Walking in from the sunny outdoors, I immediately noticed the other parties waiting inside upon our arrival to Doolittles Woodfire Grill in Eagan, Minnesota. Of those waiting, there was a nice variety amongst us. A family with a young child, a middle aged couple, as well as two teenage girls were waiting. The host greeted each party from behind the host stand in the dimly lit entryway and then made sure they were aware of the wait time. Since we were satisfied with an indoor table, we were taken to our table right away, however a patio option was available to those willing to wait a short while longer. As we were escorted to our table, we passed the wood-fire rotisserie chickens and their savory scent immediately made me hungry with anticipation.
Upon being seated at our table, I noticed plastic dividers between each booth, ensuring COVID safety protocol. Shortly after being seated, ice-less water was brought to us without having to request it. The server was friendly and polite as drinks were delivered. He directed us to the online menu which could be found by scanning a barcode, another COVID safety measure. An appropriate amount of time was waited until he returned to take our orders. He once again returned, this time with complimentary rosemary bread and butter. The rosemary added a pop of flavor compared to a standard bread which was appreciated. Keeping the same ambiance as the entrance, the rest of the restaurant had dim lighting with natural light entering through the windows along the outer edge of the dining area. Jazz music was playing in the background, loud enough to be heard but not overpowering and distracting from conversations at the table.
The food came out quite quickly, delivered by another staff member which I appreciated because it showed teamwork between the workers. The Cajun Chicken Pasta was delivered hot with a garnish of finely grated cheese and was very neatly displayed in a clean white bowl. The Rotisserie Chicken Sandwich, ordered by my friend, was also served warm with her selected side of fries and additional condiments displayed on the side of the sandwich in a neat fashion, with the condiments in small steel cups. The pasta dish had a wonderful flavor, the Cajun provided a bit of spicy but nothing overwhelming, the chicken was salted just enough, and the onions and bell peppers could still be tasted in each bite. The sandwich, which Doolittles is known for, did not disappoint either. The chicken breast was thick and seasoned well, paired with the homemade sauce, Swiss cheese and lettuce, made for a flavorful experience. We then asked for dessert. Unfortunately, they were out of our first choice of the Mudslide Pie, however the Molten Nirvana was an excellent second choice. The shareable, yet not too large, piece of chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, was rich but not to the extent where we couldn't finish it. The vanilla complimented the chocolate nicely.
Overall, the service was standard for a dining experience on a weeknight. All of the workers were very friendly and welcoming. The conversations weren't extensive as the server allowed us to just enjoy the experience while still making sure we had everything we needed. The food itself was the highlight of the evening with each dish having its own distinct flavor. I definitely enjoyed my experience at Doolittles and will go back and give it 4.5/5 stars. read more