Mark Van Wie from The Muddy Pig bought the space that used to be Chang O’Hara’s and made The Happy Gnome. I was with Andy, Linsay, Amy, Brian and Tim.
Right away we were surprised with how much smoke there was after making the assumption it would be smoke-free. For our group, it was problem enough where we requested to be put on the list for the non-smoking area and got seated a few minutes later.
The beer and wine list is extensive and well picked. I tried the Arcadia London Porter, which I’ve not had of before. Out of the 25 or so beers on tap, I don’t think I’ve ever tried a good handful of them. We got the artisan cheese plate and tried to be turophiles for a bit. A lot of the staff from the Muddy Pig was working there - enough where we asked who could possibly be keeping the Muddy Pig open. Mark Van Wie was also present talking with guests and drinking.
While the lighting was even more dim than Chang O’Hara’s and there was no music, a guy in the restroom joked about “how weird” it was and how it was like “going back” to Chang O’Hara’s all over again. It’s true, and it’s hard to start calling this place “The Gnome” now. Even though the couches are gone and the menu is taken up quite a few notches, it feels like the Chang’s crowd is back. We just get better food and far better drinks now.
Update: Linsay posted her notes and some photos as well.
Comments 7
that doesn’t look like gnome food to me.
Posted 03 Dec 2005 at 09:40 ¶Not all of the Chang’s crowd will be back, at least untill the Gnome is smokefree. A rather stupid business move, considering a strong smokefree ordininance is working its way through the Saint Paul City Council right now.
Happy to see the business open again, I’ll visit when the air clears. Until then, our business is going to Sweeny’s.
Posted 03 Dec 2005 at 09:48 ¶Good beer, good food, good company, but too much smoke.
Check it!
Posted 03 Dec 2005 at 12:03 ¶If you don’t like secondhand smoke, you better check it.
Posted 03 Dec 2005 at 17:56 ¶I think you’re a bitch. And you better check it.
Posted 03 Dec 2005 at 18:03 ¶Not all of the Chang’s crowd will be back, at least untill the Gnome is smokefree.
Hmmmm… seems to me there was quite a “Chang’s crowd” before they were non-smoking… which was for about 3-6 months before they closed.
Based on the business at the Muddy Pig, they aren’t hurting from your boycott.
Posted 05 Dec 2005 at 12:11 ¶Mark is a huge cigar fan and not a smoking ban proponant, so expect it to remain as is.
Posted 30 Dec 2005 at 17:51 ¶Post a Comment