Trattoria Tosca
3415 W 44th St, Minneapolis, MN, 55410
Trattoria Tosca Menu
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antipasti
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pasti
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secondi
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contorni
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dolci
Healthy Meal suggestions for Trattoria Tosca
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antipasti
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pasti
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secondi
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contorni
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dolci
Visit below restaurant in Minneapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Minneapolis for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
3415 W 44th St
Minneapolis, MN, 55410 - Phone (612) 924-1900
- Website https://www.trattoriatosca.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Intimate, Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Terry W.
Like it a lot. The braised short ribs were excellent. Started with a squash soup that was much better than most of the soups I've had so far this year in restaurants. We had our kids with us and it is not a good place for kids, which was distracting, but otherwise I would definitely recommend a visit.
(4)Steve U.
while i'm not the biggest fan of the turtle bread next door. this is a most welcome addition to the neighborhood. finally, a place to get a reasonably priced dinner with fresh (and local) ingredients and good presentation. we stopped by the other night for a post spring elementary school event dinner and we were quite pleasantly surprised. the sauteed mushroom side (as an appetizer) i'm quite sure was laced with crack, and the spring salad with the white anchovies was lick the plate clean. follow this up with the gnocchi which made me wish that i'd ordered the large portion and then another large portion, and then another and well, you get the point. service was a bit on the slow side, but i should cut them some serious slack given that we showed up at 9:20p. keep it coming.
(4)Casey H.
Knockin this one down...they lost head chef Adam Vickerman...and it shows! He took a few risks that really paid off in the kitchen, and were the best dishes on the Menu. I miss that about this place...
(3)Fritz V.
My wife and I had a fantastic meal at Tosca this past Saturday night. The ambience is spot on: classic look and no blaring music to drown out your conversation. And the food...YES! I had the pressed chicken, which was heavenly. And my wife had the pork tenderloin with a side of barley, ham hock, and apricots. We were literally licking the plates. And kudos to the wine menu, as others have mentioned. It's a huge selection to choose from, but the results were delicious.
(5)Keith P.
Tosca is another addition to the "fine neighborhood restaurants," which in my opinion, now dominate the best eateries in Minneapolis. The menu, which changes every three days, is driven by fresh ingredients; the service is excellent; the ambience is fun. All in all, if we find consistency on our next visit Tosca will join the HART (Help a Restaurant Today) List.
(4)Dan C.
Great neighborhood spot. Small menu but good flavors. Warm beat salad to die for. Pheasant a little dry but rib eye was perfect. Pastas spot on. Sides were delicious especially the polenta. Service could have been a little more attentive but got better later in the evening.
(4)Bill D.
We stopped in for a second time in a month. This is a potentially great place. The salad was very good. The soup was cool but we did not send it back to warm up because no one was in the place and we did not want to create a fuss. . No salt or pepper on the table or offered. Very, very narrow menu so call ahead to see what is featured. Don't let the name fool you. This place has as much in common with an Italian restaurant as Shakey's Pizza.
(2)D M.
I'm not handing this 5 star out lightly. These folks impressed the HELL out of me this evening. For starters, great wine list! A little bit of everything, but the choices were all clearly made for the diversity of each vintage & grape. You clearly know how to appeal to a wide audience, without becoming too heady or authoritative. Three dishes done perfectly: 1. The scallops with fingerling potatoes & honey bacon sauce (sic) were outstanding! The scallops were seared to perfection, and sat atop a roasted potato with the most amazing honey/bacon sauce. If there was one standout theme of the meal, it was that the chef knew how to balance salty, sweet, savory & delicate. Nothing outshined the other, but there was definitely no one flavor clubbing you over your head. 2. Squash ravioli. To. Die. For. I literally felt my tear ducts fill up as I tasted the ravioli, served with spaghetti squash, mint & a "brown sugar bacon butter." I couldn't help but tell the table next to us, unprovoked, that they should've ordered this dish. It's something you must try. It's like God is rubbing your tummy! 3. Strip steak, medium rare, over red potatoes, cream braised leeks & cherries. Read that last sentence. Try to figure out how this all goes together. Forget logic. Eat. The steak was perfectly done - crusted & seared on the ouside, pink & tasty on the inside. It was laid over a roasted red potato that had been topped with a creamy leek mixture. Cherries & their sweet sauce, drizzles around this. Scooping this melange all up together was to dabble in culinary magic. There was so much that could've gone wrong here - none of it did. The cherries were sweet enough to complete the crusty outer steak, which was offset by the tangy leeks, whose cream carried the starchy potato that was accented by the sweet/tart of the cherry. It all fit. And don't let me forget the side of mixed mushrooms, that complemented the whole dish, like a warm, earthy big brother. I could hardly handle a desert, but I soldiered on. Maple cheesecake with candied walnuts. I can't describe it. The cheesecake was the consistency of mashed potatoes, which was not a detractor, it was perfect. Creamy. Not starchy or congealed. Wonderful & maple accented. The toasty walnuts brought an earthy pleasure to this cloud of mapley goodness. I want to also mention that the pour on the port I ordered with dessert was exceedingly generous. Kudos to Tosca for knowing when a little lack of moderation matters. The atmosphere inside did seem a little loud when we arrived, so we opted to sit outdoors. Savor this treat while you can, because it helped to make the evening special. The staff was courteous, attentive, but not intrusive. A hard balance to maintain. I'll be honest, we were on our way to Broder's Pasta Bar tonight, but found out that it was overrun, and it would be a 90 minute wait. Tosca was our second choice, only because we hadn't tried it before. I cannot thank the dining gods enough for steering us in this direction. It is surely the best restaurant in Linden Hills. That said, I hesitate to even leave this glowing review, for fear that I won't be able to get a table in under 90 minutes once word gets out. That's okay. They wholly deserve the praise, and I plan on being a part of their continued culinary success. Kudos. You have won over this well fed, well served, exceedingly impressed patron!
(5)Becky L.
The pasta was as good as Broders Pasta Bar, and that is a very good thing. The menu is limited and a bit pricey, Make a reservation because this place can get busy.
(4)Christopher C.
A friend and I had a great meal here. Beet salad was good and fresh. Really good pastas. I will be back time and time again. But, I have one complaint. The staff walks so loud it is very distracting in a really nice atmosphere. Lighten up the feet people. There is no need to walk with such conviction, stomping your feet.
(4)Michelle G.
The food was amazing! Everything is freshly made, including the pasta! We also had brussels sprouts as a side dish and they came out with large chunks of pancetta. THey were delicious. The service however was not as wonderful. We were sat and received water in our glasses right away from the hostess. Then we did not have someone approach our table for about 10 minutes. When a server did finally come over she said she would be with us in a minute. She must not have been able to handle coming back though because a few minutes later a different waitress came over and finally took our drink order. It did get better after that thankfully. I would absolutely come back here solely based on the food quality, and I hope they get a little more organized with their service!
(4)Whitney F.
Hands down my favorite reason to be a part of the 'burbs. Just thinking of the stroll to Trattoria makes me giddy thinking about the amazing caprese bruschetta, beet risotto, and generous pours of Italian red. And that's before the main courses come out. Aside from the food, the non-pretentious atmosphere, which is both family friendly and date worthy, is akin to none. In the summertime you can dine on the beautiful patio, watching those Minnesotans enjoying the Lake Harriet neighborhood. Perhaps the best part of Trattoria Tosca is the inside view through the oversized windows, perfect for enjoying a hearty Italian meal during the chilly winter months.
(5)Kee S.
my wife and i came to this small restaurant looking for good, authentic italian food. we definitely found it here. on entering it was pretty quiet for a saturday night (it was about six thirty though). when we walked in the first thing you notice is the great smell of the kitchen, really got the our appetites going. the inside decor is modern, and alittle dark and intimate (not a bad thing though). our waitress was very helpful and knowledgeable about all the menu items. my wife ordered the bruschetta and the braised short rib. i ordered the root vegetable salad and the pappardelle with lamb and beef. the appetizers came out within five minutes of ordering. everything was delicious. the plating was simple but appetizing. the pasta was hand made and cooked perfectly. the short rib was so tender that you didn't need a knife. all in all the experience was wonderful and the food was delicious. i highly recommend this place if u want some wholesome, delicious italian.
(5)Kim R.
Great food and a cozy neighborhood vibe make this little restaurant a gem. We made a reservation for 7:30 pm on Saturday night and were quickly seated at a nice table in the corner. The restaurant is fairly small and the tables are pretty close together. Luckily, there wasn't anyone right next to us. Our waitress was personable and helpful and she offered a lot of great food recommendations. My husband and I decided to split the caprese salad and the orechiette based on her recommendation. The caprese was nice and light and I liked the addition of the avocado. I think this dish would be much better in the summer when tomatoes are in season. The orechiette was excellent. I loved the homemade noodles and the light cream sauce. The sausage gave I nice kick and I liked the freshness that the broccoli added. I really appreciated that our server actually split our salad and pasta into two dishes so we didn't need to share our plate, it's those little touches that really add up! For dessert we ordered the chocolate torte and it was fabulous. It tasted like a warm brownie. I would highly recommend it!
(5)Tony L.
I have nothing to add that hasn't already been said. Wonderful food and a cozy neighborhood restaurant. Wish we lived near here.
(4)D M.
I've been here twice for dinner and once for dessert. Each time was delicious, and the atmosphere enjoyable.
(5)John W.
We had a group of 8 dining on a Saturday night. No difficulty getting reservations for the group. The restaurant was crowded but not overly so. We were seated immediately upon arrival. The server was friendly and attentive. The food to a person was delicious. I started with a Caprese salad which was very attractive on the plate and very tasty. I followed it with the tagliatelle. The shrimp was sautéed perfectly and was an excellent compliment to the pasta. We will definitely be back.
(5)Reannen M.
Went for Valentines...the dinner was amazing and the chocolate mousse was out of this world! Great service
(5)Kenn B.
We have been to this place several times and when my wife suggested we go there to celebrate our anniversary, I was enthusiastic to go back. Our dinner was fine - especially the wine and antipasti. My main dish was good, my wife, not so much.... but that happens sometimes. The service started out good, but went down hill. If I counted right, there are about 16 tables in the restaurant. At least 7 were empty. I counted 22 people in the main dining room. Yet our server left us alone for at least 15 minutes after we had folded our napkins and stopped eating out entre'. We then ordered capuchino and desert. The coffee came, but there was no desert after another 15 minutes. When our server reappeared (i had to flag her down) she had no excuse, so we cancelled it, paid our bill and left. With so many great twin cities options on the list, sadly, trattoria Tosca is off our liat.
(2)S And B D.
I walk by Tosca several times a day. My husband always comments on how he wonders how they survive. During warm summer months the sidewalk tends to be filled. I sat on the sidewalk last night and ate for the fifth or sixth time. The first four or five times I really enjoyed the food. Last night, was a disappointment. I had the pear salad, scallops, brussels sprouts and mushrooms. The pears were over ripe and the cheese was minimal. The scallops were good and the sauce that accompanied them was wonderful. The mushrooms were too crispy and the brussels sprouts were too salty. The brussels sprouts had huge chunks of pancetta. Unfortunately the pancetta was 50% fat 50% pancetta. I want Tosca to survive so I hope they get a new plan. The service was fantastic.
(3)Deb A.
Was at Trattoria Tosca with a goup a few weeks ago and omg, the food was amazing! I had the Secondi Scallops with cauliflower puree, fingerling potatoes, brussels sprouts, balsamic reduction. Such new flavors and so worthy of each and every experience of taste. The ambiance was wonderful and the service was excellent. Reasonable $$ for what was received. I would absolutely go back again and again bringing others to enjoy all that I had. As well, it is located in an area that makes you think you are visiting one of the those off the highway cute quaint small towns! Just loved this place!! :)
(5)Rachel E.
My mom and I have made a challenge that we cannot repeat restaurants on our "mother-daughter-date-nights" so once again we turned to Yelp for our next dinner expedition. We were torn between Thai and Italian - quite the spectrum, I know - but ultimately rolled a dice (digitally) and landed on Italian. I had bookmarked Trattoria Tosca so we hopped in the car and headed for Linden Hills. Being the vino lovers that we are, we immediately ordered a bottle of Malbec, and tossed on a Caprese order as well. They put avocado slices with the salad and it was a great addition to the classic dish. For entrees, we shared the tagliatelle and scallops. I am sure I have a dozen reviews where I rant about scallops but I truly cannot get enough, plus Tosca's were HUGE and complemented with a rich cauliflower puree, potatoes and Brussels sprouts. After thoroughly enjoying our meal, we continued to catch up on life and polished off our bottle before calling it a night. My mom and I may have a "no repeat" rule, but I certainly plan to return to Trattoria Tosca for another dinner soon.
(4)Rick E.
Fantastic meal. Excellent service. They clearly take pride in their restaurant. We went there on a Thursday night for our anniversary and were treated to great service and outstanding food. I let it slip that we were celebrating and our waitress treated us to a complimentary glass of Prosecco. The gazpacho was fresh, crisp and flavorful. The scallops were done perfectly amid an assortment of roasted vegetables with a delicate, understated cauliflower sauce. The grilled salmon was complimented by an artichoke risotto surrounded by an asparagus cream sauce. It was excellent. We shared a small plate of risotto with beets and goat cheese. I do not care for beets generally, but the beet flavor was countered so nicely in the dish that I enjoyed it immensely. The homemade vanilla gelato should not be missed. I can't wait to go back to try the pasta dishes. Everything on the menu looked good. Overall, great meal and a great evening.
(5)Cheryl N.
The food was great. The service was disappointing. Restaurant is quaint neighborhood gem. The menu online was different than avaliable. I had duck which was very good. Others had scallops, again very good. Food was flavorful and good presentation. We were a later reservation on opentable. We felt we were an inconvenience to the staff. The kitchen left so I couldn't order the dessert I wanted. If you want an 8 pm reservation weekday, I'd go elsewhere. They should revise their hours if they don't want to be serving food at 9.
(3)Michael K.
Wow. I hate to write this review, knowing this place is so amazing. Knowing this place should be swamped. However, I can't help myself. Some background first. I'm from the west coast - specifically, Portland, Oregon. The service there is somewhat......no not somewhat......it's slow to indifferent. So it was amazing to find such efficient service at this restaurant. But that is only a small plus to the quality of the food. Frankly, I haven't had such a great meal in several years.You have GOT to go here. It's fantastic.
(5)David S.
Three strikes. We dined here on a Saturday night after having made reservations through the Yelp app. The restaurant was about half full. The menu is fairly limited with only about 6 appetizers, 6 pastas, and 6 entrees. We were a little stunned that there were no salads I the menu. When we asked they said they had only one salad,a mixed greens and pear concoction. For starters we ordered the "special" salad and the bruschetta. The salad was ok. The bruschetta was served on two long pieces of bread. It was very difficult to eat and worse, lacked flavor. Strike one. When we tried to order our pasta we learned that they were out of one item. I Don't know how a restaurant can be out of 1/6 of their menu at 7 on a Saturday. Particularly when they're not full. Strike two. When our pastas arrived, we found them to be completely unexceptional. They were nearly devoid of flavor - good or bad. Strike three.
(2)Jennifer K.
This is a great neighborhood restaurant where they consistently have goo Italian food. I like to get 1 of each course and share that and a bottle of wine with a friend. It is never too loud or busy which is nice and they are pet friendly if you are siting outside.
(4)Amanda C.
Food is the best. We've been to most of the new restaurants around town, and I think they can easily compete w their food. However their beer selection needs a lot work, as well as ambiance. Hope it sticks around.
(4)Victoria P.
Delicious food, great price! I went there to try the scallops but they were already out by 7:30pm on Saturday. We will definitely be back, those things are obviously amazing.
(4)Steven K.
This is such a good restaurant, I don't know why I don't come here more often. On a Saturday night with two friends, we were seated at a comfortable secluded table in the back of the dining room. It was quiet enough to allow for great conversation. We had privacy but did not feel separated from the other diners (and were able to spot another friend when he was seated nearby). The food is fabulous. The house made pasta is excellent, and the entrées are creative and delicious. The wine list offers a lot of variety without being overwhelmingly large; also many reasonably priced bottles of great wine. On this particular visit, our only quibble was the dessert list - not very appealing.
(5)Lauren S.
I keep forgetting about Trattoria Tosca. We decided at the last minute to all go out for dinner and our party was for seven people. It was nice that they could accomodate us. The big hit was the chicken and my pasta with the chicken and spinach. The pasta with just the red sauce was made a little bit too al dente. We skipped dessert but enjoyed a great bottle of wine. Order the super tuscan it is fabulous. Another neighborhood gem to add to the list.
(4)Nicole C.
Great service and incredible food! The scallops were amazing!
(5)Jocelyn G.
Excellent restaurant. Great homemade pasta and veggies. Would highly recommend! Romantic as well. Great waiting staff!
(5)Robert A.
My wife and I enjoyed a great supper before an event in the area. We both really enjoyed the Caprese salad and the Strozzapretii. I plan to go back to try a few more of their specialties.
(5)Mariel L.
Quick story: This was not the place my friend was intending for us to try for girl's night dinner. She was thinking of another packed Italian restaurant/institution: Broder's (I still have to try that place out...if I'm lucky to get a seat). But, it's the best mistake we could have made, because Trattoria Tosca is a truly wonderful Italian neighborhood restaurant. It's a mid-sized restaurant, with a solid menu of pasta in half/full options, simple appetizers, and robust entree selections. I think it takes great guts for a chef to deny a patron some protein on her pasta dish because he/she truly believes it won't complement the dish well. That's really the only thing that stopped me from ordering one of the seemingly delicious pasta dishes; I need me some meat, yo. Pancetta, prosciutto, salami, Spam... I just can't go vegetarian, especially in an Italian restaurant. So, with my pride intact and my carnivorous desire unsatisfied, I ordered the pressed chicken, which was a really, really brilliant choice (said I, as I pat myself on the back). It's just beautifully executed, with a great, crispy skin and juicy meat. The roasted vegetables were deliciously soaked in the jus (pan drippings galore!). Really, I just can't get past that crispy skin. It was pure bliss.
(4)Tam P.
We LOVE Tosca. I've been meaning to write this review for a long time since luckily, we live within walking distance and we're there often. Tonight we were there with 3 teenagers who are also loved the food and the warm, personal attention we always get there. The servers are knowledgeable, friendly and helpful, and Felipe the amazing chef often greets us. Every single dish is high-quality, consistently fresh and the wine list is really good as well. As a final endorsement, I'm gluten-free so can't even enjoy the homemade pasta - which my husband almost always orders - and I still have lots of amazing options there. Check it out, it's really a find!
(5)Shawn S.
I really liked this neighborhood Trattoria. They seem to need more traffic as they were not busy on a Saturday night which is great if you want to actually make a reservation and get seated on time vs other pasta bars in Southwest. The menu is small and changes frequently, so a tip to look up ahead of time to make sure they are offering something you like. There are adventurous combinations of ingredients, not as straight forward as other pasta bars in Southwest. Pasta is all homemade...and big points for a great and reasonably priced wine list. Lots of offerings by the glass at under $10. Give this place a try!
(4)Nicole C.
Fantastic meal, fantastic service. Here for a girls night out and no pressure by waitress to rush. We were able to be seated prior to our reservation time. The scallops were incredible as we're the roasted veggies. Will definitely return!
(5)Jacey B.
This is a very cute and cozy restaurant not far from Lake Harriet. I was lucky enough to be taken there for Valentine's Day and it was delicious. Though their menu was limited due to the holiday, the beef pot roast and mashed potatoes that I had was spectacular. The meat was tender and the potatoes creamy. Our starter salads were pretty standard fare as was the bread. Our server was friendly and attentive. We were brought our meals quickly; though I think that might have been due to the holiday and the limited menu. There were only a couple of desert options, so we split a chocolate and mouse cake with a scoop of gelato. It was an excellent dessert. While shareable, I definitely could have eaten a whole piece myself. This is a restaurant I would reserve for special occasions as it was pricier than my standard budget allows; though I'm excited to go back sometime and see the full menu. I also wouldn't plan on bringing large groups there, probably no more than four people would be comfortable there. Also, there seemed to be a lack of restaurant-created background noise (like music or something). Or perhaps it was the acoustics. I seemed to be able to hear other people's conversation more-so than other restaurants.
(4)Jim C.
Good stuff! Went here for a birthday dinner last weekend. We had a party of 6 and sampled widely across the menu. I had the Grouper w/ chorizo, risottoa and leeks--very tasty and filling. Across the rest of the group, we had the steak, chicken, short rib angolotti and kumquat salad. Everyone really enjoyed the food--which is somewhat rare in a group of this size. The decor is nice and wait staff were friendly and attentive. Another benefit is that it's location is just a little off the beaten path, which means that you can sometimes make reservations here when other places are full. Great place to keep on the short list.
(4)Mollee F.
Cute little neighborhood restaurant in Linden Hills. My mother-in-law loves Italian food so I thought this would make a fun jaunt to celebrate Mother's Day. We had a reservation, but it looked as though walk-ins were also finding seats on a recent Saturday night. It was a beautiful evening and the outdoor seating would have been my first choice had we not spent the entire day outside already. Once seated, it took a noticeable amount of time to get some attention from our server. Had someone tossed a plate of that crusty french bread on our table, I might not have cared, but I was hungry and the single page menu doesn't take long to get through. My husband started with the fennel salad which had crushed almonds and apricots on it. Very good. They ran out of the pasta my MIL and I were interested in so she opted for a chicken pasta which she loved (especially in a very manageable half size portion) and I got the pressed chicken served with spring vegetables and pan juice. The chicken had a nice crispy crust with moist meat underneath. I would have loved more of the delicious asparagus, but two stalks were all that sat under my chicken. The husband ordered the rhubarb ravioli - the first time I've seen that on a menu. We all appreciated the savory use of the rhubarb (although he needed a bit more sustenance than it offered - I gave him my leftover chicken). The deserts were divine. We sampled the rhubarb shortcake, the raspberry pavlova (a great palate cleanser) and the banana crisp. The banana crisp was the standout among our plates. It was served in a flaky pastry (almost baklava-like) with cinnamon ice cream. So good. Overall, a lovely evening in a great bistro setting. Certainly worth stopping in and checking out if you're in the neighborhood.
(4)Prachee M.
They won Best New Restaurant in 2009 in Citypages. Went back for a second visit recently and have to report that the food was still excellent. Squash soup tasted like pure cream and looked like a dip in its consistency; I found it way too thick and too creamy. Side of roasted porcini and shitake mushrooms seasoned with shallots, balsamic and truffles, was crispy without being dry. A small side was more than enough for 2 to share. Side of roasted potatoes with manchego and fennel was okay - they were out of the usual fingerlings. The entree of barramundi with grapefruit, arugula (not very bitter this time of the year) and blue cheese was the perfect balance of flavors and textures. Chocolate truffle cake with coconut gelato was the grand finale, and the cake was sooo rich and sooo yummy!
(4)Angie B.
Interesting place. It's attached to the Turtle Bread bakery next door, so ya know the bread is good. Had the gnocchi - it was divine.
(4)Kelly C.
We loved our dinner here the other night. The bruschetta, bucatini, and orecchiette were all delicious, and the service is great and friendly. Ambiance is warm and cozy.
(5)JD H.
An absolute fail. My first time here and I was expecting great things. Instead, I was presented with a series of issues, a few that could probably be overlooked and chalked up to a bad night but 1 that was really inexcusable. First, the series of small issues: 1) For a neighborhood trattoria, the pricing is very high. Salads, entrees and a mid range bottle of wine for 3 people, $195. That is really way too much for what is offered here. I understand expensive overhead, pricey neighborhood, etc. so am somewhat willing to view this as the cost of doing business for this place. 2)The noise level is too high to hear your table companions comfortably and we were in a room where only 6 of 18 tables were occupied. The acoustics are unbelievably bad. I can overlook this though as I don't expect them to totally renovate an existing building. 3) Wine slightly warm. Disappointing given that they have a reasonable wine list, present you with decent stemware and have plenty of bottles on display around the place. If you are going to tout a nice wine program, at least make sure you serve it at the correct temp. Was willing to write this off as an off night. The last point I cannot excuse: 4) I think I am in temporary renal failure from the incredible salt load in the food. The kitchen must have been staffed by someone with hands the size of hams and tastebuds that are non-existent. The salads came out salty (there were 2 different kinds) and we thought perhaps the person on the salad station just made an error but then the entrees came out and confirmed that whoever was running the kitchen either was not paying attention, did no tasting, or has no ability to taste salt. We had a Hanger Steak and Salt, Tagliatelle with Lobster and Salt, and Orrechiette with Sausage, Broccoli and Salt. I actually think I'm partially embalmed internally from the amount of salt in the food and I actually love salt but this was way over the top even for me. Sorry, I wanted to really like this place but tonight was a total disappointment and for the money, I could have fed my group much better elsewhere and not needed dialysis afterwards.
(1)sarah p.
Grilled Veggie Sandwich. Wild Mushroom Linguinie. Tuna Tartine. All Yummy. Much better additions to what is actually an addition to Turtle Bread. I have yet to eat here for dinner, but am anxiously awaiting my next evening dining experience as my in-laws have highly recommended it. The menu changes regularly, and they always focus on integrating fresh and local ingredients, which is almost becoming standard practice around town. Because this is located in stroller land, it's a super kid-friendly, allowing all of us parents with little ones in tow an opportunity to eat healthy, delicious food without the fear of dirty looks (and yes, i used to be one of those people, and let me tell ya karma is a bitch, so for all of you out there who may procreate one day, you may find yourself in the same position at some point, so find a little patience.) Peace out.
(4)Beth J.
This quaint neighborhood establishment, not far from downtown Linden Hills, is one of Minneapolis's best Italian restaurants. A couple of friends were in town and wanted a comforting meal on a cool, late summer evening. When we arrived, the host staff was friendly and happily accommodated our request to sit out on the patio. Our server was less accommodating - she seemed to write us off when we requested to begin our meal with soft drinks. She only visited our table to take our order and bring us the food - we had to flag her down to request the standard bread for the table and to order a bottle of wine. The menu is small, but thoughtfully planned offering 3-4 choices of salad, handmade pastas, and entrees. I ordered the Lobster tagliatelle, which had a gentle balance of dependence from the buttery lobster and fatty pancetta and lightness from delicate handmade pasta and diaphanous cream sauce. I used delightfully crusty bread, to mop up every last drop of the light sauce. I also tried a couple bites of the Italian sausage orecchiette, which featured more aggressive flavors from the spice of the sausage and saltiness of the butter sauce; in addition, the orecchiette pasta itself was a little too doughy for my liking. All in all, both dishes featured very fresh, high quality ingredients that were prepared well. Aside from the lack luster table service, I enjoyed my time at Tosca very much, and I will definitely return when they change their menu - thankfully, which is often
(4)Emily A.
Highly recommend! Most of the pastas come in small or bigger portions. The waiter encouraged us to go for the bigger because most people end up eating them all. Do I want to be like most people? Nope. So I ordered a small green orichette and shared roasted vegetables with a friend. Good choice! The green orichette was very delicious and surprisingly spicy! A few of us at our table got it and we all enjoyed it. I thought the small size was a perfectly reasonable portion. Our roasted veggies was all seasonal veggies. Which I had to admit I loved. It was everything that came in my CSA box that week plus what I bought at the farmer's market! Who can't appreciate that? Plus I loved that they included garlic scapes. I've never seen those served at a restaurant before! Loved the whole experience. Food is slow, so leave plenty of time for dinner.
