Twin Cities Hot Spots

Ruth's Chris Steakhouse - Minneapolis

2010-12-22T13:14:00.012-06:00

On Saturday night, I dined at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It was my first experience at the steakhouse located in Downtown Minneapolis on 920 2nd Avenue South. I was very surprised how nice it was. They are open on Monday thru Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sundays from 4:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The aroma at the restaurant was great.

They had dark lighting and dark colors on the walls. The menu was fantastic, with tasty

appetizers, steaks, lobster, shrimp, lamb chops, salads, and soup. The price was affordable too for how tasty it is and how nice the environment was. The service was fantastic as well, as they were definitely experienced and were very

friendly.

Spoon River - Minneapolis

2010-11-16T13:18:00.004-06:00

The first snow fall of the year has got me thinking about soup and I can't think of a better spot in Minneapolis for soup other than Spoon River. They almost always have a couple fresh soups each day and I have yet to try one I didn't love. Super fresh ingredients and never too salty. Spoon river is not just about soup. They have an incredible lunch, dinner and brunch menu. Today I had the pinto bean chili and it was awesome, and as far as I could tell, vegetarian.

Spoon River is the ideal spot if you have Guthrie Theatre tickets, as they are only steps apart from each other. They have a nice little bar if you are looking for a pre-show cocktail.

I will try and follow up with a more in depth review of Spoon River soon.

Spoon River is located at 702 South 2nd Street in Minneapolis, MN. They are open Tuesday-Thursday 11:30am-9:00pm, Friday 11:30am-10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm, Sunday 10:00am-9:00pm, closed Mondays. Spoon River's phone number is 612-436-2236.

Scusi - St Paul

2010-11-10T17:52:00.005-06:00

A great new spot just opened this month in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood in Saint Paul. Scusi, a cozy Italian restaurant featuring pizza, pasta and wine in a casual comfortable atmosphere. I've already been there twice. Once for dinner with my better half and back again for brunch with the kids.

For dinner we started by having our server pick for us a couple salumi, a couple cheeses and a trio of olives. All were great and served with some homemade toasted flat bread. Then we shared the Veal Bolognaise Gnocchi and Shrimp Ravioli. Both were great and both I would have again. After the past we shared the also excellent Short Ribs. We rounded out dinner with a meatball and mushroom pizza. The pizza was great, but we had to take most of it home. We washed all of this down with a terrific bottle of wine. They have a nice wine list and prices are very fair.

Only a couple days past and we were back for brunch. We started off with Zeppole which are Italian doughnuts with whipped cream, cherries and chocolate. These were such a hit with the kids we immediately ordered a second plate. We then shared Hash browns with Gouda, Double Smoked Bacon, Angel hair Pasta with Meatballs and a Pepperoni Pizza. Everything was great, but if I had to pick a favorite it would be the Hash browns. I will be going back for these.

Scusi has a cozy little wine bar and a main dining room divided by the kitchen. The wine bar would make a great place to sample a few plates over a glass of wine. They offer a number of wines by the glass on tap and are able to keep the bottles sealed in a glass cooler.

The plates are on the smaller side and meant to share. Prices are very reasonable and the quality overall is high. Service on both visits was great.

Scusi is located near the corner of St. Clair and Fairview at 1806 St. Clair Avenue. Just down the street from the Groveland tap.

The Best Burger - Minneapolis St. Paul Minnesota

2010-07-10T08:21:00.003-06:00

Hearing the news the Nook is taking over the Ran-Ham Bowling Alley got me craving a Nook Burger. There has been a lot on controversy revolving around the shift in management. I say business is business and burgers are burgers, so let's eat. Burgers, bowling and beer seem like the perfect fit to me. It had been awhile since I've been to the Nook in Saint Paul. Coupled with the fact they are always busy now after their appearance on Food Network's Diners Drive-ins and Dives and that there are so many great burger spots now in the Twin Cites I have not been visiting the Nook as often. After tonight's visit I was reminded and convinced that the Nook still has the best burger in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. I went with my usual, the Lodge Burger with fries and a cold tap of Stella Artois. I can't wait to post my first entry after rolling thunder at Casper and Runyon's Ran-Ham Lanes!

Five Guys Burger and Fries - Edina, MN

2010-05-26T14:14:00.009-06:00

Anyone looking for a great quick burger fix should check out Five Guys Burger and Fries in Edina. Five Guys is no frills, but the burgers are awesome. The menu is very simple. They have burgers, dogs and fries. You pay extra for cheese and bacon. Mayo, relish, onions, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup, mustard, jalapeno peppers, green peppers, steak sauce, Bar-B-Q sauce and hot sauce are all free. The regular burgers are all doubles, so you may want to go with a "Little Burger", which is a single and load on the free toppings. They have free peanuts to snack on while you wait for your food. Five Guys Burger and Fires is located at 3871 Gallagher Drive in Centennial Lakes in Edina across from the Container Store.

Mall of America - Minneapolis - Saint Paul, MN

2010-05-20T13:29:00.011-06:00

People who believe you can't get a decent meal when at the mall are going to have to rethink their position. There are some great new spots to check out at the Mall of America.

R Burger Bar, which is part of the House of Comedy on the fourth floor entertainment area. In addition to great burgers made from ground beef and kobe beef they also offer turkey, chicken, walleye and veggie. If you're not in the mood for a burger try one of their hot dogs or Asian wraps. Make sure you try the poutine, which is basically french fries with cheese and gravy

Crave has been called the chicest restaurant at the mall. Crave has a huge menu with across the board options including sushi, wood fired pizza, Asian, American and Italian. If you can't find something you like at Crave you must not like to eat.

Salad Fusion is a fast food hot spot specializing in fresh salads and sushi made to order.

I think Wikki Hut has the best Asian fast-food at the mall.

ChikWich serves a real mean chicken tender and chicken sandwich. Probably my favorite right after Canes on the University of Minnesota campus. Don't forget the waffle fries

Saji Ya - St. Paul

2010-03-03T09:35:00.005-06:00

We stopped at Saji Ya in St. Paul after picking up Xcel Energy Center tickets for the John Mayer show. I think Saji Ya is easily one of the top sushi restaurants in the Twin Cities. Being it was a Tuesday night, the restaurant was fairly quiet and we had no problem getting a seat at the bar. I really like their Agadashi Tofu, which is fried tofu served in tempura sauce with ground radish, ginger and scallions. For dinner we went with a couple signature rolls and some nigiri sushi. We shared the crunchy roll with shrimp tempura, masago, spicy mayo and tempura flakes. My favorite of the two was the Super Saji roll consisting of tuna, salmon, shrimp, yellow tail with spicy mayo and tempura flakes.

Saji Ya is located on Grand Avenue near Dale in Saint Paul.

The Sample Room - Minneapolis

2010-01-29T12:50:00.005-06:00

I'm not sure how long it's been since my first visit to the Sample Room in Northeast Minneapolis, but it feels like it must be close to ten years. That was back when i was a Nordeaster. I moved to Saint Paul and had kind of forgot about it until a friend of mine was raving about a recent visit. This prompted my return and I'm happy to have rediscovered this gem just down the street from the old at 2124 Marshall Avenue NE.

The Sample Room specializes in small plates and flights of wine, whiskey and more. We went for the Grand Sample Combo Platter which included a choice of any four small plates at a discounted price. We tried the baked goat cheese with oven roasted tomato and basil, meatloaf with homemade smoked tomato ketchup, seared sea scallops, and roasted Brussels sprouts and butternut squash.

I would most recommend the sprouts and squash. I'm not a huge vegetable guy, but these were REALLY good. They are roasted with tons of brown sugar and super tender. Next best was the baked Stickney Hill goat cheese with oven-dried Roma tomatoes and basil oil. This went really well with the home made breads. I liked the seared scallops with pumpkin seed picada. My date thought they were a bit over cooked. Neither of us thought the bison-pork-beef three meatloaf was very exciting. Not bad, just didn't meet it's potential. We split a deluxe cheeseburger with bacon medium rare. It was really solid. For desert we had the bread pudding which was excellent.

The Sample room is open 11am Monday through Friday and 10am Saturday & Sunday. The kitchen closes at 10pm Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday & Saturday. The bar closes at 1am everyday.

D' Amico Kitchen - Minneapolis

2010-01-22T13:16:00.008-06:00

I checked out D' Amico Kitchen downtown Minneapolis. They moved out of there old digs in Butler Square and are now located on the ground floor of the swank Chambers Hotel in the heart of the Hennepin Theatre District. This would be a great spot for a nice dinner or upscale snack if you're holding Orpheum Theatre tickets.

The atmosphere is upscale and trendy but still feels warm and invited. The artwork in the restaurant and hotel are worth the visit.

The menu is grouped by antipasti, pasta and secondi. Our waitperson recommended that we each go with one of each. If I go back I would probably stick to the small plates, as they were the highlight of the meal and after which we were all getting a bit full to really appreciate the main course. The fresh bread served was great and could have easily made a satisfying meal paired with the small plates. I think we went through three baskets.

