The other night we checked out The Green Room at 140 west main street, Waconia MN.
The Green Room is an organic restaurant and they say they are casual fine dining & wine bar. They cook with local and organic ingredients when possible.
As we walked into the restaurant it was very nice looking. I thought the appearance was great. The staff was very friendly too. However, the menu is a little different and a little expensive.
Personally, for a guy who likes a burger and fries, this isn’t the type of restaurant for me. I also don’t see a lot of locals thinking that this is a place to go to more than once or twice. However, I could be wrong.
If you’re up for something a little different, give it a go. If you are afraid to try something different, steer clear.
All in all I give it a B. Personally I didn’t like it, but for those who do like organic, or want something different, they’ll probably enjoy it.
The Green Room Hours: (as of 5/6)
Lunch
Monday thru Saturday 11am – 3pm
Dinner
Monday thru Thursday 5am – 9pm
Friday and Saturday 11am – 10pm
Dinner Menu Entrees:
seared salmon filet $17
new potatoes, cucumber-dill salad,
orange vinaigrette, crème fraiche
rosemary-garlic roasted leg of lamb $16
english pea risotto, mint salsa, herbed jus
grill finished braised beef $15
tomatoes, black olives, buttered noodles
hash with organic poached egg $11
romesco potatoes, asparagus, feta cheese
linguini pasta $10
sautee of spring peas, spinach, red pepper coulis
oven roasted chicken breast $ 15
belgian endive, currants, capers, purple potatoes
chef tasting, three course $35
bleu cheeseburger $8.5
carmelized onions and roasted potatoes
vegetable sandwich $8
grilled onion, asparagus, peppers, mozzarella, walnut
pesto
Lunch
specialty sandwiches
served with potato salad and cole slaw or simple greens
pulled pork sandwich $6.50
carolina bbq sauce, on a sesame seed bun
blt $6.50
applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, aioli, on
whole wheat toast
club $7.00
roast turkey, applewood smoked bacon, tomato, aioli, on
grilled ciabatta
angus burger $7.50
cooked to order with gruyere or vermont cheddar
open faced vegetable sandwich $7.25
grilled onion, peppers, asparagus, mozzarella, walnut
pesto
chicken salad $7.00
basil, sun-dried tomato, mozzarella, on baguette
entrees
grill finished braised beef $10.00
tomatoes, black olives, buttered noodles
linguini pasta $9.00
sautee of spring peas, spinach, red pepper coulis
seared salmon filet $12.00
new potatoes, cucumber-dill salad, orange vinaigrette,
savory crème fraiche
thanks for your thoughts on our new restaurant – the green room. to clarify; we are not an “organic” restaurant. we do use some organic ingredients. we are a chef driven, independent restaurant serving american cuisine.
we offer fish, beef, chicken, pasta, burgers, salads and for lunch: sandwiches, burgers, salads, soup etc. “different”?…
you’ll be hard pressed to find such offerings anywhere in the region at such reasonable prices. we’re very proud of the quality and value we offer and our repeat local clientel are raving.
similar restaurants: lucia’s, alma, auriga, corner table, biella, the modern…
our correct hours:
mon – thurs 11:00am – 9:00pm
fri – sat 11:00am – 10:00pm
sunday – closed
it’s not for everyone but we’re filling an important niche. if you want processed, fried, frozen, microwaved junk food – stear clear and check out any of the fast food or new corporate chain restaurants in the area.
tom peterson
co-owner, the green room restaurant
Thanks for the reply Tom. It’s good to get other peoples perspectives.
i moved here from the bay area in california about three years ago, and have often longed for the favorite restaurants we would dine at. there’s a lot of mediocre food here, especially in the suburbs. i was delighted with the outstanding quality and affordable prices at the green room. it’s a complete bonus that the owners are great guys who have a lot of experience at what they’re doing and provide excellent service to their customers. if you live anywhere near waconia–or even if you don’t–and you like good food, you need to get yourself to the green room for dinner a.s.a.p.
i have been to the Green Room for dinner several times and have not only found the food to be consistently good and interesting but the servers very friendly and competent. when tom is there he makes a special point to come out and talk to his guests. i have recommended it to many our friends and i will continue to go there often. they have only been there a short while but i still have found something new on the menu each time i’ve been there. either my husband or i will usually try evening special and it has been excellent each time.
i am puzzled as to how someone who claims to be a “burger guy” can qualify himself as a restaurant critic.
annette
elli and annette – I’m glad you like it. I knew there must be a following.
annette – I never said I was a restaurant critic. I’m just a guy with a website trying to get more exposure for Waconia. If you’d like to post your thoughts and reviews on things in town, feel free to contact me and we’ll get you setup with an account here. I’m always open to added opinions.
We took in the Green Room’s Mother’s Day Brunch earlier this year and it was fabulous.
We’re heading over there again tonight. Good food, very reasonable prices, and super-friendly staff.
I’ll be the first to admit that I boycotted The Green Room for some time as I was so dissappointed to see the previous restaurant leave. However, all it took was one try in a weak moment and now I am hooked!
It is so refreshing to walk in and have fabulous service – such a lost art these days! I am checked on several times, noticed when I need the slightest thing, not rushed but not left with dirty dishes and no matter how busy it is the wait staff and owners never act “rushed” which is an art in itself.
The food is fabulous. Yes, the evenings are pricey for my little budget but the uniqueness of the food makes it sooo worth it! I can walk in and walk out feeling like I have had a culinary experience and a healthy one as well.
Now personally, the decor is nice but nothing to write home about. Atmosphere is huge for me but I also realize the space is limiting and and I wouldn’t want stuffy either so I am very pleased with the way they have worked with what they have.
Try it……..it is a beautiful addition to our quaint town and steers clear of the highway, big-box mentality.
Took my family to the Green Room in Waconia for a special treat and we hated it. I asked if the eggs in the egg salad I ordered were organic and the waitress said no. Both sandwiches ordered(egg salad and tuna melt)the bread was thin and toasted beyond dry. It fell apart when eating it. The beet salad wouldn’t fill up a flea and the onion soup was all onions.
thanks to all who are supporting us in our efforts. we’re working really hard and we appreciate each and every guest!
in response to eram’s posting on sept 7th: i remember them. when i asked how thier lunch was their response was, “we’re a McDonalds crowd” – why the concern about the organic eggs? we’ve never claimed to use organic eggs and again, we’re not an organic restaurant (although we do use some organic ingredients – mostly produce).
regarding some of the other complaints: the egg salad sandwich being on toasted bread (which they finished) and, “the onion soup was all onions.” (it was french onion soup!) next time, please let us know so we can correct any problems. if you don’t like it, let us fix it.
thanks again to all who are supporting us.
sincerely,
tom peterson
co-owner, the green room
I should point out that our meal there on 8/17 was wonderful as ever.
Tom and the other staff were a delight, the prices are very reasonable, and the food was great.
We are coming on Saturday noon from 3 different directions to meet & hope to enjoy a great lunch. We have heard good things & decided it was a good spot to enjoy a meal and get together with long lost friends. thanks!
I had dinner with another couple at The Green Room. We all thought it was fantastic. We loved the fresh ingredients and the presentation. The staff was very professional and friendly. I love every kind of food from burgers to Filet Mignon and fine dining to Subway. I am very shocked & disappointed to read Thomas’s review of The Green Room. He obviously shouldn’t be reviewing food unless it’s a burger bar. I think it’s wonderful that another great chef has decided to give it a go in Waconia. (chef Paul at Nancy’s Landing is also wonderful) I am tired of the chain restaurants and bar food that is offered at most other places. If you are trying to get promo for Waconia a “burger Guy” is not the right person to have reviewed this. You are obviously not open to trying GOOD for you FOOD. SHAME ON YOU!!!!
The best food around Waconia, period.
The menu changes enough to make it interesting, the ingredients are amazing and the creativity makes for alot of discussion. We have been there at least a dozen times and not had a single bad meal or experience. Tom is a great host and he has a nice staff as well.
my wife and I have been on our way into Minneapolis with reservations somewhere and have stopped, turned around and come back to the Green Room! it’s that good.
Sadly, the Green Room is closing: http://heavytable.com/waconias-green-room-to-close/
I hope its’ replacement is just as good.