The RestaurantRater is the Twin Cities' one-stop web stop for choosy foodies. It summarizes and aggregates the restaurant reviews of leading published critics and established national players (Zagat, Gayot), and even incorporates self-appointed online reviewers and bloggers.
Critics' Rating
100 = Perfect
90 = Excellent
80 = Very Good
70 = Good, not Great
60 = High Average
50 = Average
40 = Low Average
30 = Disappointing
20 = Nearly Without Merit
10 = Poor
00 = Worthless
Our signature algorithm emphasizes the most useful, up-to-date input then links you to the actual commentary if you want more. And once you’ve dined, you’ll have an opportunity to add your review and score as well.
What they're saying about RestaurantRater:
“I finished calculus by the end of the 11th grade, and I can't for the life of me figure out what logarithmic formula they use to get to that final rating.”—Lenny Russo, Heartland Restaurant
"What I like about the RR is the fact it aggregates the current blogs, reviews, and articles in one handy place so that the diners can make up their own mind about restaurants that interest them."—Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods
“It's actually pretty awesome. (Why didn't we think of that?)”—Jessica Chapman, City Pages
“When abhorrent behavior, like the “restaurant rater” is carried out so publicly, it diminishes the entire community, and cheapens the significance of subsequent recognition.”—Shefzilla.com
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A former speakeasy, the 5-8 Club has been a contender in the local burger wars for 80 years. The 5-8 claims the original Juicy Lucy, but also offers a large list of specialty burgers, including the saucier Saucy Sally. Classic bar sandwiches and basket dinners round out a menu that is always served with friendliness and efficiency.
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This buffet restaurant packs a one-two punch: steamer tables full of hot Chinese food, nearly every dish you can think of, and cold tables stacked with fat sushi rolls. It's an all-you-can-eat feast, so adjust your quality meters accordingly.
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This small, chic eatery in the historic Amsterdam
Building is the perfect setting for chef Isaac Becker's upscale take on a
neighborhood restaurant. 112 Eatery is a sophisticated spot serving bold
food with a European- and American-influenced modern approach. Expect
everything from sweetbreads to bacon-and-egg sandwiches and tres leches
cake.
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Merriam Park's longtime clubhouse counts many loyalists. Not many people could tuck a New American bistro in the basement of an apartment building and court simple elegance, but Jill Wilson has. The barbecued back ribs are beloved, the knotty pine dining room is a love/hate proposition.
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Freshness and value are the draw for this teensy and humble neighborhood market and deli. It has some of the best falafel, hummus, baba gannouj, and tabbouleh in town, and the fresh-from-the-oven pitas are addictive. All foods are handmade from scratch.
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It's considered a rite of passage for U of M students and pancake-o-philes of any age. Go to Al's, stand behind the row of 14 counter seats occupied by lucky eaters, and wait patiently for your turn to dig into the legendary blueberry-walnut cakes. Bring cash and a willingness to slide your whole breakfast down a seat if they ask. A landmark.
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Warm and upscale, this Italian trattoria, in a part of town thin on options, prides itself on its scratch cooking, from house-made mozzarella to fresh pasta. The daily changing menu includes pizzas, bruschetta, chicken, fish, and steak.
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From the owners of Woodbury's American Burger Emporium, this downtown spot is all about burgers. Chef Rino Baglio's take includes a bison burger with horseradish and a Kobe burger with foie gras and black truffles, among others.
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The Cities' first real chipper has opened in Nordeast. The humble surroundings make Anchor feel just like the out-of-Dublin pub that it wants to be. Chips (or fries to you Yanks) feature heavily on the menu, which includes well-battered fish, pasties, shepherd's pie, burgers, and a toasty grilled Irish cheddar sandwich. Weekends bring a typical Irish breakfast available as a full-, half-, or mini-whack.
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This one seems to have popped right up out of a
barren field next to the highway. And with all the fieldstones and big
windows, Aperitif has a buzz going on. The menu is Mediterranean in focus,
but is full of crowd pleasing chops, pastas, and entrees. A great patio and
better-than-suburban-average staff will keep this place
packed.
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This Eat Street diner gives everyone a break, even bad waitresses. Step up to the counter and order, there are no servers here. Then nab a retro table under the kitschy décor, maybe next to the jukebox, and enjoy some of the largest and best pancakes in the city.
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In a quaint south Minneapolis neighborhood sits the sleek and stylish Ba-Gu Sushi, sister to Koyi Sushi. Besides beautifully crafted, smart sushi rolls, the chefs put forth other innovative Asian dishes, such as ahi poke with quail egg, salmon carpaccio with ponzu sauce, and baked New Zealand mussels with spicy dynamite sauce.