We started with the mussels, tuna, lamb meatballs and roasted beets. All of these were excellent. The mussels were served in a basil-garlic butter and were so good we ordered some more to share with the table. My favorite was the lamb meatballs served with pine nut, currant and yogurt. These, by themselves, will probably bring me back. The yellow fin tuna was served with avocado and melon and I really liked the roasted beets with pistachio, Gorgonzola and pumpkin seed vinaigrette. The beets with the Gorgonzola is a great combo.

We tried the mushroom risotto, ravioli and butternut squash cappelletti for the pasta course. They were all solid, but I think the standout was the ravioli with bufala ricotta, goat cheese, speck, tomato and basil.

Everyone was pretty full by the time the main course was delivered to the table. We tried the braised short rib, sea scallop, grilled swordfish and chicken under brick. All the dinners were good, but I didn't have anything that would send me racing back.

D' Amico has a great wine list, but the prices are a bit of a hammer. I don't understand why restaurants feel they need to charge three retail.

If you go to D' Amico Kitchen or the Chambers Hotel during the winter make sure to check out the Ice Chamber ice bar and fire pit out in the courtyard.

D' Amico Kitchen is located in the Chambers Hotel at 901 Hennepin Avenue. Right across the street from the Orpheum Theatre. Their phone number is 612-767-6960. D' Amico Kitchen's hours are 6:30am - 10pm Sunday through Thursday and 6:30am - 10pm Friday and Saturday.

7th Street Bistro - Saint Paul

2009-12-30T18:21:00.002-06:00

I was sad to learn one of my favorite spots to grab a snack when I have Minnesota Wild tickets has changed ownership. I popped in for a Gyro before the game and unfortunately did not get the same great food I was used to. They used to have one of the best, and biggest gyros in town. Sadly that is no longer the case. I hope the new management figures it out.

Punch Pizza - Saint Paul

2009-10-28T13:33:00.013-06:00

If I ask my kids where they want to go to dinner their answer nine times out of ten is Punch. If you are looking for the best Neapolitan style pizza in the the Twin Cities then Punch is where you want to go. They take their pizza very serious here. From the 800 degree wood fired oven to the authentic dough and ingredients Punch will make you feel like you are in Naples Italy. You can choose your own toppings or pick from one of their 18 classic pizzas. If you're extra hungry try the excellent artichoke dip or fresh salad. You can get their pizza to take out, but I think it is so much better when it comes right out of the oven. They offer several interesting affordable wines by the glass, carafe and bottle. Punch is family friendly, but I've seen it get very busy. If you are in a hurry try the restaurant on Grand Avenue. You give up the table service, but you get your food much quicker. At the moment there are six Punch locations. Highland Park, Eden Prairie, Lake Calhoun, Northeast, Wayzata and Grand Avenue. A seventh punch location is opening on the University of Minnesota campus at Stadium Village. I can't think of a better place to start the evening if you are holding Minnesota Gophers Hockey tickets.

Bario - St. Paul

2009-10-11T07:45:00.012-06:00

Both Bario Tequila Bar locations are definitely two of the Twin Cities hottest spots right now. I've been to both, and both are great, but I must say I favor the Saint Paul location a little over the Minneapolis location on Nicollet Avenue. The space in Saint Paul is a lot bigger and it's always been easy for me to get a spot at the bar and parking is not a problem. When you go, sit at the bar for better service. They have several house margaritas. You can't go wrong with any of them. The food has also been consistently excellent.

If you go, you have to try the chips and guacamole and the black bean & chicken tostada. They've done an awesome job balancing flavor and texture. If you're holding Minnesota Wild tickets stop at Bario before or after the game for a great sports bar alternative and if it's packed the Bulldog is right next door. Bario St. Paul is located at 235 E. 6th St. across the steet from Smith Park near the corner of Wacouta & 6th. Bario's phone number is 651-222-3250 and you can make your reservations on open table.

Vikings Packers game at the Metrodome - Minneapolis

2009-10-08T14:07:00.002-06:00

My buddies from Milwaukee were in town this past week and we were not able to score any Vikings Packers tickets for the big game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. We decided to watch the game at the Groveland Tap in Saint Paul. The place was packed and the crowd was rowdy. My friends were impressed with the huge tap beer selection. They likened the Tap to a good old Wisconsin Tavern without all the cigarette smoke and Packer fans.

Groveland Tap - St Paul

2009-09-25T15:41:00.007-06:00

It seems the the Groveland Tap in Saint Paul has been trending upwards the last few years. They offer a very impressive selection of beer on tap and a very good bar-food menu. I've been there the last two Thursdays for taco night. The tacos are simple and great. Hard or soft, beef or chicken and served with a side of sour cream and salsa. I'm no hot sauce afficianado, but I'm now hooked on the Marie Sharps habanero pepper hot sauce from Belize. I would say the hard chicken is my favorite, but I like all of the four combinations. There is a different special every night except Saturday. It seems like Taco Thursdays is the most popular. Some other highlights off the menu are the fried cheese curds, which I think are some of the best in town, nachos, perogies, the Juicy Lucy and Philly Cheese Steak.

The Groveland Tap is located in the Mac-Grovland neighborhood of Saint Paul just off the corner of St Clair and Fairview. They feature a large game area and it's a great place to bring the kids.

Tsunami Sushi - Minneapolis

2009-09-15T07:45:00.003-06:00

I have checked out Tsunami Sushi a couple of times since they've open and have yet to post due to the fact it seemed they were still working out some kinks. I've received multiple reports from others, some great and others not so great. I was lucky enough to score some Owl City tickets for the show at the Cabooze a week from Saturday. I will give Tsunami another go before the show and let you all know what I think.

Bellanotte - Minneapolis

2009-07-24T09:33:00.002-06:00

Another downtown Minneapolis night spot bites the dust. Bellanote, located in the Block E entertainment complex downtown Minneapolis, recently announced it is closing it's doors. A long time favorite destination for those attending events at Target Center, cited the changing economic climate as a major factor. Personally, I can't say I was ever a huge fan and they seemed to be trending downwards the last few years. It will be interesting to see if anyone is willing to jump into such a large space in this economy. It would be an ideal location to take advantage of the new Minnesota Twins ballpark, Target Field. Also, the Timberwolves can only get better.

Tsunami Sushi - Minneapolis

2009-07-14T12:37:00.003-06:00

I was informed by a friend that Tsunami Sushi is opening in the old azuki Sushi spot near the University of Minnesota campus. The azuki ownership moved back to New York and a couple of the sushi chefs from Saji Ya in Saint Paul are opening up in the same location with a new menu. I'm hoping they will still have the New Orleans roll. I will check it out this weekend and report back with more information next week.

Bar Lurcat - Minneapolis

2009-07-12T10:40:00.006-06:00

I scored some Target Center Tickets for the Green Day show and decided to stop at Lurcat in Minneapolis beforehand. I think they have the best French Fries in the Twin Cities. Lurcat has both a sit down restaurant on one side and a large bar and outdoor patio on the other side. The restaurant is great, but I prefer the bar. Both the bar menu and dinner menu are available in the the bar. If you go, you must try the Fries with Bearnaise sauce and the mini burgers. You will become addicted. Lurcat is located just off Loring Park across the street from the Walker Art Center and the Basilica of St. Mary at 1624 Harmon Place. Parking is usually not a problem, but they do offer valet parking if you can't find a spot on the street. Bar Lurcat's hours are Monday - Thursday 5pm - 10 pm, Friday & Saturday 5pm - 1am, and Sunday 5pm - 9pm. Their phone number is 612-486-5500.

Chirs & Rob's Chicago's Taste Authority - Saint Paul

2009-07-10T15:45:00.019-06:00

I've driven past Chris & Rob's Chicago's Taste Authority on West 7th Street in Saint Paul numerous times and finally stopped to check it out. They are located in an old dining car previously occupied by Villa Pizza. It was nice to see they cleaned it up quite a bit. The added garage door was a nice touch. Anyone looking for a quick Chicago street-food-vendor fix this is your spot. The Chicago dog, made with Vienna Beef of course, will take you back to Wrigley Field with your first bite.

I can't claim to be an expert, but this was maybe the best hot Italian beef I've had anywhere. A gigantic portion of meat and pretty spicy. If you have Minnesota Wild tickets I would definitely recommend taking a pit spot here before the game. Chris & Robs Chicago's Taste Authority in St. Paul is open Monday - Saturday 11am - 9pm and Sunday 12 - 7pm. They are located at 603 West 7th Street in Saint Paul not far from Xcel Energy Center.

azuki sushi closed - OH NO!

2009-06-18T07:41:00.003-06:00

You may have heard my go-to sushi spot is closed forever. Earlier this month asuki sushi in Minneapolis closed and rumour has it the owners moved back to New York. The good news is a couple of sushi chefs from another of my favorite restaurants are opening their own sushi bar in the old azuki space. The sign on the window says opening soon.

