joan's in the ParkLoved it!Food is excellent as always. Loved the octopus appetizer and the simple butter lettuce salad. A real treat!6/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFrom the friendly welcomeFrom the friendly welcome by Joan to the last of the Brown Butter Pudding an outstanding experience all around. The scallops were good beyond description. The sliding glass door entrance to the new outdoor tables brightened a formerly rather dark area. It is a bit pricey, but my wife and I felt it was well worth it.6/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat food and serviceThis is a small neighborhood place. We were celebrating an anniversary and had so noted on the reservation. The hostess (also the co-owner) greeted us and had our table specially decorated for the occasion. As soon as we were seated, our waiter also stopped over to greet us and congratulate us. A nice touch! The food was excellent; we tried the lamb meatballs and crabcake as starters--both were delicious. The crabcake was huge chunks of crab and little filler, and was served with a delicious complementary sauce. The lamb meatballs were a treat--they really didn't taste like lamb. The main course filet was prepared to perfection as were the scallops. We'll definitely be back for more. Besides good food, it was friendly and inviting.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent as Alwaysjoan's is fabulous. The pork tenderloin was perfectly prepared, as tender as could be, and excellent flavor. Nicely seasoned but without masking the flavor of the meat. The key lime tart (new to the menu) was a solid addition to the menu, but can't displace the brown butter pudding as the must have dessert.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMFriendly, intimate, excellent foodThe family that runs JITP recognized us as repeaters after our second visit. They are attentive to your needs, the chef comes out frequently to greet people at tables, and Joan is a wonderful, welcoming presence. Plus, the food is perfect. Filet mignon was the best I've had in years. Appetizers include originals, particularly the must-try steak tartare. And their chocolate wine is a perfect meal-ender. The wine list is well-chosen, and the staff trained to make recommendations. One of our favorite places for a good meal.6/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service was excellentThe service was excellent and the food was fabulous! I took my family and we could not have enjoyed it more.6/5/2013 12:00:00 AMEverything was amazing! OurEverything was amazing! Our table ordered the plums stuffed with chorizo--so good! We ordered a bottle of wine for the table before knowing what we were going to order, but when our starter came, the chef and our server were so thoughtful and brought out glasses of wine for the table that paired better with our appetizer. That has never happened before! The wine pairing was spot on. I ordered the ribeye, it was the best steak I've had in years. My friends ordered the pork tenderloin, the chicken and the filet, we also had the banana fingerling potatoes and the radishes--all were excellent. This place is seemingly expensive, but considering the high quality ingredients and the exceptional service, the prices are actually very reasonable.6/4/2013 12:00:00 AMGo to joan's as soon as you can!I've referred several folks to joan's & everyone that tries it says the same thing - so good - I can't wait to go back. Food is lick the plate great. Small intimate setting. Friendly thoughtful staff. Go to joan's as soon as you can get in!5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstandingThis has to be one of the best dining experiences we've had in years. It is the complete experience: warmly greeted at the door, great service, amazing chef driven menu (executed flawlessly), all with an attention to detail that you just don't see anymore.
