Now open: Uptown Cafeteria and Sky Bar

Cafeteria GM, Spencer Smith shows off the rooftop. Photo by Tom Wallace.

The so-so weather might not be entirely ideal for a rooftop opening, but that hasn't stopped the Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group (whatta name). The summer's most anticipated outdoor destination opened today in Uptown.

As the name suggests, this is Parasole's version of a vintage cafeteria on steroids. The street-level restaurant is a stunning mish-mash of colorful retro seating. The "wow factor," however, is the huge rooftop perched above Calhoun Square (with views of downtown Minneapolis). It's covered in cedar wood and features a long bar area. I'm digging the glass elevator that overlooks Lake Street.

The comfort food menu is all over the place, from chicken-and-waffles to Hungarian beef goulash to Chinese shrimp fried rice. The bar features a ridiculous $3 happy hour: 2-7 p.m. and 10 p.m.-midnight Mon.-Sat., plus all day Sun.

Brunch starts at 8 a.m. on Sat. and Sun.

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Uptown Cafeteria: Calhoun Square, 3001 Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-877-7263. www.uptowncafeteria.com.