What a hidden gem for me! I had never heard of this spot and found it on Google Maps when looking for a birthday dinner. I love that it's tucked away in Northeast, with a good amount of parking and right on the river! I will definitely be back in the summer to sit and enjoy their string-lit patio. There's not a large amount of seating, but plenty of room for both reservations and walk-ins. It's a small but mighty staff and the service was fantastic. The drink menu is larger than the food menu, with plenty of NA options! My husband enjoyed a hazy IPA while I opted for a BauHaus Nah. Next time I definitely want to try one of the shrub mocktails! It was hard to decide what to order, but we started with the fried brussels sprouts - a MUST get! We agreed these were some of our favorites in the city, plug it was a huge portion for just two of us. Sweet and salty with a hit of acidity from the pickled onions. For dinner, I went with the steak and my husband went with the Cuban. He wouldn't stop raving about how delicious his sandwich was, and my steak was like butter with chimichurri and yuka fries on the side. My only notes would be that the fries & steak were very bland without the chimichurri and the portion was pretty small for the price. We ended the night with the chocolate torte, which was rich and not overpowering. I couldn't really get the hazelnut flavor but I loved the cherries and juice on top. Overall, we will definitely be back to enjoy this spot more - however we might opt to do more drinks and apps than a full dinner since they have so many delicious options! read more

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We really enjoyed the atmosphere and low key patio of The Sample Room. We went for happy hour/dinner. The HH menu consisted of beer and wine along with some good appetizer options. We ordered the fried Brussels sprouts which were delicious. For dinner we got the Summer Primavera pasta and the Bottineau burger. Both were delicious and fresh. The cocktails were excellent as well. Our server was very helpful in timing recommendations. Will definitely be returning to enjoy the beautiful patio and yummy food! read more

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This place is so adorable and has a wonderful ambiance, perfect for a date night! It's a lot bigger inside than it looks from the outside, but it's still not a huge place. I recommend making a reservation, especially on a weekend evening! Our server was very nice and helpful, giving genuine and thoughtful recommendations and providing thorough descriptions of menu items we asked about. They were also very amiable and fun. For drinks I tried three different flights (I mean, how can you not at a place called The Sample Room?): 1. Amari flight--This one was really bitter and I did not like it. Most of the samples tasted like black licorice. 2. Red wine flight--This is exactly what you expect it to be. Nothing outstanding. 3. Cello flight--This was my favorite! Sweet, but not too sweet. It makes a really good "dessert flight" if you don't want to get actual dessert! For food, I got the Cuban sandwich, which was AMAZING. It was so greasy, but I loved every bite and ate it all up. I cannot stress more clearly how much I recommend this sandwich. SO GOOD. For dessert, we got the amaretto crepe cake which was fine. A little less sweet than I normally like my cake to be, but some may find a less sweet cake more tasty! read more

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So, we came, and we sampled. This place looks more like a dive bar than a restaurant, both outside and inside. But the drinks are way above dive-bar standard. In fact, for me the drinks were the highlight of the meal. Not that the food was bad, but the drinks were top-notch. Our table shared brussel-sprouts (delicious), miso chicken wings (tasty and a generous portion), camembert (good, but non-descript) and oven-roasted olives (they're just olives). We also had the nummy Bottineau burger and the bucatini (which I have to quit ordering, because it always disappoints me, not just here, everywhere, it seems to be the "in" dish, but not for me). Our server was affable and efficient but not engaging. Overall, I would go again but get drinks and burgers. read more

First time at The Sample Room and we went for a cute date. I didn't make the connection until we got there that perhaps the name comes from all the flights they offer?? Lots of options on the menu! this time around, however, I went with a classic cocktail instead of the flight. I got an old fashioned, which was a little on the sweet side. For my entree, I decided to be adventurous and ordered the meatloaf! It came with a turnip purée. A little small for portions but very delicious and would get again. Not on the menu, but we also ordered a side of fries as an appetizer. It came with Parmesan cheese and because of the size of my entree, I was glad to have the extra food. Finally, for dessert, we ordered the Amaretto crepe cake with cherry mascarpone. Beautiful layers and has a slight coffee taste, like a tiramisu. So good! Overall, we had lovely service and the aesthetics of the restaurant were very cute and cozy. Truly felt like a neighborhood staple, and I look forward to returning. read more

