The Happy Gnome (former location of Chang O’Hara’s Bistro, 498 Selby Ave St Paul, MN 55102-1727 http://thehappygnome.com 651-287-2018 – Chang O’Hara’s Bistro used to be at 498 Selby Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, in the beautiful Cathedral Hill neighborhood. While in business, it used to serve regular pub cuisine but also various Irish and Asian influenced foods were on the menu.
The Bistro was famous for being the nightlife place to hit the club for jazz and blues. It featured jazz band on weekends and on special occasions. It had interesting décors that were not to be forgotten, including its famous red dragon statue that attracted the attention of the twin cities passersby.
Unfortunately in 2005, Chang’s O’Hara’s Bistro had to be shut down due to bankruptcy problems. It had to close its doors and file for bankruptcy because it had lost a sexual harassment lawsuit involving former workers. The owner is the person who runs the Sweeney’s Saloon and The Dale Street Wine Bar which are also in the twin cities, and those ones are still open.
In the place of Chang O’Hara’s Bistro is now The Happy Gnome. Happy Gnome operates Sundays through Saturdays from 11:30 to 1: AM. Happy Gnome serves such weekend brunch items as the Huevos Rancheros, which is a three corn tortillas layered with cheese and onions, smothered in genuine house made hatch New Mexico red chili sauce and topped with two eggs. You can also enjoy the Gnome Benedict, which includes two poached eggs, prosciutto French bread smothered in house made chipotle Hollandaise sauce, served with American fries. Other great selections are the chorizo con huevos, the late rizer, and the salmon omelet.
For dinner, Happy Gnome also features small plate menu such as smoked salmon and cassava cake, which is shallot-cornichon dressing, micro greens, and fried capers. Duck confit bruschetta, butternut squash gnocchi and many more are on the list of tasty items.
For vegetarians, there are many fresh veggies and fruits dishes. Their spinach, orange and toasted hazelnut salad include ginger-orange topped with mustard vinaigrette. Apple cheddar salad with walnuts is yet another great pick. It is a plate of mixed greens and honey-apple cider dressing.
They have a separate menu for the bar as well as for their firehouse room. In the bar, you can enjoy various selections of drafts for about five bucks, wines of various colors and makes, and other variety drinks. In the Firehouse Room, you can enjoy items like Seared Ahi Tuna which includes wasabi, pickled ginger, ponzu, and flat bread or buffalo chipotle sausage made of locally produced, sweet red cabbage slaw, and a spicy mustard crème.
So if you have heard a great deal about Chang O’Hara’s and its jazz and blues reputations, you heard well, but it is no longer in existence. Happy Gnome features live jazz bands as well so you can still visit the location and enjoy the environment. They still have the same beautiful interior with several cozy fireplaces and beautiful outdoor patio for hot summer nights.
