Earlier this year, national dining club Tasting Collective made its Twin Cities entrée (pun intended). Founded in New York City in 2016, the self-proclaimed food lovers’ community offers exclusive, experimental tasting menus at top independent eateries in destinations like Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Seattle, Washington, D.C. and more.
Photography provided by Tasting Collective
So far, the members-only organization has partnered with renowned Minneapolis/St. Paul restaurants like Owamni, All Saints, Hyacinth and Bûcheron (which just won the 2025 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant) to present ticketed five-course dinners during evenings when these establishments are typically closed. It’s the perfect opportunity for adventurous epicures to gather, mix and mingle, and get a taste of something entirely unique prepared by the best chefs in town.
We recently got a chance to savor the experience at Herbst, the beloved St. Paul restaurant helmed by Executive Chef Ben Moenster, a Denmark native who spent two years as Spoon and Stable’s chef de cuisine. Full disclosure: We’re already huge fans of this hidden gem tucked away in the South St. Anthony Park neighborhood — not far from attractions like Allianz Field and the Surly Beer Hall — so we knew we were in for something special that late spring evening.
The farm-to-fork menu kicked off with a rouxai lettuce salad doused in sturgeon green goddess dressing and served with snap peas — the perfect encapsulation of spring’s optimism on a single plate. Next came the hamachi crudo, paired with lemon kombucha, buttermilk, radish and preserved citrus (we could’ve eaten our weight in this dish). The pasta course comprised a rich smoked chicken raviolo with ricotta, followed by the showstopping wagyu zabuton steak au poivre vert complemented by potato pave. The evening was capped with a slightly sweet olive oil cake with rhubarb. All told, it was a culinary journey enjoyed alongside fellow foodies.
But the best pairings with those unforgettable flavors were the impromptu chef storytelling, the engaging conversation between guests and the understanding that we were savoring a one-night-only experience. Attendees even provide (anonymous) feedback to the restaurant team about ambiance, food and the like.
So how does it all work? Tasting Collective memberships in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area cost $165 a year, which grants members the opportunity to buy tickets for these exclusive dining experiences (typically $75 for a five-course dinner) as well as other perks like access to curated culinary classes and products from artisan purveyors. The club offers at least one dining experience per month, with proceeds benefiting the featured restaurants.
Our take: Given that the Twin Cities food scene has become one of the hottest in the country, this is a delectable deal for foodies seeking something out of the ordinary — an opportunity to connect with like-minded gourmets over a meaningful, memorable meal.
