Inspired by his own visits to southern France along the Mediterranean Sea, two-time James Beard Award-winning chef Gavin Kaysen will open two restaurants inside the new Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis, called Mara and Socca Café, in June.
The new hotel, also set to open in June, will be Minneapolis’ only five-star hotel. The partnership with Kaysen, known for his Spoon and Stable and Bellecour restaurants, was previously announced but not detailed. Both Mara and Socca Café will offer diners flavorful cuisine, artisanal beverages, and sun-lit spaces reminiscent of seaside life.
“When I lived in Switzerland, I would take the train down to Southern France and spend time in areas around the Mediterranean Sea,” Kaysen said in a news release. “It was there that I fell in love with their lifestyle and the cuisine.”
Mara, an immersive restaurant and bar, will embody coastal destinations through an intersection of land, sea, and craftsmanship. The dining space will feature a rich color palette, global and local artwork, and natural textures complemented by scents from the open kitchen.
The menu will offer cuisine from around the world, highlighting flavors and techniques from Southern France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and other regions. Bistecca, branzino, homemade flatbread, and hummus are among the menu’s top picks.
The cocktail bar will feature classic and seasonal drinks from expert mixologists, as well as non-alcoholic options. For dessert, diners may want to consider something sweet from Mara’s temperature-controlled chocolate room. Reservations will open in May.
For a morning pick-me-up or a grab-and-go meal, Kaysen’s other new restaurant will be the street-front Socca Café. The name was inspired by socca, a thin, chickpea flour-based crepe that serves as an everyday staple in Mediterranean cuisine. The restaurant will offer gourmet pastries, artisanal coffee, power lunches, and more.
For more information, visit mararestaurantandbar.com, soccacafe.com, and follow @marabyGK on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.