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Arguably one of the most alluring dining rooms in
Minnesota, this spacious, restored art deco bank lobby often outshines its
modern American cuisine. A great place for an innovative cocktail and a
quick bite.
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This lively, bohemian bistro has been given a new
joie de vivre with chef Kevin Kathmann. The creative fare is still Gallic
and tasty, but maybe a cut above what it's been in the past. Check out the
extensive list of Champagne and bubblies.
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This big, vibrant haute Italian haunt features a bustling pasta bar with views of the open kitchen and plush dining areas bathed in the amber light of old chandeliers. The broad menu features separate categories for appetizers, bruschetta, fresh pasta and dried pasta, as well as secondi. Dishes range from Italian classics to inventive creations, some elaborate, others stunningly simple: bold flavors illuminate this chef's deft hand. Pastas, available in large and small plates are reasonably priced as are the wines representing Italy's different regions. Spend like a pauper yet eat like a king into the late hours of the night.
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Barrio is a darkly hip tequila bar. The original
space on Nicollet Mall is packed with irreverent décor and beautiful people,
while the new Lowertown location simply offers them more room to be
stunning. Tequila and mezcal dominate the drinks list, and the menu is
stacked with finely crafted Mexican bar nosh: small plates, bigger dishes,
plus tacos and enchiladas under $7.
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Kitchen mavens have come together to create a chef-driven deli. This Loop counter-service spot is the go-to deli for high-end sandwiches, such as pulled pork, tuna confit, and an Italian Hero, plus freshly made soups and salads.
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Lake Minnetonka's cutest waterside village deserves a cozy restaurant with a contemporary menu, and Biella fits the bill. Offering a seasonally changing menu, with a preference for wild game, this place is busy even when the lake is frozen.
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Reinventing the supper club, Birch's combines classic recipes with modern ingredients and techniques. Familiar yet fresh, the menu offers crispy flatbreads, generous sandwiches, and a signature pan-fried Chicken-in-the-Rough.
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Black Sheep, the first pizzeria in our area to use a coal-fired oven, stands apart from the pizza herd. Coal's dry, clean, and even heat produces beautiful crusts and a variety of fresh, robust toppings. Its beer list will please any geek. Conjuring the tiny hidden neighborhood pizzerias in New York City, this joint is adorably cheap and delicious.
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Surprisingly modern for a suburban hotel restaurant, the ChopHouse offers wagyu carpaccio, sea bass with saffron cream, and a decent French onion soup, as well as traditional steaks and chops.
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In the spot formerly occupied by Puerta Azul, veterans of the Groveland Tap have opened The Blue Door Pub. Taking our local fascination with Juicy Lucys to heart, the menu is burger centric with a list of Juicy Blucys that improvise on the tradition: a Hawaiian version comes stuffed with pineapple, while the Cajun Blucy is loaded with pepper jack cheese and jalapenos. You'll also find Tater Tots, cheese curds and SPAM bites to go with local and regional craft beers while you get your Minnesotan on.
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In the world of slow-roasted meats, Alex Roberts is king. At his Brasa, he serves up mouth-watering Latino-influenced soul foods, such as rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted pork, as well as grits, rice, beans, and sweet potatoes in a cool, garage-minimal setting.
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In the newly remodeled ground-floor space in the Graves, Bradstreet Craftshouse is a small restaurant with a bit of sass. Creative small plates use local and organic ingredients. Toby Maloney, a well-known mixologist, has created a menu of high-end cocktails made from hand-pressed juices and house-made bitters. All menu and cocktail selections are priced under $10.
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An iconic neighborhood restaurant, the Pasta Bar was cranking fresh pasta long before the current batch of upstarts. Simple and honest, the meals here are always comforting and satisfying. Chef Michael Rostance honors diners with their favorites, but keeps it fresh and innovative with daily specials.
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Parasole entered the local burger wars with the
opening of Burger Jones. As snarky and wry as you'd expect, the menu is
chock full of creative upscale burgers, hand-cut fries, and adult shakes.
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A beer bar for foodies, Buster's delivers a comfortable, divey feel, a big list of refined beers, and a menu full of discerning bar food. Don't skip the onion rings.
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Braving the former Fugaise space, The Butcher Block has opened with some bold intentions. Not only are they offering a dinner menu of sophisticated Italian dishes, but they'll ply you with list of late-night snacks (pulled pork, fried rice omelet, lamb burger) and a mind-blowing 29 flavors of wings.
