The Chianti Grill

Chianti Grill Bar

Secret suspicions of an all-you-can-eat soup and salad restaurant floated through my head as I prepared to try the newly opened Chianti Grill in Roseville. And with exception of the lunch buffet offering, one look across the expansive dining room—the dark, polished woodwork, vaulted ceiling and Old World stone fireplace—and a quick peruse at the regular menu and all pre-conceived convictions were gone.

Sure there were the traditional Italian favorites like spaghetti and meatballs and lasagna, but there were also some non-traditional surprises. Spicy tender tips (beef tenderloin tips with Cajun seasonings) and mojo grilled tiger prawns (with smoky chipotle and mojo risotto)… on an Italian menu? Can they do that?

They can... and they did.

Katie Cannon is the blogger behind Camacho Watcho as well as an up-and-coming Twin Cities photographer. She both works and plays in the Mill District of downtown Minneapolis.