La Belle Vie, regarded by many as Minnesota's top restaurant, opened in Stillwater in 1998. When owners Josh Thoma and James-Beard-nominated chef Tim McKee opened their successful sister restaurant, Solera, in downtown Minneapolis, they determined that La Belle Vie should also move to the big city, based on customer feedback and sheer logistics.

They landed at 510 Groveland, a former formal restaurant space in an upscale, historic apartment co-op. The design of the space enhances the quality elements that existed in the historic building: exquisite moldings, a large fireplace, terrazzo floors, and chandeliers. The main dining room was transformed with new lighting and furniture, artwork, wine cabinets and a captain's table in the middle of the space to reinforce the upscale yet casual nature of the environment. A complete overhaul of the lounge area replaced a very dull parlor. Shea blended the building's historic elements with modern touches and the lounge has become one of the city's best kept secrets. City Pages editor chose it as Best Restaurant in the "2008 Best of the Twin Cities" issue stating, "The new Minneapolis space, which the restaurant moved into a couple of years ago, offers two options: the refined, white, chandelier-lit main dining room, where you can splurge on the blowout eight-course tasting menu, and the dark, funky lounge, where you'll find the most creative, well-balanced cocktails in town, and a more casual menu, so you can taste the good life a little more often."