Martina Unleashes Argentinian/Italian Cuisine Next Week

Daniel del Prado’s new Linden Hills restaurant Martina is now taking reservations for its first night of dinner, Thursday November 9. The restaurant will be a mix of Argentinian and Italian food with an emphasis on fresh seafood. Del Prado was the long time chef at Isaac Becker’s Burch Steak.

The menu is built upon the shared heritages of his father who is Argentinian and del Prado’s Southern Italian mother. The restaurant is in the former home of Upton 43 at 4312 Upton Avenue South in Minneapolis and will take advantage of the wood-burning grill in that kitchen. Dishes include plenty of fresh fish, steamed mussels with sea urchin butter and basil, charred steaks, empanadas, fresh pastas available as small or large plates and more.

Prices are affordable, almost entirely under $20.

Martina / Instagram

The 100 seat room has been remade with dark greens and leather, leaving the exposed wood beams for a rustic, warm ambiance meant to be reminiscent of Argentinian ranches.

Eater file photo

The bar will be overseen by Marco Zappia, who has been a long-time cocktail leader in Minneapolis’ bar scene and helped open bars all over the world. Most recently he had been creating intriguing vermouths for Grand Cafe. The restaurant is the only one in the area that will have a full bar.

Martina / Instagram

Desserts will include sweets like Argentinian crepes with dulce de leche, Greek yogurt with honey and charred figs, flourless chocolate cake and a boozy float: ice cream made with sarsaparilla, rum and charred pineapple.

Martina will be open for dinner daily and brunch on the weekend.