Salut - Saint Paul

2009-04-25T09:15:00.008-06:00

I seized on the opportunity to dine outside for the first time this year with the 80 degree temperatures. It was a perfect evening for Salut Bar Americain on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. This was probably my third time dining on the patio at Salut and all three times have been pretty consistent. Grand Avenue, and Saint Paul in general, are desperate for more places like Salut. I hope more local restaurateurs take note of Salut’s apparent success and open up more cool places to go out to. They were sure busy on this warm spring night. I’ve noticed on the half dozen or so times I here that it is a favorite spot for girl’s night out. Salut has a comfortable bar area that opens on to the large outdoor patio. There is also a large indoor dining room and even when they are very busy I’ve never had to wait longer than a couple drinks to get a table. I’m not sure is Salut is an American bar-restaurant trying to be a French bistro or a French bistro trying to be an American bar-restaurant. Either way it seems to work. You will feel comfortable here in a jacket and tie or t-shirt and flip flops. The food and service at Salut are good, but if they could kick it up a notch or two I think they would really have something. None the less, it is still probably the best option on Grand if you a looking for a spot to meet up with friends between Lexington and Dale that is a step up from the rest.

We started out with a generous portion of calamari which was lightly fried and served with both an aioli mayo and a roasted red pepper sauce. Both complimented the calamari nicely. I shared a crock of the French onion soup, which always hits the spot. For the main course I shared Le Cheeseburger Royale, a bacon cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato and onion, served with excellent Pomme Frites and Béarnaise sauce. The French fries with the side of Béarnaise were the highlight. Unfortunately, the Lyonnaise frisee salad we shared was not so great. We finished off the evening with a gigantic piece of red velvet cake with cream cheese icing. This cake is awesome and worth a trip just for desert.

I would put the menu prices on the reasonable moving towards the high side. There is plenty of variety on the menu as well. Anywhere from small plates to full blown steak and fresh seafood dinners. Salut is located at 917 Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. They are open Monday – Thursday 11am – 10pm, Friday & Saturday 11am – Midnight and Sunday 10am-10pm.

Blue Door Pub - Saint Paul

2009-01-22T08:32:00.019-06:00

I've been to the Blue Door Pub three times since it opened a few months back and each time it has been great. Located just off the corner of Selby and Fairview in the Merriam Park / Lexington - Hamline neighborhood, it's the perfect spot to grab a casual bite to eat or a great micro brew. It is a cozy little restaurant and it's been packed every time I've been there. But don't let the crowds discourage you. There is a small bar and plenty of great beer on tap. It's definitely worth the wait and the kids will love the chalk board walls in the booths. This would be a great spot before or after the game if have Minnesota Wild tickets.

My favorite appetizer has to be the Spam Bites. Spam, cream cheese, pickles rolled up into generous sized balls, breaded and deep fried. They are served with a spicy chili lime sauce and are out of this world. They also offer some the best fried green beans I've ever had. You can get them as an appetizer or on the side with your sandwich as an alternative to fries or tater tots. The tots are also excellent. Either plain, my preference, or Cajun.

I usually prefer a proper burger over the stuffed 'juicy lucy' style or 'Blucy' as they are called here, but the Blue Door Pub does a really nice job with theirs. On my last visit I tried the Frenchie, which was the burger of the day. Stuffed with Swiss cheese and caramelized onion on a toasted, buttered, super fresh bun and served with a side of au jus. This was incredible and I can't wait to satisfy my craving for another on my next visit. Another favorite of mine is the Pub Sandwich, which is basically a BLT with pepper jack cheese and a fried egg. I have also tried the Blucy, their specialty burger stuffed with blue cheese and garlic, and their straight up cheese burger. Both are worth coming back for.

The Blue Door Pub is located at 1811 Selby Avenue. They are open Monday - Sunday 11am - 1am. The phone number is 651-493-1865.

azuki sushi open and delivers to downtown Minneapolis

2008-12-10T15:03:00.003-06:00

Azuki sushi is open!!! I had lunch delivered this week and it was great. My office is close to the Metrodome downtown Minneapolis. I'm not sure how extensive their delivery area is, but if you live or work downtown, it is definitely worth checking out.

azuki sushi open December 1st!!!

2008-11-18T16:41:00.003-06:00

Great news for azuki sushi fans! Jenny from azuki sent me a message to let everyone know they plan on being open December 1st after they are finished remodeling.

azuki sushi closed ???!!!

2008-11-15T11:33:00.002-06:00

My buddy scored us some Minnesota Gophers hockey tickets for the game today. I offered to buy lunch at my favorite sushi spot, azuki in Dinkytown on the University of Minnesota campus. To my horror it was closed up. There is a note on the door saying 'closed for remodeling'. It did not appear there was any work going on inside. A passer-by noticed us peering in the window and told us they've been closed for over a week or two. I really hope they are only closed for remodeling and not closed for good. If anyone out there has the inside scoop please post a comment.

Cantina #1 - Bloomington

2008-11-07T17:01:00.012-06:00

I went to check out the new Cantina #1 at the Mall of America on a recommendation from a friend of mine. Usually, I try and avoid the chain restaurants, but on this occasion I was pleasantly surprised. I was totally expecting a super-cheesy Jimmy Buffet cheeseburger in Paradise type joint serving uninspiring mall food. Luckily Cantina #1 blew my low expectations out of the water. The restaurant design will make you feel more like you are in a swank downtown Latin restaurant than the largest indoor mall in America. Don't get me wrong, you still won't forget you are in a Corona owned restaurant, but it is by no means over the top. I ate in one of the hip booths the dining room but next time would opt for a spot at the more cozy tiki bar area. With plenty of large flat-screen TVs this would be an ideal spot to have a cold Corona Extra and watch the game if you don't have Minnesota Timberwolves tickets.

Like most Mexican restaurants we were immediately brought a basket of chips and salsa. The fresh salsa was very good with plenty of cilantro. The chips themselves were a bit average but the salsa made up for it. My favorite part of the meal was the shrimp ceviche appetiser. I would come back just for this. It ended up being a huge portion of shrimp ceviche spilling out of a coconut bowl served with chips. I can't think of a better way to break up a day of shopping than an ice cold margarita and this very satisfying snack. For the main course I went with the fajita platter with a trifecta of shrimp, steak and chicken. I washed it all down with a very tasty margarita on the rocks. Next time I think I will try one of the many tropical drinks on the menu.

Corona's Cantina # 1 is located on the 4th floor on the East side of the Mall of America.

Shish - Saint Paul

2008-10-13T11:58:00.006-06:00

Shish on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul, near the Macalester campus, has some of the best gyros I've found in the Twin Cities. I just grabbed some lunch while running around and picking up some Minnesota Wild tickets.

I had my first gyro while attending school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison Wisconsin. At the time, there were two incredible gyro joints on State Street. The only downside to having world class gyros so easily accessible, is I'm now spoiled and expect only the best. Shish definitely delivers the goods. Their gyros start out with a full grilled pita. I hate it when places try and stuff everything in a cold pita cut in half. That is not good gyro. Then Shish piles on the lettuce, tomato, onion, tzatziki sauce and more gyro meat than a human could ever fold up in a pita. This is good gyro.

I also picked up a chicken shawarma sandwich. Most places would call this a chicken gyro. The shawarma sandwich is just like their gyro sandwich just substitute the beef & lamb with sliced seasoned marinated chicken. I should also add Shish offers excellent hummus and soup as well as a nice little coffee bar and delicious cakes and pastries.

Shish is located at 1668 Grand Avenue between Snelling and Cambridge. Shish is open 7am - 11pm daily.

Pop - Saint Paul

2008-10-10T11:27:00.009-06:00

I have Minnesota Wild tickets and I can't wait until the next game so I can go back to my latest hot spot find which is Pop!! downtown Saint Paul. Pop!! is the sister restaurant to the original Pop! in Northeast Minneapolis. I'm guessing this is the story behind the double exclamation marks. I have yet to visit the first Pop!, but I have heard nothing but good reviews. Pop!! Saint Paul is located in the old Fhima space on the corner of Sixth and Wabasha. I always liked Fhima and it's nice to see a new restaurant in this space. The space looks very much the same with a few slight cosmetic changes. If anything, feels more fun and casual. I think it would be a great place to take the kids for something different.

We decided to start out with the Pop!! fritters ($6.25) and the ... ($7.50) off the small plate menu. Both were great and the portions are very generous. We could have easily made a meal of just the appetizers. The signature fritters consisted of black beans, shrimp, cornmeal and served with a chipotle and a quasaca (Venezuelan avocado condiment) dipping sauces. The spicy fondue was served with grilled vegetables, cumin bruschetta, flat bread and plantain chips. I would not recommend ordering this unless you bring two or three friends to share with.

For entrees we went with the Swedish Meatballs and a Spicy BBQ Sandwich. Again, all the portions were very generous and we could have easily split either between the two of us. The meatballs were great, but tasted a little plain against all the other spicy food.

For desert we went with the Dulce De Leche filled crepes with candied hazelnuts and vanilla bean ice cream. For carmel lovers this is a must. It was awesome and I will definitely return just for the desert.

Pop!! has a decent wine & beer list with selections that compliment their menu nicely. It's definitely a great place to stop before or after a show if you have Ordway Theatre tickets or tickets to a Minnesota Wild game at Xcel Energy Center.

