My vast expertise in fine dining comes from the one time I went to a Michelin star restaurant, but Travail far exceeded even that. Ten courses, each of which were delicious and creative. The drink menu was inclusive so they actually lost money on us. The service and atmosphere were excellent, not a thing I'd change and we're looking forward to going back. read more

The signature tasting was fantastic I love the team here at Travail and everything they do- being a member here definitely has its perks too All of our courses were served hot and fresh and with the all inclusive beverage menu you absolutely cannot go wrong Staff are wonderful friendly and fun Still doing a great job! read more

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This was our first Travail experience and we were so incredibly impressed. Each of the courses & the drinks were curated with such beautiful attention to detail! The staff were perfectly attentive and so knowledgeable about each course. We were here for our birthday and the entire staff signed our menus, wishing us a happy birthday prior to our arrival. This tasting menu was generally just very fun and creative. One course, "The Meat Hook" featured a slice of soppressata hung on a hook, fed to us, fishing rod style! We simply couldn't pick a favorite course, they were all too delightful. We cannot wait to be back for more soon! read more

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My wife and I were treated to Travail as a birthday gift and what a gift it was. From the moment you step foot into Travail the decor is absolutely lovely and the hosts were very friendly and make you feel welcome. We were too early for our reservation so we went to their lounge bar space and enjoyed a drink. Once dinner started we were off to the races. Note that they don't take orders here, they have a menu picked out and you eat what you're given. I attached the menu for reference for all the items we had. All of which were wonderful! My favorite of the night was the smoked tomato soup and the Posset. The smoked tomato soup was incredibly rich, savory and packed full of flavor. I had no clue tomato soup could be this delicious! It came with a crostini loaded with delicious Italian meats. Then my other favorite was the Posset, which was basically a fancy chocolate pudding. It was rich, chocolaty, and the texture was smooth. It went perfectly with my Old Fashioned I drank alongside it. Travail was quite the experience! I hope to be back soon! read more

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What an amazing first experience at Travail! Went for the Taste of Travail Wednesday special for my fiancé's birthday and we had such a blast. The cocktails were delicious, they have typical or unique options so there is something for everyone, as well as N/A options. The tasting menu was excellent, we were stuffed by the end! Some of our favorites were the smoked tomato soup, the taco (was called something else but essentially a taco), and the dessert (graces world famous banana bread). The service was incredible, we loved hearing about each dish from the chefs. It was such an experience and I hope to be back soon! read more

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Such a fun night! There is a parking lot in the back as well as an entrance. If you arrive early there is a bar you can grab a cocktail at. Everyone is so kind and makes the experience 10X better. The tasting menu rotates often, we went for their pasta night and it was such a fun experience with drinks included in our meal ticket. Will be coming back! read more

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10/10 amazing. Great food and strong cocktails, plus good wine choices for the dinner. C Chefs Cody and Alex served us and they were knowledgeable and fun. Loved the interaction with them. I appreciated how they brought in people who could answer questions that stumped them. Every bite we had was amazing. Only small complaint is that the music was loud for intimate conversation. Every bite was so amazing. Chef Kate came to chat with us too. She did an amazing job. It was one of the most epic dining experiences I have had in a very long time. Would 1000% go back. read more

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We went for GIRL DINNER and the only negative thing I really have to say is that it was way too hot. This dinner was on the rooftop patio, and at this price point it feels like they really should have an option to cool people off that isn't going inside. Food and service were both 5/5: all of the food was well balanced and left us wanting more. The staff was so friendly and accommodating. I loved at every food break this dinner turned into all of the attendees and staff screaming different songs at the top of our lungs. We will absolutely be back, but only for the inside dinners. read more

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Travail has some of the tastiest, fun, and unique menus in the city. I couldn't dare give it anything but 5 stars. It seems odd to review the specific dishes as they change every couple of weeks. Of the 11 or more dishes we had I like most of them a great deal. One that blew me away was a their take on a taquito. It was just fantastic and not the kind of food I lean towards at a fancy meal. The dessert was also super unique and delicious. The presentation of everything is also done in such fun ways. See the McDonalds happy meal box in my photos. The one thing I'd say is that it moves really fast almost too fast. The service is good but not very personal or dare I say attentive for this process level. I can understand in that they are serving a large amount of people over 10 courses of top notch food. But in some ways when I am spending that much money I'm looking for a different level of attention. That might sound snotty I know. Then there is the price. We got a BOGO deal and at that price I'd do it again and again and again. Full price it's a once every couple years kind of price for me. But it's a must for anyone who has never been there I'd say. read more