(4)Cait B.
This is a hidden gem. They have light bistro style Italian food. Sit outside and sip a glass of cabarnet before you order. Then you have to start with the asparagus and poached egg. It is rich with flavor and full of fresh leeks. Then I highly reccomend the vegetable pasta. It is vegetables that are cut to resemble pasta paired with meatballs in a savory sauce. Yum yum yum! Make sure you save room for dessert! The fresh sorbet with change your life. Then-have a glass of muscatto. Stick to the plan and enjoy this cute, quaint spot that is great for groups and dates. :)
(4)Elizabeth U.
I read the glowing reviews and decides this could be a great date night spot with the husband. We were seated right away in a bright long dining area- table arrangements close together resembling a NY restaurant. The wait staff walked past several times "stomping" and making our table shake every time. Not a good start. The atmosphere had no date like appeal. The menu was awkward- small and complicated. Most dishes appeared to bizarre. However we decided to stay and see it through. They have a new menu every week- perhaps those that had a glowing review attended on a good menu week. My husband ordered a $24 chicken breast entree - it was a large portion of chicken but very unbalanced as the vegetables accompanying it were sad and literally more like a taste. However the squash was cooked well. I ordered a pasta dish that sounded odd and odd it was- the shredded chicken was actually dry chunks of dark meat- oily sauce with no goat cheese in view - a strange overall flavor. The side of mushrooms we had which came with our food was actually delicious. But still not enough to compensate for the mediocre main courses. Overall we spent 50 ish on a unsatisfying meal - would not return. I gave it a 2 star since the service was friendly.
(2)Sakif F.
Overpriced pasta. Nothing special really, except that their menu changes every day. Food is pretty fresh, but very little to choose from.
(3)Jay C.
Well, It has been a while since I have logged on and given a review...There is a reason however for the absence from YELP! I go back to what I learned as a child, If i didn't have anything nice to say...Dont say anything! Well, I finally get to open my big fat mouth and shout! Tosca, You have given hope back to small establishments that say they get the job done...Because...You got the job done, and did it really damn well! The tuna Tartar was amazing! The Wine delightful and the service...fantastic....We should be able to measure a half star on here as well...4.5!!!
(4)Brien G.
Love the Whitehaven Sav Blanc--this was the star of dinner. Tried the Pork, which had an amazing Risotto, however the pork was a little salty for me, and I generally like it saltier than most. Watercress soup was alright. My GF had the Kumquat salad, which was unbelievable, and she also had the Crab Tagliatelle which was a little short on the crab but was a delicious dish nonetheless. We also had the Mussels and these were good, just wish there were more of them. Despite my nit picking, I really like this place. They have some nice seating on the sidewalk so you can sit outside. There was horn player kicking out the vibes, and the staff was very friendly...though our server left us hanging a few times. I will definitely be going back. It's a great little neighborhood place. I couldn't figure out their relationship with Turtle Bread Co?
(4)John M.
WOW....What would I give to have Tosca as my neighborhood Trattoria. On a recent Saturday evening, we were having difficulty getting reservations for a party of 6. A friend had heard good things about this place so we gave it a try. Party of 6....no problem....7p.m. no problem. Upon arrival we're greeted by a young, friendly hostess who sits us at the best table in the house; one right by the front door, but alone. It didn't even feel like we were in a restaurant. Now, if the place is busy and there are parties waiting inside, the table might not be as desirable. We ordered a bottle of pinot noir from the limited though fairly priced wine menu. I had the Tagliatelle, a confit chicken in alfredo sauce and bread crumbs - right up there with some of the best pasta I've ever had. My only disappointment, and thus a four versus five star rating was the green salad. Just a bunch of mixed greens with a bland vinaigrette. Three small dates stuffed with goat cheese helped, but could not resuce this salad from ho-hum. Others in our group of 6 all rated their dishes highly. We did not have desert. The service was excellent, our waitress there when we needed her, always with a smile. All in all, a great experience - it's worth a long drive even if you're not close to Linden Hills.
(4)Jim A.
I was very happy with my dining experience here. My wife and I were there for a obligatory Valentine's Day dinner (love you honey). They were offering a 4-course prefix menu for $50 and a prefix wine list to accompany each course for $15. I had the lobster bisque, a chicken pasta dish, braised beef short rib and chocolate cake with peanut butter something in it. Everything was very tasty. The short rib was outstanding. Wine pairings were very good as well. I would eat here again without question and having a neighborhood spot like this is always nice. It's a nice quiet space, that has great food and wonderful wine.
(4)Chris K.
