My husband and I attended the Fall Fete at The Commons in downtown Minneapolis last week to celebrate fall and the launch of The Kitchen by Entourage. The day was a little more fall-like than I was prepared for – quite chilly to almost COLD actually and very windy to boot -- BUT there’s nothing like fire pits and fine food and beverage and pleasant company to ease the chill.
The Kitchen is a 53’ mobile culinary kitchen that is quite a sight to behold in and of itself. It is a full-scale catering kitchen, customized with state-of-art equipment and a professional team of chefs capable of providing an interactive culinary experience, “showcasing the same beautiful, chef-inspired cuisine and high level service you would expect at any other venue.
The menu designed by Executive Chef Steven Lacey and his staff was a great fit for the event. The menu boards were strategically placed and easy to read. The sample plates were nicely displayed on the counter, but individually plated on the spot by the professionals behind the counter who were extremely knowledgeable about what they were serving and had their “happy-to-be-there” welcoming smiles on.
The menu consisted of an absolutely delightful: Seafood and Sweet Potato Poutine; a Beef and Reef plate (steak & potato horseradish, coconut curry shrimp skewer boat; one of the best tasting Walleye Tacos (with citrus slaw, pico de gallo & cilantro micro) I’ve had the luxury of tasting, Harvest Grains & Wild Mushrooms (quinoa, brown rice, Brussels, kale, radicchio, pomegranates & maple Dijon); and a simple but elegantly presented cheese sampler. The only items I didn’t sample were the S’mores (grahams, dark chocolate, Nutella, toasty mallows & brandied caramel) and the Maple-Sugar Bacon that I’m stilling kicking myself for not doing but I can only handle so much per event. In keeping with the green initiative, they used bamboo service ware with each piece coordinated to fit the item being served that added a perfect touch to the overall presentation.
For additional information on The Kitchen and Entourage Events Group, contact Nancy Jacobs at 612.564.3777 or nancy@thentourage.com. www.entourageeventsgroup.com
The Commons is a vibrant green space in the new East Town neighborhood of Minneapolis (925 Portland Avenue South), adjacent to The Amory and US Bank Stadium. It is conveniently located off the light rail at the US Bank Stadium stop.
The Commons is managed by Green Minneapolis, a nonprofit “advancing the vitality of downtown through parks and greening. “ The 4.2-acre park is the city’s newest public space and hosts weekly fitness classes, monthly movie nights and musical events, in addition to private events. The space provides a good combination of artfully designed green space for milling about and lawn games as well as plenty of hard surface areas to accommodate tables and chairs and other décor elements.
For more information on The Commons, contact Amanda Wigen, director of programming and events at awigen@greenminneapolis.org.