Travail is an unforgettable experience. The food is of the utmost quality, the preparation techniques bring out amazing flavors, the combination of ingredients is masterful, and the pairing wines are perfect. The new location is beautiful!

UMAMI in Travail’s basement bar was by far the most fun dining concept I’ve experienced. Between the awesome staff, chill atmosphere, pre-dinner shots, hearty&tasty coursed dishes, unique drink pairings, sake bombs, and karaoke, it felt more like a big party than a tasting menu. I thought the overall experience was very much worth the price. My only complaint is having confusion around the reservation system. Some establishments that have this high of a surcharge (21%) remove the tip line or mention something about the charge replacing tipping, but this online system just defaults the gratuity to 20% and says it’s optional. I don’t want to unintentionally stiff the staff by assuming the wellness surcharge replaces their need for tips. Otherwise this was my first time at Travail, and it left a great impression. I would 100% return for an UMAMI comeback.

Was treated to a night at Travail with my family for my birthday, and it did not disappoint! The table chefs were awesome (one slip up on pork being added to the breakfast in a cup— it was promptly remade just found it a bit off for this establishment). Trivia throughout dinner was a blast, and karaoke to cap off the night. The star of the show, the food of course. Brilliantly done, and most dishes were very innovative (deconstructed French onion soup!?) Will be creating a GoFundMe page so I can enjoy again… and again!

I finally got a chance to try Travail after years of it being on my list. Overall, the experience and the food was just okay/underwhelming for $120/per person + drinks. We made a reservation for the "Signature" set which included 14 courses. My favorites were the pasta dishes and the hamachi (very refreshing). My least favorites were basically all the sweet dishes/refreshers and the monk fish. Everything else was "meh". For the dining experience, I was expecting it to be more "intimate" but felt like I was in a Benihana without the flashy performances. It was hard to hear the chef explain what the dishes were with the loud music, the cooking, and the groups around us. Wished they gave us the list of courses during the dinner vs. at the end. I'm glad I went and got to experience it... but for $120+, I would rather spend it somewhere else.

What a fabulous location, staff and food. The setting was absolutely perfect and we enjoyed an 11 course tasting menu of perfectly prepared French food. It was a very good value for the money spent as well. Will definitely be back and highly recommend!

THANK YOU to Dave and his team for allowing us to add two more gals to our reservation, last minute on the day of, even though they were booked solid. We had such a great time celebrating my birthday dinner with Travail’s Grand Lounge tasting menu located on the Sky Lounge rooftop patio. The team members immediately greeted us welcomely and service was top notch until the end. The tasting menu—the food— truly an impressive experience. Each course was beautifully presented, incredibly tasty and satisfying. We didn’t accompany dinner with the wine or cocktail pairing, but the cocktails we ordered off the menu were delicious. The music may be considered a little loud for some, but we loved it. Thoroughly enjoyed our evening. You guys are amazing and I can’t wait for my next visit!

What an amazing experience! Delicately prepared food, presented with perfection... each bite was well balanced and delicious! We chose to have paired cocktails and each one was a delightful compliment to the dish. Highly recommended!

We had a great time at Travail. The food was very good and the atmosphere was great. Some of the drink pairings came out toward the end of the course and a there were a few moments where we felt a little rushed. However overall the experience was very good and I’d definitely return.

We visited Travail for their full tasting menu, which included the basement bar and the upstairs restaurant. We paid for one cocktail pairing and one N/A pairing to go with the meal. We were greeted with NA cocktails at the door, and eventually brought downstairs. Our favorite part of the experience, by far, was the basement bar-- and I would consider going back just for that portion of the experience. The menu, including drinks, was creative and surprising, and the presentation was almost overwhelming, but in a fun way. We tried chorizo and octopus tacos; mussel soup; foie gras that tasted like lime sherbert, and Korean "corn dogs," among many other things. Everything was fantastic and we had a hard time picking favorites. Travail did a good job of making the NA drinks just as fun and exciting as regular cocktails. I tried both drinks and felt the flavor profiles were similar. The upstairs menu was a more classic presentation of gourmet food. The veggies really shined vs the meat. The steak was way over-salted the night we visited, but it was otherwise perfectly prepared. Pork belly served with carrots in a pea soup was our upstairs favorite. The upstairs drink pairings were underwhelming, with the exception of a Mango carrot juice, served in a cup shaped like a flower pot, that was both darling and delicious. The desserts were equally good; we couldn't pick a favorite. I think upstairs, you better understand the price tag-- not that the food isn't excellent by itself, but the experience of being there makes it truly worthwhile. We tipped... should we have? Unclear given how things were structured (having bought tickets in advance with no add-ons, we were not presented a final receipt or a convenient little leather folio, so opted for cash folded under a glass). The restaurant could consider making the expected outcome more clear. Altogether, we had an exceptional experience and will go back again.

Great experience! Food was well prepared and the drinks were amazing! Great service, this truly is an experience! I had great company and the trivia was fun! Thank you again for the service!

EVERY SINGLE THING was amazing!!! The staff really works hard to bring you a unique and fun filled evening, and they seem to enjoy themselves as much as we do. It feels more like a close-knit party than anything else. Would love to go back!

Roof top with steakhouse themed menu was perfection. All the courses were well flavored, unique and blended together to form a memorable experience for our entire party. Every time I return I am impressed all over again. Can’t wait for my next dining experience here.

Everything you'd expect from a 5 star experience. The price matches the quality and it's expensive, but what you get for that price is a top of the line food and drink experience you won't find anywhere else in Minnesota. Perfect place for a big life event celebration, like an anniversary date night.

WORTH EVERY PENNY!!! Very accommodating of food preferences. We went for their cooking class and it was a wonderful experience. They started us off with some chicken wings and ribs. The ribs were perhaps the best I have ever had. My wife is a vegetarian and they were able to accommodate that. They taught us how to make a hand roll and dumplings. They steak was exquisite and I personally don’t prefer steak. The chef Mike was very funny and engaging and made the experience really fun. They also had a fun trivia night to go along with everything. The drinks pairing were great and recommended by the manager Tory. The evening ended with a very fun pandan icecream. Would highly recommend this place. A very nice family run place.

Amazing staff! Had a wonderful night in the basement bar! If you are looking for a night of relaxation as a couple it should be on your lists of to do’s! Reservations are a must. Seems a little extravagant but, we both enjoyed the experience. Delicious food and the drinks were fun!

Absolutely amazing staff and food. Love tasting menu dinners and they brought their A game. One of the best dinners I’ve had in both quality of food and service.

Travail has always been one of my favorite restaurants and the new location is no exception. If you've never been, Travail should be at the top of your list to celebrate a special occasion. If you've eaten here before, you already know!

I've ate here a couple of times and have always been impressed. They're always very creative, unique and different when it comes to plating, flavors and presentation. Yes that comes with a cost but worth it especially if you're taking a date or it's a special occasion. Recently tried the basement bar and paired it with the drink tasting menu. Make sure to take a Uber/Lyft because you're leaving there nice and warm. We tried several dishes but really enjoyed the spam burger, chicken satay, poke screwers, and coconut shrimp. But that burger took the prize for best dish in my eyes.

This is our first return visit to Travail since the latest remodel. This new space is a big departure from the first and second iterations of this restaurant. The first was really "out there", while the second version, with the ticketed reservations, was a huge improvement. The third version is different still. The room is very modern and filled with light from the big windows. We somehow had not made our reservations correctly, but they were very gracious and accommodating, so we were seated in the main dining room - which had been our intent. As expected, there were multiple courses, and the first was a double. Per the usual Travailian way, the foie gras was served like a lollipop but coated in a cherry glaze and topped with pistachio. Very unusual, and very good. The second dish was a scallop ceviche, served with cucumber, pickled onion, and a house made sour cream. Very beautiful in its presentation, and very light and fresh. The next course was all about tomatoes - bruleed heirloom tomatoes and marinated tomatoes on a coconut milk flavored broth and topped with a tomato flavored cracker. Very summery and again full of flavor. We had two palate cleansers- the first was a cube of compressed watermelon topped with liquid nitrogen frozen bits of yogurt. Fun presentation, and indeed very palate cleansing. All things zucchini was the next plate, with a sauteed loup de mer, zucchini "salad", and a squash blossom stuffed with shrimp. Again, the plating was very elegant. This was followed by a blob of frozen passion fruit fluff. They really love using liquid nitrogen here! My favorite dish was elote agnolotti served with fresh sweet corn, pepper flakes, and a corn-flavored puddle for dipping your pasta into. It is quite lovely, and is, to me, the essence of summer yummy-ness. I also loved the chicken course. It was super moist, stuffed under the skin, and served with asparagus. The flavor was fantastic, The next meat course was pork- which came as a round slice of meat surrounded by beets, and a beet puree. Beautiful plating. Then came palate cleanser 2, essentially a fizzy drinkable creamsicle. Yum! The final savory course was beef, accompanied by eggplant caponata and dried eggplant slices, plus a fried potato puff stuffed with beef. This was my least favorite dish - the sour caponata did not go well with my husband's red wine, and my beef was really tough. Too bad really. However, all was good with the world when the desserts arrived. The first was a mini ice cream cone of coconut ice cream with a fruity jam. The second was a lovely slice of what seemed like cheesecake, topped with fresh strawberries, cava jelly, and frozen bits of strawberry flavored crunch. It was a perfect summer dessert. I did say the love liquid nitrogen! Gone are the beer boots and singing - a good thing to have eliminated. Gone was the "field trip" to a back room for a game and some unusual dish or two, and that is fine with me also. They still clearly have fun with plating your dishes while you watch. They still play games - we did a meal-long trivia game. And everyone is happy to talk about wines and the food, making the whole evening quite jolly. I do miss the completely crazy serving style - food that looked like rocks or that you had to eat off a suspended string. Still, evolution in how you cook, what you cook, and how you serve is a good thing. I still left with a big smile on my face, and the food was excellent. Their cocktail program has not kept up with the cooking. The small "specialty drinks" at the upstairs bar all had the same flavor profile - sweet. There were only 7 listed cocktails. My husband had their old standby Ron Burgundy, but it was smoked out of sight, and it was too sweet. Maybe they are in a transition? So go for the fun and the food, a nice wine selection, but not the cocktails. Do go into the bathroom...very modern and fun! And do look up when you check in...knives above. Very funny! Cost: $155/person. There is a parking lot, but it was full. There is street parking and a lot down the street.