The Lexington - St. Paul

2008-09-22T08:46:00.009-06:00

We didn't have any Minnesota Twins tickets for the big game vs. the White Sox so we decided to grab some dinner and watch the game at The Lexington, or "The Lex" if you live in Saint Paul. We were looking for a step up from the usual bar fare. Walking in the front door of The Lexington is like stepping into a time machine and taking a trip back 30-40 years back to an era when the supper club was king. The bar at The Lexington is the perfect spot to grab a bite and a drink while watching the game. There is only one TV, but it is large enough for viewing anywhere in the bar area. Don't let the fancy surroundings intimidate you. They will treat you like the Mayor whether you're in a suit and tie or shorts and a t-shirt. This is Saint Paul after all. The menu is upscale supper club. They feature steaks, seafood, pasta and some great comfort food. All the soups are home made and I have yet to try one I did not care for. They offer a wide selection of appetizers, but my favorites are the coconut shrimp and The Lexington green beans, which consists of Fresh green beans blanched in oil then tossed with minced garlic, crushed red pepper, onion. It's hard to play favorites with the entree selections, but the Walleye Almondine is always great on it's own or paired with a steak. I'm not sure if it's on the dinner menu, but I'm a big fan of the 1/2 pound Lex Burger. Order some Bearnaise Sauce on the side to dip your fries. The Lexington is located on the corner of Grand Avenue and Lexington Avenue in Saint Paul. They are open 11am-10pm Monday - Thursday, 11am-11pm Friday and Saturday, and 9am-9pm Sunday.

Maxwell's American Pub - Minneapolis

2008-09-11T10:36:00.011-06:00

I found out some great news today. Maxwell's American Pub is opening this Saturday after being closed after a devastating fire in February. Anyone lucky enough to have Minnesota Vikings tickets or Minnesota Gophers Football tickets for the games this weekend should stop by, grab a beer and one of their awesome sandwiches and welcome Maxwell's back! For anyone not familiar, Maxwell's is located at 1201 Washington Avenue South, just blocks from the Metrodome in Minneapolis. They offer a wide selection of tap beer and a great menu. Their phone number is 612-354-7085.

azuki Japanese Restaurant - Minneapolis

2008-09-10T12:24:00.010-06:00

My business partner had to run to Minneapolis to pick up tickets for the Minnesota Vikings game this Sunday at the Metrodome. On his way he stopped to pick up lunch for the office. He happened across azuki Japanese Restaurant, a little hole in the wall on the University of Minnesota campus. I'm a huge sushi fan, but always a bit leery of raw fish from somewhere I've never heard of. Well, this may be one of the restaurant finds of the year. The sushi rolls were awesome. The crowd favorite had to be their New Orleans roll which consisted of craw fish, avocado, 'crunchy inside', snow crab, spicy tuna & wasabi tobiko on top. This was one giant sushi roll. All the fish was incredibly fresh. My second favorite was the Crunchy Spicy Tuna roll. We did not try any of the Sushimi or A La Carte sushi, but I have to go back now that I know the quality of fish is so high.

For a tiny little restaurant, azuki has a fairly extensive menu. They offer three different soups daily and five unique salads. You will find most of your favorite Japanese appetizers, including Edamame, Shumai, Gyoza, Negimaki, Tempura, Yakitori & Tuna Tataki, just to name a few. There is also a decent list of Japanese Entrees. The prices seem extremely fair. On average, $4-$6 for appetisers, $8-$12 for special rolls, $3-$6 for regular rolls and a la carte sushi and sashimi, and $10-$15 for entrees.

I noticed on their menu they offer delivery, which I plan on trying in the very near future. Azuki is located at 307 Oak Street SE on the University of Minnesota campus blocks away from Mariucci Arena. It is tucked in between Chipotle and the Oak Street Cinema. They are open Monday - Thursday 11am-10pm, Friday - Saturday 11am-11pm and Sunday 1pm-10pm. The phone number is 612-331-9551.

Meritage - Saint Paul Minnesota

2008-07-11T10:07:00.005-06:00

Before attending a recent performance at the Ordway Theatre in Saint Paul, we had a fabulous meal at Meritage. Meritage is French stlye bistro located in the historic Hamm building just blocks from the Ordway Theatre, Roy Wilkins Auditorium, Xcel Energy Center and the Fitzgerald Theatre. It occupies the same space as the now closed A Rebours. The new restaurant and menu are very similar to A Rebours. The weather was perfect for enjoying dinner on the sidewalk patio. To drink we started with decided to start off with a glass of Rose Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine. Their dinner menu is split up into "Amusements", "Soups & Salads", "Introductions", "Main Characters" and "Plat Du Jour". The "Amusements" are made up of $3 two-bite appetisers. We tried the "Tiny Tuna TarTar Taco" and the "Braised Beef Strudel", which consisted of braised beef and gravy twisted inside of puff pastry. Both were exceptional and the Cava complimented them nicely. We then moved onto the "Classic Pork Rillette with Fig Puree". The rillette, which is basically a pate made from slow cooked pork, was served in a small mason jar with a layer of fig jam on top, all on a plate with grilled bread, dill pickles and brown mustard. This substantial starter would make a perfect light lunch or would be great on a picnic. From there we moved onto some Alaskan Halibut and Roasted Rack of Iowa Lamb. Both dishes were great, but the Halibut was my favorite. It was served with a sweet pea puree, glazed fingerling potatoes, cippolini onions and a white truffle emulsion. This was a perfect summertime dish loaded with tons of complex flavors. The white truffle and sweet pea worked great together. We split an order of the Pomme Frittes with Bearnaise sauce on the side. The Pomme Frittes were excellent. We brought our own bottle of Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Nior. The wine was awesome and went nicely with both the fish and the pork. For desert we went with the Vanilla Bean Pot du Creme and Chocolate cake. The Pot du Creme was a vanilla cream custard with whipped cream and served with an almond cookie. Our waitress suggested pairing it with a white Pineau des Charentes. Overall, it was a great meal. It was nice to see that Meritage has picked up where A Rebours left off.

Eagle Street Grille; St Paul

2008-05-08T15:32:00.004-06:00

After a recent noon Minnesota Twins game, my buddies and I headed to Eagle Street Grille in St. Paul for a late lunch and beer. This is one of my favorite bars in St. Paul before or after Minnesota Wild games, with the kids or with the guys, I always have a good time; good food, good atmosphere, good service.

The guys who own the Eagle Street, Kevin and Joe, have really made it their own since they purchased it. The Eagle Street Grille menu reflects the since forgotten mob presence in St. Paul. The items have names such as ‘the bandit burger,’ the ‘black mail’ chicken sandwich and my favorite the ‘loan shark’ walleye sandwich. They also have a sandwich dedicated to their alma mater, Cretin Derham Hall.

They have a good selection of tap and bottled beer so everyone’s sure to be pleased. The Eagle Street bartenders are friendly and know me and my guys by name now. I ordered the D “Anne” G Burger with blue cheese, mushrooms and bacon. I tried the seasoned sour cream with the fries and was unimpressed, it tasted more like sour tarter sauce than sour cream with ranch seasoning. No worries, though, everyone left pleased. The Eagle Street Grille is a good place to head after Twins Games because it’s a short drive once you’ve escaped the Metrodome Minneapolis traffic and it’s not that crowded.

Fat Lorenzo's Pizza - Minneapolis Minnesota

2008-04-24T13:40:00.006-06:00

One of my favorite Pizza places in Minneapolis is Fat Lorenzo's near Lake Nakomis. We recently stopped for pizza on the way home from the Minnesota Twins game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. They have great New York style pizza. They really load on the cheese and use very fresh ingredients. Because the pizza is so great I have yet to try the hot hoagies or pasta, but from what I've seen they look tempting. If you are looking for an appetizer try the Homemade Bread Stick. My kids love them. Because the food is so great and it's such a popular spot be prepared to grab a beer and wait for table. Fat Lorenzo's is located at 5600 Cedar Avenue South on the corner of Cedar and Edgewater Blvd. They have off street parking behind the restaurant.

Xcel Energy Center - Saint Paul, Minnesota

2008-04-14T16:38:00.003-06:00

There may not be a hotter spot in the Twin Cities right now than Xcel Energy Center. Anyone with Minnesota Wild Hockey Playoff tickets knows this to be true. I was lucky enough to score a couple tickets to last Friday's Minnesota Wild Playoff game. As long as I was at the game I figured I might as well check out some of the food offerings. I was actually a little disappointed with how limited the options were if you didn't want a hot dog, something deep fried or drowning in fake cheese. I was excited to see they did offer Davanni's Pizza. Having grown up in the Twin Cities I've been a huge fan of Davanni's since they started out back in the '80's. Unfortunately, the hunk of overcooked dried out cardboard I was served at the Minnesota Wild game resembled no Davanni's pizza I've ever had. One thing Xcel Energy center does offer is a great beer selection, both domestic and import. Luckily my ice cold Summit Beer, a Saint Paul classic, didn't disappoint. Paired with an exciting Wild hockey game win, it more than made up for my terrible pizza experience.

Kafe 421 - Minneapolis, Minnesota

2008-04-13T09:07:00.006-06:00

We enjoyed a great dinner at Kafe 421 in the heart of Dinkytown on the University Of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Kafe 421 was founded by Georgia Sander, who emigrated from Greece at the age of 14. The restaurant consists of a bistro / wine bar with sidewalk seating in the front half with a more elegant dining area in the rear. It's a perfect place to go if you are looking for a gourmet meal without having to get dressed up or spending a fortune. It would be an ideal place to grab a drink and something to eat before going to an event at the Varsity Theatre or Northrop Auditorium. If you have Minnesota Gopher Basketball Tickets at Williams Arena this would be a great place to stop for a sandwich and a beer before or after the game.

