First Visit: The Draft Horse

My rule of thumb is, the second time I hear someone comment about a great new restaurant it's time to check it out!

The Draft Horse opened in December and last week we made our first visit. It's next to the Food Building off Marshall and was started by the owners of Anchor Fish and Chips, also located in Northeast Minneapolis. The lunch menu has two stand outs - pot pies and sandwiches. It took some coaxing to get our server Jason to share that his favorite is the chicken pot pie (such a diplomat!) The sandwich line up includes Fried Bologna and Cheese, Hot Roast with Gravy, Lone Grazer Grilled Cheese and Red Table Speck with Arugula. The grilled cheese is available with Red Table Royal Ham. I called it. I loved it.

The soup choices were a Whiskey Onion and a Minnesota Squash. Doug ordered the Chicken Pot Pie and a bowl of Minnesota Squash Soup. Lucky for me he shares. Both were delicious. The pot pie was hearty and flavorful with lots and lots and lots of chicken.

By noon the only remaining seats were at the bar. I asked the owner if lunch or dinner were busier times. She said in the beginning, dinner was the bigger draw but they were looking to build their lunch business. I think they've succeeded.

The focus is local, from the Red Table meats to the Patisserie 46 baguettes to the Spyhouse coffee selections. The emphasis on locally-sourced extended to the beer list with one exception, there's Guinness on tap, a nod to the owner's Belfast roots. We will be back for a happy hour soon to try out the tasting menu and one of the brews!

Location: 117 14th Avenue Northeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413

Website: www.thedrafthorsempls.com

Julie Craven can be reached at julie@millcitymedia.org.