Manitou Station

Many people swear that living in the suburbs has its advantages, but few would claim great local dining to be one of them. Manitou Station aims to alter that perception with a large, clubby dining and bar area along with a second-floor banquet facility that does double duty as a music venue in downtown White Bear Lake. The wide-ranging menu features a something-for-everyone approach, especially if local definitions of pub grub are your favorite somethings. The website proclaims it to be “The Home of the Scotch Egg,” but a better bet might be the beery cheddar and ale soup ($4), the flatiron steak with herb butter ($19), or any of the comely entrée salads ($9–$13). If you can’t decide, order a tasting platter featuring four appetizers for $24. At $6 each, it’s hard to pu pu that deal.

2171 4th St., White Bear Lake, 651-426-2300, manitoustation.com
Restaurant Rater: 79