**Update - Wilde Roast now has a new location**
Erin's Review
I was very pleased to hear that Rett and Rebekah had chosen Wilde Roast Cafe for Rebekah's birthday brunch. I was even more pleased when she told me that this place was rumored to have "the best eggs benedict ever" (I seem to hear this often...). We got there on a rainy Sunday morning and the place was kind of busy. I loved the atmosphere in Wilde Roast - the decor was very clean and classic and the noise level was good - easy to hold a conversation, but not too quiet.
We set about ordering, which was a long process due to the size of the group and the busy-ness of the restaurant. I liked the self serve nature - definitely made being there with a group easier because there was no check to split. I got the eggs benedict because of the recommendation - it came with marsala roasted potatoes instead of hashbrowns so I figured I had to check it out to see if it was different from the usual eggs benedict.
We all got our food about 10-20 minutes later, and my eggs benedict looked great - there were chopped veggies mixed in with the hollandaise sauce which was a nice little bonus. I really enjoyed these eggs benedict. I did not think they were "the best ever" (right now, that title goes to Barbette) but I would certainly tell people to order this dish if they are at Wilde Roast. I loved the potatoes, but they seemed hit or miss - a few others got them and they were too oily for them, but mine were perfect.
I really want to go back to Wilde Roast. That is the bad part of doing this blog - we always feel like we should go to one of the places on our list, but there have been so many places that we want to go back to... and this is definitely one of them. They have a date night deal that I want to take advantage of - for $25 each person gets a bottomless glass of house red or white wine, and a pizza or salad. Sounds like a great deal to me, and I'd love to see how the place is at night. Plus, the desserts that Kimberly and Rebekah got looked awesome...
Ben's Review
For our friend Rebekah's birthday, her husband Rett arranged to have some friends go out for brunch at Wilde Roast Cafe at Hennepin & Central. Luckily for them this was one of the restaurants on our list, otherwise we would have declined :)
We got a table right near the entrance for about ten people. Wilde Roast is part coffee shop part restaurant. There were plenty of people enjoying coffee and wifi while sitting in one of the many armchairs and couches that are available. I really enjoyed the decor at Wilde Roast; the old-style dark wood trim make it feel new and old at the same time and I liked the various forms of lighting they have.
I had checked out the menu beforehand but I still didn't know what I wanted as I walked in the door. Like Trotter's, you order individually up at the register and they give you a number and bring your food out when it's ready. For a big group like we had this actually worked out better than having a server, I thought. You pay at the time of order, so there's no messing around with splitting up a bill and the server isn't overwhelmed trying to fill ten people's drinks. Since it was so near lunch I actually was considering the veggie burger, the description on the menu makes it sound fantastic: "black beans, red peppers, roasted garlic, artichoke hearts and potatoes, all blended with herbs and spices". I eventually decided on the "breakfast burro", with sausage extra (I would've liked black beans too, maybe next time).
This was probably the best breakfast I've had since we started reviewing. The tortilla baked to make it crispy and there was the perfect mixture of scrambled eggs, cheese, veggies, and sausage. Another benefit of ordering separately is that your food comes out fresh. I could've EASILY eaten another one immediately, it was wonderful.
There are so many good things on the menu that I know we'll be coming back. The veggie burger, breakfast sandwich, biggun burger, tuna melt, and mac & cheese are only a couple of things that I want to try. Everyone else had great food as well, I don't think I heard any complaints, except for Caleb who claims the best breakfast burritos are in New Mexico, but I have a feeling this one would stand up pretty well to those :)
- Service: There actually isn't much service, aside from bringing our food out. The servers were friendly though.
- Food: Best breakfast I've had in recent memory.
- Drinks: I actually didn't try the coffee because I had already had some at home, but other people said it was good.
- Ambiance: I liked the vibe at Wilde Roast, the people there all seemed to be in a good mood and it was pleasantly busy.
- Price: We already know that I think breakfasts are overpriced and this one was no different, but if I have to buy an overpriced breakfast this is the place to do it.
- Convenience: There's a small parking lot but we parked on a side street behind the restaurant. Several buses probably go by as well.
Wilde Roast Cafe
518 Hennepin Ave East
Minneapolis
Highly recommended for the great food and atmosphere