This is one of my neighborhood joints, so I'm a bit biased. I live half a block away, and there's always a steady stream of fellow Linden Hillsians (people from Linden Hills...) walking down to dine at this gem of South Minneapolis food. Chef Adam Vickerman has left since opening Tosca and putting it on the local culinary map, and some of the quality of the food has decreased. Still, Tosca is a rare glimpse at restaurant greatness - a near-pitch perfect combination of Italian and French preparation that seems at once sophisticated and approachable. I like food like that. The menu features pork and beef prepared in the traditional North Italian-style. The steak is excellent and the porcini is great, though some of the other offerings tend to be a bit bland. The sides, though, are where Tosca shines. Roasted potatoes, crisp, sweet and salty. Delicious. Greens, steamed yet flavorful. Sauces, high on flavor without being overwhelming. Overall, a great little dinner spot. Come later in the evening, when the dinner crowd wanes, grab a seat by the window, a bottle of wine and let life slow down. You won't regret a minute.
(4)Muffy W.
Been anxiously waiting to try this place since it moved in neighborhood and I finally had a chance last weekend. Reservations were very easy to make; they had our table ready and waiting and we were 15 minutes early. Food is out of this world - I had the braised meatballs with polenta, and it was divine. The rest of my party had similar comments about their food as well. Definitely a diamond in the ruff with good local and seasonal ingredients. Very much apprecited the entire menu. Noise level was something to work with, but my friends and I could still carry a conversation. The atmosphere is bustling, but I expected that was due to being a (fairly) new restaurant.
(4)Brett I.
My wife and I went here for New Years eve and we had a great experience. Had the scallops as an appetizer and they were outstanding. We love trying a lot of things so we got half orders of the duck ravioli (not good), gnocchi (very good but a little spicy), paparadelle with lamb ragu (outstanding) and brussel sprouts (oh sooo good). Overall it was excellent food. I agree with past reviewers that it does take quite some time to get your food and you really do feel the floor shake when someone is walking but these things didn't bother us. Service was prompt and the waiter let us take home the bottle of wine we couldn't finish--I'm not from here so not sure if that is universally allowed. I thought the wine was very reasonably priced. We will definitely be back!
(4)Sue K.
8/6/12 I live in the neighborhood, and this is one of my favorite restaurants--until tonite. The food is always seasonal and great, but while it was good tonite, I was disappointed. Granted it is a Monday, so I thought the limited selection and portion sizes was due to that. But the waitress, when asked about the new menu, told me they had a new chef who trained in Florida. Huh??? I think she meant Florence (Asked her if thats what she meant and she was clueless) and when I asked about the half oders of pasta, she told me the new portion sizes were "in-between". Huh? Really unprofessional compared to the waiter working that night whom we've had many time and is so.... professional. What I loved about this place prior to tonite was that you could get a great salad and half a pasta for about $15. Tonite, the lowest price for any pasta is $16 and up, and no half orders. I am not a cheapskate but really? Why are you walking away from what made this a great neighborhood place? The selection of entree options is about half of what it was as well. And the waitresses seemed to be totally disengaged and never around. Maybe its that old adage, when there is nothing to do, don't do anything. But again really? Anyway the pasta was good and so was the salad. But I feel like they are walking away from their strength which is great food, "neighborhoody", and reasonable prices. Our dinner (with my 14 YO) was $54 with one pasta, a salad and two glasses of wine. It makes me sad because I want to support this place, but they are walking away from what WAS a successful neighborhood formula. I want you to survive since I always recommended Tosca, but am worried you are making a bad decision. The options in Linden Hills ( Tillia, Harriet etc) are usually too crowded which is why I like Tosca. But given the prices, the options and the service, I may not be back.....
(2)Lauren H.
Went here for a birthday dinner and we were very happy! It was a gorgeous Minnesota evening so we sat outside (they have ample outdoor seating - always a plus). Their menu changes regularly and we were happy to see lots of seasonal and local options on the menu. I ended up getting a delicious salad with local greens, and then for my main course, I had a wonderful pasta dish. It was amazing, fresh pasta, local duck confit, escarole, and yellow peaches. It was all tossed in a very light sauce, and I could have eaten another bowl, no problem. However, I was happy that the portions were not too large, no take home boxes for us! The only downsides here; dessert and the service. The dessert was alright, but nothing to rave about. The menu was pretty limited and they could definitely utilize more local products. The service was good, but spotty, our waiter disappeared for about 15 minutes after we said we needed another minute to decide on our meal choices. I will definitely go back, especially in a few weeks when heirloom tomatoes are in season!
(4)Pamela W.
There is something very special about this place. The food is so creative yet not over the top. The fresh seasonal dishes are luscious and the smaller plates make having a selection of tasty bites so fun. Bring a friend order a bottle of red and let the magic happen. Chefs are cute too!
(5)