I'm glad we made a reservation as the restaurant was packed when we arrived. I tried a glass of the Skouras Moschofilero while we waited for our table. This Greek white wine hit the spot and I could certainly see pairing it with seafood or spicy Asian dishes. Kafe 421's wine list is well rounded and very affordable.

After a very short wait our table was ready. We started out with the Mezedes, which turned out to be a huge appetizer platter consisting or Spanakopita, Caprese Skewers, Coconut Shrimp, Beef Kebabs and Fava Beans with Tomato Sauce. This massive plate of food could easily satisfy two for dinner. It was an excellent way to sample what Kafe 421 has to offer. Everything was great, but the highlights were the shrimp, caprese and beef kebabs. The Shrimp was lightly breaded and served with a sweet orange sauce. The Caprese was served on bite size skewers with fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and balsamic vinegar. These would make awesome appetizers for a party. The beef was cooked perfectly and served with a creamy cucumber sauce.

I tried the Rack of Lamb for dinner. The lamb was grilled to perfection with Greek seasoning and served with a Dijon Mustard vinaigrette, Mashed Potatoes and Haricots Verts. My dinner companion had the equally tasty Campesino, which was a grilled London Broil served with a creamy Gorgonzola sauce, asparagus and roasted potatoes. Just like the lamb, the London Broil was done perfectly and the complimented nicely by the Gorgonzola sauce.

For desert we tried the Galatobouriko, which is a Creamy Custard and Orange Zest wrapped in Phyllo Pastry with Grand Marnier and Honey Syrup. The desert was great and I recommend adding a scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

Kafe 421 is located at 421 14th Avenue SE in Minneapolis Minnesota. They offer parking validation for the lot directly behind the restaurant. They are open Monday - Thursday 11am - 9pm, Friday & Saturday 11am - 10pm and Sunday 12pm - 9pm.

CHATTERBOX PUB in Highland Park, St Paul

2008-03-25T11:47:00.002-06:00

Chatterbox Pub moved into the neighborhood about a year ago, taking over the space of an old Perkins … definitely an improvement! The Chatterbox remodeled the space and it looks fantastic! The interior is a retro mix of restaurant dining space combined with several mock family rooms. With tables lining the walls the center of the restaurant and bar areas have comfy couches and chairs centered around TVs for playing video games. The Chatterbox menu boasts over 200 video games on any gaming system ever created. In addition to offering video games the Chatterbox also has a wall of board games to play. The dark lighting makes the space intimate.

This unintimidating environment makes the Chatterbox an appropriate place to go on a first date or good place to take a study break and just veg. The food isn’t bad either. They have really good appetizers, I come back just for the spinach dip and cheese fondue. They have something for everyone when it comes to entrees. Burgers, pizza, pasta, salad, and feel good favorites like meatloaf and pot-roast. The wine list is extensive and like many restaurants in the area, they have their own line of beer. They have clever names and poetic descriptions, which makes it impossible to only have one! The Chatterbox doesn’t advertise much but every time I go it’s busy. This restaurant is a great neighborhood treasure and word of mouth will keep it alive for many years to come.

Osaka Japanese Steakhouse

2008-03-15T10:48:00.000-06:00

I was in Eden Prairie last week for a business meeting and someone suggested Osaka instead of the usual Biaggis. It’s about a mile away from Eden Prairie Center tucked behind a couple of hotels. I would have had no idea it was there if someone hadn’t pointed it out. The Aloha sign above the door was kind of confusing, I found myself wondering why the welcome sign was in Hawaiian instead of Japanese. One of my associates said he has seen some Minnesota Vikings players in there before.

The restaurant wasn’t very decorated, it was pretty plain. There were only a few other tables in the restaurant and one couple at the sushi bar. Our server was attentive but not overly friendly. Our shrimp and vegetable tempura appetizer came moments before our sushi, not really giving us a chance to enjoy it… but that is to be expected at sushi restaurants. I had both the Crazy Roll and the Angel Roll. Both were great. There was a lot of detail on both the rolls and the sauces served with them complimented them nicely. The meal was filling which surprised me because I’m not often full after sushi. I will definitely come back to try their Hibachi cuisine. When it comes to finding Sushi in the suburbs Osaka should not be overlooked.

Sushi Tango; Calhoun Square

2008-02-20T11:00:00.000-06:00

Last night I was really impressed with the service and food at Sushi Tango. In the Twin Cities, most sushi restaurants offer the same staple rolls, what really impresses me in a sushi restaurant is the creativity of the sushi chefs in creating specialty rolls. We started off with the Yum Yum roll, one that I hadn’t had yet. It combined spicy tuna, eel, spicy mayo rolled in crunchy tempura flakes. The flavor was good and the proportion of the tempura was good, not overwhelming like some dishes which dulls the overall effect of the roll. To be a little adventurous we had the Sushi Tango, a chef’s choice of 10 pieces of Nigiri, 3 cucumber rolls and 3 spicy tuna rolls. The fish eggs were my least favorite. The portion was unnecessarily large, making it hard to eat gracefully with chopsticks. There was little flavoring and cleaning up the escaped orange eggs was annoying. The Nigiri was fresh and tasty, as were the tuna and cucumber rolls. Our waiter was nice and accommodating. Tango Sushi isn’t the best sushi restaurant in Minneapolis but its reliability and consistency makes it an easy go to.

Café Brenda, 300 1st Ave., Minneapolis

2008-02-05T13:39:00.000-06:00

If you want to go for fish or flora, Café Brenda Minneapolis’ Warehouse District has all the staples covered. Whether it be walleye, a Greek salad with Bermuda onion or the vegetarian Brenda Burger, good options abound. Founder Brenda Langton originally started working in a 70s vegetarian restaurant in St. Paul called Commonplace. She was the youngest employee there and was determined to learn how to run a vegetarian restaurant.

She began Café Kardamena in St. Paul at the age of 21 in 1976, and due to increasing demand she opened Café Brenda in 1986 in its current space downtown Minneapolis. Although Café Brenda is not completely vegetarian, it manages to please both healthy-eating omnivores and vegetarians. Café Brenda is a great place to try some Minnesota favorites from a venerable figure of the Minnesota restaurant scene.

Origami, 30 North First Street, Minneapolis

2008-01-31T12:54:00.000-06:00

Among some of the praised heaped upon Origami, which posts up in both downtown Minneapolis and Ridgedale Minnetonka, is Best Sushi four years in a row (2002-2006) from City Pages and a 9.3 rating from City Search 2006. A Best Sushi award from the critics of City Pages is no small feat in a metro area flooded with Japanese and Korean restaurants. Origami doesn’t try to pretend at Asian quaintness, it’s furnished with some ultra-modern purple panels inside at the bar. There are booths for five that would look more fitting in a sports bar, but the sushi is excellent, and it’s open for business lunch during the workweek.

Origami is known to be the place to go for a business lunch with a party of four or more. In fact, going out for a quiet date is not a good idea at Origami, as the house prefers large parties. 5-9 people are sat on a first come first served basis while parties of ten or more should call ahead. If you’re going for sushi, each piece is gorgeously prepared. There is tuna, lobster and salmon. But the squid and octopus somehow look just as appetizing. Sushi is not fast food, even as much as it’s become popular, and Origami doesn’t treat it that way.

Figlio Calhoun Square vs. Zarletti's Milwaukee

2008-01-22T09:48:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago my boss gave me free Timberwolves tickets for their game against the Utah Jazz at the Target Center. However, before we left for the game we decided to go out for some great Italian food in the Minneapolis St. Paul area. After the wait for Amore Victoria was too long, we drove up the road to Figlio’s in Calhoun Square, located in Uptown as well. The food was okay, not one of the better Italian meals that I have had, but you cannot beat Filigo’s drink specials. There are not many Minneapolis Happy Hours that can compete with Figlio’s $2 drinks (that includes wine!) and their $2 appetizers. Their Happy Hours vary, but they have specials every day.

Last week I ventured to Milwaukee and I ate at the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to. Zarletti’s is located in downtown Milwaukee on Mason Street, close to the Milwaukee Athletic Club. It has a nice atmosphere that emits a professional, but not too stuffy, surroundings. The restaurant itself is dimly lit and offers a great selection of fine Italian cuisine. I had an immaculate dish ‘ravioli al fungi’ which was an assortment of mushrooms in a light cream sauce with cheese filled ravioli. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! This restaurant did not feature drink specials or $2 appetizers, but Italian is kind of a ‘you get what you pay for’ cuisine. Zarletti’s cost a little more ($18-$30 a plate) than Figlio’s, but the quality and taste shows. If you are ever in Milwaukee, be sure to stop in!

El Patio, St. Paul

2008-01-10T20:18:00.000-06:00

El Patio Mexican Grill is conveniently located on St. Paul’s West Seventh Street, giving easy access to pre-Wild margaritas. The carnitas are what is to try here, but vegetarians also have options as there is a separate menu of meatless delights (the complimentary soup is not vegetarian so watch for that). The spot isn’t called El Patio for nothing, in the summer there is great space for outdoors dining although it’s tough to think about in the middle of January.

