Grand Central
1672 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55105
Grand Central Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1672 Grand Ave
Saint Paul, MN, 55105 - Phone (651) 964-1012
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Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : No
Caters : No
Good for Working : Yes
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Charles C.
I come on occasion during weekday mornings for the dogwood coffee, brewed via clover (full immersion), and sometimes during the weekend for the wild/creamy mushroom crepes. The mushroom crepe is very rich and served with a side heaping of hearty salad greens. It's always satisfied my creamy-mushroom craving. When staff is good & attentive the lattes & clovers are quite good here, better than I've found anywhere else on Grand ave, but there are those times when the clover hasn't been wiped perfectly clean, so I'll either refrain or ask for it to be cleaned first. Also, if you like caramel in your latte, their salted caramel latte is excellent. I think I've not tasted better. Might need to request a "little more" sauce if you prefer sweeter, for they tend to balance it towards "not too sweet" level of sweetness. If you buy the coffee beans and you care about birthdays (roast dates), be sure to check rather than assume. Dogwood does stamp them.
(4)Ginny M.
The food and drink quality is 4 stars and sometimes better, but I can't get over their poor service. Every time I go in there, and let's just say I work in the neighborhood so have opportunity to go there 3-4 times/month, it's anyone's guess as to what the service will be. Sometimes it is fine, and other times it is painful. Main gripes: Laminated menus are not current (don't make them if you're not going to update them!), staff doesn't know what is available and what isn't, particularly on the beer front (If they had a current list - see above - it would be easy!), they will often take an order for something, then come back to tell me that they are out of it - pastries in particular. I love Patisserie 46, but am tired of coming in during the day and finding most of the case empty or sad-looking. Grand Central has delicious crepes, but it can take forever to get them, particularly at busy times like lunch time (!?!?!?!). Service is often slow coming to tables, and turn-over in staff is endemic so they are always asking questions or tracking down someone who knows what is going on (like what beers are on tap). I agree 100% with reviewer Addy F. I keep wanting to like this place, but end up hating it almost every time I go in there.
(2)Dan L.
I didn't quite know what Grand Central was, so it took me a while to finally commit to going. Is it a study cafe? A bistro-type thing? A restaurant? Well the answer is actually "all three." The coffee here is really phenomenal. The desserts are ridiculous. The wifi is high quality. The food is quite good. If you need a good place to study without people looking at you askance, I highly recommend it. If you are looking for a place to get a glass of wine and desert in the evening, I recommend it. If you are looking for a sandwich in the afternoon, I recommend it. I hope that this place catches on - the drawback of being so versatile is that it may have a hard time attracting a core set of customers. But Grand Central has a lot to offer. It's definitely worth stopping by. I think you'll want to come back.
(5)An D.
After getting a bit tired of the same coffee shop every time I have some coffee&reading to do, I happened across the Grand Central Yelp reviews. I'm a fan of dogwood coffee, savory crepes, and beer, so what's not to like right? My first time there I had an espresso. It was solid as Dogwood espresso always is. I kind of missed the fizzy water on the side that I'm accustomed to with Dogwood, though. A while later I got hungry and went with a savory crepe (for the life of me can't remember which one and can't find a menu online) and it was flavorful, if slightly lacking in filling but came with a respectable salad on the same plate. Having a hole in my stomach I also ordered a small chicken curry salad. It was great and with the crepe and salad just the right size of me. All that with a coffee ran me $16 I believe. As for the coffee, it was great. I had never actually had Dogwood coffee before but on the Clover it was great. I had the Colombia and it was creamy, chocolatey and an all around great drink. On the way out I grabbed an iced coffee for my girlfriend. It was one of their Ethiopian coffees, a lighter option. I usually don't like light coffees iced but it was fantastic. It's been two weeks since I had it, so now that I'm writing this up I sadly can't comment on the particulars. I'll update this next time I visit.
(4)Anna T.
Got some tea and a scone here on a weekend in the early evening. The place had a few groups of college and high school students, and quite a few screaming toddlers running around. Definitely family friendly. Plenty of seating; didn't see a lot of outlets but it wasn't packed, so you could probably find a table with an outlet if you needed one. I didn't get a chance to try the food, but the scone was tasty and the tea came in a little pot. By the time I left around 7 there were more couples stopping in for a casual date night. The staff were genuinely friendly and kind, which I always appreciate. Cute place; will be back when I'm in the neighborhood.
(4)Rich M.
One of my new favorite places! I wandered in here last week and have already been back three times! Great food, coffee, tea, beer, wine, freshly squeezed juices, ambiance... Even better: everything is priced fairly reasonably! Today I ordered a curried chicken salad sandwich that came with a small salad for around $7 (which was definitely worth it!) and a fresh squeezed apple/pear/kale juice for $5 (which was amazing but a little pricey - I wish they'd offer a cheaper/smaller portion size than 16oz). Previously I've tried their decaf coffee and their chocolate croissants (both were very good)! The only thing I've found to be wrong with Grand Central is that it's too good; it's sometimes heard to find an open table and always hard to find close parking.
(4)Ben A.
Leo and Beth have done it again. We like the southwest chicken crepe, and really hoping that they bring back the s'mores crepe. V flexible: it makes for a great spot to bring our kid for a casual dinner but has enough polish to host out of town guests.
(5)Kim R.
On a snowy Thursday in April I had the day off of work, so I decided to meet my hubby for lunch. I had just read Annie D.'s review of Grand Central and decided to give it a try. We got there right at noon, and it wasn't too busy. You order at the counter and they have the menu listed on a sign above the counter. The salads all looked great, but I decided to get the caprese panini. My hubby ordered the BLT and we also had a chai. First off, the chai was pure bliss. This was the best chai I have ever tasted. We asked the lady at the counter how they made it and she said they have their own blend of tea and spices. If you like chai, you will love this one. My caprese panini was also phenomenal. I would order this again in a heartbeat. It had a really nice pesto and balsamic. Fabulous. My hubby enjoyed his BLT, I tried a bite and it was good. The desserts also looked great, but we did not order any. I guess there is always next time!
(5)Bobbi D.
A super, duper cute place! Lots of space. Good wifi connection. Friendly staff. Oh, and a solid HH :)
(5)Kelly E.
The new shining gem in my neighborhood. The caprese panini is amazing and so is the plentiful and delicious side salad that never disappoints. Eating here feels so clean and healthy. The cafe is beautiful...they pulled off modern minimalism with warmth...I feel very at ease every time I walk into this place. Each staff member I've encountered seems genuinely glad I am there. Oh, and before I forget...it's pretty inexpensive. If you can find fault in this place, I'd be very surprised. I love this food spot and I hope they continue to have success.
(5)MALEAH A.
