Here's a heads-up that I'll be on Chowhounds! tomorrow afternoon, probably talking to Andrew and Kate about my recent trip to Trocaderos, the gigantic new restaurant and nightclub on 3rd Avenue North.
It's basically reminds me of TreVina/Valentino's over in South St. Paul, but bigger. It's just as swanky, with plush chairs and sofas and VIP areas everywhere. According to our bartender, who thought scotch was distilled in Ireland, Trocaderos is owned by Shane Segal (Club Ashe, Tobacco Warehouse) and Ted Saxon of Saxon Ford.
I went there last night with a male friend of mine. As soon as we walked in and looked around, he turned to me and said, "I bet I can get hit on faster here than you can." Sure enough, about 2 minutes after we sat down at the back bar, this older guy walks up to my friend, tells him he's gorgeous, that he should be in showbusiness, and to come find him later. This fellow also claimed to be the owner of the club. If anyone can provide a picture of either Shane Segal or Ted Saxon, I'd like to confirm that.
Trocaderos was absolutely dead for a Thursday night. I was really expecting more action, but our sage of a bartender said that Fridays and Saturdays are the only nights to come out. He kept mentioning that they have an "awesome cover band" on the weekends. I looked around at the place, and I saw mostly married women in their 30s having happy hour cosmos, as well as a couple of gay guy clusters. I just can't imagine this place totally transforming into a raging party on the weekends.
Due to the deadness, my friend and I didn't want to stick around very long. I was hungry though, so I ordered the $16.00 wild mushroom ravioli (at the suggestion of the chef who happened to be walking by), which was pretty good for being completely submerged in a bowl of cream sauce. That and the fettucine alfredo are the extent of the vegetarian options. There are no veggie appetizers, but they do have a veggie salad. They serve lunch daily starting at 11:00am, and the dinner menu is available until 11:00pm every night. You can also order take-out sandwiches for lunch. On Fridays and Saturdays, they offer a late-night menu consisting of burgers and sandwiches, as well as wings and bar foods. There are no vegetarian options on the late-night menu.
The scotch and spirits selection is good, and the prices are on par with other bars offering the same. A Caol Ila 18-year and a bottle of Pilsner Urquell was $15.00. The beer selection is a little slim, but Trocaderos isn't the kind of place you swill suds. The also offer bottle service on all their spirits, starting at $150.00 for something like Absolut (!).
Trocaderos is a flashy nightclub that will probably attract a, um, "classier" clientele than, say, Brothers or Drink. It will no doubt be a destination spot because it's so far from those other Warehouse District clubs (eliminating the chance of bar-hopping, especially in the winter), and it's so huge that you can move around inside all night and probably not get bored. You can sit at tables in the restaurant, belly up to one of the bars, shake a tailfeather on the huge dancefloor, or watch people dance from the balcony overlooking everything.
I don't think Trocaderos is really a place I'd hang out. It was a little on the MILF-y side last night, as in pretty much everyone in the bar was older than me. Even though our bartender made it sound like the club was a hoppin' joint on the weekends, I just can't imagine getting crazy to a cover band on the dancefloor. But maybe, maybe I'll end up there again one of these nights.
You know what I miss? The Elbow Room. I think the closest thing we have to that anymore is Transmission, now at The Hexagon every Wednesday night. I should go to that more often.
I can't speak for Ted Saxon, but Shane Segal would have had a bouffant, whitened teeth, dangling gold jewelry, fake tan, and some sort of electric blue blazer / black jeans / cowboy boot ensemble. Puro Queso. I love it when middle-aged men get into the restaurant / club biz in a vain attempt to regain the coolness they never had. If that place lasts 9 months I will be amazed.
Posted by: Geoff | January 20, 2006 at 01:39 PM
Yeah, I'm just not sure I see a niche for a place like this here. Mr. Middle-aged might be a little out of touch with the clubbing needs of the hip Minneapolite.
Based on your description, that was totally him.
