| April 2007 |
Willie's Minneapolis, It's NOT Paris but that's Okay
Friends and I finally headed to Willie’s Wine Bar the other evening in downtown Minneapolis. I’d
been reading about this place for the last couple of months and wanted to check it out. The
impression in my head was that Willie’s in Minneapolis was modeled after the one in Paris.
Since it was a busy Friday evening and we didn’t have a reservation, we waited for a few minutes
before ending up at the bar. Soon after we sat down, Jim, one of the owners, struck up a
conversation. The space he said had been vacant for four years prior to Willie’s arrival and
unbeknownst to me had already been open for two years. I thought to myself, how could I have
missed this wonderful place? Then I remembered what I’d doing the last two years and it became
as clear as a polished Riedel glass, which Kathy the other owner was hand polishing. I asked Jim
about the whole Willie’s connection to the one in Paris – there’s no connection he said. He and the
other owner wanted a name that started with a “V” or “W” and Vincent’s was already taken in
Minneapolis so they decided on Willie’s.
I was struck by the simplicity of the space, the artwork and immediately noticed the lack of the
ubiquitous plasma TV over the bar. There were a couple of jazz musicians playing, a little loud for
my taste, but at least they were musicians and not muzak from a CD. Jim wanted to create a
space that was bright with lots of windows, a place for the neighborhood with great wines and
food that paired well together but were not pretentious.
The bartender poured us samples of various wines by the glass. Even the samples were served in
the Riedel “O” series glasses. I noticed other details, like the water being stored overnight in wine
bottles so that any chlorine dissipates. These are details that I really appreciate.
The parking garage and building that is home to Willie’s is owned by The University of Saint
Thomas. It’s directly across from their Minneapolis campus. Not only is parking convenient, it’s
free to patrons. When was the last time you could park downtown for free? I’ll be going back to
Willie’s, hopefully sooner rather than later, now that the fog is lifting. Like a good scout, I’ll report
back on both the food and wine. If you make it there before I return, let me know what you think.
Or better yet call me and I’ll meet you there.
Willie's Wine Bar and Coffee House, 1100 Harmon Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403 612.332.8811
- Bret Bannon
been reading about this place for the last couple of months and wanted to check it out. The
impression in my head was that Willie’s in Minneapolis was modeled after the one in Paris.
Since it was a busy Friday evening and we didn’t have a reservation, we waited for a few minutes
before ending up at the bar. Soon after we sat down, Jim, one of the owners, struck up a
conversation. The space he said had been vacant for four years prior to Willie’s arrival and
unbeknownst to me had already been open for two years. I thought to myself, how could I have
missed this wonderful place? Then I remembered what I’d doing the last two years and it became
as clear as a polished Riedel glass, which Kathy the other owner was hand polishing. I asked Jim
about the whole Willie’s connection to the one in Paris – there’s no connection he said. He and the
other owner wanted a name that started with a “V” or “W” and Vincent’s was already taken in
Minneapolis so they decided on Willie’s.
I was struck by the simplicity of the space, the artwork and immediately noticed the lack of the
ubiquitous plasma TV over the bar. There were a couple of jazz musicians playing, a little loud for
my taste, but at least they were musicians and not muzak from a CD. Jim wanted to create a
space that was bright with lots of windows, a place for the neighborhood with great wines and
food that paired well together but were not pretentious.
The bartender poured us samples of various wines by the glass. Even the samples were served in
the Riedel “O” series glasses. I noticed other details, like the water being stored overnight in wine
bottles so that any chlorine dissipates. These are details that I really appreciate.
The parking garage and building that is home to Willie’s is owned by The University of Saint
Thomas. It’s directly across from their Minneapolis campus. Not only is parking convenient, it’s
free to patrons. When was the last time you could park downtown for free? I’ll be going back to
Willie’s, hopefully sooner rather than later, now that the fog is lifting. Like a good scout, I’ll report
back on both the food and wine. If you make it there before I return, let me know what you think.
Or better yet call me and I’ll meet you there.
Willie's Wine Bar and Coffee House, 1100 Harmon Place, Minneapolis, MN 55403 612.332.8811
- Bret Bannon
| Copyright © 2007 Bret’s Table |
| Culinary Classes and Tours |
Bret's Table
| Copyright © 2007 - 2008 Bret’s Table All Rights Reserved |
| Sojourns |
| On the Table |
| Kitchen Table |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| News and Reviews |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |