Although I’ve got many memories from college hanging at the 7 corners area of Minneapolis, given its close proximity, I rarely make it over to that part of town. When I heard about Republic, I knew I would be heading there soon – I’m a sucker for “fancy” bar food and a great beer list. (Don’t mind the fact that I rarely drink beer.) When we finally made it over there, we ran into Angharad from Eating for England. Fun!

It was a muggy, hot night when we visited, so unfortunately the patio wasn’t really an option (thanks Minnesota for going from 50 degrees to 95 in one week) and the inside was familiar as many of the same elements were left behind in the transition from Sgt Prestons to Republic. The food definitely got a make-over as did the beer list, but the reasonable prices stayed behind. The fish bowl drinks that Sgt Prestons was famous for are no longer on the menu.

We were there for happy hour so I stuck with the house wine ($3) and the Taster happily had his favorite local tap beers. We decided to order almost all of the happy hour food specials over the course of a few hours and started with guacamole and chips. It was just that, nothing special, but a good way to start out a hot Friday afternoon.

Our other “appetizer” was ricotta fritters with honey. We were quite truthfully, a little disappointed. These weren’t hot (not sure if that was on purpose?) and just didn’t have much flavor to them.

But that was when the meal turned around and we went from “meh” to “more!”

The fish tacos were delicious. Warm corn tortillas, seasoned fish, crisp cabbage and a bit of pico de gallo with fresh lime juice hit the spot.

The burger – you actually get to choose what kind you want from the normal menu – was a hard choice but we went with the red wine reduction and brie, which was served on a shiny brioche bun, complete with fresh greens on the side. For $5. Seriously.

We will definitely be back to Republic, if not for the burgers, there’s always beer. And that patio.

Republic

(612) 338-6146
221 Cedar Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55454
4pm to 1am Daily

 

 

 

So because I’m in my “busy season” you may see a few more daily eats posts – I hope you don’t mind! Thanks for bearing with me. Camp starts this weekend and I have a few work trips and weddings sprinkled in as well!

tuesday 6.14.11

Tuesday started like a lot of Tuesday mornings – with yoga sculpt. But this Tuesday I was in Brainerd and the teacher was a good friend from yoga sculpt teacher training. How perfect! It was an amazing class and it felt so good after a few, ahem, rather indulgent days. {When I travel for work I try to keep things (sleep, workouts, food) as similar to my habits at home as possible – vacation is a different story and this trip had a little of both. }

Post yoga coconut & pineapple water.

Breakfast: Coffee and a Veggie Daybreaker Sandwich from Caribou on the way back to the cities. We were both a little sad to be leaving the resort, the nature, the lakes and the slower life of the north.

Lunch: After two days of indulgent foods (Zorbaz Pizza was especially delicious), drink and a food show (cheese and sugar overload) I was desperately craving a huge salad. I decided to try out Qucumbers, which is a huge salad bar restaurant that also has take-out available. It’s not really on my side of town, or I would probably go for lunch more often! It was just what I needed.

My salad included: spinach, romaine, tomatoes, red cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, red onion, garbanzo beans, edamame, olives, olive oil and apple cider vinegar with a side of watermelon chunks. Summer is here!

I had a nice commute (exaggeration, it took 45 minutes) home and could feel my lack of protein at lunch setting in so I had a little plate of nachos (x2)) to hold me over until dinner.

Dinner: About 2 servings of chicken & veggie potstickers with a small bag of frozen broccoli. Tuesday nights are usually my night alone at home, so I usually eat pretty simple meals and focus on getting things done or watching the Real Housewives. Most of the time done simultaneously.

A few bites of gelato finished of the day.

Do you prefer the bustling city or quiet country?