Mara Restaurant Beginning Lunch Service In October
North Loopers are about to have a fancy new lunch spot to walk to on weekdays. Gavin Kaysen’s acclaimed new restaurant Mara, in the building that houses the Four Seasons Hotel, will start offering an expedited lunch menu on October 3rd from 11am-2pm weekdays, with a “decadent dessert cart” also making its debut.
As you can see in the official news release below, the full bar food menu is also available at Mara bar starting at 2pm.
With new and expanded offerings from Chef Gavin Kaysen, Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis becomes an all-day dining destination
(Minneapolis, MN; September 26, 2022) Starting Monday, October 3, 2022, Mara Restaurant and Bar is opening its doors for lunch (Monday – Friday, 11a – 2p) offering welcoming hospitality and elevated, expedited service with a menu of Mediterranean dishes available à la carte and in a 2-course prix-fixe option. Mid-day meals are also now available at the bar with a menu starting at 2pm, daily. Debuting for lunch and brunch is a decadent Dessert Cart featuring a curated array of sweets. For a limited time, complimentary valet parking at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis will be available for those dining at Mara before 2pm, Monday – Friday.
“After leaving New York City to move back home, I missed cooking lunch for people on a daily basis and interacting with our guests throughout the day,” says Chef Gavin Kaysen. “Seeing people return to work downtown and feeling the energy of our community going out again and connecting over a table of food is a beautiful thing. It’s been our plan to open for lunch at Mara and we’re looking forward to serving our guests.”
Inspired by the revival of entertainment in downtown Minneapolis and the return of hybrid work for many, the lunch and bar menus at Mara are thoughtfully prepared to feature dishes that go beyond a grab-and-go experience while still being mindful of time. The lunch menu features a variety of salads, sandwiches, and entrées. A prix-fixe option includes 2-courses (either an appetizer and entrée or entrée and dessert, $32 per person).
The full bar food menu will now be available at 2pm daily. Mara Assistant General Manager and Sommelier Paul Hennessy has curated the beverage list to feature wines by-the-glass. At the bar, Beverage Director Adam Witherspoon offers a list of balanced NA cocktails alongside the regular cocktail list cocktails and beer (draft and bottle).
Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis an All-Day Dining Destination
Mara Restaurant and Bar is located on the ground level of the building housing the new Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis. The restaurant is open for breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch and dinner. Reservations are not required for the Mara bar and lounge. Additional dining options include Socca Café, open weekdays until 2pm, and Riva Terrace, a daily outdoor dining option with views of the Minneapolis skyline and scenic Mississippi River.
“Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis is a place that brings people together, and opening Mara’s doors at lunchtime is another way we can do that,” says Florian Riedel, General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis. “Like Gavin, Four Seasons is committed to our community, and this commitment compels us to give you our very best. That most certainly includes lunch at Mara.”
The Mara lunch menu includes:
Tonnato Dressing, Pickled Onions, Dill Pollen Breadcrumbs with the option to add Chicken, Prawns, or Ocean Trout
Espelette, Sweet Peppers, Fennel Pollen, Coriander Blossoms
Sweet Corn, Fromage Blanc, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Pancetta, Cilantro
Tzatziki, Fennel Slaw, Piperade Couscous
Panisse, Beef Fat Jus
The dessert cart will roam the dining room with a display of a few treats ($12):
Hazelnut Chocolate Tonka Pie
The full bar food menu will now be served starting at 2pm daily, with options including:
Apricot Amba, Harissa Aioli, Fried Shallots, Pickles, Escarole
Calabrian Chili Romesco, Castelvetrano Olives, Fennel, Charred Lemon
Tempura Boquerones, Bagna Cauda, Parmesan
Olive Oil, Crescenza Cheese, Mozzarella, Whipped Lardo
N’duja, Leeks, Broccolini, Mozzarella
Beverage options include:
Dampfwerk Apple Brandy, Milk & Honey Heirloom Cider, Cardamaro
3LECHE Proxy rosso vermouth, 3LECHE proxy secco vermouth, aromatic bitters
Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 2018
Crete, Greece
Mara is a restorative Mediterranean-inspired restaurant featuring warm, sun-lit spaces and an open kitchen concept illuminated by floor-to-ceiling windows. Chef Gavin Kaysen, a James Beard award-winning Minnesota local, transports his guests to coastal destinations with the flavors and techniques of 22 countries. Each dining experience is personalized by a staff dedicated to nurturing both body and soul.
For more information, visit MaraRestaurantandBar.com and follow @MarabyGK on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Reservations are available on Tock.
Chef Gavin Kaysen is a two-time James Beard award winner, executive culinary producer for the 2022 reboot of “Iron Chef” on Netflix, and the chef and founder of Soigné Hospitality in Minneapolis known nationally for his leadership in the culinary profession. His restaurants include Spoon and Stable, and Demi. Bellecour Bakery at Cooks has locations in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. At the new Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis he opened the Mediterranean restaurant and bar Mara, as well as a casual daytime Mediterranean gathering place, Socca Café. His catering company Spoon Thief Catering debuted in August 2022 to create intimate home events and mid-sized gatherings. He also has a catering company, KZ ProVisioning, in partnership with Chef Andrew Zimmern, which fuels the Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Timberwolves. His first cookbook “At Home” is available for preorder on GavinKaysen.com.