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What a fun experience to check off any food lovers list. I attended the Girl Dinner theme with a friend and from the beginning- it was a lively experience. The menu for this tasting had delicious charcuterie welcome boards, tuna tartare cones with lemon creme fraîche dolloped with caviar, crunch Caesar salads with perfectly grilled prawns, and so much more. We opted for the cocktail pairing and my only critique on that is it would have been great to have a mix of cocktail/mocktails because it tends to get to be a lot of alcohol by the 3-4th full size cocktail. Overall, there were so many highlights that a review just won't capture enough of. I highly recommend you take the leap and book a theme that catches your attention. A worthy note: These curated chef dinners at Travail are for those who want a tasting menu that is also full of fun staff who genuinely enjoy their work. These are not your quiet dinners for two style tastings. **I hope they do another theme like this again (GD 2.0) cause sign me UP if they do. read more

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I have so many good things to say about Travail and their team! It's one of my favorite restaurants in the cities and the first place I recommend to friends looking to try a tasting menu. It's the most non-intimidating, fun, and inviting tasting menus I've had. Like if MN had Michelin stars Travail would make the list, no doubt. The thought and care that goes into every dish is evident and each meal I've had has a good balance between heavy, savory, light, and sweet dishes. The pricing is a steal for what you get, and the drink pairings are always a treat too. They do a great job of coming up with unique menus all the time where every time you come back it's a completely new experience. The team is consistently so nice and friendly. It's been really fun to see the offerings transform over time. At their old location during the collab with Chef Karyn Tomlinson they were experimenting with N/A pairings, and it's been awesome to see that evolve into what it is today with super fun mocktails. I was a little bummed the last time I went because there wasn't a N/A pairing option, and one of the guests I usually go with doesn't drink alcohol. Their current location is absolutely stunning with plenty of seating and an open kitchen. They really have leaned into the "amusements" part over the last couple of years which has been fun. The basement bar has smaller tasting menus and is super cute, dark, and vibey. I had a cocktail tasting down there and the drinks were phenomenal. I planned a company holiday party in their upstairs area and the Travail team was fantastic to work with. Their communication was great and they worked within the budget to create something that would work for us. We had a welcome hour with drinks and snackies (the fresh mozz ball was insane), followed by a tasting menu. They were able to accommodate different dietary restrictions with ease, and so many people were raving about the food after. I would definitely work with Travail again for an event. read more

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This was my first time at Travail and can say that it did not disappoint and with their Battle of the Decades it just took things to another level. Each course was inspired by a different decade, and the chefs nailed the balance between fun, nostalgia, and seriously good food. One dish had all the comfort of a 70s casserole but somehow tasted refined and modern, and then later on we got a 90s-inspired dessert that tasted just like a Dunkaroo only way better. What I about Travail is that it's more than just a meal, it's an experience. The staff leaned into the theme, the pacing was perfect, and it honestly felt like a mix of dinner, theater, and a party. Every course had a surprise element that kept the night exciting. It is not cheap, but absolutely worth it if you want something unique and memorable. Highly recommend grabbing tickets! read more

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I've been to a lot of themed dinners, but Travail's Haunted Basement Bar A Carnival of Chais is on a whole different level. The food was fantastic all the way through. Every course had some sort of playful or spooky twist, but the flavors were genuinely impressive. You can tell the chefs had fun creating it, and that energy rubs off on you throughout the night. Same goes for the staff, everyone is so into the theme that it makes the whole thing feel alive and chaotic in the best way. The cocktail pairing was super creative. Costumes are encouraged, and honestly, it just makes the night more fun. A lot of guests show up fully decked out, and it adds to the whole carnival vibe. If you're looking for something memorable for Halloween season, this is it. It's weird, hilarious, creepy, and delicious all at once. I'd go again in a heartbeat. read more

