Martina, one of the season's most anticipated restaurants, will debut on Thursday, bringing Linden Hills a new seafood-focused destination and its only cocktail bar.
In the distinct, angular space, del Prado has ushered in some significant changes. Most immediately notable: the expansion of the bar. What had been a tiny counter with a handful of seats, tucked into a nook off the main dining room has more than doubled, pulling the bar into the restaurant's heart.
There, a team led by former Bittercube mix master Marco Zappia will whip up inventive libations with an international bent – such as the Sous Les Mers, which incorporates nori-infused gin, and the Ginger Yip, which features galangal root and cubeb spice. Cocktail prices range from $7 to $9, signficiantly cheaper than the Minneapolis average for craft bars.
No other Linden Hills restaurant boasts a full liquor license.
The main attraction, however, will be del Prado's food – a personal ode to his Argentinian and Italian upbringing.
The menu touts a host of chilled appetizers, such as oysters on the half shell, king crab and salmon crudo, as well as hot appetizers (cinnamon-fried calamari, empanadas with creamed leeks), pastas, vegetable sides and larger items from the grill, such as Spanish mackerel, top sirloin and octopus with bone marrow.
An extensive wine list will also be available.