Yum! I love a good sandwich! I got the California sandwich which had all my fave ingredients and the bread was super yummy! I was bummed when I had to share with you-know-who ;) He got a caprese type sandwich with tomato, balsamic, cheese, etc. which was also very good although a bit heavy on the balsamic. We got a lovely salted caramel torte type dessert which was good, but too rich for my taste. Can't wait to go back for another sandwich and try the coffee.
(4)Jenja J.
I am in love! Ok, the search for a coffee shop I can call home is finally over. After being condescended to by Kopleins one too many times, and tiring of the trek to Quixotic (sorry guys, still love you), I have finally found the perfect spot for an excellent cuppa, and some tasty bites to go with it. This appears to be the replacement for the beloved (but at times sub-optimal) Coffee News. On the other side of Shish, in a relatively unadorned store front, Grand Central is a revelation. Lemme start with the coffee. Dogwood roasts, for starters. Absolutely delicious. Latte's come (to my mind looking more like cappuccinos, but what do i know?) perfectly foamed, with lovely designs on top, delivered to the table with a smile (hear that, Kopleins? a SMILE!) Pourover brews are also good, but when the latte's are this delicious, I have a hard time resisting them. Then, the pastries. From Patisserie 46, so unerringly delicious. I have a thing for their almond croissants, but have forced myself to branch out and try other things, and have been universally impressed. Last week we tried their savory crepes for breakfast. Pretty damn good, and they come with a healthy dose of salad on the side (spring greens, light vinaigrette dressing). Both varieties were very good... They were rich and creamy, but still felt lighter than your traditional eggs, hashbrowns and bacon breakfast. And I have to agree with previous reviewers- the prices are quite reasonable. Very reasonable. They boast a big open space, which manages to be spare and inviting simultaneously, somehow. Lots of outlets for lots of devices. Comfy spaces for solos, small groups, or bigger working groups. It's all new, so everything is sparkling clean. There's a long, curvy bar with taps, suggesting they do or soon will serve a variety of excellent beers (pretty sure I saw a Surly tap in the mix, a very good sign) but have not been there at a time of day when beer was a viable option. Hope to, tho, in the near future. The long and the short of it? These guys have done a fantastic job putting together an excellent coffee shop. Count me among the faithful- this place rocks.
(5)Stephanie B.
Nice atmosphere, good selection, fresh ingredients, reasonably priced. Grand Central is a solid lunch place or coffee option. We will return and in fact already have.
(4)Anish K.
Simple place with memorable food and a nice atmosphere. I usually ordered to go but dining in is convenient and the service is nice. They have a balance of salads, sandwiches, crepes, and coffee drinks, all of which are good (and fairly unique). Its atmosphere will really appeal to any demographic, so if you're in the area, I'd recommend stopping by.
(5)Taren K.
Nice place to study or work. Unlike nearby Shish, there is almost always a table available. Fantastic crepes and nice side salads. Quite affordable place in the neighborhood, especially compared to the newcomer, French Meadow. Highly recommended!
(5)Karen S.
Comfortable spot with good food. Great salads that are available to go. While waiting for take out i enjoyed watching the skilled crepe maker working on a creation. so the next visit i ordered creamy mushroom crepe and like it . As previous reviewers mentioned not a place to go if in a hurry but good place to relax. They sell Dogwood beans also. Be sure to ask the price before you buy them to avoid sticker shock . Food priced fairly
(4)Matthew S.
I really want to like Grand Central, and I'm writing this review actually sitting here in the cafe, but I feel that Grand Central really needs to decide exactly what it is for. The food is delicious and the coffee and pastries the best in the area, so they have that going for them. But is it a restaurant? Is it a coffee shop? They have good beer, is it a bar? Being everything for everyone does not make you better. Looking around, most people are working or studying. Yet, the music is loud, the glaring halogen lights are atrociously bright, and the staff are being loud with each other. Maybe they should take a cue from places like Common Roots and Birchwood and be able to switch moods of the space based on the time of day. I really want a place in this part of St. Paul that I can study, drink some good coffee, but Grand Central isn't going to be that place. First things first, though, the lighting really is terrible for WHATEVER the occasion. It is so freakin bright in here! I can barely see my computer screen over the glare of the track lighting.
(3)Bridget E.
I love this place. I often frequent it and bring visiting family and friends. The prices are really reasonable, and the food is delicious! I love the crepes, salads, and the one sandwich I have tried (caprese) as well as the quiches. I've never had bad food or service and feel good about the prices. Have been here about 10 times.
(5)Lauren P.
I came to check out grand central with my boyfriend. We love Shish, so we decided to check it this new restaurant by the same owner. Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted by Zane, in the warmest of manners. He informed us of the menu whilst preparing my dogwood coffee in the Clover machine. They have delicious beer and wine selections, amazing sandwiches, and it's all made with the freshest ingredients! I even witnessed an employee patiently and kindly handle a difficult elderly man. It was heart warming. Dan (another employee) noticed our beers were running low right away and immediately remedied the problem. The staff is great, the food is amazing, and it's just a great place to hang out and grab some lunch!
(5)Lisa A.
Officially my 2nd favorite Cafe in St. Paul. Modern decor, very friendly staff, and surprisingly chic food. Deli-style ordering with a menu mostly consisting of creative cold salads, sandwiches, deserts, and most importantly delicious espresso drinks. We'll be back often.
(5)Lindsey R.
The wait is long and worth it for hand crafted, gorgeous coffee drinks. The salads and sandwiches are always good - never had a bad experience. Desserts are unbelievable good. The atmosphere is awesome and I love it here. Also appreciate that their soy milk is organic!
(4)Kristie H.
We stop in for lunch at least once a week because it is simply fantastic! We've tried several items and have not been disappointed. Grand Central is a welcomed addition to Grand Avenue.
(5)John J.
I have only been to Grand Central twice but each time they have had a wonderful atmosphere for getting some work done (studying etc). They have lots of outlets and seating, it's well lit, and drip coffee refills for 95 cents (plus beer and wine). One recent saturday lunch period they were incredibly understaffed as 3 or 4 people tried making food, gourmet coffees, washing dishes, and taking orders at rush time, but it was likely that someone just called in sick. two more employees showed up in due time which made wait times a little better. Not sure if this is a common issue, but I will surely be back for their Nutella Crepes.
(4)Samantha H.