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Grand Avenue's destination cafeteria is known for its decadent desserts but perhaps doesn't get enough credit for a creative all-day selection of pizzas, salads, soups, and stews.
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Morphed from fine-dining temple into a simple bistro, Levain remains a winning choice for lovers of top-notch ingredients, authentic recipes, and careful cooking.
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Café Lurçat is the best combination of upscale trappings, fine service, and accessible food in the Twin Cities. It's a refined, quasi-luxury experience at less-than-luxury prices. Adam King's menu has evolved from Isaac Becker's days, but you can always count on a great hanger steak or pot roast. All the details are faultless in the Cafe, from the crisp and yielding baguettes served with whipped soft butter to the wonderful copper serving vessels to one of the best wine selections in the city, much of it available by the glass. Bar and Cafe Lurçat continue to define what makes eating out so pleasurable.
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This south Minneapolis hot spot has one of the most creative drink lists, both cocktails and nonalcoholic, in the city. Neighbors pack the place, sitting elbow to elbow, to enjoy the high-quality, seasonal bistro fare.
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This D'Amico and Partners trattoria is phenomenally refined for the moderate prices. It garners acclaim for its often superb Italian regional fare and relaxed, warm environment. Don't miss the delicious short ribs or the perfect fish dishes.
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The one chain steak house that can compete with food-focused restaurants for quality and creativity. Go for the Delmonico rib eye and wonderful creamed spinach.
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With sunshine bright paint and an authentic, home
spun menu, Caribe is a warm and festive place to snack on tropical eats such
as fried cod fritters, jerk chicken sandwiches, and the Puerto Rican roasted
pork known as pernil.
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The casual joint has a British vibe and serves up sandwiches, meats, cheeses, and other expected deli fare, as well as some hot pots and big plates during dinner. The pot roast sandwich deserves the buzz.
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Sneak off the main drag in Uptown and find Chiang Mai tucked in the back of Calhoun Square. Dishes come from all over Thailand, go hot and spicy with ginger curry stir-fry or mellow with crispy fried basil fish.
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Chef-owner Michael MacKay, one-time veteran of The Sample Room, has branched out on his own. This south Minneapolis neighborhood place offers scratch-made American fare that is big on comfort. Make sure to check out the Citizen Joe, MacKay's pastry ensconced version of a sloppy joe.
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This teensy café serves up huge satisfaction. A monster breakfast sandwich is constructed with the perfect biscuit and the creamiest of eggs. The house specialty flapper, a yeasted pancake filled with whip cream and other delights, will kill your hunger while staying sweet to your wallet.
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If you ever thought there was no way to elevate the humble bagel, you haven't been to Common Roots. The community-oriented counter-service spot serves up incredibly dense, chewy, and flavorful homemade bagels, along with killer cream cheese. An easy list of soups, salads, and sandwiches made from local and fair-trade ingredients round out the menu.
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When it comes to luxurious and creative American food, faultless service, a deep and well-priced wine selection, and staggeringly beautiful décor, Cosmos may be in a league of its own.
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Loud, rollicking, and homey in a remodeled sort of way. Serves up some mean red-sauce standards from its steam table, not to mention great hand-tossed pizzas and wonderful market specialties. Cafeteria-style.
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If there was ever a prototypical neighborhood restaurant, Corner Table is it. Owner-chef Scott Pampuch's short menu offers a seasonally inspired selection of soups, salads, pastas, and entrées. Combine it with reasonable prices, a comfy-cozy ambiance, and personable service, and you have the complete package. The four-course tasting menu is a real bargain.
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Now open in Uptown, Cowboy Slim's is a Wild West themed restaurant and bar serving down home classics such as double-thick pork chops, pan-fired sunnies, and a sloppy slim. Soups, salads, and pizzas are also on the menu.
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This small and beautiful Prairie-style neighborhood
eatery and bar serves upscale fare such as pork confit rilettes and grilled
fish with tomatoes and summer corn. The kitchen strives to source locally
and sustainably.
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The Dakota is one of the not-to-be-missed downtown restaurants. New Age Midwestern sandwiches sit alongside four-star versions of regional delicacies such as lake trout. Locally raised natural beef and lamb are other reliable all-stars on the menu.
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The Cucina for the next generation, D'Amico Kitchen in the Chambers offers a more casual approach to its signature Italian ingredients. Pizzas, small plates, and pastas play with a new energy while rustic bigger plates seem comforting and familiar. The setting couldn't be cooler, with modern art touches and a lower level lounge that sometimes offers jazz.
