date: 11/15/03
location: minneapolis
grade: a-
(guest review)

we had the pleasure of mixing things up a bit and having breakfast at hell's kitchen. after hearing some complaints about the service and the inability to get seated, i had some concerns about going, but we experienced nothing of the sort. we were escorted right to our table, and the server accommodated late-comers with aplomb. the atmosphere is fun - ralph steadman art covers the walls in the old building, and the walls are painted with bold colors.

the menu can be a bit overwhelming, but only because everything looks so good. the fresh-squeezed orange juice is delicious - the real deal - and comes in a huge glass. after paying nine bucks for a shotglass of fresh juice at some places, this was a fresh - and refreshing - surprise. coffee also comes in huge cups and is excellent. as a rule, the ingredients are organic and come fresh from local providers. the quantities are more than adequate, but not so much that you can't finish the breakfasty goodness, except for the porridge. some of the prices seem a bit expensive, but i assume that is a result of the ingredients they use.

we sampled egg dishes, pancakes, the standard fare. the poached eggs were perfectly cooked and not overly juicy, which is a pet peeve of mine. the hashed browns were more potato than grease. my only complaint was that the good, rich porridge came in such a huge bowl that i was full after a few bites and felt guilty leaving it.

this is a place i would come back to again and again.

a-, but only b/c of some higher prices.