It was ok. I will probably go back a second time to try it. I have only been once and had a few issues. The lady at the counter clearly didn't want to be there. I mean, no one wants to be at their job, but we all fake it because that's why we get paid. Anyway, she took our order and very clearly forgot to make my food until she went to do someone else's order and saw me sitting there all extra sad. My food was pretty good. I got some quiche and it really was the tastiest quiche I have ever had. My iced coffee was too strong. Now, I like strong coffee, but this was so strong I had to put sugar and cream in it to cut the too intense acidity and it was still so strong my black coffee friend couldn't handle it. The hot coffee was fine though. My husband did not like his lemon bar. He said it was not very lemon-y. I tried it and agree. The decor is pretty cool and if you go in the morning or early afternoon I can see being able to bring your whole family. Later in the day it could be different but I don't know. I am going to go another time and see if I get better service and a better sweet treat so I can update my post to a higher number because that quiche was delish.
(3)Meghan F.
Came in today. Only a couple people there around lunch. Placed a takeout order for 2 sandwiches. Waited 25 minutes before asking how much longer. Cashier and cook searched for my order. They obviously had not even started and didn't know where the ticket was. The cashier asked what I had ordered and said it'd be 5 minutes. No apology or explanation. Waited almost 35 min total. Disappointed. Also got home and they gave me the wrong salad! I'm a vegetarian and they gave me some sort of chicken salad so I couldn't even eat it.
(1)Ruth D.
I'm always on a quest for the Perfect Dissertation Spot, and Grand Central is among my current favorites. They have a great selection of local teas, coffee, plus beer and wine. I LOVE the ambiance-- dim but pretty and clean, with fresh flowers and polished wood everywhere. And the food is just phenomenal. Everything I've tried-- lentil soup, salads, pastries--has been so satisfying and perfect. The desserts are almost too pretty to eat. It's a lovely neighborhood, too. On a cool autumn day you'd be hard-pressed to find a more enjoyable way to spend a weekend afternoon.
(5)Bill S.
My feelings about Grand Central have grown from "I love it!" for the years it has been here to now somewhat mixed. The food is and always has been delicious. Ive eaten dozens of smoked caprese sandwiches since it opened. The crepes are some of the best I've had in the Twin Cities. About 12 craft brews to choose from, many local. So why only 3 stars? The atmosphere. For whatever reason, the owner has deemed it necessary to hang half a dozen TV sets in this peaceful cafe/coffee shop, and half of them are showing cage match fighting, or ultimate-fighting-whatever-its-called. Because you know, as you are trying to relax, chat with a friend, enjoy wonderful food, nothing completes the experience like watching people beat the **** out of each other. Why bother looking at the locally made art on the walls anymore when teeth are flying just a couple feet away? Christ. Grand Central is apparently trying to bring its upscale cafe food to the white trash crowd. Good luck.
(3)Nathan M.
Great, quaint, locals' place! Tuna melt is amazing and reminds me of NY deli. Always a good stop for great food and coffee.
(5)Tim S.
One waffle maker for a restaurant with capacity for 66 people. Our group of six ordered four waffles, and each order came out as it was ready (which is normally fine), but over the course of about 45 minutes. We had to get the last order to-go because everyone had long finished their meal by the time the staff finished making our food. The food and coffee were great, and the staff friendly, but the capacity of the kitchen means you'll be waiting a long long time for your food.
(2)Kev H.
Prior to coming here, I read the reviews on Yelp and expected a standard brunch style place (Also, I guess 'read the reviews' is a lie, and it was more like look at food pictures) Arriving at this place, I entered a spacious restaurant with some people working on laptops at the various tables while nibbling on some pastry or sipping some coffee). I did a little mental jenga and realized this was more akin to a coffeeshop than a sit down brunch place. This is one of those places where you order at the counter and you get a number to bring to your table. There is nothing super hearty on the menu, but they have some sandwiches, crepes, etc. They also have a case displaying various types of deli salads. I opted for some curry chicken salad and a lemon bar. The salad was quite alright, visually colorful and with a nice clean taste. The lemon bar, on the otherhand, was a bit of a let down. If you're in the area looking for a light bite or if you're looking for a study spot, this seems like an alright place to spend an hour or two. But if you want a two egg omelette with a hearty short stack drenched in maple syrup with a dollup of butter on top and garnished with some blueberries but not strawberries because obviously one is the better berry..... then this would not be the location for yiu. In terms of studying, I didn't really notice too many outlets, but I didn't look very hard.
(3)Jessica T.
How have I not written a review of one of my favorite places? I've been here so many times since it opened because it has it all. A few weeks ago, French Meadow Bakery opened up almost next door and I was panicking. I love the FMB, but Grand Central just has something...ok reasonable prices! Another plus when comparing the two, Grand Central doesn't have a waitstaff. FMB now does and going in for a cup of coffee and dessert isn't as inviting if I have to tip a waitress on top of a $4 piece of cake. Wait! I'm a good tipper! My point is FMB seems more restaurant vs cafe. Ok enough about that. Let's get on with the food. Lunch-The salads are different and delicious-not just your every day green salad. Well, they have that and it's good. I'm talking about chickpea, beet, chicken salads. Not all in one! I usually get a cup of soup and salad for lunch. They give you a few pieces of french bread on the side. I love their cappuccinos. No more to say about that. Besides lunch, it's a great spot for friends/happy hour. They offer beer and wine. My friends and I had wine and each of us got a different fancy dessert to share. One thing that all my friends and I have decided on -Grand Central YOU NEED A CUTE SIGN UP ON THE BUILDING! Not a paper thing in the window. You deserve it-we all like you-you can do it.
(4)Kristi E.
This place is the love child of a coffee shop, bar, and deli. It has the best of 3 worlds - the coffee is unbeatable (Dogwood), the deli-type food is delicious (try the eggplant soup served with baguettes), and the mini bar is well stocked with craft beers. Loving this place! My only drawback is that there seems to be boards designated for menus above the cashier area, but nothing is written there (and it has been open for a while). You have to go up and ask for a list. Maybe that is just my own pet peeve, but it would be awesome to see a menu so I'm not holding up a line!
(4)Diana D.
Love love love la la la love: Cashew Chicken salad Curry Chicken salad and Broccoli salad. The salads here remind me of LemonadeLA in California which I friggin love and I could eat there everyday if I could. So, I was very happy when I strayed away from my usual Italian Panini and sampled the salads. Mmmm-mmmm. Burst of flavors with every bite. I've tasted the other salads too and it's really hard to pick just 3 as they are all delicious and flavorful. Although it's called a sampler, the portions are huge Anyway, I just recently started drinking coffee thanks to the boyfriend and now I think I may addicted. Addicted to Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla coffee that we make at home to be exact. That ish is good. Their creamer doesn't make my stomach ache from being lactose so I was drinking it like juice. Ironically, I was trying to get my boyfriend to not drink so much coffee but instead I jumped onto the bandwagon. SMH. So craving coffee, I ordered my first coffee ever, Dogwood Roast coffee from Costa Rica. I don't even know what Dogwood means but apparently Yelpers love it and I wanted to try it. I was probably in way over my head as a newbie as it gave me a headache. Too strong perhaps but quite good. I'll probably stick with the chai lattes and fight this addiction while it is still in its early stages.
