Sparks

Walked in on a whim in between hockey games and enjoyed a delicious buffet brunch! It had everything you needed and more, including a chocolate fountain for your fruit! The waffles were great, and I went back for seconds. The price was fair considering all they had to offer.($ 14.00 included coffee, full buffet, and fruits and desserts with the chocolate fountain) The service was good even though I think they were short staffed when I arrived. I did hear them mention someone was coming in to help the poor man who was running around doing everything. Despite being a bit overwhelmed, he was extremely friendly and the service was just fine! I think in the warmer months the restaurant opens up to the sidewalk, but today it was snowing, so a hot cup of coffee and a delicious brunch were all that I needed today! I would definitely come back if I’m in the neighborhood. Great little local place.

Despite being just down the hill from where I live, Bryn Mawr has always been a mystery to me, not knowing exactly how to get there and what I would find once there. But after a search of nearby restaurants and directions from Google Maps, we made the quick trip to Sparks.
Despite it being a little confusing when we walked in (didn’t see a hostess stand and no acknowledgment from the nearby staff), we were soon seated and greeted by a very nice and helpful server who walked us through the menu and explained a little bit about the place. We were pleased to see a number of vegetarian options. I was all about the macro plate, which had a slew of delicious flavors and didn’t bust my new year’s dieting resolution. My husband, having no such resolution, got the mac and cheese and brussel sprouts, which he really enjoyed. Those two small plates plus splitting the veggie tacos was plenty for him, which was refreshing. One of my pet peeves of small plate places is when you end up spending $ 25+ to get an entrée’s worth of food. No such problem here.
I can’t wait for warmer weather to take a nice walk with the dog down to what looks like it will be a nice patio. Judging by my scan of other people’s food, it looks like there are a lot of other good things to try, like the pizza.

Fantastic lunch today (hurry in as they stop opening for lunch after October). The Mango Shrimp Tacos were out of this world! Perfect portion for lunch and incredibly fresh and flavorful. I will definitely be back!

A neighborhood favorite! Down-​to-​earth and tasty. They always have delicious beer and cider options, their pizzas are the perfect combination of meat (or egg!), cheese and veggies. I love the outdoor seating. Bonus: It’s within walking distance of my house! Try the crisp — it will not disappoint!

New format of ordering at the counter helps for a quick workday lunch. Small portions keeps smart eating on track and tastebuds happy.

This place is cut. Mediocre food and ALWAYS service with an attitude. It has been that way since it opened. Don’t worry, we won’t be back. Just as easy to go downtown.

Awesome food awesome service. Always consistent .the lamb burger is one of the best thing ever eat. salad are good, baked ziti is awesome appetizer .it is super relaxing restaurant with awesome food .try it

A small hidden treasure just west of downtown. Good small plates, pleasant service and great looking pizzas (haven’t tried them yet). Will definitely be back!

Excellent brunch!
Delicious fritatas. Fresh biscuits. Assorted fresh fruits. Savory sausages. Pita, lentils and salivation is occurring as I remember the mushroom gravy and salmon. Great atmosphere! A gem in the Bryn Mawr neighborhood!

Food and staff make Sparks our go to restaurant. The meat lovers pizza a must. The hummus with pits a terrific starter. Ever changing entrees always exceptional. Nice wine selections. We just let our server Sam choose for us. Never been disappointed!

My bestfriends wanted brunch but Al Vento was looking a little bit crowded so somehow she found this cute little restaurant in Bryn Mwar that serves brunch. Turns out they just started the whole brunch thing for a few weeks, well they should certainly continue it because it was sooo goood! The selection though smaller than other restaurants was still veryy tasteful and fullfilling. The smoked salmon was delicious and the cheese selection was great too, they had hummus and pasta salads, eggs, waffles and gravy and sausages, I can go on! The bottomless mimosas was a plus! yummmm. I will be coming back for dinner and see what else this place has to offer.

Love this place. Ambiance, service, food. All of these make it worth the trip. Plus, it is a friendly neighborhood place.
I had the single serving pizza which was made to perfection on a thin crust. It was topped with two over easy eggs, truffle oil, some yummy cheesy goodness and spinach. Wow. Who ever thought of this combo, my hat is off to you.
My husband had the chicken which was okay, but in comparison to all the other creative inventions on the menu, not a home run.
My friend had the scallops which I thought were pretty pricey for $ 25 and only three to a plate. But still, very delicious, cooked and seasoned to perfection.
This is a place that you go to and stay and stay. And stay. Then have another drink and stay some more. Really. Do not go to dinner here to eat and run. It’s just too lovely to do that. Our service was really amazing. Waters were ALWAYS filled, drinks replenished periodically. I am so glad I discovered this place and look forward to trying out the patio this summer.

So much potential. Cauliflower appetizer was good, pizza was good, apple crisp was good. BUT — holy salt on the duck confit! Inedible. I should have sent it back instead of paying $ 18 for a dish I couldn’t eat. Service was also kind of awkward, like not bad, not good, just awkward.