I think those of us who live in the neighborhood were skeptical that they could make a fine dining experience in the old Grandpa Tony's pizza place. I'm a believer now... can't wait to go back. We love this place... period.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMYou just can't go wrong at Joan's!The food is always terrific (if you like scallops, you will LOVE them at Joan's) and the service is absolutely unbeatable. From start to finish, it was an extraordinary experience. We brought friends who had never been to Joan's and they ranked it as one of their top restaurant experiences ever.5/29/2013 12:00:00 AMStellarWe celebrated our daughter's 22nd birthday at Joan's and they went above and beyond to make our night special. Glitter on the table, generous wine tastings and a birthday dessert. The food was spectacular. Between all of us we tried 2 appetizers, 3 salads, 4 entrees and 3 desserts. Every dish was wonderfully flavored and perfectly cooked. Restaurant is small, intimate and we never felt rushed.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMJoan's in the Park is GREATFabulous ambience, great food, intimate setting. I've been there several times and have never been disappointed.5/28/2013 12:00:00 AMConsistently FantasticJoan's never fails to deliver an amazing dining experience. From the graciousness of the staff to the inventive menu - it's a five star evening every time we go there. I recommend Joan's In The Park to everyone because it's really a one of a kind restaurant; it's like eating a fabulous gourmet meal prepared by friends.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWhat a wonderful surpriseWhat a wonderful surprise it was to find Joan's in the park! We loved everything about our experience and will definitely return.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMSpecial OccasionThis was a very special occasion for us and it could not have been celebrated in a better place. Joan greeted us at the door like we were family. Dan, our waiter, went beyond expectations to make us feel comfortable. His recommendations were spot on as everything was served promptly and tasted delicious. It was our first time at "Joan;s In The Park" and we are already looking forward to when we can return.5/18/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat PatioGreat NEW Patio with a South Beach feel. The food is prepared ad presented beautifully. Knowledgeable service.5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect PlaceBrought my wife to joan's in the Park for Mother's Day dinner with our 9 month son and they were so accommodating (we also have a perfect baby so that helps.). The food is spectacular and Chef Susan is incredibly talented. The lamb meatballs, the bay scallops, the filet mignon...all fantastic! The service is always attentive as Joanne leads a focus on the guest. This restaurant is a gem!5/12/2013 12:00:00 AMSmall GemWe have just recently moved to the east side of town from NE Minneapolis, and have been somewhat disappointed in the lack of choice when it comes to small, quaint bistros. Joan's in the Park has changed our mind. The food was excellent, highly recommend the plum starter if you enjoy a little heat. Nice and reasonably priced wine list without being overwhelming. The staff was extremely friendly and did an awesome job of timing our courses. Noise level is a little energetic, but overall a wonderful experience!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat service and wonderful foodIt was our first time at Joan's in the Park, but will definitely not be our last. Excellent service! Not only was our waiter very attentive, but others in the restaurant checked in with us as well to be sure we had everything we needed. I had the scallops, which were wonderful, and my husband had a very good filet mignon. Even though we were plenty full, we needed to share a burnt brown pudding because of the previous reviews I had read. It was excellent!5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMOutstanding food, friendly, cozyJoan's hits it right out of the park. This is one of my top five favorite special occasion restaurants. (La Belle Vie, Alma, Bachelor Farmer, and Vincent round out that list.) The setting is cozy and unpretentious, and the dishes are sumptuous, thoughtful, creative, and indulge in a wonderful interplay between flavors, colors, and textures. I appreciate the friendly, deft service and the ability of the owner and staff to recommend just the right wine from the carefully selected list. One nice touch is that one or both of the owners is likely to help out or say hello at the table. It's clear to see that their warm, lively, and welcoming personalities set the tone in the restaurant. Thank you, Joan and friends! I'm so glad we've found you.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFabulous!Our experience was outstanding from start to finish!
Prompt, friendly service. Dan, our waiter was top notch!
The food....fresh, unique, beautiful presentation, excellent!!!
We will definitely return!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat RestaurantThe food was fantastic and the entire staff was fabulous. My 3rd time at this restaurant and I was not disappointed.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMearly mother's dayThis was our first time to Joan's and we were delighted. We went to celebrate an early mother's day. We shared the cheese plate and the crab cake for our appetizers. Three of us had steak and one of us had the scallops. All three entrees were delicious. The scallops were seared to perfection and the cauliflower puree was wonderful. We finished with the hot chocolate cake and brown butter pudding. The brown butter pudding is better than any creme brûlée I've ever tasted!
