Now Open: Xavi Restaurant

New American fare in the former home of First Course

xavi restaurant, taste, food, crudo, minneapolis
Scallop crudo at Xavi

Photo by TJ Turner


A new neighborhood restaurant has opened on Chicago Avenue in south Minneapolis, just north of Highway 62. The former home of First Course is now Xavi, and don’t worry about getting that pronunciation right. “Just pretend you’re Sean Connery saying it,” jokes chef and co-owner Michael Agan. (It’s something like JZHA-vay and inspired by the Basque word meaning, “the new place.”) Agan comes to this kitchen with experience working for the D’Amicos and Jean-Georges Vongerichten, and his New American dishes such as watermelon salad with allspice-seasoned pork belly, fresh mango salad, or perfectly roasted chicken display worldly inspiration and seasonings. Co-owner James Elm creates the warm, relaxed vibe and curates the lovely, reasonably priced wine list and regionally focused beer taps.

5607 Chicago Ave., Minneapolis, 612-825-6900, xavirestaurant.com