Counterintelligence: Marshall Field's Marketplace Cafe

By Jeremy Iggers, Star Tribune

Last update: June 5, 2002 - 11:00 PM

Marshall Field's Marketplace Cafe opens today at 1070 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. The first Marshall Field's restaurant to open outside a company store will serve beignets and frittatas for breakfast, and salads, sandwiches and gourmet pizzas for lunch. From 4 to 8 p.m., it turns into a wine bar at 4 p.m., serving appetizers and gourmet pizzas.

OPEN DOORS

The former Polish Palace on Marshall St. in northeast Minneapolis will reopen next month as the Sample Room, an urban bar. Restaurant consultant Tobie Nidetz designed the menu; Michael Mackay, formerly of Gallivan's in St. Paul, will be executive chef.

The cuisine is billed as "all-American food offered with a European attitude;" the do-it-yourself menu includes a big selection of meats, cheeses, seafoods and vegetable dishes served in small portions, which can be combined into platters. An assortment of sandwiches and salads will also be featured, as well as entrees ranging from sauteed garlic shrimp and asparagus to a steamed sausage platter with fresh sauerkraut.

SHAKOPEE PIZZERIA

Fresh breads and pastries baked on site are among the attractions at the Panzanella Bread Company Bakery Cafe, which also opens today, at 1561 E. 1st Av. in Shakopee. Under the same ownership as Dangerfields, also in Shakopee, the new cafe will serve a casual dining menu much like the new Marshall Field's restaurant: omelets and pastries for breakfast, soups salads and sandwiches for lunch, and pizzas and pastas for dinner.

THAI ONE ON

The newest Sawatdee Restaurant & Bar opened this week at 7885 Main St. N. in Maple Grove. The grand opening, a fund-raiser for the Asian Pacific Endowment for Community Development, takes place next Tuesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m., will include complimentary samples from the menu, a program of Thai song and dance, and a cash bar.

AW SHUCKS

McCormick & Schmick's annual 1-minute oyster-eating contest takes place tonight at the restaurant, 800 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. Seven contestants chosen at random will compete for a round trip for two to Las Vegas; sign up by 5:45 p.m. if you want to compete.

-- Jeremy Iggers is at jiggers@startribune.com .