion and great staff to provide an enjoyable time. My prosciutto wrapped halibut was a tad dry but very flavorful. A quality visit!
(4)
Tatyana V.
Great service, were seated right away with a reservation. Menu has an extensive variety of entries from 3 kinds of fish to lamb and other meats. Full bar service. Generous portions of a good quality home cooked meals.
(5)
Stuart N.
Best omelette I've had in a long time. Service was nice since the kitchen was a little backed up from the Sunday brunch crowd.
(4)
David D.
This was quite a surprise! We stopped in for a quick breakfast. I had the best - BEST - corned beef hash and eggs ever. Hunks of tender beef with almost crunchy tender potatoes. Great coffee. Perfection! My wife had the Benedict. She really liked them. The roll was good but not best ever.
(5)
Hope K.
I'm from New England and decided to stop in while attending a conference at St Olaf's and I'm glad I did. It's Thursday and was fairly early so there weren't many patrons and the place seemed airy (okay a little sparse) but warm. Staff was very friendly and helpful and my waiter gave me spot on recommendations. I ordered the ahi tuna sliders with perfectly cooked, slightly smoky tuna, fresh chewy bread and a lovely slaw. The fries were perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside with just the right amount of sea salt - they reminded me of home cooked fries (in a good way). Once I dipped them in the left over wasabi aioli, I was blissed out. I washed it down with a Surly Furious beer on tap which was pleasantly hoppy. Fresh ingredients, very well prepared with interesting and well balanced flavors and my entire meal was under $20! It would cost twice as much back east.
(4)
Benjamin S.
This was my first visit to the Ole Store Restaurant since its recent remodeling. Overall, my experience was positive. Our server was very attentive, and provided us with several useful menu recommendations. The food was quite good, probably the best modern American food I've had in Northfield. Our appetizer was a plate of risotto topped with asparagus and seared scallops along with some sort of sweet citrus-y sauce, and a balsamic reduction. It was simply wonderful; the risotto was creamy and fluffy, the asparagus was tender and flavorful, and the scallops were seared perfectly. The brightly-flavored sauces contrasted the mellow flavors of the dish without overpowering them; it was simply delightful. Our entrees were quite good as well, although not of the same caliber as the delicious appetizer. My one issue with the entrees was the peculiar price system. The entrees ran been $15-$24 for fairly standard fare (I ordered parmesan-crusted walleye, and my companion ordered a mozzarella chicken dish). The funny thing is, most of the $20ish entrees were available in the same portion size as sandwiches for half the cost! My walleye sandwich cost $13 compared to the $20 fillet of the same size (sans buns) ordered by a man at the next table over. I wasn't too bothered by this (I still got some tasty fish), but I have to admit that relegating an entree item to the sandwich list on the same menu made me question its quality. The decor of the Ole Store also leaves something to be desired. There's nothing unattractive about plain hardwood floors and unadorned walls, but the space feels rather naked. It looks like they stripped out the previous interior and never bothered to install a new one. The scantly-clad walls do little to dampen sound, so it became fairly noisy during our meal. Overall, I quite enjoyed my dining experience at the Ole Store Restaurant, despite the aforementioned shortcomings (which could probably be fixed with a quick trip to a flea market, and a menu reorganization). The food was some of the best I've had in Northfield, and I will probably return again.
(4)
Rebekah W.
This is a neat little place. Since moving into the area, I've heard people rave about the delight that is the Ole Store. My expectations were perhaps a bit higher than they should have been but hey, I'm kind of a princess like that. The first thing that I was surprised about was that they only have beer and wine, no booze. That isn't a straight up drawback for me but when I want a martini, I like to have the option. When we reviewed the menu, there was only one fish option, salmon, which was also a little disappointing. While having a good dinner with my man, I like to eat something light so I can enjoy the entire evening. The surf and turf was ultimately my choice and I hoped that it would be "special" as our waitress said it was. The filet was not a fantastic cut but had a beautiful, charred taste without being burned and maintaining its medium-rare finish. The lobster tail was not good. It was, however, dry and impossible to get out of the shell. There was a couple next to us who also ordered the surf and turf; they too were very unhappy and made a bit of a scene with our waitress. She handled it very well which was nice to see. My gentleman caller ordered the butternut squash ravioli. It was creamy, delicious and had a great cheese that I wish I could remember. The layers of flavor were really beautiful and well matched. This is something that we would order again and again. Finally, for dessert, we ordered a chocolate molten cake. They called it something else but I will just call it delightful. Overall, a pretty ho-hum experience. However, it was like $100 for dinner and a couple glasses of wine. That is a pretty cheap date in our book and makes it worth trying again.
(3)
Lisa P.
