We didn’t have much time to get to the Edina Lagoon to catch Tell No One (which by the way, was fantastic), eat and actually travel to the theater. But we found time, and had a great dinner at Broders’, where I had never been. It is a tight space where 80% of the place is dedicated to showing, serving, sitting and eating the food that is prepared daily, and 20% to a small Italian food goods store. We got in line and examined the chalk board menu.
David opted for a large slice of sausage pizza with a side salad. The sausage did not overwhelm, and added a nice spicy kick to the otherwise standard fare. It was not at all greasy, but perfectly prepared.
I was hankering for a New Jersey hoagie, but instead opted for a cup of minestrone (soups change regularly) and the Emilia salad. The minestrone had no noodles, but large pieces of carrot, zucchini, and tomato. The stock was not thick, but light as a summer soup ought to be. It also came with two pieces of foccacia (but it was not as good as my homemade focaccia).
However I did not eat much of the bread because I also had the prosciutto-laden Emilia salad to accompany my soup (which too, came with bread). I have had a mad craving for prosciutto lately, and it was mostly this salad that steered me away from the NJ Hoagie.
Greens topped with Parmesan, pine nuts, my lovely prosciutto and a balsamic vinegar – I was in heaven. All of the flavors played nicely together, and my entire meal felt light and healthy, much unlike I may have felt after a monster sammich.
Despite that, there is always room for dessert. With plum season nearly coming to an end, David and I split a piece of the glistening plum tart. The natural sugars glazed over the fruit, yet kept the tart crispy and crunchy with every bite. It was beautiful to look at as well.
Broders’ is good food, great ingredients, and a sweet atmosphere, but be prepared for the possibility of eating outside on a bench. But hey! We are Minnesotans – we like eating outside when we can, right?
Broders’ Cucina Italiana
2308 West 50th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55410-2202
612.925.3113
I think this is a great place– reminds me of places in NY state or PA where I have previously lived. And what’s very funny is they actually get some of their cookies from an Italian bakery in Troy NY, right near where my mom lives. The pizza slices are great I think, and many of the deli concoctions. Once I got a whole pizza that was great- more like a deep dish if I recall. Only flaw here is that sometimes the cold pasta salad items in the deli case have really undercooked tough pasta. Al dente is one thing, broken dente is another……..