Insula - Ely, MN

By far, the best restaurant I've been to in Ely . . . 

How it took me a third time in Ely to make it here is a failure on my part, and I won't make that that mistake again.  You don't have to dress up, but it won't kill you to put on a collared shirt for a couple hours

We arrived about 6pm on a June Wednesday to only a twenty minute wait, so we killed some time at the Canadian Waters tourist-trappy store down the block (the pics are from lunch the next day . . . at night the place was heaving)

Inside it's nice, clean, crisp, but nothing too fancy

Dinner started of inauspicous.  Their Cauliflower Wings were sad.  It wouldn't have been my pick of the apps, though I was ok with them being ordered hoping they'd be elevated, but these were no better than you'd find in a sports bar.  Seemingly bought in frozen from Sysco.  Maybe Sam's Club?  A simple lack of effort toss off app.  And their mediocrity was all the more glaring in the light that shined off of nearly every other dish 

As in . . . 

Necessary Spoonlift shot

The Soup of the Day was a revelation.  A vegan chili that blew our minds.  Meaty and rich and flavorful . . . with quinoa and mushrooms, a bunch of different kinds of beans, green pepper, and a nice spice with a bit of heat.  We both loved it.  We should have ordered a bucket to go then and there because as I sadly found the next day, the chef only makes it once a week.  Don't know if it's always a Wednesday, but be sure to call and ask, because you WANT this vegan chili 

Their Kid's Menu looked a tidge pricy, but the quality was there.  The battered walleye nice hunks of house battered fish, frankly adult like and the best I've ever seen served to our child off a kid menu, lovely tartar sauce, fresh pineapple and blueberries.  The kiddo devoured it

Their Paella was straight up FANTASTIC.  All caps.  I loved it.  Delicious.  I devoured and soaked it up.  A concert with the green onion being a welcome touch.  The wild rice flavor and texture elevated it to a special place.  Insula makes a point of adding local and wild rice liberally around the menu, and it played excellently in the paella

The Southwest Steak Bowl that the lady ordered looked the part.  Fun fresh variety of flavors and textures . . . all let down by the gristly steak.  She said, "Every time I take a bite, I have to spit a chunk out".  She wasn't wrong.  The flavor was there, but . . . I took two bites of the steak, and I had to spit two chunks out.  I tried chewing and chewing and chewing but it just wasn't going to happen.  We frankly should have been less Minnesotan and sent the steak back

But how amazing was that chili and the paella!!!

Undeterred, I had returned the next day for lunch by myself.  Partially in hopes of snagging more of that killer vegan chili to bring back to the cabin, but no mas (see above, only one day a week).  Instead, I was served two more fantastic items 

First was Szechaun Brussel Sprouts.  Not on the appetizers, but as a $6.25 entree side.  They were excellent, and only bits of bacon away from being stellar

Necessary close-up

That was followed with an absolute DREAM of a Hot Peach Prosciutto flatbread.  Yes, again, all caps.  Possibly the most excellent flatbread I've ever had the pleasure tasting.  I should have rubbed my face in it.  Hot, sweet, succulent, decadent, melty, creamy, a bit of bite from the arugula . . . I can't say enough

I frankly don't understand how the Buffalo Wild Wings Cauliflower Wings are on the same menu as THIS flatbread, and THE vegan chili, and THAT paella 

Irregardless, I WILL be back to Insula the next time I'm in Ely, probably two or three times.  Can't wait

Comments, Questions, Two Bit Opinions, and Whatnot are welcome:

tundrabites     @      yahoo.com

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Insula - 145 East Sheridan St, Ely, MN 55731

218-365-4855

IG #insula.restaurant

www.insularestaurant.com