Modern Times brings bright boho vibe to south Minneapolis

Rachel, Rachel, Rachel.

please, go back to Eden Prairie or wherever it is you hide out to be safe, and until you've spent more than a half an hour venturing out in the "hood" of South ;) refrain from your judgmental journalism for awhile. Yes, I will defend this neighborhood so clearly wronged in your writing. BUT I guess thanks is in order as well since we wouldn't want your neighbors over here b*tching about how dilapidated the street is. please. These neighborhoods are exactly why I love it here. my daughter's daycare is on 46th & Chicago, where I'm sure you would lock your doors and roll up your windows. I like that my daughter is growing up amongst real people that care more about each other and the community than spending even a second wondering which perfect ensemble from Restoration Hardware should adorn their porch. You know, the ones made in Korea.

Go away, find another job reviewing food court chains. And next time, if you can't keep your classist comments to yourself, just stick to the did. It's amazing here. And that art with the pants kicking itself in the crotch? It's called irony, dear..did you attend college?(silently turns and walks away)

Even if Hutton's description is to the point about the looks of the neighborhood, I intensely dislike the propagation of the underlying unchallenged consumer society prejudices that these things can be taken as barometer of pride in one's neighborhood, or if one is "keeping up" (keeping up with what? where does vanity matter in life when all is said and done?).

I dislike the promotion of the sense that you can and should look down upon people if they don't get out of life a need to prioritize the curb appeal of their houses.

What of the people of the world who live in a shacks with dirt floors? can we then say that they have no pride in where they live or are from? or aren't keeping up? or should we try to challenge and shed this conditioning and lens of the consumer society that has resoundingly shown to be empty and unimaginably destructive to our planet and all its life (including us)?

It's really unfortunate that City Pages picked a judgmental square to write a review of Modern Times, my favorite new place to get a nice lunch or breakfast with friends.

The artists she referenced are friends of mine who I deeply respect for their talents, ambition, kindness, and resourcefulness. They are diverse women who don't just stick to the visual realm of art. They inspire me and a number of folks in our community.

Rachel Hutton needs to look past her preconceived notions about what good art is and open her mind and eyes. I can think of a great deal of people, myself included, who would be proud to display the artwork of Beeth Cake and Kate Farstad above a couch, a toilet, on a fridge, on a wall. Hell, I own several wearable things created by Beeth Cake and I wear them on my head and shoulders with pride. Make up your own mind, Minneapolis! Don't listen to this garbage. Go see for yourself.

Seward Cafe and Hard Times are great but it's wonderful to finally have a place so near my home to get a good meal at an affordable price. The food I have eaten at Modern Times has been consistently delicious and the staff is always friendly, not to mention ADORABLE! Get over it, Rachel. Not every restaurant you walk into is going to have a staff who wears white button down shirts, black pants and shoes, and aprons. The staff at Modern Times are comfortable, healthy, and obviously having a good time feeding us. I'm fixin' to go there tomorrow and get fed!

There is really no need to review a resturant in this section of town, since nobody outside that 'hood' is going to go there. I'm not surprised, people who live there subsitute sloagns like 'pride', 'historic', 'diverse', 'great .... ', 'comfort zone','love' - and try to cover up the fact that it's run down and crime ridden.

Forget the review, go try it for yourself... and on your way out the door after a great meal, take a look at the great houses and gardens across the street and on the block. Keep going east two block and enjoy Powederhorn Park while you're at it.

I love our neighborhoods on the southside, and this restaurant is a real gift. The wait staff is very friendly, courteous, and efficient. The food is delicious. There are many options (like brown rice instead of hash browns with breakfast). It probably is outside some people's comfort zones. I thought the review was shallow. I wish the writer had opened her eyes a bit more to what was around her, not about how people look. It can be intimidating, but look below the surface to see the richness that is around. And there is violence in all parts of the city, not just here.

I live a couple blocks from Modern Times. It's true, that intersection has more than its share of unmaintained buildings, and heck, the Modern Times building didn't look so hot until recently. While I'm a little embarrassed that Chicago Avenue doesn't show off our neighborhood very well, I'm frankly more embarrassed by the reactions in this comment thread, as there's far too many unfriendly and defensive comments. Powderhorn (and Central - Modern Times is right on the border of the two neighborhoods) isn't Uptown, and neither the area nor the restaurant's clientele have that same vibe. If this isn't area or this restaurant aren't the right vibe for some people, that's fine. There's enough variety here for everyone to find something to dislike ;)

Whoa, chill out, Southsiders. I think this review actually shows quite a bit of love for the neighborhood, not to mention a definite appreciation for the food and the vibe of the resto. Plus, this kind of whining makes us look like insecure dorks who can't handle even the slightest dis. The truth (there *are* a lot of sagging gutters...) isn't always an insult, okay? I can't wait to eat here!

