Butcher Block

The Butcher Block, such a strong name, makes me think of meat, chopping meat, cooking. grilling, spices and peppers. Makes me want to cook, cook, cook, and not some wussy cooking, really cooking- like ribs- and then once they are done eat them with my hands. Or barbarically chew steak right off the bone. Needless to say, as you may guess, the Butcher Block specializes in meat!

The Butcher Block is a small northeast restaurant, tucked away on a busy street--Hennepin Ave. Inside it's alright, nothing too great, mostly because I'm not a fan of fabric covering the walls in lieu of paint or other decorations. It has a nice looking bar, but again small.

Prior to eating there, I would frequently walk by, stopping to look at the menu, and never thought it looked like much. I thought it would be mediocre, nothing special, things that I could make with ease. Oh how wrong I was. Granted I didn't order a full entree (just a small Caesar salad, you know watching the waist line and the wallet--mostly the wallet), I did pig off my sister, brother and boyfriend. And let me tell you, those bites were mouthwatering. Butcher Block offers wings, in 14 different exotic flavors. We all shared some wings, which were mmm, mmm, cumin and lime (YUM!) and sambal chili. They were delightful. Those worked as an app, not leaving us too full, but just perfectly satisfied. Now the entrees... New York Strip, a bit chewy but the brussel sprout with pancetta, made up for all the steak lacked. Best brussel sprouts in town!!! Their "special" pasta dish wasn't all the special. It actually lacked a lot. So, top tip, don't order it. What you should order is this: SPUNTATURA DI MANZO CACCIATORE--AKA SHORT RIBS. Honestly, I'm telling you, no need to look at a menu. So good, so good. This dish won over my heart. It was the envy of everyone at the table. I wanted to lick my brother's plate, even eat the fatty pieces..it was that good. GO THERE. ORDER IT.

As for their drinks, their beer menu is lacking, and they don't have any beers on tap. However, their wine menu is extensive, and impressive (I'm guessing, I don't know wine).

Honestly, I don't have much else to say about the Butcher Block. All I can really remember is that the short ribs were divine. My mind has blocked everything else. The short ribs, the short ribs, the short ribs.... seriously I gotta start turning tricks in order to order the short ribs...and not a damn salad.