The margaritas are expensive but tasty. The better drink deal here is the 40 ounce draft beers for only six to seven bucks, and that includes Heineken! If you’re feeling Mexican on a Minnesota Wild game night, or any night, El Patio is a good space. If you don’t sit in the dining room, get up and try to check out the mural that is strewn across one of its walls at some point.

128 Cafe - St. Paul, Minnesota

2007-11-16T10:23:00.001-06:00

Residents of the MacGroveland Neighborhood in Saint Paul will be happy to know the 128 Cafe is back and better than ever. We stopped in for an early dinner on our way to the Timberwolves game at the Target Center in Minneapolis. For those who have been to the 128 Cafe, it is a 60 seat casual-sheik restaurant on the corner of Cleveland and Laurel right across the street from the University of Saint Thomas Campus and just minutes away from downtown Minneapolis and Saint Paul. We started out with the steamed fennel mussels which were perfect. We also tried the chipotle seasoned pumpkin soup with creme fraiche and a caesar salad. Both were great and really hit the spot. For dinner we had the flank steak and bbq baby back ribs. The ribs, which were a specialty of the old 128 were fantastic as always. The meat falls off the bone and is not fatty at all. For desert we had the egg nog creme brulee which also did not disappoint. The dinner and wine menus are both very fairly priced which with the free Timberwolves tickets I got from my boss made for an inexpensive date! Overall a great way to kick off the evening and highly recommended. Valet parking is available and some of the street parking does require a permit.

Spill the Wine; Minneapolis

2007-08-29T12:36:00.000-06:00

On the other side of town, Willie’s wine bar shuts down because of no business. That was in the Laurel Village neighborhood next to the behemoth University of St. Thomas Minneapolis campus. Come on, we all know that college kids don’t drink wine. Meanwhile, Spill the Wine is birthed on Washington Avenue next to the Metrodome. Will Twins fans come? Ha, try Guthrie Theatre goers. Spill the Wine will give it a go at its East Downtown location, with two separate spaces for dining and drinking. The bar has televisions and a wall displayed with regional wine. The dining room features an open kitchen.

Get $5 appetizers from 4-7 p.m. or even $15 bottles of wine. Grilled asparagus sounds pretty darn good with a nice sauvignon blanc, no? At dinner, order the beef tenderloin and another bottle of wine, this time a crisp pinot noir. Besides, there’s no rule about switching colors midway through, just make sure to clean the palette. If you want to make a real night out of it, come for one of the five-course Italian Wine Dinners. The next one is September 27. At $59 a pop, it presents a real opportunity at reeling in your biology class crush (if you’re one of those special college kids who like wine).

Spill the Wine is in a great spot to sweep up Guthrie fans and Metrodome fans alike and don't forget the weekday lunch rush of business people - this is in a booming business district with fresh new office buildings including the one on the corner of Washington and Chicago that belongs to local Minnesota ticket broker, Ticket King.

Lake Elmo Inn, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

2007-08-09T09:43:00.000-06:00

You might run the risk of running into some obnoxious teenagers out for a sno-daze ball, but the Lake Elmo Inn is always a good bet when you want to spend a night out with a pleasant drive and elegant dining. The Inn was established in 1881, and current owner John Schlitz is keeping tradition alive by keeping the Inn’s legendary salt & pepper shaker collection intact and the restaurant’s historical décor pristine. It’s fine dining, yet casual. You’ll receive a hot towel, but the service is friendly.

Enjoy a relaxing drive out to Lake Elmo down highway 5, an area of the Twin Cities less bustling but more picturesque than the west suburbs. The cuisine is classic and fine, but highly affordable. The Lake Elmo Inn continues to hold fast to its location, refusing to roll over to chain restaurants while offering quality dining at a reasonable price.

Eli’s Food and Cocktails, Minneapolis, MN

2007-08-02T14:00:00.000-06:00

Oh how I pity you, all you downtown business people who wait for a Chipotle burrito in a 20-minute long line over the lunch hour. Why wait for Chipotle, when you can escape the horrors of lunch hour on Nicollet Mall at Eli’s Food and Cocktails down the street on Hennepin Avenue. Eli’s, located at 1225 N Hennepin Ave., has a true neighborhood feeling to it in a downtown area. The across-the-street Laurel Village apartments and close-by Loring Park add to its more quiet atmosphere compared to skyway restaurants and eateries inside of downtown towers.

You can sit yourself down over the lunch hour and have a beer while reading a good book, or stroll down with a co-worker for some conversation. The menu offers favorites in seafood, pasta and sandwiches, with a daily “board” menu offering specials. Try the macaroni and cheese for grown ups or do one of the tasty sandwiches. The food is great, the service is extremely friendly and the décor is modern without being futuristic or intimidating. Stop in after work for happy hour from 3-6 for dollar off drinks. Escaping the Nicollet Mall never felt so good.

Heartland Contemporary Midwestern Restaurant; St Paul, MN

2007-07-26T14:47:00.000-06:00

Lenny Russo and Mega Hoehn’ Heartland: A Contemporary Midwestern Restaurant was such a food critic success that Russo was stolen away from his executive chef work at his own restaurant to the Guthrie Theatre in downtown Minneapolis. Now that Russo is back home in St. Paul’s Macalester-Groveland neighborhood, Heartland patrons couldn’t be happier. Everything Russo touches turns to gold, and regulars at the Heartland want their eating quarters to be golden for some time to come.

Heartland, located at 1806 St. Clair Ave., uses only indigenous ingredients from the American and Canadian Midwest. The restaurant includes a pastry kitchen where breads and pastries are made daily. Heartland prepares two fixed priced menus per night, one “flora” and one “fauna.” If the fixed priced menus don’t suit your tastes for the evening, choose from an a la carte menu that ranges from $6 yellow wax beans with walnut vinegar butter to $36 Minnesota elk chop with glazed organic fennel. The dining room has an even 50 seats, with décor dedicated to the early Twentieth Century Arts & Crafts movement. A highly elegant wine and beer bar is located adjacent to the restaurant, a good place for non-reservation holders to enjoy some of Heartland’s superlative aura.

Bombay Bistro; Minneapolis, MN

2007-07-02T15:22:00.000-06:00

The search for exceptional Indian food in the Twin Cities can end with a visit to Bombay Bistro on Marquette Ave. and Eighth St. in downtown Minneapolis. Voted best Twin Cities Indian restaurant in 2007 by City Pages, Bombay Bistro presents an exhaustive menu that includes beef, chicken, vegetarian and seafood Indian dishes. Quickly becoming Britain’s national dish, the chicken tikka masala is always a safe choice for Indian food newbies. Once treasured as a fine-dining experience, masala is becoming Americanized in a fast-food fashion; something for the masses to pick up over their lunch hour for a quick bite. That said, if you’re going for lunch, expect to be able to get the chicken tikka masala or some other popular Indian delicacy on Bombay Bistro’s bountiful buffet line. Get white or lemon rice, spiced potatoes and green beans or the most flavored meatballs and sauce you can imagine on a single plate and don’t be shy to try a second. Being accustomed to burgers and fries will make Bombay Bistro’s flavors and spices take your taste buds on a trip to Valleyfair. Or better yet, try getting Jimmy John’s subs for lunch on Monday and then visiting the Bombay Bistro lunch buffet on Tuesday and be prepared to be knocked out. And if you’re a lowly Target intern, never fear, Bombay Bistro’s lunch buffet is reasonably priced at $9.50.

La Cucaracha, Saint Paul, MN

2007-06-13T10:55:00.000-06:00

With Chevy’s Fresh Mex restaurants dropping like flies in urban locations and Don Pablo’s forever banished to the ‘burbs, La Cucaracha in St. Paul has never been more essential to the Grand and Summit neighborhood. La Cucaracha is a mere hop and a skip away from downtown at 36 Dale St. S. It has a fine selection of Mexican delicacies not to mention one mean mojito. Choose from two sections of dining room seating, both of which provide quiet corners aplenty for conversation. The bar has pinball and a happy hour from 3-6 which includes 2-for-1s on margaritas in all their salty glory. If you’re a guacamole fan, don’t pass up on the guac tostada, a crunchy delight that does the chip dipping work for you – the guacamole is already smothered on top. One word of warning: Be prepared to wait a while outside of the single-person bathroom doors if the dining room is hopping.

Al Vento, Minneapolis,MN

2007-05-30T11:22:00.000-06:00

Al Vento's dining room has tables squeezed together making for a more cozy than cafeteria style atmosphere. The Southern Italian menu offers an extensive wine selection and various pasta and entrée style dishes. Don't pass up on the artichoke walnut bruschetta for starters, even though it might be tempting to ask for more of the complementary bread and butter oil.

Order a bottle of wine on the friendly and helpful staff's recommendation. A busy dinner hour makes for a cacophony of quiet chatter that will bring out conversation from the most introverted date. Wine bargain hunters can come to drink all day Monday on half-priced bottles and from 4:30-5:30 on every other day the rest of the week. Impress your significant other's parents by ordering the three seafood antipasti. Or just come one night by yourself and sit at the unassuming bar for a beer or a wine. Al Vento is located at 5001 34th Ave. S in Minneapolis.

