MINNEAPOLIS – After three long days of presenting, reporting and writing, a hearty and hot meal was what we needed to wind down on the last night of our Journalism Education Association/National Scholastic Press Association National High School Journalism Convention trip. Located in the lobby of Sheraton Minneapolis Downtown Convention Center, Esther’s Table delivered just that.
When we first entered the restaurant, a modern yet comforting interior greeted us, complete with gold furnishing and white marbled tables. Focaccia bread with olive oil, butter and the Little Gem & Pear salad were complementary appetizers, which were perfect starters to pique our taste palettes. In terms of flavor, the bread was slightly too oily, as it smothered our hands with each bite. The salad was fresh, featuring lettuce, pear and walnuts, but the dressing drizzled on top was too sour for our liking. The mushy texture of the pear combined with the crunchiness of the little gem lettuce felt unpleasant.
The waitress served us a generous pitcher of lemonade. The drink was cold and refreshing, balancing sweet and sour. In terms of flavor, the lemon taste was strong and not watered down.
The Pork and Shrimp Wontons ($16.00) were piping hot, with a dollop of chili crisp on top. The spiciness of the chili crisp balanced out the oiliness of the fried wonton skin. With each bite, a flavor explosion erupted as the meat was perfectly cooked and juicy…