Eloise is entering a new chapter in downtown Wayzata, with plans to reopen in September as Bar Eloise — a more casual, flexible neighborhood restaurant designed to welcome walk-in diners, families and guests stopping in for drinks or a meal.
The restaurant from owner Lindsay Pohlad will refresh its name, interior, menu and overall guest experience following feedback from customers who enjoyed Eloise but wanted a place that felt easier to visit on an everyday basis.
“We have always believed the best restaurants belong to their communities,” the Bar Eloise team said. “Over the last few months, we’ve listened closely to our guests, and one message came through clearly: they love the food and the spirit of Eloise, but they want a place that feels easier to drop into, more casual, and more connected to the neighborhood.” fileciteturn0file0
Eloise will close Monday, Aug. 31, through Thursday, Sept. 3, while the space and brand identity are refreshed. Bar Eloise is scheduled to open to the public Friday, Sept. 4.
A More Casual Dining Experience
The updated restaurant will offer additional bar seating and high-top tables, along with integrated televisions in the bar area for guests interested in watching a game over dinner or drinks.
A large operable front window will allow the dining room to open toward Broadway Avenue, strengthening the restaurant’s connection to the surrounding downtown streetscape. A substantial portion of the indoor dining room will also be reserved for walk-ins.
The menu will move toward approachable, high-quality fare inspired in part by Pohlad’s sister restaurant, The Grocer’s Table. Seasonal ingredients will remain central, while the selection expands to include shareable plates, handhelds and hearty entrées.
Guest-favorite dishes and desserts from Eloise will remain, and the restaurant’s cocktail program will continue to be an important part of the experience. Bar Eloise also plans to offer a more family-friendly menu with options intended to appeal to a wider range of diners. fileciteturn0file0
Sunday brunch will begin Sept. 20, featuring popular selections inspired by The Grocer’s Table alongside dishes created specifically for Bar Eloise.
Expanded Patio to Welcome More Walk-Ins
The relaunch will coincide with a major expansion of the restaurant’s outdoor dining area recently approved by the Wayzata City Council.
The council voted 4-0 on July 21 to approve a seasonal sidewalk café permit adding approximately 468 square feet to the restaurant’s existing 165-square-foot patio. The expansion will extend south along Broadway Avenue into the public right-of-way in front of neighboring retailer Chico’s and provide outdoor seating for approximately 28 guests.
Pohlad told the council that the original patio was designed primarily for cocktails and appetizers when Eloise opened in 2024, but customers soon began asking to enjoy complete meals outdoors.
“Everyone wants to take advantage of every opportunity they have to sit outside,” Pohlad said.
The expanded area will provide more room between tables and allow the restaurant to accommodate outdoor dining more comfortably. Most of the new patio seating will be held for walk-in guests, supporting Bar Eloise’s effort to become a place people can visit more spontaneously.
Plans include new tables, seating, planters, railings and modifications to the existing patio. The layout will preserve a pedestrian walkway measuring slightly more than six feet wide, exceeding the city’s five-foot minimum clearance requirement.
Because the patio extends beyond the restaurant’s storefront, the arrangement was considered somewhat unusual. However, city staff determined that the proposal met requirements for pedestrian circulation, accessibility and fire access. The permit applies to the 2026 season and will return to the City Council for annual renewal.
The expanded patio is expected to be installed toward the end of August, depending on the arrival of tables, chairs and other furnishings. It will become a central part of the Bar Eloise experience when the restaurant reopens in September.
Bar Eloise will remain open from 4 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and from 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant will be closed Mondays. Sunday brunch will be offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Sept. 20.