I was pleasantly surprised with the Ole Store when I went to celebrate my mom's birthday last week. Everything on the menu looked great and our server was very helpful in explaining the specials and making suggestions. For an appetizer, we decided on the potstickers. The presentation was flawless and the potstickers delicious. For my entree, I had the spinach strawberry salad with shrimp. All of the ingredients were fresh and the shrimp were cooked to perfection. Others in my group had the Crab Louie salad (huge!!) and the prime rib sandwich. All were happy with their choices. We finished off the meal with the chocolate flourless cake with vanilla ice cream - the perfect end to a birthday celebration. I will definitely be back - the Ole Store was the best food I have had in the Faribault/Northfield/Owatonna area.
(4)
Gordon M.
Great menu. Terrific food and service. reasonable prices. Can get crowded - make a reservation - great brunches
(5)
John H.
What a great addition to the Northfield restaurant scene! The restaurant is fairly new and still has a bit of work to do to polish up the rough edges. The place is noisy, mainly due to the fact that there are no carpets or fabrics to absorb the noise. In fact, decor is almost nonexistent, and misses the opportunity to showcase the local history (especially the farming culture, given the restaurant's emphasis on local produce). The food was generally excellent: don't miss the crab cakes, and the fish was delicious. The potatoes au gratin was not good and should be replaced. Service was excellent, and the early bird 1/2 price bottle of wine was a pleasant surprise. If they can tie up a few loose ends, this will be a 5-star restaurant-- but even now it's probably the best restaurant in Northfield.
(4)
Mike E.
The Ole Cafe has been totally renovated inside and a new chef Chris Basina is operating the business. Chris is our favorite chef and used to work at the Good Thyme in Washburn, Wisconsin. So fortunate to have moved to the area and found him and his wife. The food, the service, the decor did not disappoint us. Elegant and a nice place , one of a kind in the area, to take our friends and out of town relatives. They have everything from the "Ole burger" to fantastic steaks, pastas, etc. We had wine, but not sure if the bar is a full bar.
(5)
Hayes P.
Every time we go it gets better. Tina is an excellent server and treats our 8 year old son like a king. The food is fresh and fantastic and priced very reasonable. Definitely worth the drive to Northfield.
(5)
Ruth Marie S.
The Ole Cafe (formerly known as the Ole Store) is back in business and under new management. It's good to have this "institution" back in town! There is now a coffee shop area when you first enter, a cafeteria-style eatery in the main section and a small bar (wine/beer) in the back. The food is consistent and delicious and creative. Be sure to try the pizzas and the desserts! On some evenings, the Ole Cafe features live music groups -- including local jam sessions.
(4)
David M.
Today was our third visit to the 'new' Ole Store Restaurant. It was our second breakfast (one other visit for dinner when they first re-opened last year). The parking lot was full and the restaurant busy (Father's Day, after all). We were told it would be a ten-minute wait; we were seated in five. The hostess was pleasant and had everything under control. From previous visits, we knew the portions would be large - you get your money's worth here! So, we ordered an Asparagus Benedict to split and a bowl of Breakfast Porridge to share with coffee and a Mimosa. Caleb, our server, was friendly and efficient in taking our order (getting the split portion right) and bringing our orders in timely fashion. The Benedict was excellent: fresh hollandaise sauce and bright asparagus with crispy home fries that were nicely seasoned. The Porridge was wonderful! Quinoa, barley, craisons and wild rice with brown sugar and sweet cream. If you like hot cereal, this is not to be missed. This cafe gets better and better. The prices are reasonable and the service excellent. The only downside is it's noisy due to the architecture and the fact that it's usually filled with patrons. Go figure. (So, food = 5, ambience = 3)
(4)
Catherine O.
Best place to find fresh, beautifully prepared, delicious cuisine in town. I have eaten breakfast menu and supper menu and am always impressed with both. Dinner specials have been creative and superb each time. Shrimp barbecue flat bread was a special one night and it was a-may-zing. Staff is young but eager to please and very knowledgeable of food, beer and wine offerings. Can't wait to go back. The ONLY reason I don't give a 5 star review is seat comfort. Neither wooden pew bench nor country kitchen wooden chairs are comfortable enough for me. Sorry....call me Goldylocks. Still, I will not hesitate to go back and to bring visiting friends and family along for the feast. Cheers to quality, you've found it and you share it at The Ole Store!
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Very Loud Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Terry G.
We stumbled upon this restaurant by chance. Charming historic building beautifully restored. Varied menu. Very reasonably priced for beautifully prepared and presented food.
(5)Danielle V.