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I feel like the name "Sample Room" is a little misleading. It is related to the history of the building itself and maybe the drink menu? Surly, not the food menu which I sorta thought that's what it meant. The inside is small and historic feeling with the old brick and tin ceiling. It's gives off a vintage/speakeasy feel. Going off the speakeasy feel, the food offered didn't really match that. The food choices were upscale, a little oddball combos, and didn't really match the vibe I got from the ambience inside. The chicken wings were the only dish that tasted good. The flank steak was overly salted and the chimichurri was off and needed more punch. The flat bread had sweet potato and goat cheese and extra arugula on it. The goat cheese overpowered any other taste and needed something sweet, like a balsamic to balance it out. I was hoping the sweet potatoes would help that but I didn't taste them at all. They offer various liquor and wine flights - that come with three different samples and amount to one drink. They have a nice cocktail/drink menu we enjoyed. Service was wonderful. Overall, we enjoyed a nice dinner here but felt the food was trying too hard. read more

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Really like the ambiance of the building and have always enjoyed my food and service here. Tonights waiter was not as good as past but got our food ordered correctly and delivered hot which is always a plus. Wish they had some of their past menu things on the menu but I understand changes. Didn't get a picture of the fries but they are home made and delicious. Hate having to ask for salt and pepper, is it because of covid that they are no longer on tables at places? Food was good and I will be back many more times. read more

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My boyfriend had dreams about their Rueben and couldn't believe he'd encountered a Rueben like that

A friendly neighborhood haunt, offering elevated cocktails and food options, plus a great atmosphere, The Sample Room offers intimate dining and excellent, attentive service. read more

The burger was super good, the half sandwich and salad goes well and healthier together. The burger was juicy and the hashbrown was crisp. The pickle was not my favorite. Overall a good local neighborhood place to enjoy some river view or outdoor dining. The services was good! read more

The Sample Room - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Food is 10/10. Very original and homemade flavor. My boyfriend also had the carbonara - wasn't his favorite carbonara but the walleye and trout were FAB. Great drinks. Great service. Coming back this week to try the shrimp + grits! read more

The Sample Room - Walleye + Wild Rice - A plated dish includes a breaded fish fillet with a golden-brown crust, topped with microgreens and thinly sliced vegetables. Accompanying the fish are sautéed mushrooms and a small container of creamy sauce, all presented on a dark, round plate. The dish is set on a wooden table, with a menu partially visible in the background. - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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How have I not been here before?! This place was great! I am already wanting to go back. Great mocktail options. We split three appetizers as our "meal" and were not disappointed. The Brussels sprouts with the miso glaze were delicious. The beef tartare was so good, frankly I'm mad about it. We had great service. Cute, relaxed vibe in there. Small onsite lot tucked behind. Would be fairly accessible if you have mobility challenges. read more

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The Sample Room has the allure of being a dive, kind of what I was thinking it would be, but the atmosphere is definitely a step above it and the place is really clean! (Not saying dives aren't clean, but you know what I mean lol) I went with friends and split the Bottineau Burger topped with pork belly, cheddar cheese, brandied onion, and smoked tomato aioli. The burger was seasoned well, I ordered it medium but it was much more medium well which was still fine for me, but something to be aware of for others. Also the pork belly was almost negligible? The burger was a bit small compared to other places and the pork belly matched but again, seasoned well, overall good burger. Just felt a bit off portion wise. It came with some killer fries that were also really well seasoned. Also tried the Miso Black Garlic wings and Garlic Dill Pickle wings which were both killer. Loved the miso black (didn't take a picture :'( ) Overall solid experience, service was top notch, and will check them out again! read more

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I visited The Sample Room on a Friday evening after work. They had a small but decent selection of wine, a list of cocktails, and a great selection of NA drinks. I ordered one glass of their Nebbiolo and one glass of their Cabernet Sauvignon and both wines were good. The pours were generous, too. The glassware was one of those thicker glasses, but that's just a preference thing for me. My friend and I split two appetizers, the cheese curds and the Brussels sprouts. The cheese curds were good, but needed a nice hit of salt. The ham that is served alongside was ok, but I would have loved to get some spice in the jam. It would have added some good flavor. The Brussels spirits were great. They were big and crispy and the pickled red onion gave a great vinegar flavor and nice crunch. The pickled onions were on the sweet side on their own, but went well in the dish. My friend ordered the kale soup that was the daily special and she really liked it. I ordered their pasta with poblanos, sweet corn cream, and oaxcan cheese. I thought this dish wasn't well put together. It was sort of buried in cream and cheese and had a weird flavor profile. I've overall, our food here was good, our server was friendly and very fast, and the wine served was good. I would recommend this for a casual dinner read more