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Dancing Ganesha is a contemporary Indian restaurant. The menu includes traditional favorites as well as new dishes, such as the Portuguese-inspired lobster peri-peri. Lunch buffet during the week.
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First Ave. music lovers have a place to at The Depot Tavern right next door. It's a hipster-minimalist vibe with great beers and bar food: the Diamond Dog comes wrapped in bacon, the cheese curds are laced with cayenne, and there's a stellar list of grilled cheese. They serve until 2AM and occasionally stream music from the club next door.
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Moe Sharif's spot is the best-smelling restaurant in town. The fabulous space is thick with fireplaces and everything is cooked over wood. The Persian-style meats are a sensation.
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Upstairs, downstairs, or on the front porch-they're all possibilities at this charming Uptown global bistro. Although a touch on the short side, the menu emphasizes local and organic fare. Atmosphere and hospitality are strong suits.
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Rising above their humble basement dwellings, the owners of Evergreen (she cooks, he greets) deliver one of the best Chinese menus in the Cities. The hot pot specials, the legendary sautéed Chinese eggplant, and the drunken chicken are all superior choices. But don't forget to check out the blackboard menu, where some of the best specials are listed.
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If you can forget about the strip-mall atmosphere and embrace the simple diner aesthetic, you'll find breakfast treasure at Fat Nat's Eggs. Bennies are revered by loyalists: choose Italian sausage, chorizo, or corned beef hash if you like, and you'll be rewarded with a properly runny yolk and thickly rich hollandaise. Giant omelets, hefty pancakes, and strong coffee served by efficient and friendly servers are the order of the day.
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Chef Paul Lynch goes out of his way to use sustainable local ingredients. Cooking with a wood-fired rotisserie and hardwood grill, he turns out tasty and accessible American fare for all three meal periods. The grilled North Shore whitefish and corn-crusted walleye are great.
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The Hemisphere Restaurant Group (Mission, Atlas, Tavern on France) opened Flame in the Rosedale Center Plaza. Their tag line is "Cooking With Fire" and by the looks of the menu, they mean it. Focused on grilling, roasting, and smoking, the menu is chock full of meat: fire-roasted steak and shrimp, rotisserie chicken, house-smoked turkey sandwich, grilled pork tenderloin with apple cider sauce. Even desserts get the treatment, check out the s'mores platter or the caramelized bananas.
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With its all-you-can-eat menu, strolling gauchos slicing more than a dozen grilled meats tableside, plus a stellar salad bar, Fogo not only represents great value, but also offers many cuts of meats and flavors not otherwise found in local eateries, from whole leg of lamb rubbed with lemon and salt to fire-kissed aged rib eye. Prix fixe.
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This Victorian Grande Dame has a seasonal New American menu focused on lighter and bolder recipes. The kitchen's credentials include The French Laundry and Chambers Kitchen, so they're not afraid to push the envelope. The roofdeck patio is lovely, and the bar area offers a casual pub menu.
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Having been around long enough to see the advent of strip-mall sushi, Fuji-Ya keeps pace with the new kids on creativity and kills them on quality. Who do you think invented the No. 9 roll?
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Out to save the world, this charming diner-style pizzeria crafts its pies from mostly organic, locally procured ingredients, offers several vegan options, and makes deliveries via electric vehicles driven by staff dressed as superheroes. Order the Second Harvest Heartland pizza (a version of a margherita) and Galactic donates a dollar to charity.
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Cult favorite Wagner's morphed into Galaxy Drive In, complete with cleaner, shinier digs and a bright, retro-modern design package. The menu is classic drive-in fare: burgers, dogs, broasted chicken, Philly sandwiches, pizza, and ice cream.
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With block mates like Town Talk Diner and Midori's Floating World, Gandhi Mahal, is in good company. The menu is chock-full of traditional dishes, and an entire section is dedicated to a "strict Gandhian diet" (read: vegetarian), but it offers some interesting twists on old classics. Check out the lassi sampler to stretch your yogurt drink boundaries.
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Tibetan owners have created an Eat Street restaurant serving an eclectic mix of everything Asian: egg rolls, spring rolls, pad thai, curries, teriyaki.
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Once a divey old bar that cooked up burgers for the Glen Lake neighborhood, it's now a full-service restaurant with larger, more upscale digs and a fuller, chef-created menu of burgers, sandwiches, and tavern snacks.