My favorite restaurant in Northfield! I've been here several times for both breakfast and dinner and always had a great experience. When my parents come to visit, we always dine here. It's busier on Friday and Saturday nights, so on the safe side you should call and make a reservation. The service was great; we were seated right away and placed our orders almost right away. I noticed that compared to last year some of the items changed on the menu. I decided to try one of their new dishes which was the salmon special. The salmon was cooked perfectly. The mushrooms and vinaigrette on the side accommodated the salmon well. Lastly, I recommend to always save room for dessert. I had the chocolate lava cake, and it just melted in my mouth.
(5)Blern S.
Very well done! Great menu and beer/wine selection. Cozy atmosphere for any occasion and great staff to provide an enjoyable time. My prosciutto wrapped halibut was a tad dry but very flavorful. A quality visit!
(4)Tatyana V.
Great service, were seated right away with a reservation. Menu has an extensive variety of entries from 3 kinds of fish to lamb and other meats. Full bar service. Generous portions of a good quality home cooked meals.
(5)Stuart N.
Best omelette I've had in a long time. Service was nice since the kitchen was a little backed up from the Sunday brunch crowd.
(4)David D.
This was quite a surprise! We stopped in for a quick breakfast. I had the best - BEST - corned beef hash and eggs ever. Hunks of tender beef with almost crunchy tender potatoes. Great coffee. Perfection! My wife had the Benedict. She really liked them. The roll was good but not best ever.
(5)Hope K.
I'm from New England and decided to stop in while attending a conference at St Olaf's and I'm glad I did. It's Thursday and was fairly early so there weren't many patrons and the place seemed airy (okay a little sparse) but warm. Staff was very friendly and helpful and my waiter gave me spot on recommendations. I ordered the ahi tuna sliders with perfectly cooked, slightly smoky tuna, fresh chewy bread and a lovely slaw. The fries were perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside with just the right amount of sea salt - they reminded me of home cooked fries (in a good way). Once I dipped them in the left over wasabi aioli, I was blissed out. I washed it down with a Surly Furious beer on tap which was pleasantly hoppy. Fresh ingredients, very well prepared with interesting and well balanced flavors and my entire meal was under $20! It would cost twice as much back east.
(4)Benjamin S.
This was my first visit to the Ole Store Restaurant since its recent remodeling. Overall, my experience was positive. Our server was very attentive, and provided us with several useful menu recommendations. The food was quite good, probably the best modern American food I've had in Northfield. Our appetizer was a plate of risotto topped with asparagus and seared scallops along with some sort of sweet citrus-y sauce, and a balsamic reduction. It was simply wonderful; the risotto was creamy and fluffy, the asparagus was tender and flavorful, and the scallops were seared perfectly. The brightly-flavored sauces contrasted the mellow flavors of the dish without overpowering them; it was simply delightful. Our entrees were quite good as well, although not of the same caliber as the delicious appetizer. My one issue with the entrees was the peculiar price system. The entrees ran been $15-$24 for fairly standard fare (I ordered parmesan-crusted walleye, and my companion ordered a mozzarella chicken dish). The funny thing is, most of the $20ish entrees were available in the same portion size as sandwiches for half the cost! My walleye sandwich cost $13 compared to the $20 fillet of the same size (sans buns) ordered by a man at the next table over. I wasn't too bothered by this (I still got some tasty fish), but I have to admit that relegating an entree item to the sandwich list on the same menu made me question its quality. The decor of the Ole Store also leaves something to be desired. There's nothing unattractive about plain hardwood floors and unadorned walls, but the space feels rather naked. It looks like they stripped out the previous interior and never bothered to install a new one. The scantly-clad walls do little to dampen sound, so it became fairly noisy during our meal. Overall, I quite enjoyed my dining experience at the Ole Store Restaurant, despite the aforementioned shortcomings (which could probably be fixed with a quick trip to a flea market, and a menu reorganization). The food was some of the best I've had in Northfield, and I will probably return again.
(4)Rebekah W.
This is a neat little place. Since moving into the area, I've heard people rave about the delight that is the Ole Store. My expectations were perhaps a bit higher than they should have been but hey, I'm kind of a princess like that. The first thing that I was surprised about was that they only have beer and wine, no booze. That isn't a straight up drawback for me but when I want a martini, I like to have the option. When we reviewed the menu, there was only one fish option, salmon, which was also a little disappointing. While having a good dinner with my man, I like to eat something light so I can enjoy the entire evening. The surf and turf was ultimately my choice and I hoped that it would be "special" as our waitress said it was. The filet was not a fantastic cut but had a beautiful, charred taste without being burned and maintaining its medium-rare finish. The lobster tail was not good. It was, however, dry and impossible to get out of the shell. There was a couple next to us who also ordered the surf and turf; they too were very unhappy and made a bit of a scene with our waitress. She handled it very well which was nice to see. My gentleman caller ordered the butternut squash ravioli. It was creamy, delicious and had a great cheese that I wish I could remember. The layers of flavor were really beautiful and well matched. This is something that we would order again and again. Finally, for dessert, we ordered a chocolate molten cake. They called it something else but I will just call it delightful. Overall, a pretty ho-hum experience. However, it was like $100 for dinner and a couple glasses of wine. That is a pretty cheap date in our book and makes it worth trying again.