(5)Jonathan T.
Grand Central has something for everybody, which is why it attracts locals from all over the neighborhood. Within the first 15 minutes of my visit, I saw one burly dude slam a beer, heard two elderly gentlemen shout and reminisce about how they used to trip on acid, and witnessed a very caffeinated Macalester student furiously type/ pound the plastic essence out the keyboard on her Macbook. #ripspacebar This Grand Avenue hideaway has a stylish and charming wooden interior and the space seems to be generally organized into three areas: the section by the window, the bar, and the dimly lit back room. Not only is Grand Central pretty (like an Emma Stone kind of pretty), this lovely café is staffed by welcoming and attentive folks that don't roll their eyes when asked, "What should I eat on the menu?" and they get silverware and napkins when you forget. (Like me.) For several minutes, I probed the brain of the friendly lady holding it down at the cash register about their menu. Below are her suggestions: "Get any of the sandwiches. All of them are delicious." "Can't leave without trying the crepes. But if you don't want to, try them some other time. So you really can leave without trying them." "The pastries are from Patisserie 46. So yeah, they are bomb." I decided on the Reuben. With the savory corned beef, oh-so-fatty-goodness Swiss cheese, and tangy sauerkraut held together between two toasted slices of rustic rye, I made a solid choice! It's an absolutely palatable sandwich, although, it did come out a bit soggy on the bottom. All good though! I also enjoyed my side of fruit, which is definitely better than other restaurants that seem to imitate the fruit from school lunches. ***Nom-Nom-Nom*** I washed everything down with a refreshing orange flavored San Pellegrino. After my meal, I was inspired by the holy-crap-I-have-to-do-churn-out-this-paper Mac student and did some as well. Decent free wifi! Thanks for the tip, Diana D! Grand Central is a wonderful café to to have brunch, enjoy a drink, push out some work, or, I guess, shout about how you used to slam acid. I shall be back! Thanks for the great time!
(4)Katie C.
What a difference a year makes? Did we just come on a really bad day? It was nothing like last time we were here. We ordered the same exact things we did the first time, they were not even close to what we had before. The Israeli Couscous salad wasn't fresh , you could tell it was made a couple days ago? It was really dried out and kind of hard for lack of better words. It used to come with lightly grilled bread that was AWESOME! This time it came with slices of bread that weren't toasted...just plain. My beloved veg Bahn mi with grilled tofu, was awful! NOOOO!!!! I wanted to cry. The baguette it was served on HAD to be at least a day old. It was HARD! I felt like a dog trying to take a bite...nearly had to shake my head and growl to tear a piece off. It was not easy to eat! Tore up the roof of my mouth, I was so incredibly hungry... I honestly don't think we will come back after today. It's a shame, because I really loved it the first time! Get back on track and let me know when it goes back to good food.
(2)Kate R.
Had the tex-mex crepe and my mom had the black forest crepe. So delicious mom had to compliment the chef!. Both came with a tasty side salad with balsamic vinegar. Lovely relaxing atmosphere. Great place to hang out with the wine/ beer bar and mellow music.
(5)Stephen L.
TERRIBLE. I would give it a zero if I could. I will never go back. Waitress was delivering my panini to the table and as she was setting it on the table the top slice of bread fell on the floor of one half of the sandwich. No big deal...... I asked the waitress to just toast another slice and began eating the other half. She came back and said the "chef" would not do it. I reminded her that it fell off before it got to the table. She indicated she wasn't "liable" for that and the chef said no and there was nothing she could do. I asked for the owners number to call and let him know what TERRIBLE customer service was being provided. Got VM and then went to talk to the chef. Chef said he would get fired if he sliced another half piece of bread for the panini and hat he could not give away free food. It was like a Sienfeld episode. If you want to be insulted, experience bad customer service, and feel like you are in a sit-com then go here. What a joke! Have the employees been so intimidated by the owner or manager that common sense gets in the way of good business? I will never go back.
(1)Whitney G.
If ever a sandwich were suited to exactly what I expected to taste and liked, it would be the Ham and Cheese with Brie (instead of the normal cheddar) and the Maple Vinagrette (instead of the mustard or dijon). This is now my sandwich here. I like the variety of the menu, and they didn't bat an eyelash when I asked them for the cheese and dressing substitutions.
(5)Jenny A.
What?! Only 14 five star reviews out of 24?! Surely my two cents will count for something here. This place is nothing I would ever think I would want in a café décor-wise. I'm a cozy café kind of girl. Or, I was until I came here, anyway. Its open, airy and spacious with cool and neutral colors throughout. It works great in this space and the layout is very comfortable. You don't feel like you're joining the party next to you when you sit down; It allows for very personable meetings. I'm a chai-snob. Not in the sense that I know what a chai latte is supposed to taste like, but in the sense that I know what I want in a Chai Latte. Grand Central's latte encompasses all of the fall essences that I crave in a Chai tea. It's hot, it's creamy, it's the perfect blend of spices and it conjures the warm cuddly feeling of a chilly fall day. Okay, maybe I'm putting too much stock into a Chai latte, but damn its comforting. The food here has been astounding every time I've eaten here. Places like this always scare me a little because the food always looks great, but usually lacks flavor. Grand Central is so far removed from that flaw that I can assure you, it won't be a concern here. Their crepes are perfectly done with the right amount of filling. I've so far only ordered and tried the dessert varieties, but this is a real crepe, people. Not a thin pancake. This is Heaven. Sweet, decadent Heaven. It's worth it. Every little bit of it. The salads have been satisfying on multiple levels here; Flavor, colors (No one likes a dull salad), product quality and portion. Your options are ranged enough to cater to any taste, really. But, don't be persnickety. If it's your first time, get the sampler and get a good feel for their offerings. The dessert case is -beautiful-. I know, they don't make the dainty and delicately crafted little love cups, but the fact that they offer such quality desserts in the first place is nice. No crappy rainbow sugar cookies here. Finally, the staff working here are... models? Yeah, they're all pretty good looking. All of them. To top off the eye candy, though, is their great service. Not a rude bone in that place. I love it here.
(5)Angela S.
Super cute and I love the idea of a cafe with alcohol, very European. However, after sitting at the bar for 10 minutes without being acknowledged, we were told to go order at the counter where you couldn't even see the drink menu. The server had no clue what was going on and then poured me a very cold glass of cab. I'm currently sitting at the bar waiting for my wine to get to the appropriate temperature. I'm sure their coffee is great and the ambiance is wonderful, but they need to work on their happy hour game.
(2)Medora W.