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If you count yourself among those who value great recipes, warm service, and a convivial atmosphere, count yourself a fan of the GDC -- and be prepared to wait. The bright, open, upscale diner delivers stellar pancakes, plus creative and classic lunches such as a killer Rueben or steak salad.
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Grand Café is simultaneously a Bohemian throwback with mismatched furniture, tarnished silver, and an ancient bread oven, and a fine contemporary neighborhood café whose star shines brighter than most.
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Chef Landon Schoenefeld finally has his own shop.
HauteDish has arrived in the former Cafe Havana space to deliver tricked-out
renditions of homey food. The menu, divided into First, Middle, and Last,
offers all sorts of foodist fun, from snail & ham potpie to General Tso's
sweetbreads, while still managing a South Dakota steak house salad and a
burger, most for less than $20.
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Lenny Russo's small neighborhood restaurant has
moved downtown. Still showcasing the best of Midwestern modern cuisine, the
soaring new space is larger and offers three kitchen tables, private dining,
in-house butcher shop, and plans for a gourmet market.
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In its underground space, HK has expanded seating, dinner service, two full bars, Hell on Wheels grab-and-go for the lunch set, and a stage for the legendary Salvation Sunday gospel brunch. Bonus: the lemon-ricotta cakes are as heavenly as ever.
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This downtown watering hole feels like it's been here forever. Strong drinks, a great burger, and the best blue-plate steak dinner around make Ike's our favorite downtown bar for more than a good martini.
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Il Gatto has become more focused under the hand of consulting chef Tim Mckee. The Italian menu full of small plates, seafood, pizzas, and pastas has a culinary edge, but remains Uptown-fun. Gone, thankfully, are the raunchy cat jokes. Try the preserved swordfish or the fonduta.
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One of best Italian restaurants in the Twin Cities is in this Lilydale subdivision. The owners regularly perform magic with homemade salumi (his guanciale is awesome), phenomenally authentic pastas, superb first courses such as beef carpaccio or calamari fritti, and one of the best osso bucos around. There's an extraordinary Italian wine list as well.
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The soul of a true Irish pub, down to the dark wood bar and antique bottles of Jameson on display. Order a pint and some salt n' malt chips, beef and Murphy Stout pie, or the Dublin boxty (seafood stew on a potato cake).
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Sibling to the highly regarded Jasmine Deli nearby, J26 feels more like the complete package with a winning atmosphere and an expansive hit-and-miss menu of traditional and modern Vietnamese-centric dishes. Chili pepper-crusted fried tofu and lemongrass-scented pork ribs are worth a detour.
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Of the remaining heritage restaurants in the Twin Cities, Jax Café often seems the most frozen in time. But that would be a misimpression. Jax bills itself as a steak house, but there's a very large menu, and most of the food is competent, some of it excellent: the hash browns are some of the best in town, buttery, with a nice ratio of crisp to soft. Jax's food, more often than not, is classic but up to date-ingredients are respected, modern preferences taken into account. And because it's out of the way for most of us, a meal at Jax just feels special. And it is.
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This 600-seat Chinese powerhouse features plenty of dim sum and a huge menu. Try anything from the dim sum cart, the fresh whole fish served in a dozen guises, or the buttery melt-in-your-mouth champagne short ribs, or the crunchy and spicy Hong Kong-style lobster, crab, or shrimp, and you will be delighted. Skip the Chinese-American menu. But don't skip the pea tips with Chinese mushrooms.
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A small Thai restaurant in the Guthrie/Mill City neighborhood, Kindee is highly designed with bright modern colors. The menu features traditional Thai food.
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The Kozlak's (Jax Cafe) Galleria spot has hit its stride, improved and confident, if not yet giving Kincaid's a run for its money. The menu is steak house-plus, ingredient quality is good, and the recipes generally deliver. The room is comfortable and contemporary, the service familial but solid, and the prices are top-end, but there are many value choices on the large menu if you stay away from steak.
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This lunch institution serves huge sausages, roast-beef sandwiches, and imported bottles of beer. The deli features a world of homemade sausages and salamis, plus the crusty rolls they're meant to be eaten on.
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James Beard award winnig chef Tim McKee's sophisticated but recognizable Mediterranean fare remains superlative (offered á la carte or in tasting menus), and the elegant 510 Groveland setting has never been more radiant. The adjacent lounge offers delectable small bites and creative cocktails.
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The dinner menu offers traditional and nontraditional pizzas (including a Mexican pie with chicken and chorizo), Mediterranean pastas and entrees such as halibut baked in banana leaves with achiote and sour orange, or garlic cilantro rib eye with caper salsa. Weekend brunch includes a special eggs benedict with avocado and green salsa.