Sparks is the perfect laid back, cozy, neighborhood restaurant. They have a wonderful happy hour with plenty of small plates to share and a great wine selection. The pizza is always good and what entrees I’ve had I haven’t been disappointed.

We went with reservations for brunch. They open on Sunday at 10; our reservations were at 11 and we got in early and were seated immediately. Point is, not a full house. They hand you a little sheet of paper noting the costs: no liquor for unlimited juice and coffee (emphasis on juice and coffee) or their boozy brunch. We each asked for coffee.
So before the first hour of service was up, they had empty warming trays. Food was old and cold. Frankly food was never warm although the plates were very nearly hot. There were biscuits and a mushroom gravy that was rather cool and therefore congealed and not very pretty but, oy vey, that was tasty! I can only guess that it would have been outstanding, warm! The smoked salmon plate was nearly empty so I took a bit and about fainted it was so gorgeous. We both went back several times but the platter was never refilled. Out, before the first hour of service. The sausage was over cooked, dry and cool. The flavor was there and to be honest I gave it to my friend as a little to spicy. She thought it was great.
We had to fight to get our coffee cups filled — over and over and over!!! It’s Sunday brunch… always think coffee! When we could get someone to freshen our cups (and that’s all they were, coffee cups) they only filled them ²⁄₃ of the way full! «unlimited coffee»! I can’t believe you are saving money by withholding coffee? We watched and people around us (not a full house by any means) were all in the same boat. Our neighbors to the left just started getting up and getting their own waters when necessary.
Which leads to the staff. Unfriendly, unavailable and all had this harried, crazed look about them when in fact, all you were doing is pouring water and coffee! You aren’t even taking orders, where’s the rush?
The brunch offerings were unique: I’d agree, the humus is out of this world and the flat bread, gorgeous… but the choices were few and not much available at any given time. I could understand if you were busy or it was the end of your service — not within the first hour!
Ironically we were there because we had a coupon we received from Al Vento after some poor service. We had the coupon on the table and spoke about it to the waiter. When the bill came they charged us for both meals. We just cut back what we were paying and inserted the coupon. So no, I would not go back unless I had another coupon… for poor… service??? No thanks.

We here for dinner last Saturday. We needed a last minute reservation for 4 and they had an opening. That’s really the main reason we picked it plus we needed something in approximately that part of Minneapolis.
It was okay — things tasted good but it wasn’t special or memorable. Some people had caesar salad and others beer cheese soup to start. Salad was fine but nothing special. The people that ordered soup thought it was a good version of beer cheese soup.
Everyone ordered a pizza since that seemed to be a specialty. I had the vegetarian one — I’m not a vegetarian but I liked all the toppings. Again, fine but not special. I did like the crispy crust from the wood-​fired oven, that was the best part.
One person had dessert — apple crisp — and she said it was good. I don’t care for apples so I didn’t try it so I can’t really comment on it. She just about licked the plate clean though so it must have been good.
Service was polite and prompt. The restaurant was packed so I’m glad they were able to get us in. I wouldn’t go out of my way to go to this place again but it isn’t a bad option if you need something in the neighborhood.

One of the best meals I’ve had in Minneapolis in a while last night. Had a ton of small plates and they were all really, really good. The ziti & cheese was fab, pork tacos were great with some kick, feta dish was delish and flatbread was terrific. Cool little neighborhood to boot. Check it out. I don’t think you’ll regret it!

Good neighborhood spot in Bryn Mawr. Modern American comfort food with wood fired pizzas. Excellent craft beer list and moderate priced wines. Nice place to gather with friends for a quiet, low key lunch or dinner with locally sourced food. I had the lamb merguez sausage pita, which was delicious. This is the kind of place I wish I had in my neighborhood.

I love neighborhood restaurants especially when they’re in my own neighborhood.
I’ve been here many many times and Sparks never disappoints. From good friendly servers to a decent local craft beer selection and a nice wins list as well.
Happy hour IMHO is the best time to come. $ 4 dollar taps cheap appetizers/​small plates and good deals on wine by the glass.
I have a few favorites… I’ll start with the pizzas Truffle with egg, kale, pecorino and fresh mozzarella. The «vedura“is my other favorite pizza. Roasted tomato, vsdalia onion, kalamata olives, arugula, parm and fresh mozzarella. Ask to have them baked an extra minute or so to crisp up the crust a bit more.
Pizzas are big enough to share but if you’re hungry don’t! At $ 12 a great deal.
The beet and feta salad is another fav of mine. If you love beets you’ll love this. orange quinoa vinaigrette, walnuts, aruguala and basil micro greens round out the plate. At $ 10 a bit over priced but its very tasty.
Sparks has expanded along with the 7bar seats they now have additional seating for 40.
I will have to come back with friends for dinner very soon

food was good. service was meh.