The North Loop classic old-school restaurant Monte Carlo, a Minneapolis establishment since 1906, closed mid-March for the first time in its more than 100-year history. It will reopen on Tuesday for limited inside and patio dining daily from 2-11 p.m.
"We didn't close during either of the wars," said Twin Cities restaurateur and owner John Rimarcik, who bought the place in 1982. "We are open 365 days a year. People need a place to go during the holidays."
The classic North Loop spot, a bar before Rimarcik transformed it, is known for its meatloaf, crab salad on toasted pumpernickel and hearty Reuben, as well as grill classics, steaks and shrimp cocktail.
Most of those items won't be on the limited reopening menu, which features simple salads, hamburgers, chicken wings, and an egg salad sandwich. Don't expect any fresh fish or pasta dishes.
Monte Carlo will be serving martinis, mixed drinks and many other alcoholic concoctions made from the 1,000 bottles of booze at its bar.
Rimarcik said the restaurant will start accepting reservations on opening day, but not before then. There's ample patio seating but, if it rains, he said that people will be able to go inside and stay in a socially distanced way.
"We were never worried about reopening," said Rimarcik. "I knew we'd reopen. I'm 81 years old, I've been doing this all my life."
Back when Rimarcik bought Monte Carlo, he said it was simply a bar frequented mostly by men.