The only thing I have to complain about is that it was understaffed and therefore the food took a long time to come out, and it came out in sections. Other than that, outstanding. The cafe was comfortable and open, and the food (I had the caprese panini) was fantastic. Definitely a recommendation!
(4)Mel B.
This is my current favorite place to eat. I would do just about anything for their caprese sandwich and Israeli couscous. This autumn, they also had an AMAZING salted caramel latte (which I take with 3 shots). Last Friday, I was running late and called in my order for pick up (thank you!!!!!). They still made me my favorite latte and had my sandwich all ready for me. I even got a legal parking spot right across the street.
(5)Matt W.
Crepe-tastic! After seeing all the favorable Yelp reviews, the family dropped by the Grand Central for a late lunch after moving my daughter into her campus apartment. At first I was a little skeptical. The place was almost empty and all the tabletops were dirty. Then we tasted the food, and it was all rainbows and unicorns from there. We started out with a chocolate croissant. Granted, I only had a small sample since the family tore into the croissant like a pack of hungry wolves. But it had everything you look for in a croissant, a buttery, moist interior, a wonderfully flaky exterior and a great interplay between the bitterness of the chocolate and the sweetness of the dough. Based on the recommendation of the cashier, I tried the TexMex crepe. I'll admit it took me a minute to adjust to the culinary collision of TexMex and French cuisine. But it quickly won me over. The portion size was generous and the chicken was moist and flavorful. While I would have liked a little more chipotle, I definitely would order this dish again. The black forest crepe was also a winner with great balance between the thinly sliced ham and creamy melted Havarti cheese. They were a little heavy handed with the Dijon mustard, but in the right proportion, the Dijon was the perfect foil for the ham and Havarti. Grand Central also nailed the landing on the sweet crepes. The nutella and banana crepe was ginormous (and delicious). However, the simple yet elegant sugar and cinnamon crepe was my favorite. But the shining star of the dessert menu was the Tristan, a sable breton filled with milk chocolate and the most decedent salted caramel ever to cross my tongue. It was the perfect end to a wonderful meal. Special kudos to the staff for the excellent service we received. My youngest daughter ordered the grilled cheese sandwich I and should have anticipated that she would not like the pungent flavor brie cheese. I went to order her a different sandwich and the cashier offered to remake the sandwich without the brie at no charge. They expedited the order and she received her sandwich in a couple of minutes. So I would like to give some mad props to the Twin Cities Yelpisphere for their glowing reviews of Grand Central. The storefront is pretty inconspicuous and I would have missed out eating at the gem without your assistance.
(4)Joshua G.
Excellent coffee (it's Dogwood), but spendy. I was surprised, but French Meadow is cheaper by about a dollar on drinks.
(4)Alyson P.
This is my new favorite little spot. Love the atmosphere. I've had the crepes, flatbread and tuna melt panini. Enjoyed all of them. Also, got a great gourmet coffee. I need to go back during happy hour now because they have wine and beer specials too!
(5)Brian B.
This is solely a review of their coffee/espresso. As a coffee snob, I have certain expectations of any place serving Dogwood coffee (latte art, 8oz lattes, precision, etc.). I got none of those. Not even an attempt at latte art! My miel was drowning in honey, but still tasted OK because it has dogwood beans.
(3)Rachel E.
This is a great modern hippster cafe that reminds me of a few local places (D'Amico, Chez Arnaud, Dogwood Coffee). I wish I could tell you more about their other food but I'm stuck on the crepes! There is always a place to sit and hang out and it's pretty quiet. Pastries are from Patisserie 46, one of my favorite local bakeries.
(4)Susie A.
Neat place on the quiet end of Grand Avenue. Surprised it wasn't busier for the price and quality of the food. Had the cheese crepe with greens as they had run out of the mushroom one that I was dying to try. Just means I will have to go back. My husbo had been there earlier in the week and had the ham & cheese crepe and brought home the berries & cream crepe. Lovely! Don't leave without trying a crepe! The Patisserie 46 items were an added bonus. Aside from the tiny, photo worthy desserts they also carry their famous croissants (choc and almond too). Loved the modern, cool interior that was casual, yet chic. There were also a couple tables outside the door on the sidewalk if you want to catch some rays.
(4)Samuel W.
Oh, Grand Central, how I continue to loveth thee. Just thought I'd pop on to add a couple additional notes. I stopped in yesterday to give the salad sampler a whirl and noticed that the Asian noodle salad was absent during roll call. The lady behind the counter mentioned that they didn't and probably wouldn't have it again. I was excited to try it, but... apparently, it sucked. Regardless, let's all have a moment of silence for the late noodly concoction. On a much lighter note, the chicken curry salad kicks your mom's ass and made up for my initial disappointment. It's light yet still creamy and the sweet/tart peppers they put in it really make it shine. I love straight up chicken curry and this is essentially the summer version; I'm soon going to have assloads of poultrygeists on my tail from consuming so much chicken. Bring it on. We also sampled (I don't remember what the hell it was called) a more simple noodle salad with bow tie pasta, fresh pesto, cheese and grape tomatoes. It was simple but well-executed and the pesto packed a ton of flavor. None of the other salads looked particularly appealing to me so we opted to give the tomato and red pepper soup a try. My girlfriend loved it; I couldn't eat it beyond my first spoonful. Confession time: I hate tomato soup and red peppers. Take my opinion on that one not seriously at all. I had a tall glass of fresh-squeezed pear juice that made my taste buds do the mambo no. 5. The juice menu changes daily (and probably seasonally) but If you see it, get it. Next item on the docket? The desserts that are almost too beautiful looking to eat. Thank you, Patisserie 46.
(5)Sean K.
One of the two best lattes in town. Several of the baristas know how to coax the ultimate sweetness from the milk, to the point where you may not even need that sugar packet. The pastries are also gorgeous like art and tasty. But the unsung hero here is the soup. It doesn't do it justice to call them soups because that usually signals something generic and bland, but these are layered with flavors! A hearty, peppery red lentil. A rich chicken wild rice stuffed with real chunks of tender chicken and good-for-you veggies. Drizzled with truffle oil maybe? There's a little dollop of something unctuous and lovely on top anyhow.
(4)Jennifer S.
Dropping another star due to recent experience. Went here specifically to ask them to grind some coffee beans for me. Normally, I go up the street to Dunn Bros. for this. This particular recent day, however, I thought that since Grand Central is a coffee shop where they sell Dogwood coffee beans and serve it already brewed, I could ask them to grind my beans. If they would not honor my request, no problem; I would simply go back to Dunn Bros. I asked the guy at the counter if he would please grind my beans for me to an "espresso grind". He said something back to me which I had to ask him to repeat because I did not hear him clearly given the loud, blaring music. Once we had communication established, he set about to pouring my beans into their bean grinder, grinding them, and handing back the closed-up bag to me. I thanked him and left. The next morning, I opened the bag of ground coffee to scoop out enough to make espresso and saw that may beans had been ground, not "finely" for espresso, but of a grind to make regular "brewed" coffee. Since I don't make brewed coffee, the 12 ounces of beans that I had ground are virtually useless to me. The wrong grind results in very weak espresso.
