Como Park restaurant opens in May with New Orleans-style food

The water of Lake Como glistens in front of the Lakeside Pavilion at Como Regional Park, Zoo and Conservatory. (Pioneer Press 2007 file)

Como Dockside Lakeside Pavilion, the restaurant that will replace Black Bear Crossings at Como Park in St. Paul, will open the first week in May -- just in time for patio season -- with a sizable menu and upgraded patio, co-owner Jon Oulman said this week.

Oulman, with his son Jarret Oulman and business partner Josh Mandelman, plan to serve breakfast, lunch and dinner at the restaurant overlooking Como Lake. The trio also runs Amsterdam Bar and Hall in St. Paul.

According to Jon Oulman, the menu will be New Orleans-inspired and include barbecued meats, etouffee and side dishes like mac and cheese served picnic style in baskets. There will also be vegetarian-friendly options as well and kid-friendly meals such as hamburgers. Craft cocktails, wine and beer also will be on the menu.

Customers can expect the patio seating areas -- with a combination of picnic and bistro tables -- to move around throughout the summer. Construction will happen in phases. Changes will include the addition of two to three bocce ball courts, new paving and landscaping.

"There will be outdoor construction this spring and summer," Oulman said. "There will be a lot of seating. It's just going to move around."

Rolling out the food offerings also will happen in phases. A barbecue menu will kick off the restaurant's unveiling next month, and Oulman said the plan is to open a walk-up window with a menu still to be determined around Memorial Day.

Oulman said there also are plans for a separate organization to partner with the trio to offer watercraft rentals such as pedal boats and a guided 30-foot electric powered cruise boat. Como Dockside would supply food for those boaters.

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Como Park restaurant opens in May with New Orleans-style food