It’s not often that the Belly wakes up these days, but this is something for which it’s worth leaving the house this winter. With all the new restaurant openings soaking up all the attention in the local food media, it’s easy to overlook something great happening in a joint without a marketing budget.
Out in Eden Prairie of all places there is a fine-dining option quite unlike anything else in the Twin Cities: a class of hard-working culinary students attending one our our state-funded technical colleges led by an instructor (Jonathan Locke) who’s a bit of a legend in these parts for his skill in the kitchen and his wit on the page.
What Chef Locke has done since seizing control of the Hennepin Technical College’s Eden’s on Campus dining room this semester is offer weekly multi-course meals featuring the globe’s culinary landmarks. Thus, a great education for Locke’s students turns into an opportunity for food-experience seekers to peek into the head of one of the region’s top menu consultants.
This Thursday and Friday (February 12 and 13) at the Eden Prairie campus features eight courses themed from Southwest France. For a whopping $36. Yes, you read that correctly. Thirty-six dollars. And wine will be served.
Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and service runs until 8:30. Call 952-995-1417 for reservations. Which you should do. Now. For updates on upcoming menus visit hennepintech.edu/about/pages/501, and you can receive updates via Twitter at @EdensOnCampus.
This week’s menu is below.
Thursday and Friday, February 12 & 13
Amuse Bouche
Micro Cassoulet
Appetizer
Country Pâté of Rabbit and Pork
Soup
Consommé Celestine
Fish
Sole Stuffed with Crabmeat, Seafood Quenelle
Intermezzo
Raspberry and Pear Sorbets
Meat
Duck Suprême with Blood Orange Sauce
Brussels Sprouts ‘Farcis’ and Confit Roasted Potatoes
Salad
Asparagus with Walnut Vinaigrette
Dessert
Chocolate Soufflé
Prix Fixe $36. Wine will be served.