Tucked in among the pretty houses and quiet, leafy streets of Minneapolis, a stone’s throw from Excelsior Street, my companion for the evening, (The always lovely Michelle) and I were on the hunt for what restaurant afficianado's in this town are starting to call "The place to eat"
We hunt for the now infamous "RED DOOR" that marks the spot for Ristorante Del Jeremiah .
In order for the management to keep the crowds from overwhelming Master Chef Jeremiah, the actual location of this restaurant is a mystery, and all who do find it are sworn to keep it's address secret or risk not being allowed back. Anxious for the eating experience of a lifetime Michelle and I met up and left Friday and spend till Sunday searching for the "Red Door".
Up and down the streets, we searched endlessly for the only visible external clue that you have found gastric valhalla.
As we neared the end of our 3rd day looking, we thought we caught the faint aroma of some unidentifiable piquant sauce and we followed our noses. suddenly ...there it was! The RED DOOR.

We parked the car and as we approached the door, we appeared to be walking up the sidewalk of what looked like someone’s ordinary house. When you open the door however, you know that is where the fiction ends.
We are met at the door by Master Chef Jeremiah, who has won acclaim by routinely doing the extraordinary. He is smartly dressed in traditional white and he ushers us in with charm and open hospitality...He was so cordial and inviting, it almost felt as though he was having us over to his own home for dinner.
The decor was simple, yet elegant. And at a place where you have talent in the kitchen like this, you of course allow the Chef to choose the menu.
It was as follows:

- Insalate -
Fruited Spinach with Currant Vinaigrette
a spinach salad with green onions, fresh strawberries, currant jelly, mandarin orange slices and a zesty vinaigrette
- Pane -
Rosemary Olive Oil Focaccia
- Pasta -
Furious Shrimp Linguine
fresh shrimp sauteed in an olive oil and clam juice broth full of red pepper flake and garlic served over cracked black pepper pasta
- Dolcé -
Butter Pecan Non-Dairy Ice Cream
- Digestive -
chilled Becherovka

The salad was sumptuous. Remember that sharp piquant smell that led us, finally, Pied Piper like to the door? It was none other than Master Chef Jeremiah's vinaigrette dressing. A perfect offset for the mandarin oranges and the (where did you find them perfect) strawberries.
Our Focaccia was warm and fragrant and exactly what was needed to partner the main course.
And that brings us to a Chef Jeremiah original, the toweringly excellent Furious Shrimp Linguine. The Pasta was just the right amount of al dente, firm but not undercooked. (something too many chefs get wrong), and the shrimp and sauce were a gracious yet adventurous melange of contrasting flavors and textures.

BRAVO !!! Chef, BRAVO!!!!

We finished with a rare and fascinating Czechoslovakian Liqueur.
Warm and zingy, it hinted of cinnamon, anise and cloves and recalled a European history of Dukes and nobility.

We then were invited to a personal audience with Master Chef Jeremiah. The three of us repaired to his private movie theatre to watch a charming Italian (what else) film called "Pane e Tulipani"............(Bread and Tulips)
Afterword we finished with delightful bowls of healthy and delicious Butter Pecan Ice Cream.

I could not think of a more delightful evening with more enjoyable company.
(Except for adding Bill..... who is in, if you can believe it, Italy ...even as I write this...sorry buddy, but you missed one....)

Many thanks go to the chef and host of this most entertaining and memorable evening.

{blush} aw, shucks, 'twas just a trifling bit of heating up some stuff on the stove. thanks. glad you enjoyed.

I don't know about this whole restraunt thing.. I go to Italy for a couple of days and suddenly I find that my wife has had dinner at your house..hmmmmm...and I wasn't invited.. hmmm...Sounds like you all have fun..I have to repay the favor when I get home..