Cafe Lou Lou: What makes it so LOVABLE!?

They've got the best caesar salad that I've ever had, and I inevitably compare it to a caesar I get at any other restaurant. It's a simple answer, but that's what I love about Lou Lou.

Aside from Marsha's fabulous desserts, I think the best thing I've had thus far (and everything has been A-mazing!) is the brie appetizer. I could easily have made a light lunch out of it. Mouthwateringly delicious, and the flavors complimented each other perfectly.

Two things that I haven't seen mentioned yet:
1) Portion sizes. Their "small" portions of pasta are more than enough to make a filling meal out of. I can't even imagine what the large looks like!
2) They strike me as incredibly kid friendly. Our two year old always receive special attention which makes her smile, and the servers are always quick to offer a dish for her that is not on the menu, specifically one of her favorites, cheesy noodles. It is a fun place for us to go and that works well for our little one as well

Add those things to the service which is very good, and the price which I believe is very affordable, and you have a great place to go and eat.

Not only they have great food at a great price and some of the best desserts, but clay and his family are some of the nicest people around. I wish them all the success. Fernando.

It's fun, funky, the food is fantastic and Clay, Helen and Jim along with all the staff are about the nicest people you could find under one roof. The pastas (especially the one Robin referred to) and the pizzas (my husband loves the smoked salmon) are outstanding ! Can't wait to go back even though we were just there a week ago.

The blue cheese polenta and shrimp and grits are to die for! So are the cafe lou lou pizza and gyro w/pasta salad. I guess I really enjoy the entire menu I will say- the cajun fries/chips are so spicy you can't eat them. But who needs those when you have all the other stuff!

I didn't want to start a new thread but had to post about my lunch there yesterday. Did the farmers market stroll, bought peaches, tomatoes (to make the guspacho that was noted here on the boards last week), picked up a vegetarian friend (at his home, not at the farmers market. They have much in the way of vegetables and yet....) and headed over to Cafe Loulou's for lunch. Oh my what a great lunch! Ravioli with asparagus and smoked salmon in a cream sauce that was just awesome. Awesome I say! Had the obligatory bloody mary (cause they make the best in town) and noticed however that they had changed the recipe. It was still very good but different from before. Couldn't taste any clove. And yet, still very good, and still better than all others.

Went to Cafe Lou Lou for dinner the other night to see what all the hype was about. The food was far from average, it was fantastic and reasonably priced to boot. I had the four cheese ravioli with shrimp and mushrooms and it was just as good as it sounds. The wife had a ravioli in vodka sauce which she absolutely loved. And a salad that was scrumptious. Much to her dismay, I could not stop picking at it when no one was looking. The atmosphere was laid back and perfect for a casual dinner. We will most certainly go back to Cafe Lou Lou soon.

Has anyone heard any word on when the new one in the loop opens?

Has anyone heard any word on when the new one in the loop opens?

Beth and everyone - I'll keep you posted as soon as we've got a solid date. I'm sure by now all the forum regulars are used to how opening dates get pushed back repeatedly, and I'd rather not do that to you. Let it suffice to say, we hope to open in September...we might have to squeak into early October due to some construction issues, but a lot of the staff is already hired and most of the equipment is in. And I heard that painters were coming today!

John and I peeked in the windows the other night and saw that the new copper bar had been installed, and the same copper had been applied as trim to the few steps that lead from the lower to the upper dining room (it's kind of a split-level).

If Clay's reading (I don't know when he'd have the time, but maybe he'll pop through), maybe he can be more specific. I doubt it, though. The delays definitely aren't anything under our control, just a lot of scheduling and inspections.

I noticed the Lou Lou e-mail newsletter this month said "opening soon...but not soon enough for us!" By the way, if anyone would like to be put on the Lou Lou e-mail bulletin list (this is how we disseminate information about special events and menu changes and parties and whatnot to our regulars), post in this thread or pm me your email address, and I'll make sure you get on the list. That will likely be one of the most reliable sources for a correct opening date!

Thanks Marsha!

Me, too - I want to get the email when the Lou Lou Loop/Lou Lou Deux opens.

As I told Marsha in a PM (to get on the email list), I decided to post my kudos here. I probably should since I'm mostly a lurker, and people are starting to point that out to me .

Just as Robin did, my wonderful family decided to take my lovely wife to dinner at Cafe Lou Lou for her birthday one Monday night in late July (I'm a slacker when it comes to posting, sorry). This was our first actual dinner there after trying to go a few weeks previous a chickening out after being told we would have an hour wait -- wish we would have stuck around. Our server (very tall guy, name escapes me being almost a month later) was very entertaining and attentive, and our dinners were more than filling. I ordered the large portion of Pasta Jambalaya, which I tore through, stuffed myself, and considered ordering one to go (the server offered seconds, I'm almost wondering if he was listening in). I was also happy to note that they served an excellent selection of local and craft beers (I had the Ommegang Hennepin). We also had a couple of friends in from out-of-town for the occasion, and they've told us that we're coming back the next time they're in town. The entire party also decided to have a selection of Marsha's desserts in lieu of a birthday cake -- best.decision.ever. She and I had a chocolate souffle (one a piece). The table also ordered the creme brulee, tiramisu, and something with bananas in it that my dad wouldn't share. Everyone absolutely raved about the desserts. I took the "opportunity" to finish my wife's souffle when she decided she was too full to finish it. Have I mentioned how wonderful she is?

All in all, between the eclectic, yet clean decor, the great staff, and the amazing food, it's not hard to see why it's so "lovable." In fact, my parents (who are hard to get out of the "same places" rut), have gone back since and introduced some of their other friends to Cafe Lou Lou, too.

Edit: Oops, hit the "Submit" button instead of the "Save" button. Edited above.

Sean and Nyki, you guys are so sweet! Please let me know next time you're in. We are putting you on the mailing list as of this weekend!

I went there a couple of weeks ago, and wasn't impressed. Of course, I just had their caesar salad, so I will definitely give the place another try. The service was fanatastic though -- my server (Sarah) knew the menu inside and out, was prompt, and very kind...