Word is spreading of classy new lunch dining

By JOY POWELL, Star Tribune

Last update: September 23, 2008 - 5:47 PM

Business is building at Jensen's in Eagan, where the well-known supper club is now offering weekday lunches -- with a freshly made popover welcoming each customer.

"It's picking up every day," owner Doron Jensen said of the lunch service he began Sept. 8 in the Cedar Grove area.

There's a new soup-and-salad bar, sandwiches, steaks and seafood -- and also meeting facilities. Last week, the soup was prime rib mushroom, supped by senior citizens, business people and shoppers stopping in.

The soup-and-salad bar is open only during the new hours, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. It's designed so people can get in and get out and on their way.

"It's perfect at lunch," Jensen said. "You can make any kind of chef's salad you want with chicken, shrimp, turkey or ham -- or just a garden salad, if that's what you would like."

Jensen's also will offer its elegant entrees and wines.

"Lunch at Jensen's will be unique because we are more upscale than nearby restaurants," Jensen said. "Local businesses will finally have an attractive location for business lunches, as well as noon-hour celebrations such as birthdays and holidays."

Jensen and his wife, Laurie, who is the day manager, are looking foward to the Cedar Grove redevelopment project, which will bring more office space and a picturesque park.

Though he had resisted opening the family-owned supper club to lunch, the success of Jensen's Cafe in Burnsville, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, convinced Jensen.

The restaurant is at 3840 Sibley Memorial Highway. Reservations can be made online at www.jensenssupper club.com or by calling 651-688-7969.

Joy Powell • 612-952-882-9017