Macanda, a new restaurant on Lake Minnetonka that serves “an eclectic mix of global flavors in a traditional Mexican structure,” didn’t disappoint. However, after seeing the sizable check, I realized the dinner didn’t match the restaurant’s high prices.
If you are looking for a lively atmosphere, gorgeous lakeshore view, mocktails (or cocktails for those of age), and a little bit of spice, Macanda might be the splurge for you. The interior decor falls in line with the cuisine, featuring a nod to Latin American design styles, except with a more tonal color palette. The design includes a Mexican-style tile floor, light wood furniture pieces, as well as a bounty of greenery nestled in painted clay planters. It feels as if you’ve walked into a tropical South American beach resort.
The restaurant was far from crowded, the service was excellent, and we had paid the check only after an hour. The passion fruit mocktail was fantastic, but with two icebergs and no booze for a whopping eight dollars, the pour could’ve been more generous. For starters, we ordered chips with salsa and guacamole and the corn panzanella. The chips were generously portioned, but were far too salty, overpowering the three salsa trio (which had some kick) and delicious guac. The corn panzanella was similarly generous in portion size, and was a delightfully fresh dish with crisp textures and refreshing flavors.
Next, for the main event, the tacos. We ordered the tempura shrimp tacos and grilled carne asada tacos. Each came with only two average-sized tacos, which was disappointing considering the $15-20 price. The tacos tasted great, were easy to eat, had a bit of spiciness, but didn’t blow us out of the water.
Finally, while I was disappointed that there were no churros on the menu, we ordered the chocolate trifle. The dessert resembled a chocolate mousse of sorts, a more deconstructed trifle, with cream, cookie crumbles, and pineapple garnishing it. A perfect sharing size, the dessert was rich and creamy, but again, relatively expensive. In the end, diners must decide whether or not Macanda’s perfectly respectable food and ambiance is worth the splurge.
