Macy's Ridgedale re-opens restaurant with nod to St. Paul River Room

Cross off another item on the punch list for Macy's Ridgedale consolidation. The popular Lakeshore Grill has been moved and is now open after being closed for several months. The new space includes an outdoor patio for nearly 50 diners, an updated menu that doesn't leave out fan favorites, and a horseshoe-shaped bar accented by the Waterford chandelier from St. Paul's River Room restaurant (the store closed in March 2013).

"We brought back the chandelier as an homage to our history," said Warren Wolfe, group vice-president of Macy's Foods. "We added the sphere around it to contemporize it in the modern surroundings."

The menu still includes faves such as chicken pot pie, Minnesota wild rice soup and popovers, although the puffed pastry has not been miniaturized at the Ridgedale at all locations. "The recipe is the same, just a smaller version," said Wolfe. Otherwise, expect a few menu tweaks to accommodate changing tastes, including some bolder flavors, expanded ethnicity and vegetarian and gluten-free options.

In addition to the restaurant on the second floor, a new Taste Bar Cafe on the first floor offers house-made soups, baked goods, beverages, salads and sandwiches to go and a large assortment of sweets with plenty of casual seating.

The remodeling started when Macy's consolidated its main Ridgedale store with the now demolished men's and home store and added 84,000 square feet to its existing building. The former men's + home location will make way for a new Nordstrom and other tenants to be announced. Nordstrom plans to open in November, 2015.

The newly expanded Macy's is expected to be completed in August.