Rob and I are so grateful for Living Social, Groupon, AmazonLocal and those sorts of deals. Without them, we would have never discovered certain restaurants, nor explored particular parts of the Twin Cities. Having a voucher with an expiration date makes us very likely to patronize a business. {As much as I’d like to, there is a reason why I haven’t been to La Belle Vie or Saffron yet.}

That’s how we ended up at the Union Rooftop.

We went on our favorite day to visit downtown Minneapolis: Sunday. It tends to be a little sleepier and laid-back. We arrived a little after 5pm and walked into the Union Restaurant, where no one was seated, not even at the bar. It made sense. It was a lovely day. I wouldn’t sit inside either. I mean, who wouldn’t want to sit up on the rooftop? We were just hoping we could get a seat outdoors. The Union’s rooftop is covered; so it can be used any time of year – perfect for Minnesota. Check out photos here.

First off, how did I not know this was here?

Union is in the theater district, on the same block as Maruso’s… have I been blind??

We got into the elevator with two other young women and proceeded upstairs. When we got out, we really weren’t sure where to go. So we took the small half-staircase up to the next level. It seemed like the most logical thing to do. But when we got to the top, it was the spitting image of the bar below.

That’s because it was the bar below!

We were on street level again. It sure did feel like we went up a floor. So we all had a good laugh about it and got back into the elevator where we made sure to push the correct button.

Then, on this glorious, breezy, warm, but not-blindingly-sunny day, we realized that The Rooftop glass roof is retractable and the entire rooftop patio was exposed to open air.

YES!

As a couple get up , we snagged a seat at the bar where Rob’s Dangerous Man “Ecuadoras” hat became a conversation starter with our barmates. Being from out-of-town and beer lovers, they were surprised that they hadn’t heard of DM yet. You better believe it’ll be a stop on their radar next time in town {when it isn’t a Sunday}.

I wanted to start with a cocktail and chose the Aviation. It had been a while since I’d had one. I just love this photo. That cherry is so perfectly placed and doesn’t even look real.

It wasn’t the best Aviation I had, but I’m not complaining.

Rob wasn’t too enthused about ordering the bartender’s recommended Stone Self-Righteous. Rob was surprised by the rating when he looked it up on Beer Advocate. But it was the taste that the bartender pushed on him that won him over.

As for food, the menu looked great online. Union is known for their seafood. So I was eyeing the Scallops with Shellfish Risotto in a fresh herb pesto.

But then I spotted it:

I rarely pass up on an opportunity to indulge in burrata.

Those tomatoes were perfect with just the right amount of olive oil, balsamic and basil, as well as seasoned with salt and pepper. Oh, how it reminded me of Italy! But that burrata… oh, that burrata. It was delectable, with it’s creamy, mouth watering center. I would order that again any day. It comes in a close second with Tangiers. But I think that is only because Tangiers had a lot more going on on the plate.

And you, guessed it – Rob ordered the burger:

This burger was HUGE! But what do you expect when you order a double? Rob thinks that there had to be a pound of meat on that thing. He thought he might even get the meat sweats. 😉

And look at this cheesy goodness:

Oh, how I love natural sunlight! It makes me look like I’m a semi-decent photographer, even with my iPhone pics.

Will we return to the Union Rooftop? Well, what do you think?!

What’s the coolest rooftop you’ve experienced?

Please take advantage of every patio you can this summer!

Cheers~
Carrie