La Grolla - Saint Paul, MN

2007-05-01T13:01:00.000-06:00

This past Saturday was our first outdoor eating experience of the season. One of my favorite Saint Paul outdoor spots is La Grolla on Selby Avenue. La Grolla was opened in the summer of 2002 by Chef Antonio Tettamanzi. His vision of an inviting, upscale restaurant where patrons felt embraced by the Italian cuisine, surroundings, and staff has led to La Grolla's success. La Grolla has everything you're looking for in an upscale neighborhood Italian restaurant. For those who like to bring their own wine when they dine out, La Grolla is BYOB friendly and charges a $15 corkage. We brought a bottle of 2001 Azienda Agricola Montevetrano which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Aglianico. The wine was excellent and more characteristic of a Bordeaux than an Italian. Everytime I go to La Grolla I have to start out with the Cepansante which is Mexican diver scallops wrapped in angel hair pasta, lightly deep fried served with lobster sauce and basil oil. We also shared one of the appetizer specials, duck pot stickers, which we've had before and were great. For Dinner we shared cheese tortellini with prosciutto and peas in a cream sauce and crouton encrusted baked halibut with fresh vegetables. We finished up with some delicious tiramisu and cheese cake. La Grolla is located at 425 Selby Avenue in Saint Paul. Reservations are recommended.

The Craftsman Restaurant - Minneapolis, MN

2007-03-29T08:09:00.000-06:00

It had been a couple years since we last ate at the Craftsman Restaurant on Lake Street in Minneapolis. Recently, the new chef Mike Phillips has been getting a lot of press so my wife and I decided to see what all the hype was about. We would not be disappointed. Chef Phillips and his wife Michelle opened and ran Chet's Taverna, a popular neighborhood restaurant that was committed to working with regional and organic ingredients. After operating Chet's for 6 years, Mike closed Chet's in 2004. His interest in sustainable living, organic quality, and European cooking techniques are an integral part of The Craftsman. We started out with the Pork Rillettes and Artisan Cheese Plate. The Pork Rillettes is basically a seasoned pork pate served with crostini and spicy mustard. It was delicious and a very generous serving. Four people could have easily shared this. We picked two of the many artisan cheeses offered for our plate. First we tried the 'Winnimere' from Jasper Hill Farm in Greensboro, Vermont. It's made from Ayrshire cow's milk and is similar to a Brie and very creamy. We also tried the Uplands Cheese 'Pleasant Ridge Reserve' which is a Gruyere made from cow's milk in Dodgeville, Wisconsin. Both were great.

For the main course I tried the Grilled Fisher Farms pork chop with new potato and cipollini onion gratin and grilled maple sausage. The pork chop was good but a little bland paired with the excellent potatoes and sausage. The gratin potatoes were some of the best I've ever had. The sausage, like the chop, also came from Fisher Farms in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota. I'm going to try and track down this sausage. My wife tried the Grilled grass fed Flat Iron Steak with fries and Bearnaise sauce. It was great and I especially enjoyed the super thick Bearnaise. Like the appetizer the portions for both entrees were very generous.

For desert we decided to try the Heirloom Apple Crisp and Brioche Bread Pudding. A lot of restaurants serve apple crisp but the Craftsman's version is a cut above the rest served with a scoop of Izzy's cinnamon ice cream. Even better was the Bread pudding. I can't really describe how good it was but it was close to eating a baked stick of butter. To wash it down we shared a glass of the Saint Croix Vineyards Raspberry Infusion which paired perfectly with the bread pudding.

The Craftsman restaurant is located at 4300 Lake Street in Minneapolis, Minnesota just across the Marshall/Lake Street bridge from Saint Paul. You can go to Open Table to make reservations.

Ichiban Japanese Steak House

2007-03-28T10:26:00.000-06:00

Last week, I dressed the family up and headed out to Ichiban Japanese Steak House on the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. Ichiban’s has been open in Minneapolis since 1979 and I have been there a few times before, but this was the first time I took the kids. The beautiful, pagoda-style building is very elegant and the comfortable indoor garden atmosphere with the waterfall and the stream offers a unique and fun backdrop for dining. My kids loved walking over the little wooden bridge to get to our table and the running water sound is so relaxing after a rough week at work.

Our kimono-clad waitress offered us oshibori (traditional hot, moist towels) and we all selected a dinner sampler that included Lobster, Filet Mignon and Chicken. The food was good and the show was great. Ichiban is pure theater. Seated in a horseshoe formation around a huge griddle, my family oohed and ahhed as the chef demonstrates the art of teppanyaki (griddle cooking). The chef chopped, sliced and set ablaze our dinner. My kids were truly amazed with his quick chopping skills, ability to play with fire and witty jokes. My daughter whispered over to me that it was the best steak she had ever had! Now, she doesn’t get out too much, but I do agree the Mignon was phenomenal that night and we got so much food! We were all stuffed as we shuffled back to the car (parking is a breeze there, another plus!)

Ichibans is definitely famous for the grill side cooking show, but they also have an award winning sushi bar and a great bar and lounge area. The delicious food and entertaining show have made Ichiban a favorite dinner destination in the Minneapolis area for years – if you haven’t been there, get out and give it a try! The food can be made mild enough for wimpy palates or spicy enough for the more brave! The bill is not cheap, but you also get entertainment with your meal. I would say the price is comparable to a Dinner Show, but the food is much better!

Reservations for teppanyaki are recommended and can be made by calling 612.339.0540 after 10:30 am weekdays and after noon on Saturday & Sunday. The sushi bar is available on a first come first served basis. The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday, 4:30 pm - 9:30 pm and Friday to Saturday, 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm.

Thank you to the Ichiban’s staff for making our family’s night out a special one!

Hard Rock Cafe, Minneapolis

2007-03-02T15:19:00.000-06:00

I stopped by the Hard Rock Café in Minneapolis this week after a Timberwolves game and noticed the place was full of basketball fans. I have been there a few times before, but I was with my buddy who is from out of town so he wanted to stop in. The Hard Rock is always a classic place to entertain guests and my buddy is a real car guy so he was pretty impressed with the purple convertible with the gold flames right in the middle of the restaurant. If you have never been to the Hard Rock Minneapolis, seeing the classic car is worth the trip alone. There is also a ton of Prince memorabilia on the wall. The Hard Rock is easy to get to and is literally right across the street from the Target Center so it’s just a quick walk over and if you are driving downtown just to eat out the huge guitar outside the restaurant is hard to miss!

The food is classic Hard Rock entrees and the beer isn’t too cheap, but we had a great time. My buddy took a few pictures of us all at the bar and we kept our eyes open for local celebrities (it has been rumored that many professional athletes hang out there and I have seen a few local news anchors there as well.) The night was fun as we enjoyed our appetizers and commiserated about the Minnesota Timberwolves loss. Win or lose, The Hard Rock Café in Minneapolis is a great stop after any Target Center event!

Valentines Day in the Twin Cities

2007-02-14T14:22:00.000-06:00

It’s no secret that Valentines Day is one of the biggest restaurant days of the year. It comes at a perfect time when business may be slumping a bit, but sweethearts everywhere are willing to dish out big bucks for a romantic dinner for two.

If you don’t already have reservations, you are probably out of luck for the top spots such as Lucia's Restaurant, Solera, Jax Cafe and Goodfellow's, but there are a few others worth trying that I read about in the Star Tribune this morning.

The Marquette Hotel's Windows on Minnesota (612-376-7404), on the 50th floor of the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis, has a few tables left, but only after 9 p.m. Their five-course menu offers choices such as saffron-scented lobster calamari salad, shrimp tempura, duck and foie gras terrine, truffled beef tenderloin and the lemon-thyme poached sea bass. Cost is $68.95 per person, which includes a glass of Champagne and roses for the ladies.

French Meadow Bakery and Cafe (612-870-7855) is offering an organic four-course dinner for two that sounds like a terrific deal: entree options of almond-seared tuna or free-range duck, and desserts of molten dark chocolate espresso cake or strawberry ginger crÃ¨me brÃ»lée with macadamia truffles, plus much more. For another $25, you can add a flight of wines to each course. The prime seatings are booked, but they do have a few spots available before 7 p.m. and after 8 p.m.

The Local (at 10th and Nicollet in downtown Minneapolis, 612-904-1000) still has spots available too. Valentine's Day menu highlights include potato-crusted sea bass with mashed potatoes, garlicky kale and a beurre blanc for $18.99, and Cashel-(an Irish cheese) smothered sirloin steak with mashed potatoes, asparagus and red beet bordelaise for $21.99.

If you still can’t find anywhere to eat and you want to take your sweetie to a game, there is a lot going on in both Minneapolis and St Paul tonight. You can check out the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul or stay in Minneapolis and see the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Target Center or if you prefer the U’s campus, visit the Minnesota Golden Gophers Mens Basketball team taking on arch rival Wisconsin Badgers. There are plenty of concession choices at all three venues. Who says a hot dog and a beer can’t be romantic? Best of luck to all of you Valentine’s diners! Enjoy!