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I've gone past this bar/restaurant for a few years and haven't ever stopped. A friend arranged a lunch gathering for a small group of us. It's a classic bar revisited... the interior still has most of the old bar, which is cool. We ordered a round of drinks and they were refreshing. We then ordered lunch, several of us had the shrimp and grits, we shared the roasted Brussels sprouts. A couple of people in our party had the soup of the day and a sandwich half/half. Everyone that had the soup commented on how good it was. I had the shrimp and grits and thought it was top notch. The shared Brussel sprouts were also delicious. The wait person was fantastic, helped with some questions and kept our table serviced well. I thought the prices were reasonable especially given the quality and taste of the food. Parking is either behind the building or on the street. When I returned home I let my spouse know, we should go here someday for lunch. read more

The ambience was nice and on a sunny day, I would be on the patio. We had a delightful girls' day with the Amusement Board. The food was enjoyable and unique. Pâté - yes! We enjoyed multiple drinks and were greeted with kind hospitality and were not feeling forced to leave even with limited seating. Amazing ambience, good service, would definitely come again. read more

The Sample Room - Amusement Board - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Solid 4.5 stars! Date and I decided to sit at the bar (good decision), although I'm guessing the wonderful servers would have answered all of our questions. Date gave me the reigns, as he didn't know what some things were. The steak tartare... FABULOUS! Soo good, but the squished bread didn't help get the deliciousness into my mouth! Lion's mane mushroom cakes. So good. THAT could have been my meal. Definitely an interesting texture, but delicious! The sauce it comes with was definitely spicy... so let that be known! But my fav... was the smoked trout cake with ritz crackers. C'mon now. Get this in your mouth and enjoy! We both had the Old Fashioned. Damn. I mean damn it tasted good!! read more

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It was an okay spot. Food was alright. My well done burger was a little pink but good nonetheless. Service was great, but the ambiance of the place felt small and very loud read more

Super friendly service and a fun spot for dinner or drinks. We found the menu to be a bit pricey, but the food was also more than a bit tasty. We did a wine flight as well which was fun. Will definitely come back! read more

The Sample Room - Bottineau Burger - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The food was excellent. We both had the scallops and shared the Brussels sprouts and smoked trout. She had been before and was looking forward to the shrimp and grits but it was off the menu. Ambiance was A+. Homey, casual feel. I had a French 75 and she had a martini. Drinks were good as well. We will be back. Service was excellent read more

Always a good place to drop in for a bite or libations. I've found the service dependable, the food always tasty: full meal or a light bite, satisfied every time. read more

The Sample Room is a small restaurant located in Northeast Minneapolis. There is no parking lot - but street parking is available. It was a quiet Holiday weekend, so finding street parking was easy. I am sure it can be harder when it's dinner hours. They do have a side patio and it looked like a back tent set up as well for outside seating. The inside reminds me of many older bars in Milwaukee/Chicago. They have various booths, a bar, and some tables as well. I definitely like the vibe. I had a Sangria to drink which was nice. I saw they had wings and I had to have them. They are full wings that come in two flavors. I went with the Garlic + Dill Pickle which comes with a side of dill aioli. The wings were nice and crispy, tender, and seasoned well. I definitely liked the flavor but would not mind if they were a bit juicier on the inside. The menu has a lot of things I want to try again. I was to enjoy a Whiskey Flight, and many other food items. Their desserts even sounded good. I will absolutely be returning. read more

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Delicious "small plates" (in quotations because these would be full plates in the Bay Area) restaurant in NW district with amazing flights of various liquors, whiskeys and aperitifs. I got the amaro flight and got the chance to try three amaros I had never tried before. There's a fun ambiance and all the staff was very friendly. I replaced the fries on my Reuben sandwhich with a side salad and this was an actually decent Cesar. I also got the steak tartare and it was accompanied by a Dijon-adjacent mustard with both bread and water crackers. The Reuben was the highlight - which featured grass-fed corned beef and was warm, and the perfect blend of soft and crispy. I appreciate that they let me sit on a booth despite being a solo diner. This would be good for a date night - if you're so romantically inclined/attached. The playlist was also amazing - which seems to be a trend in Minneapolis. Should I move here? Someday by the strokes was playing when I entered at an enjoyable and reasonable volume, followed by deerhunter, the raveonettes, still corners, radiohead and no vacation! I would definitely be a regular here if I lived in town. read more

