Sneek A Peek At Cafe Maude's New Location

When Armatage restaurant announced plans to open a second location halfway across town on the edge of downtown Minneapolis' Loring Park, owner Kevin Sheehy that the new eatery would be done with "the same touch" as the first.

With Maude's , though, one question hanging in the air is just how similar will it be? 

CityPages' food bloggers have set off to answer that, publishing a "first look" Wednesday afternoon. 

So far, the drinks sound creative and the decor reminiscent of the original, but the menu seems to house the biggest slice of "new stuff:"

Much of the menu is also new, although a few classics like their mac and cheese remain. Matt Kempf has been working double time at both restaurants. Even items as small as the solitary empanada ($5) on the Leisure Hour menu is elegantly plated and full of flavor, a buttery, shattering crust laid upon creme fraiche and drizzled with a fiery chili oil.