Posted by: Alexis | January 20, 2006 at 01:52 PM
Every time I hear about the Hexagon Bar I think of an episode of Forensic Files on Court TV where a girl was picked up there, raped, and killed.
Have fun!
Posted by: Bexley | January 20, 2006 at 09:04 PM
Waitwaitwait... a bartender who thinks scotch is from Ireland? How the hell did he ever get hired?
Posted by: Bexley | January 21, 2006 at 12:29 PM
I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly...
Posted by: Ron Burgundy | January 21, 2006 at 02:17 PM
Hey, we MILFs have to get out too, ya know. I can't sit here knitting afghans every damned night.
Posted by: Marchelle | January 21, 2006 at 05:55 PM
I miss Nikki's even more now, reading all that.
Posted by: Lewis | January 22, 2006 at 08:03 AM
Bexley, after last night's conversation, I've concluded that you watch way too much Court TV.
Posted by: Alexis | January 23, 2006 at 12:59 PM
But that's where all the good shows about dead people are!
Actually, it had more to do with all the channels going to paid programming at 2am, while Court TV goes until 4:30.
Posted by: Bexley | January 23, 2006 at 03:03 PM
oh, i totally miss nikki's. especially their brunch on the patio (jungle/rubble) area. since i can see trocadero right outside my window, i can vouch that weeknights are pretty dead. i've been meaning to walk down there for dinner, but definitely not when the "awesome cover band" is on; they look kind of scary/suburbany.
i don't understand all the windows exterior. it'd be find if it was a store, but being able to see through to the coat or control room is kind of, well, aesthetically unpleasing.
Posted by: johnc | January 26, 2006 at 04:28 PM
Seems to me you think pretty highly of yourself and your self proclaimed ability to tell the people of mpls whats cool, hip, or a bust. Your friend wouldn't have gotten hit on by Shane Segal. Also people that have never seen the weekend action should probably just keep their mouth closed. Go before you talk about it. I have seen the weekends and they are packed. As far as the guy who mentioned looking through the windows and seeing the coat check, get a hold of your gayness. Who cares if you saw a coat, big deal flammer.
Posted by: jb | November 28, 2006 at 09:53 AM
what do ya mean I can't smoke in the restaurant?
Posted by: Scottie Adelhouse | February 22, 2007 at 03:21 AM
Shane isn't out of any loop...a little bio / short version:
Shane owned the largestfamily owned tobacco wholesaler in these parts of the midwest...besides that, at one point 13 retasil tobacco stores here in MN and 3 in Virginia (Alexandria area/DC)...He also had his own cigars made in Honduras and in the Dominican Republic (Ashe)...these cigars were not others' tobacco with his "tobacco ring"...actually, other companies paid to have there companies "rings" banded to HIS tobacco. He owned several other clubs before this latest club, which were successful, but closed due to a problem with the building/lease...The guy knows personally every heavy hitter from THE REAL LasVegas, more so then you need to know...He has a limo service (or did 5 years ago when I have seen him last)...I ont get into the "finances, just cause it wouldnt be right, but he doesn't play the "talk" game....actually, people think he does brag because he does talk some, but the truth is, he's actually playing down what he has so he could fit in and have fun with everyone, if he showed his true portfolio all your mouths would drop...but he knows when to stop the chatter, he'll never let you know it all...as far as trends, he wrote many, and believe me, many who set trends now used to sadly kiss his ass just to hang with HIM for the night.
The President of General Cigars (La Gloria, Cohiba, Partagas, Macanudo...etc...) and his enterouge from NYC came to visit him one day with Macanudo Golds before they were even "hinted" about to the cigar industry...we were all in my office having a good time smokin up...but these were the type of visiters we would have visit several times a week, actors from hollywood, producers, athletes (many), politicians...etc...they didnt visit for business, but to say hello to a person in a loop most of you couldn't enter just to clean the toilets.
We had a falling out, but it was like 2 brothers that dont wanna talk to eachother anymore, sad, but that'slife...so with that, i am saying these words not to stick up for him, but to let the truth be known.
-MLK
Posted by: MLK | October 25, 2007 at 11:56 PM