(3)Lisa P.
I was pleasantly surprised with the Ole Store when I went to celebrate my mom's birthday last week. Everything on the menu looked great and our server was very helpful in explaining the specials and making suggestions. For an appetizer, we decided on the potstickers. The presentation was flawless and the potstickers delicious. For my entree, I had the spinach strawberry salad with shrimp. All of the ingredients were fresh and the shrimp were cooked to perfection. Others in my group had the Crab Louie salad (huge!!) and the prime rib sandwich. All were happy with their choices. We finished off the meal with the chocolate flourless cake with vanilla ice cream - the perfect end to a birthday celebration. I will definitely be back - the Ole Store was the best food I have had in the Faribault/Northfield/Owatonna area.
(4)Gordon M.
Great menu. Terrific food and service. reasonable prices. Can get crowded - make a reservation - great brunches
(5)John H.
What a great addition to the Northfield restaurant scene! The restaurant is fairly new and still has a bit of work to do to polish up the rough edges. The place is noisy, mainly due to the fact that there are no carpets or fabrics to absorb the noise. In fact, decor is almost nonexistent, and misses the opportunity to showcase the local history (especially the farming culture, given the restaurant's emphasis on local produce). The food was generally excellent: don't miss the crab cakes, and the fish was delicious. The potatoes au gratin was not good and should be replaced. Service was excellent, and the early bird 1/2 price bottle of wine was a pleasant surprise. If they can tie up a few loose ends, this will be a 5-star restaurant-- but even now it's probably the best restaurant in Northfield.
(4)Mike E.
The Ole Cafe has been totally renovated inside and a new chef Chris Basina is operating the business. Chris is our favorite chef and used to work at the Good Thyme in Washburn, Wisconsin. So fortunate to have moved to the area and found him and his wife. The food, the service, the decor did not disappoint us. Elegant and a nice place , one of a kind in the area, to take our friends and out of town relatives. They have everything from the "Ole burger" to fantastic steaks, pastas, etc. We had wine, but not sure if the bar is a full bar.
(5)Hayes P.
Every time we go it gets better. Tina is an excellent server and treats our 8 year old son like a king. The food is fresh and fantastic and priced very reasonable. Definitely worth the drive to Northfield.
(5)Ruth Marie S.
The Ole Cafe (formerly known as the Ole Store) is back in business and under new management. It's good to have this "institution" back in town! There is now a coffee shop area when you first enter, a cafeteria-style eatery in the main section and a small bar (wine/beer) in the back. The food is consistent and delicious and creative. Be sure to try the pizzas and the desserts! On some evenings, the Ole Cafe features live music groups -- including local jam sessions.
(4)David M.
Today was our third visit to the 'new' Ole Store Restaurant. It was our second breakfast (one other visit for dinner when they first re-opened last year). The parking lot was full and the restaurant busy (Father's Day, after all). We were told it would be a ten-minute wait; we were seated in five. The hostess was pleasant and had everything under control. From previous visits, we knew the portions would be large - you get your money's worth here! So, we ordered an Asparagus Benedict to split and a bowl of Breakfast Porridge to share with coffee and a Mimosa. Caleb, our server, was friendly and efficient in taking our order (getting the split portion right) and bringing our orders in timely fashion. The Benedict was excellent: fresh hollandaise sauce and bright asparagus with crispy home fries that were nicely seasoned. The Porridge was wonderful! Quinoa, barley, craisons and wild rice with brown sugar and sweet cream. If you like hot cereal, this is not to be missed. This cafe gets better and better. The prices are reasonable and the service excellent. The only downside is it's noisy due to the architecture and the fact that it's usually filled with patrons. Go figure. (So, food = 5, ambience = 3)
(4)Catherine O.
Best place to find fresh, beautifully prepared, delicious cuisine in town. I have eaten breakfast menu and supper menu and am always impressed with both. Dinner specials have been creative and superb each time. Shrimp barbecue flat bread was a special one night and it was a-may-zing. Staff is young but eager to please and very knowledgeable of food, beer and wine offerings. Can't wait to go back. The ONLY reason I don't give a 5 star review is seat comfort. Neither wooden pew bench nor country kitchen wooden chairs are comfortable enough for me. Sorry....call me Goldylocks. Still, I will not hesitate to go back and to bring visiting friends and family along for the feast. Cheers to quality, you've found it and you share it at The Ole Store!
(4)