Have a hankering for hiking, fresh seafood, and a refreshing libation in the heart of Minneapolis? Well, look no further than Twin Cities staple Sea Salt Eatery, located at the crest of Minnehaha Falls and home to a wide selection of spirits to pair with their singularly delicious seafood. Home to incredible raw oysters and a funky atmosphere; live local musicians serenade you on a shady outdoor patio smack-dab in Minnehaha Park.
Where waiting in line isn’t an inconvenience, its part of the experience
Sea Salt’s commitment to local beers and brews is pretty well-known, but did you know they also have an abundant variety of wine? Their friendly staff would be happy to hook you up with a drink while you’re waiting in line to order food. And by the way, you will likely be waiting in line. Sea Salt’s service is organized such that most of your wait time is before you order (food comes out of the kitchen rather quickly after that.) So, don’t let a lengthy line deter you from sticking around — grab a drink at their “express” beverage service counter inside, then gab with friends and listen to live music while you decide what to order.
Speaking of what to order, there’s plenty to choose from. On tap you can find a nice selection of wine, including Pomelo, Hahn, Pacific Standard, Project Gotham, and Avviato. Yes, you read that right — wine, on tap! The monthly rotation of bottled wine boasts some excellent choices as well, including Raptor Ridge and Casal Garcia. At any given time there will be over 20 wines to choose from.
If you’re not feeling in a wine mood (shocking as that might be), Sociable and Milk&Honey are local craft ciders that are good paired with anything fried. If you’ve got a few friends willing to share, go in on a pitcher of sangria. Or don’t share it, we don’t judge.
All of the spirits available have been selected to compliment Sea Salt’s food, but a few stand-out pairings are:
Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc
This bright, citrusy white pairs well with:
-Crabcakes
-Seared Scallops
Gotham Project Pacific Standard Cabernet Sauvignon
A bold, well-rounded cab that really zings with anything spicy.
-Raw Oysters (with plenty of hot sauce!)
-Shrimp Remoulade
Casal Garcia Vinho Verde
Floral and delicate, perfect with anything that swims.
-Grilled Mahi Mahi Tacos
-Peel and Eat Shrimp
Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Barrel Select
Oaky, smoky, and proves reds can pair well with seafood.
-Sexy Ahi Burger
-Thai Red Curry
Sociable Cider
Balances anything deep-fried.
-Shrimp Po’ Boy Sandwich
-Fried Fish Tacos
Afterward while your meal settles you can stroll around the breathtaking Minnehaha Falls, walk your trusty four-footed companion (who is also welcome to dine alfresco with you at Sea Salt), or pedal around on a rented bike or a four-person surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals. Wear your hiking boots to descend the stone stairs to the forested trails around the riverbank for 10 miles of hiking trails for a uniquely Minnesotan experience. Make a day of it!
Sea Salt is located at 4825 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55417.
The folks at Sea Salt kindly provided some food and beverage for our sampling. Opinions and recommendations are those of the writer.
