Wayzata Eatery

The other day I had the great pleasure of dining at Wayzata Eatery for lunch with a coworker. Having grown up in Wayzata, I've seen quite a few businesses come and go from this location, and was curious about what the latest venture might be. I'm glad to report that the food was magnificent, the service attentive and friendly, and the atmosphere very "Wayzatan".

First, the food. I had the Half and Half, with the Reuben sandwich and the soup of the day; a Cream of Portobello Mushroom. The Reuben was a bit on the greasy side, but I believe it was only because of the way the bread was toasted. I haven't had many Reuben sandwiches in my life (it has become a craving only in the past few years), but this was very good. The true star of the day was the soup, with a great full-bodied portobello taste and a hint of bacon to round out the flavor. I could, perhaps, have eaten just the soup for lunch; but when eating somewhere new I do enjoy trying more than one thing. My lunch companion also enjoyed the soup and a Chop-Chop Salad, which looked very nice.

Our waitress was friendly and informative, I almost felt as if I was dining in her own home from the way she spoke about the food. Very much to the point but still descriptive enough to get me interested, which I like. While some foods do indeed deserve an introduction, most do not and I feel quite non-plussed at restaurants that do such things for simple plates. For dining during the lunch hour, I was impressed by the timeliness of our service (even with our non-complicated choices); it shows that the staff is aware that not every patron has hours to spare.

The atmosphere, I've decided, is very much "Wayzatan". There are old maps and pictures of Wayzata's crown jewel, Lake Minnetonka, hung on the walls. The tables are small and cozy, fitting for the space that was once an artisan bread shop. I was impressed that the space beared no resemblence of its prior incarnations, as so many restaurants often do. The spacing of the tables and the high-backed booths offers the intimacy one might need for date night or a power lunch; while the openness of the room allows for the symphony of conversations and laughter one would expect during Sunday brunch. The beautiful woven rugs and dark wood tones offer the feeling that you are in someone's dining room, rather than a bustling up-and-coming restaurant.

It's no wonder why this little restaurant has received some rave reviews from the Star Trib, Minnesota Monthly, and City Pages. I will certainly be returning!