Serving NE Minneapolis Something New

Often in life, we come to a transitional period between what was and what will be. Part of human nature is our ornate ability to adapt and face adversity.  That is no different for the owner of Bardo in Minneapolis.  For nearly two decades, Remy Pettus has submerged himself in the culinary world. He has successfully helped launch a few restaurants, but now he is stepping out of the kitchen and into an ownership role.

In some schools of Buddhism, Bardo is a transitional state between death and rebirth. For Remy, this transition was from chef to owner. His newest creation, Bardo, is a modern American chef-driven dinner spot, nestled in Northeast Minneapolis.

New Beginnings

Since the early 2000s, Remy Pettus dreamed of owning his own restaurant. When his tenure as the head chef at Eastside ended abruptly, he found himself in a state of transition. He figured it was as good a time as any to open his own restaurant. “I wasn’t given much of a reason,” he said of being fired. However, that experience gave him the foundation for his next move.

At first, the owner of the bistro, Rachel’s, wasn’t ready to sell. After several months of negotiations, that eventually changed.  The bistro closed in November of 2016 and Remy seized the opportunity, taking over the lease in January. “I had been keeping an eye on that location for 10 years,” Remy said. “I’ve always thought it was one of the coolest neighborhoods in Minneapolis.” The next step of his journey was bringing his culinary vision to life.

Motivation for Meals

For now, Remy is keeping his menu under wraps until opening night. Diners can expect seasonal, fresh, and local ingredients. The gourmet entrees are moderately priced. He wants to embrace everything northeast Minneapolis has to offer and add a fresh experience for diners. “Northeast is already known for its quick bites, but there is nothing quite like this,” states Remy.

Remy believes Bardo is set apart from other eateries by their ability to evolve. “We have agility on the team. You treat every day differently. [We take] influences from all across the country rather than what is known in Minneapolis,” states Remy. While Bardo will provide rich dishes, much of its fare will be heart-healthy because he wants his patrons to leave feeling energized enough to still go dancing after.

Creating and serving others keeps him motivated. He is inspired by the ingredients, the colors, and the science of food or technicality in its preparation. Remy explains, “I love having the perfect bite, paired with [a] perfect beer or wine. It’s a transcendent experience when done right.”

Advice to other Entrepreneurs

“You’re never free in this business until you work for yourself. Being an owner was really the only way for me to do what I really wanted.”  Remy’s advice to young entrepreneurs is to set goals and never look back. He believes you will always have some doubts, which is natural. He also advises entrepreneurs to ask themselves if you will be as ready as now. If so, then go for it.

Bardo opens its doors on August 24th. Check out their links below!

Facebook – Instagram: @bardompls