Ansari's Mediterranean Grill to Reopen After Fire

Ramsey Ansari never dreamed he would one day open a restaurant in the former Baker's Square restaurant he visited as a child. 

And he certainly never dreamed he'd have to do it twice.

Ansari shudders when asked to recount the events of when, in the predawn hours he walked into his 2-year-old restaurant and saw flames shooting up the wall.

Now, almost five months to the day after 100 firefighters worked in bone-chilling cold to put out the fire that began on the roof in the restaruant's heating and cooling system, Ansari and his brother David are gearing up for finally being able to reopen. 

"It's been a long haul", Ansari says of the recovery process, "12-hour days." 

"It's going to be nice to see my friends in the community," whom he has missed. "I would see them more than my own family."

He has been gratified by former customers who have stopped by during the remodeling to offer a hand, perhaps with painting, or cleaning or whatever needed to be done at the moment. 

For 30 years, the Ansari family has had a restaurant in Eagan. When the family's Mediterranean Cruise Cafe was sold to an uncle and relocated to Burnsville, the brothers knew they wanted to continue the Ansari tradition in Eagan. 

"I grew up here," Ansari says, "I wanted to stay in Eagan."

When the restaurant reopens on Monday, all but two of former employees will be back to cook the food and serve the customers. 

In addition to an updated menu with more American selections, changes include raised ceilings, an expanded patio, larger bathrooms, and all new furniture. The historic bar, dating back to 1905 and recovered from the former Leamington Hotel in Minneapolis has been extended as well. 

The doors will open at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 11. A formal grand opening celebration is being planned for later in the month. 

1960 Rahncliff Ct.
Eagan, MN 55122  
651-452-0999