Hello everyone! Lets learn about the retractable roof restaurant in DWNTWN Minneapolis called @UNIONMpls. How are you Yana D.?

Yana:    Hi Joel! Very well thank you. Thanks for having us!

Good to hear! :) To start off with so that people have a reference point, where are you located and what’s near you?

Yana:    UNION is located right on the corner of 8th and Hennepin on an iconic Minny location – the old Shinders building!

a block away from @CRAVEamerica in LaSalle Plaza, for an easy reference point :)

Nice tie-in! There are a lot of restaurants in downtown Minneapolis. Why add another one, and why a retractable roof?

Yana:    To bring an exciting new dining experience to the Twin Cities! UNION is a blend of talent, design, and culture.

The rooftop was our way of bringing dining into the future. It allows guests to enjoy a rooftop dining year-round!

no matter what the weather has in store for us!

What outdoor temp is the “guide” for opening the roof? On a sunny day, does the staff get to wear sunglasses?

Yana:    I’d say it’s arbitrary…however, we’ll play it safe and say temps in the 60s! Sunglasses TBD :)

The building that you’re in is several floors, what makes up the restaurant, and what’s on the other floors?

Yana:    The restaurant is made up of the main dining room, w/ rustic design & decor paying respects to the building history

We have our unique retractable glass rooftop upstairs. And the basement level is Marquee (@MarqueeMpls) – our nightlife option

Good to know.  What is the price range for entrees on the menu, and are any of the ingredients from local sources?

Yana:    UNION has an incredible menu. Exec Chef Jim Christiansen brings his talent, passion, & imagination to his hometown

but without any pretentiousness or gimmicks. Nothing on our menu (except for the seafood share plate) is over $30.

Entrees from $14 – $29, Snacks & Appetizers range from $3 – $14, & desserts are $9. Lunch averages in the $12 range.

We use locally sourced ingredients when possible -This changes with the seasons as different products become available

Some local faves include Kadejan Chicken for poultry, Love Tree Farms for cheese & Kalona Organics for specialty dairy

Great! Peoples diets needs have been changing lately. Do you offer any #GlutenFree or #LoCal dishes on your menu?

Yana:    There is no notation of gluten free on the menu, but there are options

Executive Chef Jim Christensen will be happy to accommodate to dietary needs.

As far as low-cal, I’d suggest the oysters or salads with dressing on the side…Oh, and water ;)

However, if you’re going to have a “cheat day,” do it at UNION – you will thoroughly enjoy yourself & be glad you did

Wonderful. What have been some of the more popular dishes and desserts on the menu so far?

Yana:    However, if you’re going to have a “cheat day,” do it at UNION – you will thoroughly enjoy yourself & be glad you did

Some of my personal faves are the Scallops, Cheese Plate, & Caramel Mousse dessert – very popular

Yummy! How is the restaurant for handling large groups or events? Is catering an option as well?

Yana:    UNION is a great venue for a wide variety of events, from social outings and business lunches, to private parties!

Lately we’ve seen a lot of young professionals groups & non-profits looking to organize networking events

which we’ve had a blast hosting. We also can accommodate full buyouts!

Sun-Wed Marquee (@MarqueeMpls) is available for private parties, meetings, photoshoots, you name it!

Think of the open space as a blank canvas w/ stylish decor & state of the art sound system customized for any event!

What are the hours of operation, and are there any menu #specials going on right now?

Yana:    The rooftop is open for lunch M-F 11:30am-2pm. Cocktail hour Sun-Thurs 4pm-6pm & 10pm -11 pm and Fri-Sat 10pm-11pm

Dinner on both levels starts at 5pm daily. Main level Cocktail hour is Sun-Thurs (bar area only) 4pm-6pm

It may seem a little complicated but you can find all our hours listed here – http://bit.ly/UolmTn

We have an upcoming Valentine’s Day 5-Course Tasting Menu so you can spend it under the stars :)

Oh, and Marquee Nighclub (@MarqueeMpls) is open to the public Thurs- Sat starting at 10pm.

Joel:    Thank you for your time today Yana and for sharing some great information about #UNION. Have a great afternoon!

Yana:    Thanks so much Joel, it’s been a pleasure tweeting with you :)

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of Kieran Folliard. He will be using @TheLocalMPLS as his Twitter account. Lets begin!

Q – #1    To begin, this week is the launch of your new whiskey, #2gingers. What led to it’s development?

Kieran: Five years of being the #1 Jameson account in the world and the success of our trademarked drinks Big and Skinny Ginger gave us (con’t)

the opportunity to partner with Coolery Distillery in Ireland.

Q – #2    Had the thought/dream of the #2gingers been something on your mind to do for some time?

Kieran: You don’t have to be Irish to think launching your own whiskey brand seems like an interesting journey!

Q – #3    When will the #2gingers be available for the public to try?

Kieran: The christening of 2 Gingers will be at 5pm on Wednesday the 16th @TheLocalMpls. Then 530pm @KieransMPLS (con’t)

then 6pm @CooperIrishPub and 7pm @The_Liffey. There will be bagpipers, whiskey barrels and flame throwers. :)

With a free 2 Gingers for everyone (21+) at each pub!

Q – #4    I see. For those new to your establishments, what 2 featured drinks will the #2gingers be an ingredient in?

Kieran: Our featured drinks have become trademarked. They are the Big Ginger and the Skinny Ginger. Very simple yet egalitarian.

Fill collins glass with ice, 2 oz of Two Gingers, fill with ginger ale and garnish with a wedge of lemon and lime slice!

Q – #5    You first came onto the scene with @KieransMPLS. In a crowded food/drink scene in Mpls, what made you try?

Kieran: loved sitting in pubs drinking pints and talking rubbish. Why not punch the clock everyday?

Q – #6    I read in a @MNMOmag article that not only is the product important to you, but also your personnel. Can you explain?

Kieran: As an independent pub business, any product such as 2 Gingers or Green Ox that comes from us internally (con’t)

and is of high quality, all of us collectively feel a personal connection to it. We’re all part of the story. (con’t)

And with that comes a certain sense of pride which we all take ownership of.

Q – #7    Kudos to you! It seems like more companies that treat employees well have a good retention of them! True for you?

Kieran: Absolutely! We have colleagues who have been with us for 17 years @KieransMPLS, 7 ppl who have been with us for 10+ yrs

now have ownership in the company. And hopefully we’ll have many more to come.

Q – #8    Great format to ask this – Do you have any job openings at either of your 4 locations?

Kieran: We’re always looking for friendly people! Stop in and say you’re related to the 2 Gingers!

Q – #9    Nice. We’ll be ending soon, but you mentioned a product called #GreenOx earlier. Can you explain what that is?

Kieran: #GreenOx is our partnership with chef Mike Phillips. He purchases local pigs and lambs. He produces a wide variety of (cont)

charcuterie and sausage. Currently they’re on the menus at all 4 pubs, but hopefully they’ll be available in the (cont)

retail market with the next year or so.

@JoelECarlson – Thank you so much @TheLocalMpls (Kieran Folliard) for your time, comments and care that you bring to the Twin Cities! Excellent!

Kieran: Thank you for the opportunity to share. We hopefully see you on Wednesday for the big 2 Gingers launch!