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Excellent service and delicious food! The staff was friendly and attentive, and everything we ordered was well-prepared and flavorful. I'll definitely be returning!" read more

Great relaxing pub with some good food. Pretty creative menu. The food was great. I had the cioppino. Perfect flavors and a fair amount of scallops, shrimp, mussels, etc served with some grilled bread. A little short on the broth which was great but not enough of it. It made the dish look under plated. But I have to SAY the seafood was cooked perfectly. It wasn't overcooked. Thank you! Other people had flank steak, shrimp & grits and a really nice looking burger with hand cut fries. All enjoyed their food and had a very nice time. Cocktails are top notch. Nice variety of beers and great wine flights. Coming back one day. read more

I've been here multiple times but this was my first getting the Reuben and I must say, it may have been the best Reuben I have had! The service was a little slow but we weren't in any rush so it was fine. The server was very nice nonetheless! read more

The Sample Room - Reuben and side Caesar salad - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The sample room is such a cozy spot a little spot, ample parking right in front and outdoor seating for when the weather is nicer. I went on Friday even with reservations and sat immediately. The servers were so sweet and attentive. Booth along the walls, high tops in the center and a mix of tables, nicely spaced out for some privacy even for a busy Friday evening. I ordered the Bottineau Burger, came with a side of fries and homemade ketchup. The burger was amazing something I would definitely write home about, it was juicy and flavorful the pork belly topping added even more flavor, it was a great combination of flavors- definitely would go back for the burger. The hand cut fries were delicious. A great low key date night spot with good food. read more

The Sample Room - Sidecar - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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I really wanted this restaurant to be a NE gem but it missed the mark for me, the apps were decent (the best was the fried Brussels sprouts) but nothing spectacular. I had the 420 burger and the fries were overdone and cold, the burger was pretty good with the bacon. Service was also ok, our server was friendly but really quiet so it was hard to hear him in the loud dining room and service was slow to get drinks and the check at the end. Overall it was fine but I probably wouldn't need to go back. read more

My friends and I had a delightful Saturday morning brunch at The Sample Room! Interesting and well made food, easy location to get to, helpful staff...it could not have been better. The portions were hefty and the quality and quantity seemed really good for the price. One person in our party has a spinal issue and they were able to accommodate us with a high top table so that 5 of us could sit and she could stand without causing any traffic flow issues--very helpful. The kitchen and the bar are somewhat close quarters but it was easy to hear each other and you could see right into the kitchen which was fun. They were able to accommodate a Virgin Bloody Mary for me, a sober, and it was scrumptious. I will definitely be back and recommend to friends, it was a cozy spot! They also kept the coffee FLOWING which is so important for brunch vibes. read more

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Service and cocktails would be 5 stars - if you're just grabbing a drink, this is a great place! Food was 1 star - beef tartare tasted too much like the ketchup that you couldn't taste the beef, muscles were fishy (sauce and sausage were good!), and the wings were cooked well but entirely too salty that you couldn't taste the dill or garlic. Go for the curds is you must eat! For a crew that normally licks mediocre plates clean we left food on every plate. read more

I really, wish that yelp would take into account 4.5 stars... Because this is beyond and above four stars and yet not quite five stars. Recently, I stopped by to try out some of the appetizers, cocktails, and meats - charcuterie e fromage. I really was not disappointed! I found all of the food was very good the service was great and yum food and cocktails! This visit was post-Covid and they were sensitive to each customer's opinions, and delivered great service! read more

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This is the place I go for my birthday because it is just that damn good! We started off with the cheese curds, Jalapeños stuffed with peanut butter cream cheese and topped with cherries, and fried Brussels. The cheese curds were wonderful not too deep-fried and very light. The jalapeños were super interesting and I would 100% recommend and would get again. For dinner we had the burger and shrimp and grits. That blue cheese grits combo is outstanding and the best I've ever had, and I am a blue cheese snob. We also had wine flights I personally liked the red flight more but the mixed flight was fun too! If you haven't been here definitely go, it is so cute and quaint at night. They have a wonderful patio that is heated (when needed) and is on the river. Perfect for date night or girls night. Awesome place to share plates with others and try so many things! read more