Travail Kitchen and Amusements - New American Near Me - Robbinsdale, Minnesota

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I'll start by saying Travail is the best restaurant in the Twin Cities in my opinion - the food, the experience, and the ambiance is all exquisite. I love the interactive nature where two teams of chefs are often competing against each other and bringing out small dishes throughout the night. There's also trivia, games, and well executed descriptions of food and drinks from the servers. I have been here twice in the past 2-3 years, once for a birthday and once with family. Although it's expensive, the experience is worth it. They have optional wine and NA pairings that pair up with the courses. Travail does themed dinners and change the theme of their dinner events (Italian, Mexican, steakhouse, etc) throughout the year so it is worth checking back from time to time. If you're searching for fine dining, look no further. Do yourself a favor and try it out! read more

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We had reservations on a Friday night. I thought I reserved for the chefs duel but it was more of a multi course meal. The service was great and everyone acknowledged we came for a birthday. Drinks are included which I didn't realize so I pre ordered a wine tasting pair. The drinks kept coming and the food kept rolling. Loved the seating and the open atmosphere. There's also a bar upstairs. The parking was easy and overall it was just a fun and eventful night with plenty of food and drinks. All of the plates were unique and we played games and tried different foods. Everyone at the table was so nice and it was just a good vibe. It was more on the casual side and I was looking for something a bit more upscale but we still had a great time and celebrated! read more

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We came here for the Office Themed Dinner Party and had a blast! The entire basement was Office themed, with crazy attention to detail. They had all sorts of items that you'd find in the show on display. The staff did an amazing job acting, engaging with, and entertaining everyone. They were all different characters from the show including Angela, Dwight, Michael, and Darrel to name a few. The menu was fabulous and of course on theme with the rest of the Office theme. It was a 9 course meal with special cocktail pairings (you could also choose wine or NA.) I won't spoil the whole menu for those that want a surprise but as an example we had "Scott's Tots" and "Professor Copperfield's Miracle Legumes." All of the courses were fantastic and well worth it. Huge shout-out to Riley in hospitality for making the night super memorable! read more

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One of the most fun dinner experiences you can have in the Twin Cities. We especially love the themed basement dinners.

I had always wanted to visit this place but had hesitated due to the high prices. However, I'm pleased I finally crossed it off my list--it was a unique experience! We opted for the dueling decades food experience, and it was fascinating to see our beloved home-cooked meal presented in a different way. Arrive with an appetite and don't be deceived by the portion sizes; we nearly finished the 9th course, and there were still three left! The team was extremely cheerful and energetic. Regrettably, my table mates weren't in sync with the atmosphere. I highly recommend this location; there are always fresh experiences and themes. I'm excited to try their upcoming Christmas event. read more

