Woolley's & the Charlie Awards

For the third year running, Woolley's is participating in the Charlie Awards, "an annual event that celebrates the exceptional contributions of the Twin Cities area restaurant, food and beverage industry." The way it works is that the Charlie Awards set categories and allow individual food service businesses to nominate themselves for award(s) in the categories for which they fit.

Then, once the voting period ends and the winners are announced, the Charlie Awards culminate in an annual award show. "The centerpiece for the third annual Charlie Awards will be on Sunday, November 17th at the Pantages Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. After the entertainment-packed show, we will continue the celebration at the IDS Center Crystal Court. Immediately following the after-party, a four-course VIP dinner hosted by last year’s honorees will be held at the Walker Art Center." More information and tickets for the event are available on their website.

For Woolley's, we were in the Twin Cities South Metro category with some other great local competition. Our famous Short Rib Ravioli was up for voting this year -- Woolley's Housemade Ravioli stuffed with Braised Short Rib, Goat Cheese, and Sage finished with a Brown Butter Sauce and topped with our Petite Mirepoix.

Short Rib Ravioli

So keep your fingers crossed as we wait for all of the votes to be tabulated, and stop in to try the Short Rib Ravioli when you join us for Dinner. It's one of the new pasta features on our Fall Dinner Menu.

No matter the outcome, we're just happy to participate in a event that celebrates all of the great contributions to the independent Twin Cities' dining scene, and we'll raise our forks to that!

17th Annual Bloomington Diamond Service Awards

It's that time again. Time for the annual Diamond Service Awards! On Sunday, April 14, hospitality, retail, and food service professionals from local Bloomington businesses will flock to the brand new Radisson Blu Mall of America for a night of celebrating the best in the biz.

"Providing outstanding customer service is key to ensuring repeat business and growth for the Bloomington Hospitality Industry. The Bloomington Diamond Service Awards are produced by the Bloomington Convention & Visitors Bureau, in partnership with industry representatives. We salute outstanding customer service employees in tourism, hospitality and retail industries who celebrate those who enhance Bloomington's reputation as a world-class visitor destination."

As such, we are happy to salute our own outstanding finalists as well! We could not be prouder of the six Woolley's team members that were nominated to win a prestigious Diamond Service award in their respective categories.

Best Food Production Personnel

Mauricio Condo & Casey Winsell

Best Bartender

Kim Frost &  Kelly Mayor

Best Server

Jaime Mejia & ‘Grandma’ Sue Miller

Please join us in congratulating the above individuals on your next visit, and stay tuned for the results. We'll announce the winners after the ceremony takes place!

Woolley's in the Top Ten for Most Romantic Restaurant in the Twin Cities

We're just tickled pink!

Twin Cities Diners voted Woolley's into the Top Ten Romantic Restaurants in the Twin Cities. In an OpenTable Diners' Choice Poll, we were honored to be included with some pretty heavy hitters.

As voted on by more than 468,500 diners, we're just thrilled to make it into the Top Ten, so thank you.

Thank you for not buying into the stereotypes about hotel restaurants and giving Woolley's a chance, and then thank you for taking the time to give us a vote and a review too!

If you'd like to spend your Valentine's Day meal at one of the Top Ten Romantic Restaurants in the Twin Cities, we'd love to have you. We've got our famous Steak & Lobster Special running from Valentine's Day (Thursday, February 14) through Saturday, February 16.

To make your reservation, call Woolley's at 952-854-1010 or book online at OpenTable.

Happy Valentine's Day, friends!

Woolley's Wins Best Dinner, Romantic and Wine Bar Restaurant in Bloomington

As you may know, we along with our sister restaurant, Chez Daniel, were both voted "BEST" in Bloomington for the Sun Current Newspaper's third annual Reader's Choice Awards. For two months, Sun Current Newspapers asked readers to nominate and vote for "the BEST of" in certain categories.

While Chez Daniel won "BEST" Brunch and Romantic Restaurant in Bloomington, Woolley's is thrilled to have been chosen as the "BEST" Dinner, Romantic and Wine Bar Restaurant. To have both restaurants win and against such tough competition is such an honor.

Thank you, readers, for choosing Woolley's, as we look forward to remaining your favorite dinner, romantic and wine bar restaurant in Bloomington for years to come. This week, be sure to look for our ad (above) in the Sun Current's January 24th Special Reader's Choice Awards Section. 