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This wildly popular northeast metro tradition is known for extravagant brunches and as an oasis of personal attention in a sea of chain dining.
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Not much to look at, but warm and friendly inside, Little Szechuan is one of the best Chinese restaurants in town. Check out the dan dan or Szechuan noodles bathed in peanuts and chili oil, pungent crispy spicy chicken, delicate bamboo shoots with chili oil, spicy crispy beef short ribs, home-style tofu, salty kung pao redolent with smoky chilies, and scallion spiked lamb.
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The rebirth of Nancy's Landing, Lola's Lakehouse is an ambitious effort to bring a chic waterside supper club to Waconia. The considerable menu is full of classic burgers and steaks as well as a larger variety of seafood, including a cast-iron seafood stew pot. It may also have one of the only raw bars outside the metro.
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Lucia Watson's cozy storefront doesn't miss a beat. From her weekly changing menu of creative seasonal, regional fare to the great wine bar and the lovely brunches, Lucia's remains worthy of national acclaim.
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The dinner menu offers some of the most varied and authentic Vietnamese food in the Cities, including a special seven-course beef dinner. Stunning décor imported from Vietnam.
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One of the best Chinese restaurants in town, specializing in Hong Kong-style seafood. Shrimp, lobster, whole fish, and crab dominate the menu, but the roasted crispy chicken and traditional Cantonese favorites are also wonderful. A destination for foodies in search of weekend dim sum brunch.
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Mango is a sleek, urban take on the neighborhood Thai restaurant. Noodles, curries, and entrées, such as ginger-roasted duck or shrimp-and-scallop-snow peas, are presented with a modern eye.
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Manny's is, for many, the quintessential local steak experience. Now in posh digs at the W Hotel, it seems refreshed and ready for the next 20 years. We love the rib eye, the best veal chop in town, and the stellar wine list. The bar is still as welcoming as they come, and there's no denying the addictiveness of Manny's hash browns.
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People from all over the Cities converge on Maria's for weekend brunch and some of the biggest, best pancakes anywhere. Break out of your rut and go for corn cakes with cotija cheese.
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D'Amico & Partners' has opened the Twin Cities' first upscale restaurant focused on the cuisines of Mexico. This stylish cantina's menu includes not only taqueria standards but also classic dishes culled from the family recipes of executive chef Saul Chavez. The authenticity level is notable, and service meets the high D'Amico standard.
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In burger legend and lore, there is a special place
for Matt's Jucy Lucy. What's basically a south Minneapolis corner dive
complete with a jukebox, vinyl wallpaper, and 3.2 beer has become an iconic
haunt.
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St. Paul's best French brasserie, located in the
historic Hamm Building, is a real charmer. Chef-owner Russell Klein and his
wife, Desta, set out to capture the feel and the flavors of an urbane French
dining experience, and they've done a superb job. From escargots and foie
gras to the authentic cheese cart, you'll feel like you're in Paris. Don't
forget to try a fresh absinthe cocktail in the new oyster bar
area.
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Though the room says "Northeast Minneapolis greasy
spoon," chef Philip Becht's cooking says something entirely different.
Creative, eclectic comfort food is the order of the day, using local
ingredients, and a seasonal emphasis. The signature pot roast is known
throughout town, though the meatloaf is just as good. Deliciously
unpretentious.
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This deli has some plausible credibility with pastrami and corned beef from the famed Carnegie Deli and bagels from H&H Bagel of NYC. The small place features an extensive takeout menu, full service, and a roll call of traditional deli favorites.
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Restaurateur and brewmaster Blake Richardson has made Minneapolis the home of the only sake brewpub outside of Japan. In addition to fermented-on-the-premises rice wines, this Pan-Asian tavern serves up an assortment of snacks, small plates, and noodle dishes.
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The décor, the Silver Butterknife steak, the garlic toast. Minneapolis's time-honored steak house-immortalized in Time by Garrison Keillor-seems to be on the upswing. We'd go with a rib eye or porterhouse over the Butterknife. Great burger at lunch.
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There's much discussion about Ngon's innovative fusion fare, mostly plied with local and natural ingredients, such as the crispy rabbit dumplings in curry sauce or elk medallions with garlic-cilantro pasta. What's not up for discussion is the amazingly fragrant and tasty pho.
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Rustic fare plus riffs on New York Jewish fare and American bistro cooking are a solid foundation for one of the most alluring spaces in town. Overlooks Loring Park.