(3)Zaita X.
Went there for my birthday based on reviews here. Didn't regret it a single bit. Sure it was a bit crowded but that is how popular it is. Cafe was modern and retro. I ordered an Italian panini with an Milky Way special coffee.Most items were under $10, so it very nice. I was surprised at the portion and it came with a great salad on the side. Coffee was so delicious that I had to finish it all before I left. Customer service was great and fast - my sister and I were looking at the menu when the cashier realized the covered a part of it and showed us the rest. Very fast on food and coffee. If I lived closer to the cafe, I would be there once a week. Very recommended to go there again.
(5)Alexander R.
I've been noticing a trend at Grand Central lately. I've been coming here for about a year or so now, mostly for the Dogwood Coffee, but also for the multiple craft beers on tap and the great happy hour. It's a quiet place for a drink in a neighborhood loaded with loud bars and rowdy students. Early on, I enjoyed some of the pastries. The last few times, I've noticed a trend that the food has really gone downhill. I ordered a banana and Nutella crepe. The bananas were rock hard. Not "it's a few days shy of ripe" kind of firm, but crunchy. And not fried-crunchy, but the bananas in the crepe were terribly firm and not at all ripe. I was looking forward to chewy, delicious banana flavor with the Nutella, but it got to the point where I had to pick the bananas from the crepe. I would've brought it to the attention of the staff, but settled for devouring the Nutella. Served with it was a side of fruit. "Seasonal" fruit, when I inquired. AKA - two hard pieces of unripe pineapple, two pieces of unripe, hard cantaloupe, and a smattering of unripe muskmelon as filler. There was not a single piece of ripe fruit on the plate. When you're looking for something sweet to pair with your sticky Nutella, this was utterly disappointing.
(2)Ahmad R.
The salted caramel latte is sublime, if just a tad on the sweet side, depending on your tooth. The Tex-Mex crepe tasted like their curry chicken with Texy-Mexy things atop it. Not super Tex-Mex. The environment is great. Open and modern.
(4)Sasha S.
My friend and I both got the Bahn Mi sandwich with a beet salad. Mine was made vegan and hers vegetarian, and we both loved our meals. A nice atmosphere, very casual, but surprisingly delicious food!
(5)Kelly S.
I went here for the first time this morning with a girlfriend for breakfast. We both ordered crepes and she also ordered a latte. It was 8am and there were only 2 other gentlemen there at that time so it was nice and quiet. The young lady who took our order was very nice and helpful when I was deciding on what savory crepe to get. I went with the mushroom one and it was really good. It came with a small side salad but I really didn't eat that. My friend chose the Black Forest crepe and liked that too along with her latte. We decided we'd like to return for lunch and try some of their salads or sandwiches. It was a good first impression and I would recommend the crepes we had!
(4)Justin B.
This place isn't too shabby. Yummy anti-pasta / lunch fair and yummy desserts. Some of the dishes (a curry) was a bit bland, so it's nothing to write home about, but it's a good value and you'll leave happy.
(3)Hannah B.
1. They have a clover (or pour over if you prefer, but the clover is hard to find these days, i'll take it when I can get it!) Serving Dogwood, of course, so this place should be a "duh" go-to spot. This place really is an awesome love-child of coffee shop / cafe / deli, with beer. They also carry Patisserie 46 treats. I came one one occasion for coffee and Bostock, which were awesome of course. Second trip I had brunch. Brunch was amazinnggg! There were 3 of us and we each had a different crepe, all three were phenomenal. Mine was a mushroom crepe with wine sauce and cheese (I added tomato, and I'm glad I did since it was very rich and the tomato helped cut that a bit) It was so delicious and stuffed with sooooooo many fresh mushrooms, it also came with a wonderful salad on the side and the whole thing was like $8. It was HUGE and I ended up bring home leftovers so it was really an awesome deal, I honestly I think I could split it 50/50 and be plenty full. I will definitely be back, probably often.
(5)Qaiser B.
Grand Central cafe is this sweet little cafe that is far more quaint and low key then its other name bearer on 42nd st. in New York City. My favorites are the Curry Chicken Salad, the Chickpea salad and the tomato soup. They have some really amazing deserts as well for those who like to finish off their meals with a little sweetness. I have yet to try the sandwiches but I am guessing they would be equally well made. The staff is pretty friendly and helpful. Parking however can be a little pain at times but with a little effort you may find something around the corner.
(5)Michael H.
We stumbled on this little gem entirely by accident, on our way to a funeral in Iowa. We went out of the airport the wrong way, decided that we were hungry, and there was Grand Central. This was some sort of gift to us from the dearly departed, I'm sure. We both had sandwiches and salads, and they were top-notch. Even something as basic as the fresh fruit salad was done well, and the prices were reasonable. Staff were friendly and the seating was cozy.
(5)the p.
Stopped in late on a Saturday morning. The place was mostly empty, which was interesting because there were lines out the door at other spots along Grand. I really wanted to like the place because I'm a big fan of Shish but this was mostly a poor experience. Server was confused about the menu and generally disengaged. Took forever to get our food (2 crepes and a sandwich). One crepe arrived hot and the other was room temp so they must make them one at a time (very, very slowly). The crepe itself tasted good but it was smothered in dijon sauce and overly stuffed with cheap, lunchmeat-style ham. (I would rather have had less of a higher quality ham.) Interesting that other reviews mention the pastries come from Patisserie 46 but the server told us they are from Buttercream.
(2)Ellie B.
I immediately liked the look of this place as soon as I walked in. I tried a crepe with several cheeses in it and it was fantastic. It came with a really nice green salad, perfectly dressed. Service was friendly and fast. This would be a nice place to meet for lunch, hang out, or get some work done.
(4)Phoua Y.
I came here to enjoy a cup of coffee but I ended up loving the food more. I had ordered the Italian panini and it was delicious! I have to admit, it was a little on the oily side but the oils gave it flavor. My hubby had gotten the smoked caprese which had no meat in it but was still amazingly delicious if you like the sun dried tomato taste. The dessert we ordered was the caramel vanilla mousse. It was Devine! It was so smooth and tasted very similar to a cheese cake but It WAS SO MUCH BETTER! The costumer service was great and very friendly. The style of the place is very jazzy and comfortable. Grand central is a " do it yourself" cafe where you clean up your own mess and grab your own utensils and water which was great for me so I don't have to feel so guilty for making a huge mess.