I wish I could say Travail was everything I thought it was going to be. Anticipating this reservation for MONTHS, I chose my birthday as the perfect excuse to make reservations for Travail's The Office coursed dinner experience. As a huge Office fan and a fanatic of course dinners, I thought this experience would be a match made in heaven. Partially true. The Office coursed dinner takes place in Travail's basement. The decor was insanely impressive. I was blown away by all of The Office memorabilia and how they had turned the space to look like a set directly from the show. There wasn't a single opportunity missed. Everything from Jan's Serenity Candles to the replica of Michael Scott's desk in the dining room was so impressive; no detail was spared. I definitely want to give hardcore flowers to the designer and decorators of this space--just, WOW! While the decor and details of everything waiting for us at our reserved table were impressive, the unfortunate part of my dining experience was entirely due to the service. At first, I thought our server was "in character" as Dwight Shrute when he approached our table. He didn't introduce himself. He poured our water and asked us not to flip the menu, have our drink, or eat our food yet. He didn't explain what was in front of us and never asked if we were first-time diners, celebrating anything, or needed anything --basic service questions. I mention this not because I needed sparklers and attention, but I noticed almost immediately that other parties, once they began coming in and being seated, were approached by our same server, who had an entirely different demeanor with them. Because the space is so intimate, I was able to overhear him providing a hospitable experience, including conversation, explanations, and even free mini bottles of prosecco for EVERYONE at the table, all for the one person celebrating within their party. The first table I noticed this with, I thought it was a one-off. But then I noticed he over-extended himself by providing the same friendly service at the beginning and throughout the dinner service to several other tables around us (some of which appeared to know him as friends), just not to our table. That felt unfortunate, especially since I had chosen to celebrate here. Regardless of celebrating anything, I expected professionalism at the very least. I felt second-hand embarrassment that the hard work of Travail was misrepresented by a server who was clearly uninterested in providing anything but the lowest quality of service. As an optimist, I didn't allow this to ruin my birthday evening and kept hoping the experience would turn around. As the "dinner show" began, we began receiving courses. None of the courses or drinks were explained to us. Thank goodness we figured out the menu was printed on the back of the comic book. Other tables did get to hear an explanation of what they were eating, but it was assumed my table didn't care, as the server only approached our table to drop off the drinks that followed in the next course. There was one food runner who approached our table during Professor Copperfield's Miracle Legumes course, who explained what we had to do (which was wait) until a particular scene came onscreen, which would prompt us to eat. This food runner was by far the kindest individual who served us during dinner. The food itself was OUTSTANDING. The service took a ding at the stars I'm giving Travail, but the three I am giving it are exclusively for the food. I would give JUST the food 10 out of 10 stars. There was not a dish I did not love or thoroughly enjoy. I can only imagine the heart and soul with which the cooks, chefs, and entire team who worked on curating, developing, and executing this wildly impressive course meal experience felt as they watched it come to life. Some of my most memorable dishes of the night, thanks to the printed menu, were: - "Michael Wants Something Sweet" - "Professor Copperfield's Miracle Legumes" -"Scott's Tot's" - "You've been Meatballed!" - "A Chicken Piccata with a Side Salad" - "Nelly Wants Real Food" - "The Best Rural Pie": MVP of the night! Flavors, presentation, 10/10! I loved how the course meals tied together with the scenes that were being played. In between scenes, there was a live scene from the show re-enacted outdoors, which was so neat. The "Michael Scott" of Travail was played brilliantly and accurately. Towards the end of the meal, a paper airplane flying competition took place, which was cool to participate in. Overall, while the meal and the "show" were stellar, I wish part of my experience had not been overshadowed by the service. Truthfully, it won't deter me from dining at Travail again. I'm hopeful my next experience will be better than my first. read more

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My partner booked travails bubbles and bites for a birthday surprise for me. I had no idea where we were going. What an experience it was! When we walked in, we were greeted by a very sweet hostess who explained where to go. We went upstairs into a private room and there were 6 of us total. We were served 8 (I think it was) servings with wine pairings with each serving. It was delicious! The food and wine were exceptional, there was good conversation during the dinner, and lots of trivia. This was a birthday experience that will not be topped. If you're on the fence about trying travail, it's so unbelievably worth it! read more

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This was such a fun experience! My boyfriend and I came here to celebrate our birthday and the staff made it so interactive and fun. Each course you receive is a different take on a classic dish. We went for the battles of the eras and I would highly recommend. Upstairs is also a cute rooftop to enjoy a drink before your dinner experience. read more

Travail Kitchen and Amusements - Ants on a log - New American Near Me - Robbinsdale, Minnesota

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My friend took me here for my birthday and it was a very cool experience. The drinks were interesting and the food for the Tasting event were fun and some very good. We did the tasting event where the chefs compete making different dishes and we get to judge . What a cool concept. Definitely enjoyed our night read more

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The Filipino Latino menu is the best meal I've had at Travail since coming here on several occasions over many years. Every dish was incredibly flavorful, and the service was so playful and fun! I don't think I can pick a favorite part of the meal. An intermezzo with Mike Brown in the outside front veranda provided some hilarious insight into the concept, finished with a tasty shooter! Really enjoyed this meal at Travail. They truly know what they're doing with spirited dining, and they do it well. read more

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I absolutely love this place! The staff are friendly - they always treat you like an old friend. They are incredibly knowledgeable about everything food and drink they offer. My favorite part of Travail is their themed basement experiences. I've been lucky enough to attend two so far (Christmas and Friends experience), and both were incredible. The food and cocktail pairings are always spot on. Food is small portions, creative, and delicious. Drinks are creative but tend to be larger (might be a negative for some, but I'm good with it!). This is a place to come back to over and over. Always something new to experience! read more