The chef came out to serve the dishes and make some explanations, which were very helpful.5/5/2013 12:00:00 AMYUMMY!1st time to Joan's and LOVE! The food was VERY good and the service was over the top! Not just from our waiter, but also from the Sisters. My filet mignon was one of the best I've had, loved the nice ''crust'' on the outside. And our seafood apps were excellant considering we live in MN and it's not local. And I can't forget to mention the dessert!. The molten chocolate cake is worth the 7 minute wait and the strawberry/rhubarb shortcake was perfect for the season! I look forward to coming back when the patio is open. My only complaint was the noise level, but we were there at peak service. After being open for only 1 1/2 years, it looks like they may be out growing their space already! Great Job Joan's!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful every time we dineWonderful every time we dine st Joan's. One of our favorites!5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMOne word--Fabulous! From startOne word--Fabulous! From start to finish, Joan's was a delight. High energy spot. Our waiter was welcoming and attentive. The food was wonderful. Started with salads ( Caesar and butter lettuce)--both good. Couple people had the duck special which they raved about, the salmon was delicious and the scallops some of the best I have had. Onion bread was a great " differentiator" and the salted caramel mousse-like dessert was a perfect ending to a super meal. Highly recommend.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely Perfect!I've been to Joan's twice meeting girl friends to catch up and have to say it is the perfect location! Both times we had amazing food and wonderful service. The atmosphere manages to pull off the blend of a comfortable neighborhood restaurant with elegant dining. The place was buzzing at all tables and mood was very lively. Also, recognition for fab wine selection. Will definitely be back again and again.5/3/2013 12:00:00 AMVery nice restaurant but noisyWe loved our first visit to Joan's. The food was excellent as well as the service. Our only negative was the noise level. The restaurant was only about half full and it was still noisy. The wait staff had to talk loud to be heard. We were there for a birthday celebration and they made the evening very nice.5/1/2013 12:00:00 AMearly in the week diningWe reserved for a Tuesday evening, 8:15, at a quiet table. When we arrived there were two noisy groups, certainly not offensive but far noisier than my husband could handle. The waiter knew of our request and when the larger party arrived, he suggested we move to a different table. It was perfect and made our dining experience excellent. The food was delicious - pan-seared salmon and an amazing butter pudding for dessert. We were very happy diners.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMHigh end, affordable bistroVery impressed. Rib-eye was worthy of Manny's or Morton's but was only 2/3 the cost. Medium size wine list but very carefully put together. We enjoyed an 06 cab priced at 53 dollars that I have seen for $60 at other high end restaurants. Owner and chef walk around enjoying a rapport with regulars. It is just a fantastic place, and we will return several times a year. Very good for anniversary dinners, special occasions. Highly recommended.4/28/2013 12:00:00 AMWe love Joan's - food is outstandinWe love Joan's - food is outstanding and consistently good; service is attentive but not overbearing. It's simply an enjoyable experience every time we dine there.4/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful dinnerWe had a wonderful dinner at Joan's in the park. My wife had the market fish dish and it was one the best fish dish ever for her. She always orders fish dish when we go out and she is hard to please; however, the fish dish at Joan's in the park was quite delicious and my wife finished every thing. I have a steak that was broiled in the pizza oven and it was perfectly marinated and cooked. The restaurant is cozy and it was fairly loud at dinner time (but then the restaurant can't control the customers from being loud). We dressed casual when going there with jeans and polo shirts; however, there were people dressing up. We would come back again probably on a weeknight to try out some other dishes.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMPerfect Anniversary!!We were celebrating our anniversary,, they had the table decorated with little star confetti,,, very sweet :) The staff was very attentive. Food was amazing!We cannot wait to go back.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI'm glad I chose 'joans' forI'm glad I chose 'joans' for my birthday celebration! Outstanding onion bread with fresh butter; the BEST rib-eye steak in the Twin Cities (the chef knew the meaning of medium well.. just a tinge of pink & not dry). The brown butter pudding reminded me of my Grandma's. Warm and wonderful service, they even brought me a celebratory cupcake with a candle. We'll be back from Minneapolis to enjoy more menu items from this family owned & staffed neighborhood gem !!!4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMFriendly, warm experience.Friendly, warm experience. Excellent food, good wait staff. It lived up to the reviews
I had read. All three of us said we would return.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food was delightful andThe food was delightful and restaurant charming. Service at times was slow.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMI always enjoy Joan's. theI always enjoy Joan's. the owners are so sweet and their attention to detail really shows. They really care about their customers. Our server Dan B was outstanding. Keep up the great work.4/17/2013 12:00:00 AMDiamond in the Rough!Wow, what a find! Menu was perfectly sized with just the right amount of variety. Appetizers were great - try the steak tar tare, lamb meatballs or crab cakes. Caesar salad was simple but executed perfectly. There was a perfect acidic brightness to each dish. We had the Filet, Grouper and Hanger Steak - all three were perfect. Sides were unique and delicious - horseradish fingerling potatoes, sauteed (almost caramelized) radishes and sauteed cauliflower. Desserts were amazing - the brown butter pudding edges out the budino at 112 Eatery, yes I said it! Great accomplishment for such a small and somewhat unknown place to be able to compete against all the great restaurants in the twin cities. This place just cracked my top ten list.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMThe food on service were topThe food on service were top notch. I also appreciate that we have a nice restaurant in a neighborhood of good bar food. It is nice to have an option for a restaurant that is worth a special occasion with a lade back atmosphere.4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMA hidden Jem!You feel you are in a for an awesome experience when the owners are greeting you at the door like you are friends. A very simple menu but well thought out with something for everyone. I started with a butter lettuce salad with a lavender honey dressing that was fantastic. I followed up with the filet that was prepared to perfection. The scallops were crusted on the outside and tender on the inside. The wine and beer selection has a selection that will please anyone. The portions were just right but we did pass on desert only because we were full. You must add Joan's in the Park to your must try list.4/9/2013 12:00:00 AMalways great...liked Sunday night..Always pleased when we visit Joan's. Great food and service. This time I went on a Sunday, good decision on my part. The restaurant still had a good energy but definitely quieter than other nights. We will do that again. Thanks for great night!4/7/2013 12:00:00 AMJust terrific - I can't sayJust terrific - I can't say enough to commend Joan's in the Park for a wonderful evening. The service was just wonderful - son of one of the owners. He was great in advising us what to order, what we might like, etc. We were there for my wife's birthday, and they took a very nice picture of her with the rest of our group, put it in a cardboard frame and gave it to her as a keepsake. All the food was excellent. The only "glitch" was that it got a bit noisy - a couple of loud tables. Perhaps someday they can install something to dampen the sound. But, really, that's a minor criticism in light of the wonderful evening we had. Our new favorite place.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWas disappointed in the food,Was disappointed in the food, but I did a poor job of ordering. Was trying for heart healthy. Crab cake had too much filler and not enough crab. Salad turned out to be a version of potato salad, but couldn't really tell that from the description on menu.
On the other hand, server was great and others at table were satisfied. Wish I'd ordered the duck breast or fish.
Would go back and be more discriminating .4/4/2013 12:00:00 AMWe loved everything we ordered.We loved everything we ordered. Typically we order what has been recommended by the server and this time we didn't so I have to believe that everything is really good!4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it!Our recent visit to Joan's was wonderful. Tiny restaurant - maybe 12 tables? Superb, friendly service. Joan herself visited our table, which was fun. Our group of 4 loved their menu selections. We will definitely be back!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMJoan, Chef and her staff areJoan, Chef and her staff are always on point! You always feel welcome, valued and appreciated! I recently brought guests to JITP and it was their first time, and they RAVED and thought I was the best friend ever! A great way to start or end a night! Thank you!3/24/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent as usual - fineExcellent as usual - fine food, experienced and helpful waiter. Personal attention to detail by owner is impressive. I always have a great meal - Thursday's was again exceptional - my guests and I had the ribeye steaks and salads. Each couple split the steak and ordered ind. salads. Steaks were done to order - beautifully medium - rare. Salads were fresh, bread hot and tasty - this is a great place!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMTremendous service and consistentlyTremendous service and consistently delicious food with repeated visits.3/20/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was a first visit forThis was a first visit for the three of us....each of us ordered something different, and each of us enjoyed everything we ordered. The wines and beer were fine, the salads were unusual and excellent, and the entrees (salmon and 2 different steaks)were outstanding. We ordered one dessert to share, and all of it was consumed! We all hope to return.3/19/2013 12:00:00 AMSimple menu, Exceptional foodThe perfection of steak... Ever course is carefully thought out and restrained in its simplicity and balance of ingredients. It really is an extraordinary find - don't let the close and small settings fool you - this is a restaurant for those who love food. It's is comparatively well-priced for such excellence too- it serves astounding gourmet food at astonishingly reasonable prices. This is a true neighborhood (and city) gem. I've never eaten anywhere quite like it.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AM