(5)Dianne J.
Food and service was good. The two young ladies working were very nice. Unfortunately, the chef is not so polite or flexible.
(3)Veronica O.
I ventured into this place last Fall with a Mac professor who also shares not only Francophile tendencies but, a sense of joie de vivre. I will only say this once. I do not frequent this place for the service. I feel the staff although print/web photogenic are vapid and leave service to the imagination. This being pre-empted. The food. The presentation and the manner in which they are honored and prepared. Simply superb! My first meal was a perfectly cooked and presented buckwheat crêpe with mushrooms, leeks and a soft cheese which escapes me. I made it a point to tell the Dax Shepard-esque looking chef how wonderful it was as he delivered it to my table. I believe at the time, they had a snooty FOH manager mid to late 20's, skinny, unattractive, big glasses and perpetually wearing a hipster knit hit...in addition to always being overly attentive to his female staff on the border of Woody Allenophile-ness [shudder]. I just had a lovely lunch about two weeks ago and split a lamb meatball sandwich with 2-small side salads [enter vapid barista/cashier/FOH who did not hear when reminded twice we wanted to sample 1-small sides we only received one large one]. We each had wonderful coffee drinks and returned for another one. I think the FOH need to be trained on selling or making things more appealing. I understand they are culled locally but, a high I.Q., looks or youth doesn't mean you are aware of food, politesse or the inherent duty to ask questions and repeat an order. The sandwich was perfectly crafted; lamb meatballs, with fenugreek, harissa, smoked paprika, a nice crusty roll, feta cheese, arugula....and with a lovely side of roasted vegetables such as garlic, fennel, red peppers, olives and nothing was over done. Perfect and simple only allowing the flavors to shine. A perfect plate with spice, salt, acid and sweetness. We did speak to the chef and wanted him to know how lovely it was. Desserts are king. They are divine and from Patisserie 46 but, why not Chez Arnaud? It's local and why not stay here? I always come here to dine alone and work at least 1-2 a month. My guest was a retired academic from Dartmouth who loves France as a Romantic linguist only could and he agreed everything was a la Française or very Mediteraneé. At 75, he has a very discernible palate and agreed the service was 'lackluster'...and counter service or not. Decide on what you want, pick the model of service but, train your staff if they expect to be tipped as a server to provide the person on the other end of the transaction with the same kindness as a table side server would. Regardless of how I feel about the staff I still still take many people there to experience the crêpes because outside of France or NOLA or Montreal ..they are pretty damn good. P.S. The food is worth every bite, just ignore the FOH minus the heart of the operation which is the chef and his crew. Namasté... PSS Hire a real photographer to take photos of the food and space. If you spent the $$$ to remodel spend the $$$ to take decent photos of the food or hire a Mac student majoring in photography.
(5)Annie D.
I'm sort of obsessed with this place already. Immediately upon walking in, someone hollered hello from behind the counter (which is super far away from the door). Then I surveyed the scene: the white subway tile, the Patisserie 46 dessert case, the Dogwood coffee, the tap beer handles... and my inner voice was like "This is your new spot, Annie. IT HAS ALL THE THINGS YOU LIKE!" And then I got up to the counter and my inner voice was like, "Be cool, just be cool." The guy at the counter was as nice as can be, offering up suggestions on the menu and jokes. I found out later his name is Mike. Way to go, Mike. Actually, every staff member I encountered was very friendly. They don't have pour-over coffee "yet" (as the counter guy said), so I took counter guy's recommendation and got a Clover cup, which is still a brewed-by-the-cup dealio. To eat, I ordered the salad sampler trio with beets and green beans, mixed greens and curry chicken salad. Quite frankly, I had eaten my own homemade curry chicken salad about three hours before this and I still couldn't resist ordering it. Celery aside (not a fan of the stuff), it was delicious. The other two salads were great too, and they offer paninis and sandwiches if you're not going the salad route. The price for the sampler was fair and the portion was large. I ended up saving most of the beet salad for dinner later that day. Not only do they serve this great menu, but they also have craft beer, wifi and good coffee, completing my checklist for an "everything cafe"---one that goes from day to night and work to play. This is my favorite category of cafe, whose ranks include Common Roots and Muddy Waters... and now I'm inducting my first 651 everything cafe (Colossal Cafe is very close, but too busy for laptopping). Anyway, welcome to the club, Grand Central. I will see you (very) soon.
(5)Me. X.
There's a lot to like about Grand Central: treats from Patisserie 46, coffee from Dogwood, beer on tap and just the right atmosphere for everything from study groups to lunch dates. Grand Central's convenient and reliable. (Almost lIke that perfectly ok boyfriend of yours who's nice enough and dresses well, but may just bore you because crepes is his idea of culinary excitement and he served you stale bread with your meat and cheese platter.)
(3)Kristi C.
What's not to love?! I'm warmly greeted by the staff, two steps into Grand Central. The decor is minimalistic but welcoming. Great background music, but not to loud that it interferes with table conversation. The service was top notch as well. This will definitely become one of my regular stops! They serve Dogwood Coffee, an automatic bonus in my book. They get 5+ stars for the Salted Caramel Latte. You can get your fix of Patisserie 46 treats without the trip to Minneapolis. I chose the salad sampler plate. Golden Beets, which had the most deliciously twangy vinaigrette, walnuts & goat cheese. Tuna salad was full of flavors from the onions and capers. The Chicken Curry was mild and a nice balance of flavors.
(5)Joelle P.
Wow, I think I'm in love! I was grabbing some solo late lunch/early dinner at Shish between classes and I happened to pass Grand Central on my way out. It is absolutely adorable and if I were to design a coffee shop/cafe, this is how I would do it. Lots and lots of seating. A bi-level set up with some seating and the actual food and registers on the upper level. There is a good mix of booths and tables and the decor is neutral and comfortable. It's a really large space and I like that. They offer sandwiches and salads that all looked delicious, I was very tempted even though I had just eaten my weight in chicken shawarma and hummus. They also have some freaking delicious pastries and desserts. However, as it was, I just went with a latte. They offer a "seasonal" latte which I find very exciting and fun. Right now it is "Maple Cinnamon". I got it to go since I had to run back to class, but I wish I would have had time to sit and enjoy my drink right there. I'll definitely be back here. It seems like a great place to study and the latte was seriously delicious. Plus, they have 1% milk, not just whole, which I SERIOUSLY appreciate! The barista was really friendly and talkative and my latte was beautiful and made very quickly. I can't imagine a better experience. I will add an update once I try their food.
(5)Ashley P.
Great happy hour wine list with friendly and knowledgable staff. Try the roasted red pepper tomato soup - a great addition to a glass of wine and a good book in this cozy cafe in Grand Ave.
