Technique Restaurant

Went to this place twice when it was open. Both times were amazing! Le cordon bleu, if you’re reading this, please reopen Technique in Mendota heights! We really miss it.

I went to Technique with friends during Restaurant Week, the most sacred time for Twin Cities foodies. It wasn’t bad, but there are several areas that have room for improvement.
The seafood cake appetizer was my favorite part of dinner. The golf-​ball size fish and crab meat fritters were on the money, but unfortunately it went a little bit downhill from there.
The kitchen comped our table with small tortillas of about a quarter-​size in diameter and topped with a Mexican version of succotash. The gesture was appreciated, but dishing out a tasteless Ritz cracker with some salsa on top isn’t going to earn many points in a high-​end restaurant, so I humbly suggest that the proprietors /​managers consider discontinuing this.
My entrée was a bacon-​laced meatloaf situation that seemed good after a cursory review of the menu but reeked of amateurism when it was plopped in front of me. The presentation wasn’t terrible but it was nearly flavorless, overcooked and void of inspiration.
The dessert selection wasn’t bad but not terribly exciting. I ventured out of my comfort zone with the pumpkin cheesecake. The cheesecake itself was okay but didn’t really exemplify skills that even a novice chef or baker could manage in their own home. Translation: Anyone who can follow the instructions on a Betty Crocker product can get the exact same results. The pumpkin seed sugar shard that was slice into the cheesecake gets an A for creativity, but it didn’t taste good, and isn’t that what it’s all about?
The meal was ended with yet another comp from the kitchen: this time a small jelly cube doused with powdered sugar. Well, needless to say that, despite the very kind gesture, it left much to be desired.
The wait staff was friendly but also very remote, not making much effort to connect with us and build a relationship. Strictly business. I don’t like that. Always smile, feel out the table and if they want to have some dialogue, get to know them a little. People don’t come to restaurants just to eat anymore. They expect more.
The ambiance could be improved too. Turn up the mood music, it’s too quiet. The lights need to be dimmed. Put up curtains on the windows. Paint the walls so that it doesn’t look like a low-​budget apartment.
The reason that this place go three stars and not two is that the price is unbeatable. You can’t find a restaurant that serves an appetizer, an entrée and dessert for $ 13. Also the chefs are students, or at least this is what I am told so we can’t be too harsh on them. Overall it’s not bad if you want to have above-​par food at a very low price, but I would not recommend it for date night.

Very good and original food at a good price. They are students so if you do not get the food you want or a ingredient is missing you have suck up that Midwestern shyness and mention it: they are happy to fix the issue and appreciate the feedback.
Recommend the fish items for the main entrée.

Can you say AMAZING super duper crazy inexpensive food for something you would think was coming from a pricey 5star restaurant. Yes you do have to make reservations in advance but it all worth it!
The place is small they have a back to the 90s boombox for music playing in the background to add some ambiance to the place. and about 8tables total.
I went during lunch time with my bf and brother we all decided to order different things and since the menu always seems to change I won’t list off my food but all of which are delicious. My favorite was taking small bites out of my brothers seafood dish. They cook things fresh for you the students that is and they are the ones serving you as well so be patient if it does take a little longer than what you are used to.
Appetizer, main course and dessert came to $ 13.00 per person what a steal! they give you lemon water for free but they also offer coke from a glass bottle and other drinks if you are interested in that instead.
I will for sure be coming back again and again. Only downside to Technique is they are open specific days and not on weekends because it is a school.

Incredible food, amazing experience, great prices. Reservation required, but worth the wait.

Really fun experience. Went there for anniversary. The service was excellent and the food was great. I had some amazing pea soup, halibut with caper sauce and fingerling potatoes and asparagus, and for dessert cheesecake and my hubby got raspberry crumble. Everything was so good. Good wine too. Very small intimate space, right next to the kitchen, so you can sort of see them running around in the kitchen cooking your food. Need to make reservations at least a month in advance. Only about 10 tables and they stagger reservations, so it is small! They pull your chair out for you and open the door too! Can’t wait to go back in a few months when Im sure the menu has changed.

My hubby and I went there for our Valentine’s dinner and it was an awesome night out. This french-​inspired restaurant is run by the final year students at the Le Cordon Bleu with the supervision of their instructor, who was very informative about their wine list. I had a Portugal Tinto wine, full-​bodied with a long finish paired perfectly with my lamb loin entrée with an awesome pea purée. I licked my plate clean. My first appetizer was a clam chowder and you could literally taste the chunks of smoked clams in it. My only complaint was I want more! Rob ordered the duck dish and that was very juicy and tasty too. The second appetizer I chose was the flatbread. For dessert, I had my first baked alaska, made of ice cream placed in a pie dish lined with red velvet cake, chocolate syrup and topped with meringue. Our four-​course meal was only $ 15 each. Can’t beat that deal! The food was beautifully presented and very flavorful. The portions were great for us who wants the fine dine experience.
This restaurant was clean and simple with modern decorations. Highly recommend anyone to give this place a try. You will not be disappointed. Make reservations though because they only serve 10 tables. Our server was not the best. We only saw her at the beginning and towards the end. The good thing is that there are other students around and a manager on duty who filled in for her lack of attentiveness.
All in all, it was a truly amazing dining experience. I think this place is often overlooked so do give it a try!!!

Several years ago when I worked in Eagan, I had made reservations to have lunch here with a friend. We arrived on time and were seated at a large table with several other people and it felt like we were at a fine dining establishment.
I don’t recall the details of what we ate, but I do remember being very impressed with the quality, presentation and flavors of the food. The service was good, albeit a bit ‘hesitant’. All understandable since this is all «practice» for the staff in training.
We enjoyed our experience immensely. A bonus was being seated with other people and striking up conversations that might not otherwise have been spoken.
Their current menu offerings look fantastic and the prices would be hard to beat anywhere. I look forward to returning again sometime soon.