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This aptly named bistro, on the art scene's gastrostreet, glows with bohemian good cheer. The small menu reads like a chef's dinner party and features generous plates of thoughtful, seasonal fare where the nuanced and confident straightforward cooking of chef Eddie Hayes, Jr. shines. The eclectic beer list spans the globe (including Kenya and China); wines are a good deal. With its snappy soundtrack, friendly, hip wait staff, and urbane neighborhood vibe, it's a great place to meet friends (old and new).
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The small Japanese restaurant you want on every block. This tiny yet stylish space offers an assortment of Japanese-style dishes as well as a la carte sushi and robata.
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Origami is a Twin Cities sushi institution. The Minneapolis location's small, elegant sushi bar is among the most revered in the Twin Cities. The chefs are delighted to discuss their daily specialties or create special rolls. The remaining menu is limited but thoughtfully prepared.
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D'amico has freshly opened this Italian restaurant
with a huge, stellar patio that includes two fireplaces. Look for classic
Italian recipes from chef Mike Dalton, formerly of
Campiello.
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Malaysian food incorporates some of the best aspects of Thai, Indian, and Chinese cuisines, and there's no better place to sample it than at this notably handsome and very authentic Eat Street restaurant.
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This tiny, polished neighborhood place is a serious
foodie destination, each small plate is packed with ambition. Chef Doug
Flicker's food is tasty, interesting, and beautifully orchestrated. Count on
ordering three or more wee winsome items to make an entrée, plus an
appetizer and dessert if you¹re hungry. Though each is reasonably priced,
together they are no bargain, but the wine list may be the best value in
town and the service is great.
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One of the best restaurants in Maple Grove and the
northwest metro, this Parasole venture is Manny's-lite, featuring
old-fashioned, high-end steak house fare, plus whimsical apps such as
house-made pigs-in-a-blanket. Fresh fish, killer fried chicken, and massive
house desserts round out the package.
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A swank space in the Hotel Ivy, Porter & Frye serves up posh cocktails and Midwest-modern dishes that spin seasonal fare. The broad menu covers substantial entrees of local beef, pork, and chicken as well as lighter vegetarian and spa plates.
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Suzi¹s sits in an old Nordeast drive-in where the
interior is decorated like a low-rent Trader Vic¹s. The menu of kicked-up
kitsch bar fare and ³Minneapolis² pizza is good for a laugh, but when the
food arrives, it¹s all tasty and fun. Woe be it to the soul who is trying to
eat ³lite² here, but for all the rest of us, Psycho Suzi¹s is a hometown
hoot, whether you arrive on a hog or a walker.
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The area's definitive authentic Neapolitan pizzas combine a thin crust, a modest amount of toppings, and a luscious San Marzano tomato sauce to make for a restrained but satisfying pie. Full service in Highland Park, counter service everywhere else.
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Foodies keep Quang packed, awaiting steaming bowls of pho, real-deal spring rolls, steamed buns, and grilled chicken. Service can be abrupt, and waits can be long at this deserved Eat Street legend.
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This clean and crisp Vietnamese restaurant offers
the best and most-varied Vietnamese menu in town. From bamboo-cooked rice to
the ethereal pho, stir-fries and hot pots are all nicely turned out, and the
spicy chicken with lemongrass is one of the best Asian dishes in
town.
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If retro is your thing, and you don't mind pizza cut in funny little squares, you'll love Red's, which has made its reputation on a great sauce. Have a bowl of salad, grab a pitcher, and relax. The new Uptown location is take-out only, serving slices at lunch. Not for the aged-balsamic crowd.
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It feels like a baronial dining room in Scotland and is not like any supper club you know. The menu is long on local game and regional specialties, but it's ambitious and creative fare, not steak and potatoes. Friday's fish fry is a more accessible affair.
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In the current landscape of cheffy bravado and
self-promotion, Alma is a quietly elegant and unpretentious restaurant where
the fresh, elevated scratch fare is allowed to take center stage. James
Beard-award-winning chef Alex Roberts knows how to create the perfect
bite.
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This hotel restaurant offers easy American cuisine
which includes appetizers, flatbreads, pastas, seafood, and chops. The happy
hour crowds love this place.
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The old Giorgio's on Lake has been reborn as Rinata, an Italian bistro with considerable charm. Simple elegance is applied to the warm, candle-lit surroundings as well as the rustic menu. Earthy flavors from all over Italy are featured in dishes such as eggplant involtini, ravioli with braised beef cheek, and fettuccini with house-cured pancetta.