(4)Melanie D.
I am bumping them down a star now because my husband got food poisoning last night from eating their tuna salad sandwich. I love this place but it's unacceptable to serve tainted food. We have eaten here many times and I'm sure it was a fluke. Otherwise, great coffee and vegetarian options.
(3)Addy F.
I've tried (many, many, many times) to like Grand Central. It's around the corner from my office, so it would be convenient to be able to like it, but there's nothing to like about it aside from its interesting interior. The baked goods are from the awesome Patisserie 46, but the shop doesn't order daily anymore, so the pastries are often stale (yet still full priced). This is endemic of either a lack of attention to detail or a cheapness they're passing on to their customers at full price. The owner is quite gregarious with customers, but fleecing isn't nice. Also, he seems to have a very hard time keeping staff, which doesn't speak well of his operation. Come to think of it, I guess if I were Patisserie 46, I'd stop selling to Grand Central so that my brand didn't get tainted.
(1)Nicholas L.
Did I just get teleported to a magical combination of subway station chic and industrial/farmhouse styling? Maybe. Perfectly brewed dogwood coffee? Yup. Beautiful display of glazed pastries like jewels, or more like the sparkle in my dad's eye the night I was conceived? Ohmy.... I'll admit I was not really looking forward to breakfast crepes - since they are so typically chewy pancake skin things - but their Tex Mex was delicious, and came in a huge serving! Stole enough of my partners cheesy mushroom crepe to know that was delicious too. You now have 3 tasks after reading this review: 1. go here. 2. drink coffee/eat crepes 3. look totally hip.
(4)Rhonda G.
I've been back several times to the point where I could be considered a regular. I'm getting something different every time, and managing to go through almost all the crepes. I have to watch myself and not get into a rut of just ordering the fabulous mushroom crepe. Everything is so plentiful, they skimp on nothing. The fact that Leo is the owner is enough to know that it will be top notch. For a smaller place, there's a huge variety. Even in the desserts, I had one of the most chocolatey concoctions ever. Here, you get to know and interact with the staff. I was meeting Jennifer S.for an early lunch. Mike was surprised to see us sitting together, since she's also a regular. Then we tell him we met on Yelp back in '09 and are both heavy hitting reviewers. He immediately labeled us Siskel and Ebert. Truer words. Then we start talking about what to name ourselves.
(5)Sarah G.
Good food, good space, and the WORST customer service I've encountered in recent time. Every single time I come in, I'm amazed by how rude the staff is. When I ask a simple question about the menu, I'm given a blank stare. If I ask for an extra or a substitution you'd think the world was ending. I come here for the ambience, and in spite of the people who work here.
(2)Andrew P.
Still a nice place, but they need to make sure they have things up to snuff to compete with the local competition. Having been there many times, it has been up and down recently - still good soup and salad, but the kitchen was closed due to something last night, and they had not stocked the wine back in the cooler, so we could not get two glasses of our chosen wine (although they did bring one out later after chilling it). I think they need to get a bit more emphasis on customers - the food can be soooo good for the price, but they forget that they need to have it available and when you ask for something (like a bowl of soup instead of a cup with the soup and salad) they need to remember it for longer than 30 seconds. I hope they get the lamb meatball sandwich back on the menu (reason I wanted to go there in the first place), and remember to stock the wine cooler (not hard - they only have 10-12 wines on the menu), but unless they place more on serving their customers, many will go down the street - the neighborhood is a foodie one, and expects a high level of service. I had such high hopes for them when they started, and they need to get their act together - still great food (what's available), but the service is going downhill.
(3)Rodriguez B.
I absolutely loved the Vanilla Latte. Amazing! Also had a Ruben sandwich. Impressive little place. Would definitely come back.
(5)Ella P.
What's not to love about Grand Central? They serve Dogwood coffee, offer Patisserie 46 pastries, and their food is reliably good (and it's within walking distance to our house, but I guess that's only useful to me). I wouldn't say the food is outstanding, but it is good. And the staff is so kind, which I really appreciate. I sort of feel like I walk in and they really CARE about me, and my kid too! So that's nice. I hear this place is from the same folks who run Shish right down the street, and we love that place too. So yes, go to Grand Central and support them. They are kind and make yummy food. OH, and get a crepe, they are fantastic. Lemon is a favorite!
(4)Courtney J.
After my beloved Coffee News close their doors I was at a real loss when it came to coffee shops near me. Sure, there were alleged top rated coffee houses nearby but reputation means little if you have a bad experience. So when I heard rumblings about this new coffee shop that had opened on Grand I was curious and excited. If you have ready any of my other reviews you know I am passionate about my coffee experience, start to finish. This place exceeded every expectation I could possibly have had going in there. First impressions walking in the door were that this place is a sophisticated, young and urban. There is a coffee shop I visit every time I visit family in New York and Grand Central reminds me so much of that place. The sharp-looking white tiles and variety of seating options are just one of the elements that make this environment so fantastic. As I walked in I was warmly and genuinely greeted by two separate staff members and they explained where the menus were and offered some helpful suggestions. I ordered a latte and an almond croissant --both of which were phenomenal. The lattee didn't just look pretty, it had perfect foamed milk and it was steamed to the perfect temperature. Yet another personable staff member brought my drink over to me and made me feel welcomed. So far the count of happy staff is up to three in my first visit alone: very impressive. I called my mom in excitement that I now had a new favorite coffee shop and it was within walking distance of my apartment! The next day she called and asked me to take her there so she could try it, too. On my second visit, I was again very warmly welcomed and this time we shared a salad sampler. My mother got a mug of drip coffee--they serve Dogwood--and I got another lattee. The sampler was a very generous portion, easily for two people if you are getting drinks and sharing a dessert. The dessert called the Tristan I believe, brought me to a higher level of consciousness. If you're a caramel fan, you absolutely must try this dessert. It's a shortbread cup with the type of caramel you find in those little wax wrapper caramels--at least that's what it tastes like. All this topped with milk chocolate fluffy stuff (not the official name). While I was taking my first few bites there was a soundtrack score that sounded like it was from some great romantic movie and really, I think it was the appropriate music for how hard and fast I fell in love with this dessert. For a brief moment it was just me and that plate of perfection. I know I can't keep this place a secret even though I want too. I look forward to a long, loving relationship with my new neighborhood coffee house.
(5)JB S.
I discovered a new casual lunch place in St. Paul. Very contemporary with tasty food. They've been open less than two months but they seem to have worked out all the kinks. They servers/staff are very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. I enjoyed the Creamy Potato Rosemary soup and managed to drink 2 lattes (they were that GOOD)! I'll definitely be back on one of my field trips "across the river." They also serve beer which is a nice +.
(4)