At Crasqui, a Venezuelan restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota, every detail carries a story. From the ocean-blue floors and handcrafted bar to a menu rooted in traditional Venezuelan fare and tropical drinks, each element is intentional and reflects what chef and owner Soleil Ramirez describes as “a piece of her soul,” creating a space that is a return to her roots.

“This is not just a restaurant,” Ramirez said. “This is a place to feel peace.”

For Ramirez, Crasqui is more than a business. It is a way to share her culture, bring people together and build something bigger than herself, she said.

Built from connection and ambition

Ramirez’s love of cooking was shaped by time spent with family in Venezuela.

“I fell in love with cooking when I was very little,” she said. “Food for me always meant bringing everybody together.”

Those early memories gathering around the table at her grandmother’s home continue to guide her work, Ramirez said. Even the restaurant’s name reflects that connection, inspired by her favorite place in the world, a small Caribbean island off the coast of Venezuela.

Before opening Crasqui, Ramirez built a career in restaurants across Venezuela, Colombia and the United States, including owning her first business in a food market at age 26.

More than a restaurant

Ramirez opened Crasqui in 2023 with a clear goal: to introduce guests to Venezuelan culture through food, she said.

“Crasqui is a place where you can create memories,” Ramirez said. “We want you to travel with us to Venezuela.”

She found that people were immediately drawn to this philosophy and changes the menu regularly to reflect different regions and influences.

“The food and the drinks — they are a tribute to places, to people and to the history of Venezuela,” Ramirez said. “You feel spoiled, you feel like you are coming into a space you can be yourself and just enjoy your evening with us.”

As her business grew, so did the need for the right support. After facing challenges with a previous banking relationship and hearing positive things at a networking event from other business owners, Ramirez turned to U.S. Bank — a shift she describes as transformational.

“The support has been very, very incredible,” Ramirez said.

From opening accounts quickly to providing ongoing support, the partnership allowed her to focus on growing and expanding the business.

“When Soleil came to us, she needed a smooth transition and immediate access to the right tools,” said Adam Provart, a small business banking specialist based in the Twin Cities. “We were able to get her set up with a business credit card right away, so she could stay focused on her restaurant.”

Building community and what’s next

This sense of connection Ramirez created extends beyond the restaurant walls. She hosts events, supports other small businesses and actively works to bring people together across cultures. Her focus is not just on building a business, but on creating space for others to grow.

“This is my purpose,” she said. “To bring community and people together through food, and represent my country as a whole.”

As for what’s next, Ramirez is not slowing down.

With continued support from U.S. Bank, she is preparing to expand her reach through new initiatives, including a line of frozen products and a dinner series designed to educate guests on the evolution of Venezuelan cuisine.

“Soleil has a clear vision for where she wants to take her business,” Provart said. “Being able to support that next phase of growth as she expands into new offerings is what this partnership is all about.”

Watch the video above to learn more about Crasqui.