Estelles’ Eatery & Bar is a chef-owned, chef-driven restaurant with unique food and homemade sauces. This concept is behind everything they do; it helps them adapt and give people a better experience, according to Matt Brown.
“Food – it doesn’t matter who you are, what your religion is or who you voted for in the last election – you have to eat food; it puts everyone on the same level, using the medium of food,” Matt commented. “There is a deeper meaning and purpose to running a restaurant than just being a business.”
Matt started cooking with his brother Mike who operates seven restaurants under the flagship Travail Kitchens & Amusement in the Twin Cities area. Matt and Mike opened a gourmet pizza restaurant called Pig Ate My Pizza and served pizzas using different cuts of pork. The brothers came by their interest in restaurants naturally; their grandmother was in the business in San Diego for 30 years.
Matt was originally from Prior Lake, but he and his wife Heidi chose to move to Harmony to raise their family. With their first child on the way, they purchased a building for their restaurant. Heidi’s goal was to open during the Fourth of July celebration. Estelle’s opened July 3, 2015; baby Estelle arrived just a week later on July 10! Estelle’s and Stella have both grown up over the last 10 years.
When Estelle’s first opened in 2015, there was just the main dining room. A deck and pergola were added alongside the restaurant and, the same summer, Estelle’s hosted a party in a back room as a result of rainy weather. Afterward, they revamped that back room into a 35-seat private party room. The apartment upstairs was remodeled to create a three-bedroom home for the family.
After COVID, Matt and Heidi purchased land next door, built a large patio with a food service window and moved the deck near the front. The patio worked perfectly for COVID-weary customers ready to get out for a great meal in an open air setting.
About three years ago, they had the opportunity to invest in another business opportunity just down the street. Heidi, a SPED teacher for eight years, was ready for a career change. Knowing that Harmony needed a breakfast restaurant, the Browns decided to open Gabby Lou’s Kitchen. Heidi runs Gabby’s, bakes and helps to administer both restaurants and their catering business. Gabby Lou’s was named in honor of their second daughter, who had passed away.
When asked if Estelle’s has a specialty, Matt responded with no hesitation, “Pork nuggets!” and had some prepared to sample. It was easy to taste why they are so popular! The nuggets are tender cuts of pork loin marinated in teriyaki sauce, lightly coated, deep fried and served with just the right amount of teriyaki sauce. Matt learned to make the nuggets while working with his brother and has served the pork nuggets since Estelle’s opening. Customers rave about the nuggets and return specifically for them.
The best customer compliment Matt gets is, “I can’t believe this restaurant is in a small town!” He credits his 35-member staff with being friendly and intuitive and providing a welcoming atmosphere.
Estelle’s offers six signature cocktails which can be upgraded to use spirits from Harmony Spirits, the local distillery.
The Browns celebrate the anniversary of Estelle’s every year; this year’s celebration included music, a dunk tank and lobster rolls served outside. Their future business goals include staying open another 30 years. Their third daughter, Gracie, has not yet had a restaurant named after her. Matt chuckled, “Maybe we’ll have to do an ice cream or food truck for her!”
The Browns provide a couple of excellent food options to the lucky people in Harmony. Be sure to visit for great food and don’t forget the pork nuggets!
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