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Chef Gabriele Lo Pinto opened this Italian
restaurant in the LynLake neighborhood. Formerly of Arezzo, Lo Pinto has
created a modestly priced menu of Italian dishes, featuring eight varieties
of the restaurant's namesake dish.
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The latest entrant in the local Thai dining scene is Roat Osha in Uptown. Sibling to Tum Rup Thai, the newly built restaurant turns a contemporary eye to décor and menu.
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This tiny brick barbecue house has a serious foodie following, maybe because of the wicked heat that results from the combination of its pepper rub and signature sauce. The pulled-pork sandwich, slathered in the unique, fragrant sauce, is as good as barbecue gets.
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The focus at this Warehouse District spot is Mediterranean and Middle Eastern fare with contemporary twists. The menu includes a variety of interesting small plates and meze that run the gamut from earthy homemade sausage to foie gras.
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Parasole's casual Frenchy is now Edina's clubhouse, with fare that's reasonably authentic, except when it isn't. A great room and a buzzy vibe make for a fun meal, even if you're just having a burger and oysters.
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In a restored turn-of-the-century brick building, Nordeast hipsters sample from small plates of creative and satisfying new American food. Bigger plates are just as comely, including the grilled ham and Camembert sandwich, housemade tagliatelle, and a killer meat loaf.
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In this graciously restored fieldstone building, Sanctuary's menu spans the globe with new-age verve. Call it classic fusion-Latino and Asian flavors via French technique. Chef Patrick Atanalian's plates are surprisingly precise and balanced. Michael Kutscheid, polished maitre d' and co-owner, presides with enthusiasm and charm.
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With a rollicking bar scene, this Mediterranean
standby still offers decent seafood, pastas, and Greek dishes.
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One of the first in the neighborhood, and ahead of the curve, this North Loop world-food restaurant excels at everything from steak to miso salmon to paella. The coconut-cream tart with caramelized bananas is addictive.
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The lure is sustainably sourced seafood prepared and served with the visual, textural, and flavor-packed flair that are the hallmarks of Tim McKee's restaurant concepts. Whether it's raw bar treats bursting with freshness, small plates boasting unorthodox combinations, or a full complement of non-fish entrees, the menu covers the waterfront. Toss in a remodeled interior that feels more open and casual than the former Cue, and some of the best service you'll find locally and you have a spot that's up to either pre-theater chumming or destination dining.
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This seasonal café in Minnehaha Park is run by the extended Coastal Seafoods family and is a temple of fresh, flavorful sea fare and shellfish. Ice cream too. Open seasonally April to October.
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The newest addition to the Central Ave. restaurant row is a sweet and sassy Thai noodle shop called Sen Yai Sen Lek. Offering both the street food of Bangkok and Isaan sticky dishes of Northeastern Thailand, the menu strives for authenticity and simplicity. The owners are big on local producers and sustainability.
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The La Belle Vie boys have rejoined the Stillwater community. Smalley's has edge and sass, claiming to be the first restaurant in the country to cook over Jamaican pimento wood. Look for traditional barbecue and authentic Jamaican jerk dishes, such as jerk pork skewers with scotch bonnet aioli, hot wings by the pound, and fried green tomatoes with horseradish.
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Colorado's favorite burger has come to town. The burgers here really are smashed on the grill, but remain juicy. Haagen-Dazs shakes, veggie fries, and haystack onion rings also star on the menu.
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This Minneapolis hot spot features more than 40
kinds of tapas and a stupendous selection of Spanish wines. Don¹t miss the
paella or the rooftop deck.
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This big, high-energy trattoria from the folks who own The Wine Shop next door offers all things Italian in a loud, dim, industrial-feeling space with closely packed tables and lots of warm woods. All wine is offered at retail prices from a stunner of a list, with no restaurant markup.
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Wine-oriented restaurant offers salads, pastas, steak, and artisan pizzas. Features 100 wines from around the world and a wine boutique.
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Brenda Langton's modern eatery is a chic place to sip exotic cocktails and dine on creative, seasonal, locally raised, chef-driven fare within a stone's throw of the Guthrie Theater. Innovative flavors and a focus on nonmeat offerings are hallmarks here.
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Casual seafood specialties such as peel-and-eat
shrimp and fried oysters are served in this whimsical restaurant with a
rooftop bar. Sunday brunch can be ordered
family-style.
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There are no exotic dancers at this hideaway on St.
Paul's Dayton's Bluff, but you needn't worry about being entertained. Chef
J. D. