Coalition

I love the atmosphere at Coalition with the string lights above the bar, dim lighting, and comfortable tables and booths. Staff was very friendly and attentive, plus we got in around 4.30 and were told that they had already booked all reservations at 5.30 but were still able to seat us anyway. It was nice that they gave us that warning, instead of finding themselves having to kick us out at 5.30 (which they didn’t do of course, it was just nice to know ahead of time).
Their social hour is 2−5pm Monday-​Friday and has some great deals, but that time frame unfortunately isn’t ideal for many. Their «Minnetonka Mule», served in copper mugs (!) has great flavor, and is definitely a drink I’d get again. I love the water carafe that is served to every table too, so very classy.
For two of us, we split the pork sausage appetizer, which is served with two pieces of bread, salted lettuce, and mustard (loved this) and sweet bacon jam (so very tasty). It was a bit unfortunate that there was a lot more of the condiments and sauce than could fit on the bread (maybe a couple of other slices would have been nice). Also for a second appetizer, we tried the bao buns (2) which were light, fresh, and full of flavor! No disappointments here.
I will definitely be back to Coalition, this is a great addition to downtown Excelsior!

Great option in suburbia. Locally sourced food with fresh, amazing flavors. Had cauliflower over Asian chili spice, walleye which was delicious, and the special was rack of lamb. All very well and cooked perfectly. The mussels were starters and they were absolutely delicious.
Only complaint is wait staff were less enthused to be serving you! They also were enthused to get you moving so they could clear the table!

We sat for 15 minutes and no one came to the table so we left. Fail on service 101 when you don’t get a water or «I’ll be there in a minute» in that timeframe

Our usual breakfast stop closed so we had heard to try this place and glad we did. They hook up some free home made donuts while you wait which you were delicious. We had the French toast and the enchiladas with eggs. Both were fantastic. Glad we got there early because they filled up quick. Will for sure be back.

Went for brunch on a rainy day with my family. Cozy upscale diner type setting. The restaurant apparently sources its food from a «coalition» of local providers. The menu is creative! We had the baked apple pancake, cheddar biscuit sandwich, and enchilada. (Note– the baked pancake is not a «true» German apple pancake that needs to be cooked in the oven for a long time and rises like a soufflé, it is basically a thick pancake embedded with apples, but still very good!). Everything was tasty. Portions were generous. We got a complementary serving of homemade sugar donuts (I think because it was brunch time) and they were delicious. Service was very friendly and the price was right. I would definitely go again. During peak hours or if in a group, recommend reservations.

The food is average and uninspired. The servers were friendly, motivated and attentive. The noise level is too high to carry on a normal conversation with your dining guests. To summarize, I went there so you don’t have to. Been there… done that. Don’t waste your time. There are better places for food and conversation in the West Metro.

If I could give this place 0 stars I would. That said, the food and service are fantastic, the problem lies in the management, to be specific — Sally.
I have never felt so demeaned, insulted and condescendingly spoken to in my life by a manager of a restaurant. She consistently spoke to me like I was a child, interrupted me, and railroaded me. I feel bad for her staff if this is how she treats guests. The servers here are so sweet and the food is delicious, Sally just ruined the experience to its core. I will not go back until she is no longer managing.
So disappointing. I am a server at a nearby restaurant in the same town and have heard horror stories of how she has treated staff in our restaurant. She name drops our owner, is insulting and curt with our servers and is so demanding. It is her way or the highway and I would steer clear from her if I were you. That is no way to treat your guest OR other service staff in the area.

We went here for dinner on a random Wednesday evening before an appointment and were very pleasantly surprised by the trendy ambiance, upscale bistro cuisine and service.
I went with my gut feeling and made the starter Korean tacos dish my main entrée, as I wasn’t overly hungry. They came highly recommended by our server. Whoooooa they danced around in my mouth. Korean beef layered with kimchi, sour cream, cilantro and lime. The three tacos were the perfect amount of food and soooo yummy!
My fiancé ordered the steak sandwich — it’s one of his favorite items to order. He inhaled it before I could get a taste, so trust his judgment that it was very good. I snuck away a few fries before those disappeared and they were lightly fried and crispy.
When we were finished, one of the managers, Ellen I believe, came by to ask how our meals were and chatted a bit and we learned a little more about owner/​executive chef Eli Wollenzien. It was a really nice perk to get to chat with her! The staff graciously thanked us for coming and we were on our merry ways, bellies full with delicious food.

My wife and I have been to Coalition twice and had great experiences both times. The vibe of the place is great and the location in downtown Excelsior gives it a nice setting.
For food I had steaks both times, ribeye one time and a filet the other. Both were cooked to a perfect medium rare and came with tasty sides. Had the charred corn salad to start which the kitchen gladly split since it it large enough to share with another diner.
Haven’t had a a cocktail there yet, but the cocktail menu looks great.

Food was good but the service was absolutely horrible. When we sat down there were only 3 or 4 tables with people in them and we were ignored and it continued that way throughout the meal. Even though the food was good I probably will never go back.

Coalition uses locally sourced ingredients and it is the true definition of farm to table. For appetizer we had the sweet pea bruschetta, it was light and very flavorful. I had the local beef burger, and it was the best burger I’ve ever eaten. This place is absolutely incredible!

Food: 3.5 stars. Service: 2 stars. Location and Atmosphere: 4.5 stars. Drinks: 3 stars.
Coalition is a trendy upscale restaurant located in downtown Excelsior. Unlike a lot of the Excelsior mainstays, Coalition exhibits a truly modern and classy look one would see in Chicago or NYC. In fact, the layout and atmosphere remind me a lot of Farmhouse in Chicago, and in fact the menu does too (with an emphasis on sourcing ingredients from local farms).
Things got off to a promising start when they not only had our table ready at the time of our reservation, but it was in a prime location at the front of the restaurant between the front window (looking out onto Water St.) and the bar. Unfortunately, our server was overworked, focusing on a large party on the other side of the restaurant, and a bit apathetic. Towards the end of dinner when we were waiting for water refills and for me to order another beer, I saw our server standing behind a pillar in the bar area on his phone, texting. If you’re a server at Applebee’s, maybe, but at a spot like this? Highly unprofessional. C’mon, man.
A test of a server’s skill and menu knowledge is to quiz him/​her on what items are gluten free or how things can be prepared gluten free. Our server passed this test, but barely, and struggled through it. I’d be worried if I were a true celicac because he didn’t have a great grasp on the menu ingredients.
We started with an order of brussel sprouts. The sauce and seasoning was tasty, but they were definitely undercooked. I could see people having a preference for firmer brussel sprouts, but these were not within the realm of what would be considered «done.» The same happened with the green beans the gf had as a side to her salmon: they were far too firm, also undercooked.
Each of us did truly enjoy our entrees. The burger is top notch — unique but with classic elements, cooked to a perfect medium. The salmon was a generous portion and also cooked just right. I’m not a salmon guy at all but found myself really liking it.
As far as drinks go, I found the Coalition Manhattan pretty disappointing, i.e., watered down. It was good, but I’m not sure why restaurants go light on the bourbon when that’s the signature ingredient in the drink. I want to taste the intended flavors of your Manhattan, not hints of your intended flavors.
In short, Coalition is worthwhile, but they could improve on service, drinks, and some aspects of food execution.

Delicious! We actually set out to go to a pub down the street, but looked at the menu on our way down the street and diverted to this delicious eatery.
First of all, it was a bit early, so the place was empty, but this changed over the next hour. It did give us a chance to check out the décor, which was very nicely done, a combination of modern and French chic.
We ordered off the happy hour menu, got the bao buns were PERFECT! The taco of the day was filet mignon with kimchi, also great. The cheese curds were terrific, but I would have loved to have a bit more of the rhubarb sauce.
I had a minnetonka mule, it was so good, that it was dangerous…
Our waiter was funny and attentive, we will definitely be back!

Was travelling and a colleague of mine invited us to dinner and mentioned about this place. I tried the pork bun and the walleye with a side of potatoes. It was cooked perfectly and the taste was good. Portion was big enough to fill me up. Service was fast, our waiter was very attentive and the ambiance was nice.

Amazing service and food here. Went here with group of 5 business workers and was immediately seated. Had the mussels, brutata, ribeye and finished with carrot cake. Everything was presented well, smelled well and tasted well. My ribeye was perfectly seasoned and cooked MR. Hands down would recommend this place. Hidden gem with nice décor, charming seating, exposed brick and old ceiling tile

The boyfriend lives in Excelsior and within walking distance of Coalition, so I’ve frequented it a few times now.
Overall it is a great addition to the area and serves awesome food. Their chicken wings are seriously great, sticky and flavorful. Their brunch hash is also lovely with the perfect Hollandaise. The price isn’t too bad either for being in Excelsior.
The interior is cute and welcoming and our servers have always been great. Very accommodating even on busy weekend nights! My only issue is how small the bar is. It maybe has 8 – 10 seats which means you will never get a spot on a weekend. Plus drinks are a bit overpriced and they don’t have a merlot on the menu… No good.

Cool interior. Historic building that stayed fairly true to its roots. Solid cocktails you cant get everywhere. Try the Minnetonka Mule, pretty darn tasty. Menu is simple with great quality ingredients.
Had the mussels to start. Some where slightly under-​cooked. I would have paid the same price for a bowl full of the broth and more bread. OMG
The highlight was the steak sandwich. I know, really… a steak sandwich. It was honestly one of the better pieces of beef I have had in a long time. No knife needed on this one. Fairly mild horseradish sauce was the only accentuating flavor on a nice piece of warm focaccia.
A little spendy, but definitely worth it. Get a reservation, you will need it on the weekends.

Alright folks, I have given this place 3 chances! In my book this place is OUT!
No presence of management, under trained/​experienced front of house staff, and the high school aged kids seating tables need to be schooled on how to talk to guests…
The ONLY saving grace is the Minnetonka Mule, great drink! The WORST thing about this place is their Ribeye… No joke, I have had better at Denny’s!
Go for a drink then gtfo, I’m over this joint.

I took the family last Friday (first Friday they opened). We had reservations, the restaurant was pretty full and had a steady stream of patrons coming in. Our server was impeccable, checked in with us often but not annoyingly.
I got the blood red margarita to start and a Minnetonka mule, both reasonably priced cocktails for the western burbs (less than $ 10 each).
We went with the servers recommendations for food: mussels, burrata, brussel sprouts, and ribeye. Everything was solid, just not outstanding. Nothing was wrong. Nothing really stood out either. I won’t be rushing back.

The food here is gorgeous and it tastes as good as it looks! The food is simple yet elegant. They don’t overthink their recipes, it’s just solid upscale food. My husband tried the mussels to start and the dish looked amazing! It was such a shame I don’t like seafood because it looked beautiful and he said they were excellent. I did try some of the garlic baguette that came with and it was very good. The baguette was fresh and very garlicy (which I loved). For an entrée, I ordered the rib eye. The flavor was absolute perfection. I couldn’t pick up the taste of any one spice, it just tasted like glorious, savory meat. It came with a twice baked potato. The potato was pretty good but a bit on the small side but the bacon sprinkles were crunchy and abundant. The portions here are meal sized and you likely will not have leftovers. If you have a large appetite, you will probably want to order an appetizer.
I ordered a glass of wine and it was a really large pour– YES!
As a disclaimer, I know the chef.