Auriga - Minneapolis, MN

2007-02-05T13:50:00.000-06:00

The Star Tribune published an article recently that said many local restaurants were in the red and that January was one of the worst months to be in the food business. I suppose it could be the cold weather or the limited number of Minnesotans willing to try out new food ideas, but regardless Minneapolis has lost three gems in the last few weeks. The first to close was Levain, which opened at 48th Street and Chicago Avenue S. in Minneapolis in 2003. Then Five Restaurant & Street Lounge closed, which opened at 29th Street and Bryant Avenue S in 2005.

The most recent and most shocking resteraunt closing was Auriga, who shut its doors after ten years. Auriga, named for a constellation, was located off Hennepin Ave and offered a fantastic menu and was one of the few restaurants in the Twin Cities to offer a tasting menu, as well. Their menu changed often so they could provide patrons with fresh seasonal choices and a few months ago they revamped the place to feel more elegant and less like a bistro. I will never forget the chamomile tea from Auriga, it was exceptional and their selections of wine and bread were top notch. My favorite wine was a Rhone Style Red Wine that went great with my dish and the bread made with Guinness was also fantastic. This restaurant will definitely be missed!

I hope the closing of this unique spot isn’t a sign of things to come for the Twin Cities. It would be disgusting to see the trendy Twin Cities area become over run with chain restaurants. I know that Minneapolis is not a total food town, but even in this frigid weather, don’t be afraid to venture out and visit your favorite local spots – they need you!

The Ice Chamber - Minneapolis, MN

2007-01-07T12:01:00.000-06:00

If you are looking for a cool spot to have a martini, The Ice Bar at the Chambers Hotel Downtown Minneapolis is the place to go. The bar is located on the ground floor courtyard of the hotel. There is an insulated structure that contains a bar made entirely made of Ice. Just outside the bar is a large gas fire pit filled with pieces of black broken glass. It creates a very cool effect as the flames shoot up from the glass. We stayed plenty warm sipping our martinis on this 35 degree evening. While it may lack the charm of a real fire, the nice thing about the gas fire pit is you don't smell like a campfire when you leave. Above the bar video is projected on one of the walls of the hotel. I started out with an Espresso Martini which I believe was made with Grey Goose Vodka, Kahlua and cream. It was quite tasty. I couldn't resist having a regular Martini with olives as well. It looked like it is strictly a Martini bar. Even if you are not martini fan it is worth a visit just to check out the ice bar, fire pit and the rest of The Chambers Hotel. There is definitely nothing else like it in the Twin Cities. The hotel design is very interesting. There is an art gallery to check out as well as artwork displayed throughout the hotel. The Ice Bar is open Tuesday - Saturday from 5pm - close and is located in The Chambers Hotel at 901 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403 right across the street from the Orpheum Theater.

Casper & Runyon's Nook - Saint Paul, MN

2006-12-30T22:39:00.000-06:00

If you are looking for a burger experience Casper & Runyon's Nook in Saint Paul, Minnesota is the place. In my opinion, The Nook has the best burger in the Twin Cities. My personal favorite is the Lodge Burger which is a super thick burger between a couple slices of bacon, a thick slab of smoked cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and some chipotle mayo. I also recommend trying the dry-spicy Wild Wings. This is a combo I would trade for dinner at Manny's or Ruth's Chris any day. This small tavern is located at 429 Hamline Avenue near the corner Hamline and Randolph right across the street from Cretin Derham Hall. As the Nook is pretty small be prepared to grab a beer at the bar and wait for a table. While you're waiting, take a minute to check out all the photos and memorabilia of Cretin stars Joe Mauer, Paul Molitor, Matt Birk and many others. There's a small game room in back that comes in handy if you bring the kids. If you're looking for great food and laid-back casual atmosphere The Nook in St Paul is the place.

Xcel Energy Center Club Level Pizza

2006-12-28T10:53:00.000-06:00

I went to the Minnesota Wild hockey game on December 23rd. versus the Detroit Red Wings. Other than being treated to a superb hockey game, I got to enjoy one of the best pieces of pizza that I have ever had. I bought a couple of club level seats from Ticket King a few days prior to the game. The tickets were delivered to me via Fed Ex the next day. The representative at Ticket King explained to me that one of the best benefits of sitting in the club level at the Xcel Energy Center is the added amenities, such as the food options, that exist in that level. I was initially skeptical. How much nicer could the amenities be? How much better could the food be? Is it possible to spruce of your average large arena menu? By the end of the first period, I was a believer! The food highlight of the night was the piece of pizza. It was as good of a piece of pizza as you can find. I ordered a Piece of cheese pizza and was surprised to see that it was cooked in a wood oven and was topped with tons of fresh ingredients. Normally at an arena, when you order a piece of pizza, it’s either reheated or simply stale with virtually no flavor. I left the game thinking that I would buy a Minnesota Wild ticket just to get in to buy a piece of pizza. It proved to me that sporting events and good food are not mutually exclusive!

I found a cool blog if you want the latest on the ticket scene in Minneapolis/St. Paul.

Twin Cities Tickets

Kozy's Steaks and Seafood

2006-12-20T19:16:00.000-06:00

Kozy's Steaks and Seafood in the Galleria Mall in Edina, MN. We took a break from our holiday shopping to finally check out Kozy's. Kozy's is owned and operated by Bill and Dana Kozlak. Their grandparents founded the Minnesota Landmark Jax Cafe in Northeast Minneapolis. The atmosphere is very upscale and inviting. We decided to sit at the bar and start our meal with a couple of splits of Pommery Pop Champagne. This would be a good spot to watch a game if you're looking for something a step up from your average sports hangout. We each began with a cup of the creamy and satisfying Boston Clam Chowder. We split a very generous Caesar Salad. Loads of garlic and fresh Parmesan cheese. Next came a pair of the largest crab cakes I've ever had. Loads of meat and seasoned with dill. Served on a bed of creamed spinach. Definitely worth coming back for. For the main course I went with a Bacon Cheeseburger and fries. It really hit the spot. I'm looking forward to coming back for dinner sometime to check out the rest of the menu.

Masa

2006-12-04T09:43:00.000-06:00

We recently checked out Masa on Nicollet Mall, downtown Minneapolis. Masa is a Mexican restaurant opened by well know Italian restaurateurs D'Amico & Partners. Masa's goal is to present authentic Mexican food in a contemporary style. The atmosphere of the restaurant is casual, hip and trendy. Jay Sparks is the Executive Chef and Saul Chavez is the Head Chef. The menu was simple and straight forward. Before we ordered we were brought chips and salsa. The chips were served with a green and red salsa. We ordered a couple excellent 'Masa Margaritas' to wash down our chips and salsa. The margaritas were served on the rocks and will definitely make us come back. The delicious green salsa was some sort of green chili with cilantro and lime. We started with the Sopes Surtidos appetizer which was a trio of corn masa boats topped with shredded chicken and chipotle crema; a spicy Mexican sausage; roasted pablano, onion and oregano. Our favorite was the shredded chicken followed by the roasted pablono. I thought the Mexican sausage could have used something to cut the heat a little. This was a large appetizer. When we come back we will surely have this again, but probably split an entree. For dinner I had the Enchilada con Pollo which was two enchiladas filled with chicken and served with Guajillo salsa, white onion, queso fresca and crema. I thought it was very good but maybe just a little bland and could have used something to spice it up a bit. My wife had the Sea Bass which we both thought was great. The fish was served over rice with dark olives and green peppers and was extremely flavorful. On the side we ordered Frijoles Borrachos which were brothy pinto beans finished with bacon, chorizo, tomatoes and jalapenos. The beans were great. With the beans we also ordered some white rice seasoned with cilantro and lime which complimented the beans perfectly. Masa does offer desert buy unfortunately, we did not leave room to try any. The service was great and the prices seemed very reasonable for the quality of the food. Masa is located on on the corner of Nicollet and 11th Street. Valet parking is available after 6:00 pm.

2003 Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay

2006-11-28T20:43:00.000-06:00

Tonight we stayed home and watched the Big Ticket and the Minnesota Timberwolves take on the Houston Rockets. I decided to open a bottle of 2003 Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay to go along with some Thai left-overs. Medium straw in color, the Shafer Chardonnay has a beautiful nose of citrus and floral elements. This wine has a great mouth feel with the crisp, abundant fruit balanced nicely with the oak. The mineral finish goes on forever. Overall, a great bottle of wine and a nice treat for a Tuesday night. 92 points. Now if only the Timberwolves can come back and beat the Rockets.

2006-11-27T20:14:00.000-06:00

After the Vikings game Sunday we picked up some Thai food from Pad Thai Restaurant on Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. It is my five year old daughter's favorite restaurant and my favorite for Thai food in Saint Paul. I went with the Gang Masamanh Curry with chicken and fried tofu. It is a red coconut curry with potatoes. We also had cream cheese puffs, which are some of the best anywhere, and deep fried egg rolls. Usually we dine in. The restaurant has a comfortable atmosphere and it's a great spot to bring the kids. I think it's pretty affordable, dishes ranging from $11 - $14. They have a good list of wines that nicely compliment the spicy food.