DESCRIPTION: A great place for the 'special dinner' (anniversary). Great Italian cuisine!
DATE: 2006-01-10
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Athens Cafe is the Real Deal Spectacular!
DESCRIPTION: I have been to all of the Mediterranean restaurants in the metro area, and Athens Cafe is by far the best. The food is top notch, and the service is great! Best Gyro in town! Go to Athens Cafe and give it a try, it will not disappoint.
DATE: 2002-05-02
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Gyro, Tabouleh Salad, etc., everything on the menu is excellent

Best Kept Secret: Athens Cafe
DESCRIPTION: Athens Cafe is, by far, my favorite restaurant of all time. The service is fabulous and friendly, especially considering it's an order-at-the-counter place. The side salad is always fresh and crisp - and the tomatoes are always red, even in the dead of winter. I go there at least once a week, and often several days in a row. Reasonably priced, too, and there are always specials and coupons available.
DATE: 2002-08-02
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Foule, hot beef sandwich, lentil soup, Athenian chicken

Great Greek & Lebanese
DESCRIPTION: Best Hummus - And I have tried almost everyone's! Anything you choose will be a delight - All dishes are full of flavor, and the prices are right. The baklava is the only disappointment...I'm a huge fan of good baklava.
DATE: 2003-04-16
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : The Hummus! And the falafel is terrific too :)

Good stuff
DESCRIPTION: Gyro combos is very good.
DATE: 2004-09-06
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Gyro combos

It sucks
DESCRIPTION: I tried to review this before. I'm pretty laid back, have lived all over the world, so I'm somewhat unflappable. This restaurant is horrible. My daughter and I waited for over 20 minutes just to get waited on. And we were the only ones in the restaurant, then we had to hear the sad story about how our server and the cook didn't get on. If I had my druthers I would have canceled my credit card transaction.
DATE: 2002-02-02
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 2
OVERALLRATING : 2

La Belle Vie is the BEST restaurant in Minnesota!
DESCRIPTION: I think the last reviewer must have been to the wrong place. La Belle Vie is simply the best restaurant in Minnesota. I have had the pleasure of eating there on five or six occasions, all of which were spectacular. We have traveled extensively in Europe and have yet to find a gem like La Belle Vie over there. They have an outstanding wine list and excellent service. They ranked #1 in the most recent Zagat Survey in Minnesota.
DATE: 2003-07-10
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : The Chef's Tasting Menu

Please!
DESCRIPTION: I don't know if you're at the right La Belle Vie. I'd wager a meal that anyone who goes there would be nothing but satisfied. I proposed to my wife there, and have dined on numerous occasions.
DATE: 2003-10-04
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Ahi Tuna is Killer

DESCRIPTION: Without exaggeration, La Belle Vie is nothing short of perfection. La Belle Vie ranks most favorably in comparison with any of the finest restaurants in the US or abroad. More so because it is completely void of obnoxious pretense. Our waiter was attentive, curteous, freindly, and nowledgeable. His mastery of the wine list left no doubts. Our food came at a pace that allowed us to enjoy our experience completely. Each course was well presented. Sauces were magnificent. Spanish topas were varied, original, delictable. Walnut encrusted quail in a sumptuous cheese and balsmaic reduction with thinly sliced apple and Belgian endive; seemed like a dream to my taste buds. Mixed green salad in vinnagrette with crumble bleu (real bleu cheese, Whitehall) was all that a salad should aspire towards; fresh and on balance. My main course was a manly cut of bone-in pork ribeye, raised free-range in Brainerd, braised to perfect medium wellness on the outside, slightly pink in the center and moist all over. Served with a side of light and crispy fried onion rings over a dallop of walnut dressing, and surrounded in a Medajul date glase. It was hog heaven. The Chocolate Fondant was nothing short of a genuine pants wetter. If I could never eat at another restaurant, my life would be complete.
DATE: 2003-12-07
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

DESCRIPTION: This restaurant is a joke. They guy never greeted us when we came in for a 9pm reservation. We had to interupt his personal conversation to tell him we were there. He then said that we could "feel free to hang out in the hall" while we waited since they weren't ready for us. How much did they pay to be rated #1 in MPLS St Paul magazine. What a joke. We gave that rude guy our cell phone number to call us when our table was ready. Needless to say he didn't call and we went to Cesare's Wine bar-much better choice.We will NEVER go back to this poor excuse for a restaurant. If I wanted NO service I'd stay home and wait on myself.
DATE: 2004-04-04
SERVICERATING : 2
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

Diamond in the Rough!
DESCRIPTION: We found this wonderful new restaurant by accident. The food and service was grand. Wonderful flavor and presented with a flair! The pan roasted duck and grilled salmon were to die for. A great martini, moderately priced wine, and excellent food and service, what more could I ask for? I will return with clients for lunch!
DATE: 2002-03-12
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : pan-roasted duck breast with figs

Fun and Fine Dining
DESCRIPTION: A friend of mine suggested this restaurant and I truly say thanks. The food and service were excellent. We had a great time with the locals at the bar and joined a couple for dinner. I had the Beef Tenderloin which was crusted with caramelized shallots and a Cabernet demi-glaze. The combination was great! My guest ordered the shrimp with portabella risotto. The risotto had chunks of portabella mushrooms, peas, caramelized onions, and roasted red peppers included. She truly tried to eat every bite! We have included this place on our top ten list!
DATE: 2002-05-01
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8
RECOMMENDED DISHES : stuffed pork loin with prune/apricot demi-glaze