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Bite Of Minnesota: Gyst Fermentation Bar

There are times when a restaurant opens and upon first visit, I vow to eat my way through the menu.

Over the past year, there have been several restaurants that had me singing their praises from day one. While I typically write about recipes here on Bite of Minnesota, truth is, I eat out just as much as I cook at home, so why not highlight a few local eateries?

First up, Gyst Fermentation Bar just off Eat Street in Minneapolis. Fermentation? Yep! Think wine and cheese bar with pickled and fermented foods, local ciders and craft brews and much more. Gyst got off the ground last July with a successful Kickstarter and opened their doors last November. It's a place that I just can't get enough of!

Not sure where to start? Let the staff guide you in choosing a wine. Not only do they have two sommeliers in their ownership crew, they offer classes and events highlighting unique wine, cider and craft beer flights. There have been several times where they had just what I was looking for behind the bar and off the menu.

As for food, I'd suggest starting with the motherboard. Served on a lazy Susan, you'll receive a variety of cheeses, charcuterie from Red Table Meats, pickled vegetables, fermented foods and other accompaniments that are perfect for sharing.

Motherboard at Gyst Fermentation Bar
(credit: Crystal Grobe)

Hungry for more? I'd recommend any of the sandwiches. The Morty Slider is a simple meat and cheese combo for those that want a tame bite while the grilled cheese offers something a little more exciting with the addition of sauerkraut. It's also served with a side of lightly dressed kale salad.

Morty Slider at Gyst Fermentation Bar
(credit: Crystal Grobe)

For the ultimate burst of flavor, you have to order the Sandor, an open-faced peanut butter sandwich topped with spicy kimchi. Think of it as an updated pb & pickle sandwich combo. It's even served with a side of potato chips that brought me back to my own P.B. and potato chip days as a kid.

The Sandor at Gyst Fermentation Bar
(credit: Crystal Grobe)

Gyst also offers desserts like bites of quality chocolate (yep, chocolate is a fermented food too) and kefir panna cotta that was absolutely delicious. Or, you can always opt for a dessert wine to close out the night.

Gyst Fermentation Bar
25 East 26th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-758-0113
http://gystmpls.com

You can tweet Crystal at @hellogrobe, and click here to read past Bite of Minnesota articles.

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