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What an AMAZING experience! I was lucky enough to go to the Signature Tasting with 7 of my closest friends for my 40th birthday and it was a perfect evening. The food was delicious. Hands down. So good. Multiple points that we all wanted more, and several of us debated licking the plate! Everyone on staff was kind, fun, and you could tell they enjoy what they do. The energy in the space is fun and upbeat. Everyone had smiles on their faces throughout the night. It was just awesome. And the space in general is just gorgeous. The upstairs bar is lovely and a perfect place to start the evening. The dining room, while large, still felt like we were able to have good conversations and laugh together. It was a magical night. So thankful to the whole team at Travail for being so great! read more

Travail Kitchen and Amusements - Ginger Apple Cake - New American Near Me - Robbinsdale, Minnesota

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I have complicated feelings about last night's dinner. So, it was my birthday, but you wouldn't have known by how we were treated last night. My partner made the reservation and explicitly put the reason for the visit down, but it was for some reason forgotten. This coupled with the fact that we were seated next to friends/family of the chef, who were given ample attention and time, we were never spoken to by the staff except for conversations about my dietary restriction, which I continuously asked about out of concern. While I was told that it was 100% considered and taken care of, I still became sick later that night and this morning. The food was very lovely for the most part, and the concept was fun but execution was gimmicky because we couldn't hear anything most of the night, and only one person told us what we were eating directly the entire night. The other thing that was weird was that they didn't replace silverware... made us keep the same set until dessert basically. So kept tasting the other dishes on my utensils until the end. The people directly next to us also were also relatively ignored, and had splurged for a wine pairing but were never told what they were drinking and had to request a line up. I don't think we will be back. I'm still sick and feeling a bit sad. Not the best thing on your birthday. read more

Omg this is a must do!!! They have an Italian Giglio feature right now that is just so awesome. We booked a reservation about a month out which you have to do as it books out quick! You do need to pay in advance which I don't love but also makes sense and makes it easier at the end of the night. We were in the upper part of the restaurant and we just had a blast. Not only was the food fabulous, the service is quick, witty and top notch plus they have events and small moments throughout the evening to make it fun. We did trivia during dinner but they also had music playing and interactive food stations. For this feature the mozzarella and cacio e Pepe from the cheese wheels are to die for. I wanted to eat just that for my entire meal! Highly highly recommend. read more

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My partner and I have been to Travail twice now and we look forward to going back in the future! The first time we went, we did the giglio chef's tasting menu and the second time we did the chef's duel. The food is always great, but I think the experience is what makes it one of our favorite restaurants! There was trivia when we did the chef's tasting menu, and for the duel there was a chance for us to play games against each other like hammerschlagen. It's always something new and fun with the courses and experiences, and the cocktails are also creative! For parking, they do have a small parking lot, but I would bet on having to do street parking. read more

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I love this place! We went for "The Office" experience and it did not disappoint. The chefs tasting menu was great and the drink pairings were delicious. We will definitely be back! read more

Travail Kitchen and Amusements - New American Near Me - Robbinsdale, Minnesota

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As good as the food was the night we visited Travail I was surprised by the overall experience. What do I mean? Greeted at the door and we were invited to enjoy a drink up the stairs at the stylish retro 70's style bar with excellent craft cocktails. When you come down to start this unique food experience you are invited to four different food stations. Our favorite was the mozzarella balls on your hand indented and filled with honey and sprinkled with nuts. After this interactive opening you are seated at a community style table and entertained by a private chef that skillfully rolls out sixteen small plate courses. We did wine flights with dinner. I recommend the addition of wine. Overall, the food was creative and excellent. Travail is truly a unique interactive social dining experience!! read more

We went for the "Duel" event. I went in with pretty high expectations for the food for the price. The atmosphere was fun and the main host was entertaining and engaging. The food was not great, unfortunately. The halibut was very overcooked. Some dishes were too salty, some put things together that didn't make sense. It's a shame because we would have loved the whole experience if the food was better! read more

