Mac Groveland’s New Southern European Restaurant Is Now Open

Estelle, the new restaurant inspired by backpacking through Southern Europe has opened inside the former Bottle Rocket space in St. Paul’s Mac/Groveland neighborhood. The restaurant is helmed by chef Jason Hanson and Peter Sebastian.

The duo are old friends, combining considerable hospitality experience at restaurants like St. Genevieve, Tilia, Gray Duck, 112 Eatery, and more into this, their first solo venture.

The restaurant maintains its dual space layout, one side holding the bar, a walled in kitchen in the middle, and the other side that’s the dining room. A bar side hang begs for Spanish drinks, and a parade of pintxos, or enticing sandwiches. Tim Schaaf has built a cocktail list including two sangrias alongside bold Spanish flavors and familiar drinks like an Old Fashioned.

The dining room is a bit more date night friendly, but still family-neighborhood approachable. The dinner menu includes fresh pastas, piri piri chicken, short rib panino, and a stacked cheeseburger topped with American cheese, peppers, and a little Duke’s Mayo. Prices are entire under $20.

Reservations are wide open for now. Estelle is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner.

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