The lowdown on the newest restaurants—the food, the vibe, the ambience—to help you decide whether to go.

Birch’s Birch’s menu is full of comfortable, familiar food, including its hallmark dish, chicken-in-the-rough. November 2008

Barrio Tequila Bar & Café Barrio boasts more than 100 selections of tequila, plus Mexican street food with more ambitious larger plates thrown in. November 2008

restaurant Max Max’s “lifestyle cuisine” offers something for everyone in its inventive, chef-driven dishes. October 2008

Manny's Steakhouse The new Manny’s takes residence in the new W Hotel, but does it still have what it takes to serve top-quality food? October 2008

Citizen Cafe Pan-seared sea scallops and three-day pork roast are the epitome of upscale comfort food at Chef Michael McKay’s restaurant. September 2008

Lake House Lake House offers classic American fare tweaked with Joan Ida's global sensibilities that will impress most foodies but won’t scare Grandma or the kids. August 2008

Mort's Delicatessen With a big menu offering everything from kasha to kishke, Mort's Deli is trying hard to please. November 10, 2008

Dancing Ganesha Traditional meets contemporary in generous servings of spicy Indian dishes at Dancing Ganesha. July 22, 2008

Mix New American Diner Mix New American Diner's husband and wife team cooks up tantalizing diner fare that’s been given a modern edge, such as chicken with black currant sauce. July 22, 2008

Flame Hemisphere Restaurants Partners’ latest effort is a casual, family friendly modern eatery at Rosedale Center. May 30, 2008

La Chaya Juan Juarez Garcia, an Italian-trained Mexican chef, has opened La Chaya Bistro in south Minneapolis, promising to bring both Latin and Mediterranean flavors to your table. April 22, 2008

Indio Showing off with vibrant colors and dark woods, this upscale Mexican café is small but inviting. April 22, 2008

Spasso This big, high-energy trattoria from the folks who own The Wine Shop next door offers all things Italian in a loud, dim, industrial space with closely packed tables and lots of warm woods. April 15, 2008

Laredo's Laredo’s, a production of the folks who run McCoy’s next door, offers up a Tex-Mex menu with lots of signature alcoholic beverages. April 14, 2008