"I had not been to Gardens of Salonica for many years—more than ten. I was delighted to discover that it’s culinary standard is still at the highest level. It is a small, unassuming place, hidden away in a corner of Northeast Minneapolis with a weather beaten sign out front. We came for a late lunch. We started with a refreshing glass of hand squeezed lemonade sweetened with local honey. (I think I recognized the flavor of the honey maker from the Farmers’ Market It was the best glass of lemonade I had anywhere in the world for many years. For an appetizer we had a tray of three mezes: puréed fava beans that were smooth and buttery, puréed eggplant with herbs and olive oil, and strips of beautiful roasted peppers in oil and garlic. Even the red onion that garnished the dish had been washed under cold water to remove their sharpness. Very few restaurants take that much care. I had a simple vegetarian wrap with tzatziki (delicious) served with perfect French fries. The potatoes were first cut into larger planks and then in thin slices that came out like potato chips. No ketchup!—Only vinegar. My lunch partner had a beautiful vegan dish of fava beans. By the end of the meal we were so full we might ordinarily have forgone dessert, although I remembered their considerable craft and creativity with sweets. On offer today was a blood orange cake saturated with blood orange syrup. Everything in this lunch was made with care, with joy and with love. Even before I commented on it, my luncheon partner noticed the inner smile that love and care left us with. Food that fed the heart as much as the stomach. Brilliant and I am so glad that I thought check back again."
