The look: Café Maude is like a warm, glowing ember. Covered with soft golden light from the eclectic light fixtures, the dining room is usually full of people laughing at small tables and cozy booths that wrap around a centrally located bar. Currently decorated with contemporary art and autumnal colors throughout, the mood is classy—but decidedly comfortable.
The crowd: On a Thursday evening we were lucky to get a table without a reservation. The packed room was a melting pot of boomers and grown-up hipsters. And even though it was crowded, it wasn’t hectic. Everyone was engaged in lively conversation or calmly enjoying the atmosphere, relaxed and content, exactly the kind of tone you want for the start of an early weekend.
The drinks: The creative drink menu ($8-$10 a pop) was designed by hotshot mixologist Johnny Michaels of La Belle Vie and is nearly as fun to read as it was to sample. There is a martini named after Simpsons foe Montgomery Burns and another called “This Charming Man” that is served with an English cigarette, to name a few.
But the standouts of the evening were the “Prince Albert” and “Cortez the Killer.” The “Prince Albert” is a sparkling mixture of earl grey infused gin, fresh lemon, and soda garnished with a full circle slice of lemon pierced through the top. Those familiar with the body piercing of the same name will catch the subtle joke (Maude can be a little naughty). The flavor of earl grey balanced the sweetness to create one of the most exquisitely delicious beverages I have had in some time. “Cortez the Killer” is a strong sangria cocktail made with Brugal rum. Quite the mouthful, this amped-up sangria maintained the rich flavors of the wine while taking nothing away from the lush fruit.
The food: The dinner menu offers an appetizing array of small plates and a few a la carte entrees. The ingredients are fresh and prepared with simple inventiveness.
The verdict: Café Maude is equally appealing as a restaurant and lounge. On Tuesdays and Thursdays there is a DJ playing easy going background music and live bands play jazz, electronic, and improvisational music on Friday and Saturday nights (no cover). Due to its location outside of the downtown/uptown bubble, Café Maude is the nightlife equivalent of a treasured weekend getaway. Next time you are tired of your routine, take a vacation to far south Minneapolis and treat yourself to something special. Since it can also get a little busy, reservations are recommended.