If you're a "foodie" in the area, you have to give this place a try. There was no detail left unnoticed. Nice lively team, great personalities w passion oozing out into their performance throughout each course. I'm for sure booking another ressy, SOON!

Wow! Had not been in years. Seven course tasting menu with cocktail paring option was both fascinating and delicious. Speaking with our primary server, Evan, was a delight. He was fully engaged in explaining each plate, referred cocktail questions to an equally interesting Cyrus. And our Jr. Chef was insightful in sharing why she was there. Celebrating 10 years with my wife was truly a memorable experience, with the food, cocktails and team making us feel at home, welcomed and intrigued. We cannot wait to go back!

My second time going and the food was amazing, they always fail on the final dessert personally for me. It's always been to be some sort of strawberry shortcake take and it just taste artifical every time. Don't know why.. its just me everyone else seemed to love it. The orange Creamsicle was amazing and the elote pasta..yummy. They forgot my drink for more than half of the bill, then removed it from my bill and the second drink had a long blonde hair in it.. Human error it's going to happen but for 400$ it was pushing it for me. Will I go back, absolutely I have a toxic relationship with great food and good music. They music was so good, people were chatting and the guest next to me made it even better.

Must try place!!! We just did the haunted basement and what an exhilarating experience complete with entertainment, delicious food and amazing drinks! Staff was top notch amazing. The food was prepared in small play style with lots of variety: the flavors of both drinks and food left your taste buds wanting more. The price is worth the experience for a special night out.

We had a fabulous tasting menu, great service. My brother was visiting from Philadelphia, and this was a foodies' delight. Thanks for a memorable evening.

Wow. This place is an awesome experience, the chefs truly know exactly what they're doing and the sommelier paired the wines perfectly with each dish according to my dad. I got the non alcoholic pairing which had very interesting drinks with flavor mixings I never would've thought about, and they fit each dish well too. The food itself was all very interesting and beautifully plated and cooked, and planned out very well for an incredible experience. I will definitely be coming back!

A one of kind experience! This is hybrid of textbook fine dining intergrated with modern day culture. I cannot wait to return!

Unreal. The atmosphere is such a vibe. The food is amazing. The staff is top notch. What else can you ask for? One of the best restaurant experiences I’ve had in the Twin Cities. ENJOY!!

Our first time visiting. We were able to enjoy a delightful night out with exceptional food and the most friendly and outgoing staff. We were entertained and informed with every course and the cocktails were unique and excellent. Highly recommend trying the outing. Might need to be open to try new things.

Our experience at Travail basement bar was such a dream! The food was so good, the drinks were delicious and different, and the whole staff was great to us. Grete was especially kind and attentive. Highly recommend checking out one of their amazing themes!

Tasting menu was amazing. Service was outstanding. Wine flight was perfect. Music was overly loud at times, but a great playlist. A well oiled machine.

I was so excited for Night School at Basement Bar but it did not deliver. I know this is a new concept but I can confidently say it was not worth the cost. The service was great, but the price was outstanding for what we received and the food was just okay. On one hand, you do get a LOT of (potentially too much) booze, though in comparison to the amount of food you get, I’d highly recommend eating before or having a plan to eat somewhere after. For over $250, we’ve had much more memorable meals and drinks. Sadly, I won’t be going back and wish we would have spent the money elsewhere.