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May 21, 2016 · 8:00 am

Another review of Hell’s Kitchen, Minneapolis

It’s been a few years since I wrote my last review of this fine dining establishment so I thought I would create a new, birthday version this time. When I made the reservation to celebrate my birthday at Hell’s Kitchen they asked if we would be celebrating something so I answered “birthday”. When we checked in the hostess noted that we were celebrating a birthday and seated us with a little something with “happy birthday” on our table. This was to alert the wait staff to offer a special gift. I didn’t know they offered anything special but our waitress gave me several options of items that were on the house as their way of saying happy birthday. Well, how nice! I decided on a house wine to have with dinner. Perfect!

I always get the same thing when I come here because it is absolutely wonderful! At Hell’s Kitchen they offer breakfast items all day and the huevos rancheros are to die for! Here is how they’re described on the menu: A crisp flour tortilla layered with buttery hashbrowns, spicy black beans, soft-scrambled eggs and a 3-cheese topping baked to a golden brown. Topped with hand-chopped salsa and a dollop of sour cream. You can add all sorts of things like guacamole, bacon or avocado but I think it’s perfect without anything extra. Both Miss M and myself had the huevos rancheros while hubby had their French dip: This isn’t a standard deli-sliced French dip sandwich. At Hell’s Kitchen, we slow-roast a prime rib for hours until it’s so tender, it falls apart with a fork. We’ll serve yours piled with mounds of thin slices on a grilled ciabatta bun with plenty of roasted garlic au jus for dipping. He doesn’t get the same thing every time like I do and he’s always enjoyed every meal we’ve had there. I’m including a few photos from the great time we had last night.

the “happy birthday” doodad with my free glass of wine

Minnesota scenes placemat

Prince in front of famous mural across the street

Minnesota city names above the booths. I was surprised to learn there is an Elgin, MN! I was born in Elgin, IL.

Hell’s Kitchen Minneapolis for my birthday in May

hubby’s French dip

huevos rancheros estupendos!!

After dinner we walked across the street where the famous music mural resides on the side of the building of what used to be Schmitt Music’s headquarters. You might have seen the photo of Prince posing in front of it in the 70s, the same photo that is part of the place mats at Hell’s Kitchen in my gallery above. The music is by Ravel and according to Miss M, it’s the hardest piece to play on piano. I found another story online with more informaiton on the mural and it mentions this fact as well.

Schmitt music mural, Minneapolis

Hell’s Kitchen entrance from across the street

It was such a nice evening with great food and company. Once again, I highly recommend Hell’s Kitchen. And if you’re celebrating something, do mention it and get your freebie. They really treat you right here and I will continue to visit. Thanks Hell’s Kitchen for a wonderful birthday dinner!

I’ll leave you with a photo of downtown Minneapolis. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

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Filed under Food, Minnesota, Restaurant reviews

Tagged as downtown Minneapolis, Hell's Kitchen, Minneapolis, photography, restaurants

March 15, 2013 · 9:23 pm

Hell’s Kitchen – Minneapolis, MN

We sure have interesting restaurant names here in the twin cities eh? Here’s another one that we tried almost a month ago when some friends were here from northern Minnesota. It was also their 28th anniversary. How nice of them to spend it with us (?). Ha ha. They came down to see their daughter sing in a performance of Carmina Burana and wanted to get together with us too. It just happened to be their anniversary too.

I had heard of this place a while ago and when I learned they were staying downtown I suggested it and everyone was amenable. It’s in the basement so you really feel like you’re descending into hell!! Plus, the place is decorated with dark colors and wait until you see what they have in the bathroom! I will get to that in a bit. We parked in a lot that was conveniently connected so we only were outside walking to/from the car to/from the elevator. I love that about our downtowns. Both have skyways connecting buildings and parking lots and the saavy skyway walker never is affected by the elements. And we have a lot of those elements during the loooooong winter months here. Here’s the entry – Hell’s Kitchen Damn Good Food:

The view from the top of the stairs:

Once you descend the stairs you find the place to check in where they sell Hell’s Kitchen items:

I was able to make a reservation online earlier in the day. They only had 5:15 or 8:30 so 5:15 it was and we all got there about the same time. We had a nice corner booth and it was cozy. Here’s the view looking out from our booth:

There was a fabulous jazz band playing too! I found that unusual since it was so early. Usually music doesn’t start until later in the evening, so that was a pleasant surprise:

Here’s the interesting thing in the bathrooms (hubby told me they had similar portraits in the men’s bathroom). There were three portraits which I’m guessing were a mother, father and child. When you moved you got a different view. A normal view:

And then the hellish view:

Here are the happy couple and a couple of diners (hubby and another friend of ours):

Hubby couldn’t help but notice familiar paintings on the walls. I wouldn’t have known this, good thing he tagged along ;) They had Ralph Steadman paintings on the walls near our table so I took a couple of shots of them. Ralph Steadman was Hunter Thompson’s illustrator and lookie, he has a website.

I haven’t even gotten to the wonderful food!! Alas, I forgot to take photos of the food. I don’t recall what everyone else had but I do know that everyone was happy with their food. I remember what I had and it was hellishly delicious!! They serve breakfast items all day long and I was intrigued by their juevos rancheros which is described thusly: A crisp flour tortilla with buttery hash browns, spicy black beans, soft-scrambled eggs and a 3-cheese topping, all baked to a golden brown. Topped with hand-chopped salsa and a dollop of sour cream. MMMMMM!! YUM!!