AT SARA’S TABLE

Duluth farm-fresh cafe expands

By Kelly Busche kbusche@duluthnews.com

AlA popular Duluth farm-to-table cafe has continued growing at its Chester Creek location.

Selling locally influenced comfort food, craft cocktails, coffee drinks, bakery items and more, At Sara’s Table Chester Creek Café has been a Duluth staple since the early 2000s. Now, it’s opened a second-floor expansion, giving the restaurant a larger kitchen and new gathering room.

Before the project, the restaurant struggled to manage the high volume of customers, co-owner Carla Blumberg said. Kitchen staff were also more stressed, and the facility couldn’t open all of its seating.

“I never thought in a million years it would be as busy as we are,” Blumberg said. She owns the restaurant with partner Barb Neubert.

Now, kitchen staff can better communicate because the prep and cooking lines are located next to one another, Executive Chef Jillian Forte said.

“I think for us, everything is a lot smoother. It’s faster, efficient. There’s more camaraderie because we used to be separated. Now we can hear each other tell jokes,” Forte said.

“When (the other line is) feeling the pressure, we can feel it more.”

They’ve also added a new fryer, stove, grill and griddle, among other changes.

The new kitchen may help them prep dishes quicker, and its