We finally went to Travail and we were not very impressed. Super bummed, because we had been looking forward to it for a long time. We did the Giglio tasting and were seated on the main floor. The staff was great - super friendly, energetic, helpful, and fun. The food was good, but not great or even spectacular. The environment was pleasing to the eyes, but super loud and raucous - quite the opposite of what we were expecting for an upscale meal. It would have been fun at a brew pub or something like that. Also, the service seemed very rushed - not much time spent explaining the food - partly because the ambient noise was so high that the staff basically had to yell out for people to hear them and go around and shout the same info to everyone separately. There was a wedding reception going on in the upstairs bar, with the dance music filtering down. Then Travail had their own house music on their sound system, along with the host of our meal shouting out over a distorted microphone, kind of like a barker at the state fair. Not much focus on the food, or the experience, or the unique nature of the meal. For the price, we were hoping for a lot more. We probably won't be back. It would have been great to have a Minneapolis version of something like Alinea or Next for special occasions. read more

I highly recommend, especially if you have any food sensitivities or allergies. They handled a difficult situation with grace and care and I trusted them 100%. If you are a bit of a foodie, know that they put food together with amazing ingredients and presentation. If you are a cautious eater, I encourage you to try things -- flavors pop in unusual ways and might convert you to something you never thought you would eat. read more

Amazing experience and food! I was so excited to go here once I found out they changed the menu to what they call GIGLIO (Italian-inspired menu). It was a 21 course Italian tasting menu and we had an absolute blast. The food was great, the service was even better, and it was such a unique environment. Worth the price, I can't wait to go again! read more

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This is certainly for the adventurous! They have a contemporary twist to anything you can think of like foie gras on a lollipop stick, or painting your own flatbread, freeze during your dessert table side! It's both entertainment for the palette and your eyes! Good food, fast service, and great wine! You can interact with the kitchen team and the sommelier as well and they nicely answer your questions. Definitely worth a try and a place worth coming back to! read more

This had been a long time coming after 3 cancellations due to various COVID circumstances since 2020. Upon arrival, you are warmly greeted by various members of the Travail team. Tables are somewhat communal, but not overly so and allow great visuals of many prep elements of each dish. Every dish that came was spectacular with some favorites being the breakfast in a cup, the scallop dish, and finally the apple doughnut which was a great way to close out a fine meal. We only had one hiccup when a steak dish delayed the restaurant's cadence due to some issue in the kitchen. They did a great job of adding some entertainment and offering a glass of bubbly to make up for it! The food was great, there is some entertainment from the staff via trivia and karaoke (on this occasion anyway), but the beverage flight was a major disappointment. Of the 6 cocktails, we enjoyed maybe 2 of them while the others were a bit dull. However, that was really the only detractor to the experience. Would definitely recommend - it's not the best tasting menu we've ever been to, but it holds a very high batting average with the dishes and provides some entertainment on top which is unique for this type of meal/restaurant. read more

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Whoa - we just had one of the most delicious, fun and by far the most interactive meal of our lives. I've been thinking about travail ever since they first opened and finally took the opportunity to try their Umami experience. It was amazing. The service, the concept and even the ambiance of the basement bar are all unforgettable. Can't wait to get back here on another special occasion. Places like Travail remind me just how incredible our Minnesota restaurant scene is! read more

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We traveled from across the country to enjoy the last weekend of their The Office themed tasting menu, and it did not disappoint. The entertainment, the company, the office ambiance - And OMG THE FOOD - all so outstanding!! Highly recommend Travaill Kitchen and Amusements. Just do yourself a favor and book it! read more

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We went for the basement bar Party to Die For experience and it was amazing! It was a multi course meal that was very clever but also delicious. We also did the cocktail pairing, our favorites were the gin drinks. There were 4 cocktails and 8 dishes. You can purchase additional drinks or food to accompany the meal as well. The place was decked out and involved a few different rooms. The acting and themes were hilarious! The staff completely immersed themselves in the roles. The whole experience is under 2 hours. It is adults only. There is a parking lot option. read more

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Small amounts of food to taste from three different options not my cup of tea. Service was great. Had to fight your way through the crowd to get to the food. Overall very pretentious. Ambience was kind of boring. read more