Some people have a way of making a table feel like more than just a place to eat. Esther Capp was one of them. Known for her warmth, hospitality, and the effortless way she welcomed guests into her home, she understood that the best meals were not just about the food—they were about the people gathered around the table. A great cook and a natural host, Esther made everyone feel like they belonged, inviting friends, family, and even strangers to sit, stay, and share in something meaningful.
That spirit lives on at Esther’s Table, created to honor the legacy of the Capp family and their tradition of hospitality. More than a restaurant, it’s a place built on genuine welcome, good food, and the connections that make a meal memorable. Rooted in something timeless, it carries forward the same warmth and generosity that made Esther’s table so special.
Executive Chef Keven Kvalsten brings a globally informed yet deeply Midwestern approach to Esther’s Table. A graduate of Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Minneapolis, Keven’s culinary perspective was shaped by his upbringing in Arizona and Wisconsin and sharpened through European training. He apprenticed in Tours, France, at the two-Michelin-starred La Roche Le Roy, working every station in the kitchen and developing the discipline and technical precision that define his style today.
Throughout his career, Keven has led and shaped respected Minnesota kitchens, including FireLake, The Twisted Fork, Dan Kelly’s Pub, and Corner Table, where he served as opening Chef de Cuisine and built lasting relationships with local farmers and producers. He also refined his leadership within hotel environments at Radisson Blu Minneapolis Downtown, Emery Hotel, and Hilton Minneapolis, and later opened his own restaurant, The Green Room, blending Midwest ingredients with classic European technique.
At Esther’s Table, his point of view centers on warm hospitality and refined comfort. Rooted in French tradition yet approachable and ingredient-driven, his dishes balance familiarity with subtle, unexpected touches — ensuring every guest leaves cared for, and pleasantly surprised.