Additionally, Secure your Valentine's Day reservation at such a romantic restaurant, by calling Woolley's at 952-854-1010 or book online at OpenTable.

We'll see you soon!

Chef Peter Named Top Chef

With the December issue of Food Service News fresh of the press, we were so excited to see our very own Chef Peter Christenson included in their annual Top Chefs book. Included with the December issue each year, the Top Chef selections are awarded to chefs in the Twin Cities, not just at the hottest restaurants, but those that live out the embodiment of chef as their daily mission.

In the accompanying article, they define chef as, "A team leader, organizer, manager, inventory hard-liner and, sometimes, a business owner. All that on top of being a menu developer and the overall creative force in the kitchen."

Sounds like a pretty tough act in contrast with the glamorized world of a chef's life on popular television shows. Food Service News continues, "It’s not about the loudest voices or the most personable. It’s about who is doing their job—with all its pieces—at the highest level."

With that being said, we're just so proud of Chef Peter and this award. Along with our devoted guests, we knew that Chef Peter was a heavy hitter in the kitchen and a great member of the team, but now, thanks to Food Service News  we can let the world in on it! This was precisely Food Service News' intention with the awards this year. They specifically sought out chefs who, "Have simply kept their heads down and enjoyed the toil, their kitchens pumping out great food with few—or no—accolades. Yet they endure, and their business and reputation among “those in the know” has grown."

To read the Top Chef's article and see the full list of Chef Peter's distinguished comrades, CLICK HERE.

To see a Top Chef in action and congratulate Chef Peter in person, join us this Saturday, December 15, for a FREE Cooking Class. The man himself will be demonstrating preparation techniques for several go-to holiday appetizer and entree options. He's even thinking about demonstrating some seafood preparation techniques as well!

Reservations recommended but not required by calling Woolley's at 952.854.1010.


Congratulations to Chef Peter, our very own Top Chef! We can't think of a more deserving recipient. 

Woolley's Receives Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence (Again!)

We are pleased to report that once again, Woolley's has received Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence! 

 

Wine Spectator issues the Award of Excellence to restaurants, "for [wine] lists that offer a well-chosen selection of quality producers, along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style. Typically, these lists offer at least 100 selections."

The 2012 Award of Excellence was only awarded to 2,842 restaurants nationwide. Given the total number of restaurants in this country, this means that less than 1% of all restaurants in the U.S. receive this award.

We're pretty proud of our wine list. Hand-selected by our own director of restaurants and sommelier, Ben Berry, our list offers the perfect varietals to complement our menu and our guests' unique preferences and palettes.

Stop in on Wine Lovers Night, which occurs every Sunday and Wednesday from 5:30 to 10pm, and take half off any bottle in our entire collection with your dinner. A great way to sample a bottle you might not necessarily try otherwise.

Cheers!

Best Brunch in Bloomington

Not only were we just voted the Best Beer Bar in Bloomington by local SunCurrent readers, but we also got voted Best Brunch! We're so grateful for the outpouring of support from all of our friends and guests. Admittedly, our brunch is pretty delicious, but now you don't have to take just our word for it!


We brought brunch back by popular demand last June, and it's been a smash hit. (No wonder, based on the menu below).

 BREAKFAST ENTREES

The Continental

 Homemade organic granola (MN maple syrup, oats & honey roasted almonds, dried fruit) yogurt, strawberries. 

Three eggs Omelet 

Choose 3: bacon, ham, sausage, onion, green bell pepper, tomato, spinach, cheddar. With hash browns & toast. 

The Spa Omelet 

Egg white omelet, sautéed spinach, roasted red bell pepper, Feta. With grilled tomato slices & rye toast.

Quiche of the Day 

Prepared with seasonal ingredients. With fresh fruit. 

Woolley’s Prime Rib Hash 

Prime rib, potato, onion, bell pepper, eggs sunny side up, toast. 

Eggs Benedict 

Canadian bacon, hollandaise sauce. With hash browns. 

Woolley’s Eggs Benedict 

Tenderloin medallions, hollandaise. With hash browns.

Crabby Benedict 

Crab cakes, sautéed spinach, chipotle hollandaise. With hash browns. 

Stuffed French toast 

Raspberry cream cheese, vanilla batter, warm maple syrup, fresh fruit.

Texas Skillet 

Scrambled eggs, potatoes, chorizo sausage, Pico de Gallo, green onion, Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese, corn tortillas. 

Hueveros Rancheros 

Black bean w/ lime, garlic, shredded pork, cheese, tomatillo sauce, sunny side up egg. 

All American Breakfast 

Choice of two eggs with hash browns, bacon or sausage and toast. 

BREAKFAST SIDES 

Applewood-smoked bacon, Applewood-smoked Sausage, Hashbrowns, Two eggs prepared to order, Warm Cinnamon Roll, Side of fresh fruit 

LUNCH ENTREES

Grilled Salmon 

Spinach, bacon, orange segments, hard boiled egg, red onions, balsamic. 

Fettuccine Alfredo 

Garlic Alfredo, parmesan. Add Grilled Chicken or Add Shrimp

Black and Bleu Pasta 

Spicy beef tips, red onion, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, bacon, linguini, Southwest sauce, bleu cheese. 

Baked Mac and Cheese 

Cheddar cheese, fried tomatoes, crispy pancetta. 

Martini Steak 

5oz Grilled flat iron, martini seasoning, bleu cheese, green olives. 

Filet Mignon 

6oz Filet Mignon, roasted shallot demi-glace. 

Woolley’s Burger 

Smoked aged cheddar. 

Tuna Salad 

Red onion marmalade, havarti dill, seven grain bread. 

Crab Cake Sliders 

Lemon aoli, arugula. 

Fish Tacos 

Blackened Tilapia, tomatilla, corn, black bean salsa, flour tortilla. 

Bruschetta Chicken Sandwich 

Marinated tomato, mozzarella, basil aioli.

Chicken Salad Sandwich 

Red grape, pepper bacon, smoked cheddar. 

Grilled Chicken Sandwich 

Choose from: Cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, bleu cheeses, mushrooms, onions, green and red pepper, bacon. 

TO SHARE 

Shrimp Cocktail 

Chilled Shrimp, cocktail sauce. 

Crab Cakes

Spicy lemon aioli. 

Calamari 

Buttermilk marinated, breaded, lemon aioli, spicy marinara 

Beef Skewers 

Grilled, bleu cheese fondue

BEVERAGES 

Caribou Coffee, Café Mocha, Café Latte, Cappuccino, Espresso, Chai Tea, Hot Chocolate, Milk, Fresh Juice, Tea,  Pepsi, Iced Tea, Strawberry Lemonade, Arnold Palmer, Aqua Panna, San Pellegrino, Bloody Mary, Martini & Rossi Asti, Mumm Napa Brut, Cordoniu Cava, Tap Beer (Domestic), Tap Beer (Imported)

Join us every Sunday from 10am to 2pm for our famous brunch service, and you too can enjoy the Best Brunch in Bloomington! 

Reservations online at Open Table or by calling 952.854.1010. 

Diamond Award Finalists!

(Cross your fingers)...

We're so excited to have been selected as finalists in Mpls. St. Paul Magazine's first ever People's Choice Diamond Awards for wedding vendors. Put on by the fabulous folks that run the Weddings edition, Woolley's was lucky enough to be selected from all entries in the Outstanding Caterer category as one of the top three finalists, and we only have YOU to thank! 

Since it was their inaugural People's Choice segment, all vendors were nominated and voted for by the great folks in the Twin Cities.

We just want to express our heartfelt thanks for all of the votes and share the sincere honor we feel at being chosen. At this point, we simply have to cross our fingers (and maybe our toes) and hope for top spot. The winner will be announced in the Spring/Summer issue of Mpls. St. Paul Weddings.

Even though voting is closed, we sincerely hope that you'll continue to show us the love by telling any recently engaged friends about our local catering celebrity status!

Evenings for Wine Lovers

Woolley’s Steakhouse, an independent restaurant located inside Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport, is offering half-price bottles of wine to guests every Sunday and Wednesday night through the end of the summer.
Long been considered a hidden gem in the dining world, Woolley’s Steakhouse is known for pairing the best of American cuisine with some of the world’s finest wines. “Since 2004 we have built our wine program up to over 200 selections,” says Ben Berry, Restaurant Manager at Woolley’s. “By introducing half price bottle night, I believe we are giving discerning guests the opportunity to enjoy some of the most celebrated wines in the world without compromising their budgets.”
Woolley’s wine program has been honored by the Wine Enthusiast with the Award of Distinction and by the Wine Spectator with the Award of Excellence. Patrons are invited to visit Woolley’s Steakhouse every Wednesday and Sunday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm for the opportunity to purchase any bottle of wine at half price with the purchase of any entrée.