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We have been coming to the Sample Room over the last few years. I'm so glad that they have survived the Covid shutdowns and are here to stay! We've tried a few things on the menu over the years. They do like to change up the menu so follow them on Instagram for specials! The Cubano is one of my favorite go to items if I'm not wanting a heavy meal. The mussels is also a good option if you're not wanting a heavy entree. I love the coconut sauce! They change up their pastas but they are worth a look at! My friends have also enjoyed their burger. My husband has enjoyed exploring their drink menu as he is a cocktail guy. I'm more of a wine girl (when I'm not pregnant!) so I enjoy their selection. They have patio seating for the warmer months. They do reservations online for indoor and outdoor seating. If you're thinking about going during peak times, I would recommend booking online! Street parking is usually pretty easy to find. read more

Outstanding and I can't believe I've never been before. The service was great. Super friendly and attentive staff. The burger was to die for. The mushroom cakes were tasty. Pretty solid beer list. While we sat in the patio area (which was perfect for a spring day), the inside looked super cozy. Perfect for a winter meal. read more

Sample room reminds me of some bars in Krakow, Poland where I grew up. It is a perfect place to grab a bite in the summer on their patio or have something warm to eat inside on a snowy, winter night. Great food and really yummy drinks. We are regulars here. read more

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Great food, the service was wonderful. I have been going here for years and the menu has always been wonderful and the staff has always been kind. Great spots to grab drinks and yummy food read more

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I met a friend here for lunch today. Never heard of the place before now. Cute interior and patio, but it was a little windy so we ended up inside. Had a delicious Aviation cocktail that rivals others I've had at bars. BUT....let me say, the ONLY reason I am taking the time to post a review is that the French Dip is THE BEST sandwich I have EVER had!!!! It was so good, I ordered another one to bring home to eat some more!!! Often French dips are rather bland.. just bread and beef and broth. This one has: grass-fed shaved sirloin, crimini mushrooms, onions, swiss, dill aioli, garlic buttered ciabatta, au jus. The perfect combination of flavors that are to die for. I will be back for more!!! read more

I was really excited to go here, but this wasn't an amazing experience. Apparently we must have ordered the wrong items. Happy hour items: Cheese Curds- a handful of nuggets with some Cajun seasoning and blue cheese dip. These were good but you didn't get much for the price and somewhat salty. 3/5 Red curry chicken wings- love the full wing style wings and curry, but they got soggy fast. The curry flavor didn't quite hold up to a wing. We should have got the dry rub wings. 2/5 Happy hour fries- we asked the server if we could have the bacon on the side and she gave a blank stare... she then claimed they were already mixed in, which they were not. I was able to pick around some of the fries and they were good and a tad salty. 4/5 Entrees: Shrimp and grits- I was really excited for this, but sadly let down. Blackened shrimp were good quality, but so much Cajun powder and sauce that you couldn't taste the grits. The grits were a bleu cheese grits with a bourbon butter. Someone used some heavy hands when putting the shrimp on and it overpowered the dish. I didn't want to complain about the shrimp and grits as our waitress didn't seem that courteous in the first place. We should have looked at Yelp (phone at 5% battery) and ordered the scallops and the caulilini tacos. Our friend ordered the Cuban and that looked great! He scarfed it down and enjoyed. I also tried a taste of the Fair State Roselle (Hibiscus sour) and that was great. Maybe I will venture back another time to try something else.... read more

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We came at 6:30 on a Saturday evening and were seated right away. We had a great experience! Cocktails were good, my husband had "The Last Word" which is a hard to find cocktail, I had an "Old Fashioned", both were delicious and just what we wanted. For dinner we shared "The Bottineau Burger" and "Classic Reuben". Wonderful! The burger we ordered rare and it was more medium, but it was amazing! The meat on the Reuben was really good, could have used a bit more kraut and a bit more dressing, but overall really good! Fries with both, which were really good, lots of seasoning and cheese. Wait staff was attentive and helpful. Overall a great experience, would come again! read more

A great neighborhood place for a drink and food. Do not skip the Brussels Sprouts! The maple soy on them is divine. read more

The Sample Room - Bottoneau burger - A burger with a bun, fries, and a small cup of dipping sauce on a plate. The burger appears to have cheese and possibly other toppings. The fries are scattered around the plate, and there are slices of cucumber and a pickle on the side. The background includes glasses of water and a lit candle, suggesting a dining setting. - New American Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota