Bellecour Date: March 20, 2026 107 N 3rd Ave Minneapolis, MN 55401 Phone: (612) 452-6700 www.bellecourmn.com

Bellecour

There are a dozen one name individuals in the world: Cher, Elton, Dolly, Reba, Madonna, Prince and the list goes on. If you know anything about Twin City Fine Dining the one-word name is Gavin. Gavin Kaysen the great chef that came from the Twin Cities to wow New York City returned to Minneapolis and after Spoon & Stable created Bellecour and strikes again.

When E said we were going to Bellecour I was of mixed feelings. We love Spoon & Stable class and the top of the line dining experience from your first step in the door. And actually, one step back both places offer valet service, and at -30 in February that is more than appreciated. I had mixed feelings because I simply did not know if one man could create a Second great impeccable place and I did not want to think less of Gavin.

There is an old saying: Class A people hire Class A people, Class B people hire class C & D people. But sometimes try as you may, one gets stretched. Well Gavin did not get stretched at Bellecour it is incredible.

After the 5:30 Friday news we go to North Loop Wine & Spirits on Washington to taste wine & drink, as one must after the news. In the parking lot of North Loop, Lisa the owner hired Frank to patrol her and Monte Carlos Parking lot, so their customers would have a place to park. Hearing stories and the excuses from Frank every week, for people illegally parking in the lot is a highlight of our week.  Then we go in and taste and learn about wine & talk to our friends which include the random dog. Before we do restaurant reviews.

We were asked by Amanda, at the wine tasting table, one of our favorite wine experts, so where are you two going to review tonight? We said Bellecour. Amanda said; “Take me along! That place is fabulous Gavin did such a great job!”  We said can you bring some wine, she laughed and right I’m here until 8.

So we went through Amandas wines and headed a block and a half past Monte Carlo to Bellecour. As we approached Bellecour we could see the eight-foot winter add on for the antechamber, NO -20 breeze in the Gavins place in the winter. God as diners,  THAT is  appreciated especially after going to restaurants with a constant cold draft. As we got to Bellecour we saw the Valet sign $15 for parking for: Bellecour, Spoon and Stable and Demi, Gavins other restaurant in that area. You know what, you are going to spend $150 on a great meal, spend the $15 like class people do so you don’t need to break a heal or an ankle on some turn of the century.. last century, sidewalks.

So, we walked into Bellecour and we were greeted by the Maitre D as Dennis & Ellen? Instead of name please. Granted we were the only one there for a 7:30 reservation but to know our names. It was like saying here’s your brandy’s and your spot is ready by the fireplace. And yet we had never been there nor do we post our faces anywhere. Gavin started with a 100.

We were taken in this average sized restaurant to the far side. One thing I notice with my Air Force adjusted ears is a nice quite place to eat as Bellecour is. No loud laughs or people taking group selfies. This place was class all the way.

Bellecour is your typical new design in restaurants. You have a bar area you can eat at or just sit at the bar. An area next to the cooks in a similar bar configuration and seats for the traditional diners.

We sat down, got water without asking and opened the menu. Bellecour has been around since 2017, in case you haven’t heard of them.  To start with they have a Raw Bar with Raw Oysters, for a few friends that would die for them, E&I not so much. We’ll have the shrimp cocktail for $15 they were almost the size of my Iphone. Then the Butter Lettuce Salad with Winter Radish that were the size of the tines of a fork for $13. Both of which we shared and were incredible.

Then came the wines. E never liked Noirs she’s a Cab lady. I liked them because they vary more by where they are grown than any other grape. Then one day at a tasting E found a Noir she liked. She asked about it and it was over $30. High for the wines we buy/drink. She found out she liked Noirs over $30. Well Gavins Michel Noelat Es Chezots Noir was $32 a glass, of course she would have it. I on the other and would have the $12 a glass Grenache/Syrah/Carignan wine. Later as E finished her incredible glass, I order another for her. She objected but smiled as she finished it. How do bills climb to a bit higher than normal, it’s things like this that make life worth living.

I always let E order for me or give me choices. I could order and watch my Libre 3 blood sugar sensor max out, it has less stress with E ordering. Besides E watches the shows and knows what’s in food and how to cook. And with very few exceptions she has never cooked me a bad meal or suggested a bad menu item. So, I had the Roasted Ocean Trout with cauliflower, almond, sultana, brown butter, capers for $30. E had the Parisienne Gnocchi pasta with roasted mushrooms, broccoli & parmesan for $26.

We ate at Wendys today with the grand kids. Did you know a burger & fries are about half or about $15 less than a top-of-the-line entrée at one of the best places to eat in the Twin Cities. Going out to eat is NOT expensive going to Fast Food is!

The dinner was perhaps the best we have had in years. The service was unmatched anywhere. Was it worth $181, must have been we enjoyed it, and it was at one of the top ten venues in the Twin Cities, yes we will be back!

Contact us Dennis@ToDoTC.com