Step Inside This New Restaurant Inspired by a Southeast Asian Bike Trip

Chef John Krattenmaker might be best known for his Minnesota-Nordic food at the American Swedish Institute’s Fika or more recently as part of the Cafe Alma team, but his newest restaurant has a menu stacked with dishes from an entirely different part of the globe. Sweet Chow, just opened as of yesterday at 116 North 1st Avenue in Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood is serving Thai-style lemongrass sausage with crispy sticky rice balls, a take on green papaya salad and a dessert pot de creme made to mimic the flavors of Vietnamese coffee.

The long and lean restaurant was inspired by a bike trip that owners Julie Hartley, Greg Cummings and Ami Francis took through Southeast Asia, particularly in the city of Hanoi, Vietnam. The people behind the eatery proclaim themselves avid global travelers although new to the hospitality industry. Most of their background includes working the film industry.

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

The restaurant has several seats, but is also built for easy take-out and will eventually add bike delivery to the area.

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

The opening for lunch and dinner, with wine, beer and a full bar, is just phase one in the plans. A small next door space will eventually house the “sweet” part of the business, a small bakery to complement Chow.

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Chow is open Sunday through Thursday 11am to 10pm weekdays, with a week day happy hour from 4pm to 6pm. It’s open until midnight Friday and Saturday.

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

Katie Cannon/Eater Twin Cities

• Quick Service Southeast Asian Eatery Almost Open in the North Loop [ETC]
• Sweet Chow [WEB]