Cafe EnaguacomoleMy daughter and I went to Cafe Ena for the first time for an early dinner on Mother's Day. We love latin cuisine. Very quaint interior - it was 6:30 and still light out, but imagine this would have a very romantic vibe after dark. Service was good. Food was very good - I never imagined guacamole could be so good - honestly it was other worldly. My daughter had the beef medalions - generous portion of beef, risotto was a bit gummy. I had the Miaz, cornmeal coated salmon. This was the down side of the meal - tasteless, and when it cooled off, it tasted of old oil - strange. We skipped desert as we had no room, but definately will return and recommend to others!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellentAll the food was delicious and it was wonderful to be able to eat outside.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMTuesday 8PMFood was perfect, and our server was amazing. I cannot remember his name but he offered the best service I think I have ever received and we were very impressed and appreciative of his attention.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat dining experienceMy husband and I went to Cafe Ena shortly after they opened several years ago and at the time we weren't that impressed. We had gone for dinner as well as lunch. However, it is in our neighborhood and we decided to give it another try this weekend. What a difference! The food was excellent and the service was great as well. We sat outside at one of the sidewalk tables with our 3 year old (at his request) and he loved the food as well. He said everything was "yummy". We will definitely be adding this to our list of regular spots.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWow Every time!We love Cafe Ena. Every time the service is excellent, the food superb, the environment perfect. If it was closer to our home, we'd go there every night!5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love this placeThis was our third trip to this restaurant in three months. After we discovered it we have returned with friends twice. The food is terrific and beautifully arranged. The Campesino salad, sea bass, scallops are our favorite dishes - so far. Each time we try something different and have loved every dish. Word is getting out about how great this place is. The place was packed on Saturday night and folks were still waiting for tables at 9:00. Service is very attentive and very knowledgeable!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLatin American fusion delight!Our party of 6 this past Saturday night had a ball. We split 3 appetizers and all were delicious - calamari, ceviche and the camaron Caribe - with those last two making it onto my "best of" list for starters. Wow! 3 kinds of seafood entrees and the beef medallions were all very different and all prepared and plated beautifully with taste results to match. Next time, will try to have room for the intriguing looking desserts as well - I'm sure they're great. And, it's good value for this level of food and service - roughly $50 pp including 2 bottles of wine for the table, a few assorted other beverages, tax and tip.5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMLucky LunchA friend and I meet at cafe Ena often when she comes to MPLS from Wisconsin.
This is a favorite. Of course the Guacamole is the first item we order and enjoy it. I highly recommend it.
A great place for lunch or dinner.4/29/2013 12:00:00 AMOur party was very happy withOur party was very happy with our food selections.The waiter was knowledgable about all menu items we inquired about.We were dining before a play and the time we had to eat was accommodated nicely.The place is small, one of our party members had a walker and was able to manuver to the back of the restaurant without any trouble.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMA Gem!We love this place! The food is interesting and made with fresh ingredients. The wait staff is attentive and friendly. The space is beautiful.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMInventive menu, friendly service.Inventive menu, friendly service.
Went there for the "Dining out for Life" event but will definitely return as there are numerous dishes we want to try.
Lot's of fish dishes as well as beef, chicken and pork.
Reservations suggested.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMLike coming home.Cafe Ena, is our go-to. We love bringing family from out of town here, as well as just a night to ourselves. The food is always full of flavor, we have yet to find anything on the menu we don't like! Can't wait til our next visit!4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMQuality Food-Affordable PricingThe plate combinations are outstanding. Food is done to perfection with appropriate sauce. Churros are a nice dessert.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMWe went here to celebrateWe went here to celebrate hubby's birthday on a Sunday night. It was very quiet, so we had a nice intimate dining experience. The server was very attentive and helpful. The food was excellent (I had the scallops and my husband had the beef medallions.) We had churros for dessert, which were amazing. Overall, a wonderful place to have an intimate celebration.4/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was good, but notThe food was good, but not as good the last two times I have visited. Previously, everything we ordered was a hit and this time it was hit or miss. I hope it was just an off night rather than the direction this neighborhood gem is headed.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThere were three in our diningThere were three in our dining party. We all ordered something different and all enjoyed the food. We shared the guacamole appetizer. Portions were ample and we had enough to take home part of the sandwiches. Service was great.4/14/2013 12:00:00 AMTaste DelightOutstanding food and service. We had 3 appetizers, and although all were good, the Guacamole was out of this world--the red and yellow tomatoes and red onions added great flavor; the guar had enough body to served it in the shape of a cored pineapple standing on end. More homemade chips please.
I had the covrina and my wife had the salmon. Both were great but I have to say the beet-apple risotto with the balsamic reduction with the salmon was beautiful to look at and very tasty. The giant sea scallops were amazing. They came grilled to juicy perfection with a light passilla (pepper) sauce that was perfectly balanced to complement rather the scallops.
Lava cake was nice but fairly typical.
I will certainly be back.4/12/2013 12:00:00 AMThanks Cafe Ena!! I've beenThanks Cafe Ena!! I've been to your place half a dozen times and you never disappoint. Keep up the good work!4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMI cannot think off cafe enaI cannot think off cafe ena without starting to obsess about their ceviche and when can I have it gain? It is sublime! In fact, I have introduced several friends to this friendly and cozy restaurant and they have never been disappointed. Whether we are there for lunch or dinner, order only appetizers or full dinners I leave completely satisfied.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMFor the first time we foundFor the first time we found that both the seabass and pork loin dish were to salted, what really surprised us. But it was still very good but could have used a little less salt. Regardless Cafe Ena remains one of our favorite restaurant.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways reliable. Great quality.Best guacamole we have ever had. Less reliant on garlic and spice that seems to be a recent trend at other restaurants. You can taste all the fresh ingredients. At the time you are being seated just let them know you want to start with a caraffe of sangria and an order of guacamole.
We make a point of going here because we want to support something that we never want to go away.
All the menu items taste great and are presented beautifully and right on time.
We'd be remiss if we did not emphasize what a good value Cafe Ena is. For the quality of the food and service you'd pay 1/3 more per entre in a downtown location.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMBottom Line: Love the food here!My husband and I split our meal. We started with the ceviche - really excellent flavor with just enough lime and acidity. However, I would really love it if the dish would come with fried plantains instead of chips. We had the beet salad which was lovely and then we split the beef with chimichurri sauce which was wonderfully cooked red in the middle and seared on the outside - ummmmmm! We ordered a nice bottle of red wine and the meal was completely satisfying! The only downside was the waitron encouraged us to have the ceviche and salad delivered at the same time and in retrospect I would prefer to enjoy and savor these dishes one at a time. Bottom Line: We have been here many times and love the food!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was my first time visitingThis was my first time visiting Cafe Ena and will not be
my last! I want to try everything on their menu and cannot
wait to go back!4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding food and serviceOutstanding food and service was perfect! It was our third time back and we will go again!4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMCute, busy neighborhood brunch spotEaster brunch at Cafe Ena was great. Good menu selection, and very reasonably priced. The smoothies are wonderful!!
The only downsides: it was pretty packed and we waited about 10 minutes for a table, even with a reservation. Also, our food came out warm-not hot. Normally I would have requested a quick zap,but the pace was pretty frantic due to the holiday so I give them a pass.
I am planning on returning on a normal day to try more of the menu!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat menu! Great Food! GreatGreat menu! Great Food! Great people! Great Service! Ena has become a "go-to" for special events (anniverseries, out-of-town visitors, etc). Everyone should add Ena to their list of Restaurants to frequent!3/31/2013 12:00:00 AMreally enjoyed the meal, servicereally enjoyed the meal, service and overall experience -3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMI took my husband to CafeI took my husband to Cafe Ena for his birthday and we had a lovely meal. The service was attentive, but not intrusive and we didn't feel rushed. Will definitely return.3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMDon't miss Cafe Ena!Cafe Ena is a secret gem within the Twin Cities restaurant scene. The food is not just good - it is truly fabulous. The service is perfect. And the ambiance allows for easy dinner conversation. This is a restaurant I will return to on a regular basis, and although it's not inexpensive, it's worth every cent!3/28/2013 12:00:00 AMDining experience great asDining experience great as usual. Never have had a bad dining experience there.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was excellentThe service was excellent and my friend and I had plenty of opportunity to talk undisturbed. Nice not to be rushed. What a great find! We'll be back!3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMFirst time for us. OutstandingFirst time for us. Outstanding meals. Guacamole is a must. Great service. Made reservations for our family for the next weekend as soon as we got home.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWas a great choice for myWas a great choice for my party of four. Our friends from across town loved it. Food was better than I remember. Scallops and pork tenderloin do not get any better and all was priced fair with great sides and good portion sizes.
Would recommend to all. A nice wine and beer list. Will most definitely go here again soon.
Would be nice if they had a small bar.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love everything about CafeWe love everything about Cafe Ena and totally recommend this dining experience!3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Latine Fusion restaurant!Delicious food! Nice atmosphere. Our server was very knowledgable, very nice and helpful.
Food arrived pretty quickly and was creative and very tasty.3/13/2013 12:00:00 AMAlways goodHave been to Ena many times and it is always excellent. One of my favorite places for good food in Minneapolis.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMOne of our favorite place.One of our favorite place. Love everything about cafe Ena, from the owner, the fantastic people who wait on us and of course the food is always so delicious. Can't wait to go back....2/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful local spot for a creativeHaving dined at Cafe Ena many times I can't say enough about the quality of the experience. Very consistent service and food quality. Entree's always seem right for the season - clever mix of locally-sourced ingredients and artfully plated. There are many good restaurants in the Twin Cities and Cafe Ena is certainly among the best in a very high quality field. Enjoy!12/28/2012 12:00:00 AM