This woman knows nothing about urban culture. she should not be writing for the city pages. I wonder where she lives? Lake Minnetonka? Dara was an infinitely better writer. But it is true, the food at the Modern Times is great.

Does this writer have an editor or can I get a job writing puerile garbage like this and never have it vetted?

I'm on paragraph six and still no food, just harshing on the art and decor. HIre someone who like food to write about it!

Well she's no Dara. Incredibly classist & not focusest on writing well plus missing the main poit---the food is amazing.

Ugh. The only thing depressing about my usually-lovely Powderhorn is that there are still piles of CIty Pages available at some businesses. This article is so insulting, City Pages! Tho not suprising. Please, do something to help the neighborhood and remove your Backpages-funded classist crap from our otherwise awesome 'hood.

Rachel, (as our entire neighborhood is pointing out) you obviously know nothing about Powderhorn if you think that we do not have pride in our community. I am so tired of "journalists" taking easy potshots at us because of a preconceived notion of what it is like to live here. Articles like this are the main reason that Powderhorn365 (http://powderhorn365.com) is in existence.

I'm done with City Pages. Terrible article.

I cannot believe that this actually got printed.

How sad. This review seemed like it might give a neighborhood restaurant that I love the respect and recognition it deserves. Instead, the reviewer not only spent most of her time insulting the neighborhood and customers, she also managed to backhandedly insult the restaurant and its owners. The Modern Times is not some wacky angel that has dropped down to grace our depressing South Minneapolis, it is a neighborhood spot that has grown out of the vibrant community and culture that is deeply rooted here. It is one thing for a restaurant reviewer to be classist and condescending to entire sections of a city. It is one thing for a restaurant reviewer to be stereotyped and judgmental about others style and dress. It is one thing for a restaurant reviewer to be totally out of touch with contemporary culture. It is another thing for a restaurant reviewer to be so out of touch with food that she is still shocked that vegan and vegetarian food - or something made with whole wheat flour! - can taste good. Get a clue Rachel, but you need more than one.

Now come on now I think those paintings up right now by Katelyn Farstad are totally amazing and little glimpses into a world so unknown, yet so firmilliar

The art that is up in the cafe right now is seriously the worst paintings I have ever seen I mean they are so bad like really confusing and like ugly kinda and I just don't know who that person must think they are

Despite the employees with weird dirty hair, the dusty decor, bad paint job, art not fit to hang in a home, and the dilapidated/dangerous state of the neighborhood, at least the food "seems too elegant to grace the table of a restaurant with a stuffed pheasant in the restroom"

I wonder if Rachel would like to see one of my favorite raccoon photos...http://forums.e-democracy.org/...Maybe she ran into this one while she was out looking for things to diss in the neighborhood.

Gee thanks Rachel, for braving our dangerous, prideless dystopia.

Well, I live across the street and I'm certainly insulted by the author's take on my neighborhood. Food at the Modern is great, though. If you're a carnivore, I highly recommend the Croque Jean Paul. Chow down!

P.S. I will admit that it may have been my lawn that "had gone to seed", but it's been raining, lady! Raining, raining, raining.

Was this a restaurant review or a biased ,uneducated opinion of a neighborhood she clearly does not like.I always thought the opening paragraph was to entice the reader...this just mad me mad and uninterested in reading more. Although I did, and found the historic information on the restaurant not completely factual.The one thing she did get right is it was a much needed addition to , and this is where we differ again,a neighborhood that many of the people take great pride in living in.

That reporter writes as if they've been hiding under a rock. I swear, journalism is getting worse everyday.

The restaurant is great but it was very rude to insult the neighborhood for not having as much money as yours. What is wrong with you that you need to go in that? Low.

the other of this is a complete meat freak. i could hardly get through it.

I love the Modern Times. But the descriptions of South Minneapolis as a neglected, violent neighborhood full of people who don't wash their hair make me feel ill. The editorializing in this piece is clueless and irresponsible. Apology, please.

Well, Rachel, you have managed to get another terrible article (eh...maybe not) in the Pages; I do not know how you've gotten to where you are and I hate to speculate but you are unworthy. Perhaps you would do better in a suburb commenting on the mowed lawns and McD's iced lattes. As someone who had a long history in Powderhorn and now lives rural, only to come back to my favorite urban neighborhood, I find you ignorant and incredibly small minded. I have to agree with every comment posted below as well as the FB comments I have recieved re: you're shallow dish. Please stay in the neighborhood of which you came. Although Powderhorn is accepting of everyone and their lifestyles, you just don't seem to get it.