Marx Fusion Bistro and Wine Bar

(Credit: Katie Cannon)

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Marx Fusion Bistro and Wine Bar photos

Photos of this fresh and decadent bistro in Stillwater

Marx Fusion Bistro and Wine Bar

A treasure in Stillwater’s sleepy downtown, Marx will jolt...

There’s something special about Marx Fusion Bistro and Wine Bar in Stillwater. Perhaps it’s the funky décor marked by bold wall colors of green and blue, bright red table tops accented by chairs in geometric prints, whimsical lighting and plenty of contemporary art. Or it could, perhaps, be the menu of starters, salads and main courses peppered with items like the walleye dumplings, roast chipotle and cumin rubbed chicken, blackened scallops and grilled angus beef sirloin with Guinness beer glaze.

Or perhaps, and this is what did it for me, it’s the selection of fresh daily specials, extensive wines by the glass and after dinner drinks and one decadent piece of flourless chocolate cake.

Chef Mark Hanson opened Marx in 2002, a small bar and restaurant located on Main Street in Stillwater. Nestled among the antique and boutique shops of the charming town, Marx fit in nicely with the neighborhood offering wine and beer, along with a small menu. Fast-forward several years to the expansion of Marx that doubled the size of the space, as well expanding to a full bar and extensive food menu.

Hanson draws from his travels, mainly time spent in the Caribbean, to create dishes that fuse ingredients like chorizo, curries and peppers that mix with Midwest favorites like walleye and steak. Inspired by what is fresh, Hanson enjoys running several daily specials, most of which center around seafood.

We tried two seafood specials, both characterized by perfectly cooked fish finished with an assortment of sides that, while seemingly would not belong on the same plate, worked remarkable well together. The first was a blackened halibut served over garlic mashed potatoes and garnished with Asian slaw, shrimp empanadas, guacamole, fresh and pureed vegetables and a lemon butter glaze. I dubbed this one the “trip around the world” dish, as it took me to a different part of the world with each delicious bite. 

The other dish we tried was pan seared Mahi Mahi with a Mediterrean salad of cucumber, tomato, feta and dill, spiced cashews with a Lebanese gamou sauce and topped with a perfect West Coast oyster shooter.

Finding a beverage complement for the diverse menu is easy with choices of 30 wines by the glass or 50+ bottles of wines that start at just $24. Marx also offers a full bar including specialty cocktails. After dinner, there are choices of single or blended Scotch choices, several ports and cordials (including a Grand Marnier flight that was certainly tempting—had I not had to drive).

And let’s not forget that piece of flourless chocolate cake, noted by the server as a favorite among the regular clientele. Unlike some flourless cakes that tend to lean toward fudge, this version yields more closely to the characteristics of cake with its moist interior and slight airy quality. Despite the lighter texture, however, the cake is as decadent as it gets—covered in a thick chocolate ganache and served with fresh whipped cream.

Whether it’s relaxing with a glass of wine, the surprise of the nightly seafood special, or your sweet tooth that drives you, something special is waiting for you at Marx Fusion Bistro and Wine Bar in Stillwater.

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