Culinary Trio Stirs Things Up Among Bloomington, MN Restaurants

BLOOMINGTON, MN--(Marketwired - Dec 31, 2013) - Travel is imbued with many advantages. Among them, new experiences and exotic locales. Not usually among them, airport dining. But stepping in to fill the gastronomic gap is the distinctive Bistro 79 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott. Just a shuttle ride away from the Twin Cities' terminals, this dynamic dining spot is a gem among restaurants in Bloomington, MN, both for showcasing the talents of a highly experienced culinary team and for giving travelers something (delicious) to chew on.

When guests arrive at Bistro 79 for breakfast, lunch or dinner, they encounter a warm, contemporary space. Natural elements like stone walls and hardwood floors are hemmed in by clean-lined furniture and light fixtures. This merging of the aesthetic palette with the culinary palate is simply the first of many ways by which Bistro 79 distinguishes itself from other MSP airport restaurants.

But the dining experience is about far more than décor. Overseeing the daily composition of entrees, appetizers and cocktails is a triumvirate of chefs helmed by Executive Chef Thomas Hearn. Hearn brings with him numerous awards and more than two decades of experience in the kitchens of such notable establishments as The Miramonte Hotel and Spa, as well as restaurants, country clubs, cafes and spas around the world. Hearn translates all his well-traveled experience into a classic-yet-fresh menu at Bistro 79.

One of Hearn's talents -- besides snowboarding and rock climbing, which he does in his spare time -- is management, and that explains his top-performing staff. Banquet Chef Steven Green, for example, joined the team in September 2013 to transform the banquet preparation and serving process. Green's training at Le Cordon Bleu, and his background in local restaurants, helped prepare him for the monumental task of timing required to serve hundreds of guests at once and make the hotel a top choice for a Minneapolis wedding reception or business conference. And Green's success so far has not gone unnoticed. Hearn notes that Green is driven to be not just good or great but excellent.

The same can be said of Sous Chef Christie Marrs. Hearn instructed Marrs during her training at Le Cordon Bleu, only to oversee her work eight years later at what is one of the most luxurious hotels by the Mall of America. Marrs boasts extensive experience in both hotel and country club restaurants, and her hobbies, which include devising dishes that feature game meat, speak to the creative energy she brings to the kitchen.

The result is a restaurant that not only surpasses the options at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, but one that is worth traveling for.

About the Minneapolis Airport Marriott
Whether travelers are in town for business, pleasure or a layover, the Minneapolis Airport Marriott makes an ideal place to stay. Its convenient location near the Mall of America and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport allows for complementary shuttle service to both destinations, while the Minnesota Zoo, Valley Fair and downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul are all easily accessible as well. The hotel's 23 meeting rooms and 19,000 square feet of event space make it a top choice among business travelers, and its two concierge levels and new lobby only enhance its appeal. The flexible function rooms and outdoor courtyard with a gazebo also make the hotel an ambient location for weddings and special events. Every traveler, meanwhile, enjoys the hotel's luxurious 460 guest rooms and 12 suites, which feature cable television, Marriott's signature Revive bedding and spacious work desks. The hotel's sophisticated and savory Bistro 79 tops local restaurant choices, and its fitness center and indoor pool provide healthy ways for guests to unwind.

About Marriott Hotels
With 500 hotels and resorts in nearly 60 countries around the world, Marriott Hotels is evolving travel through every aspect of the guest's stay, enabling the next generation to Travel Brilliantly. Boldly transforming itself for mobile and global travelers who blend work and play, Marriott leads the industry with innovations, including the Greatroom, Future of Meetings and Mobile Guest Services that elevates style & design and technology. All Marriott hotels participate in the award winning Marriott Rewards frequent travel program that allows members to earn hotel points or airline miles for every dollar spent during each stay. For more information, visit www.MarriottHotels.com.

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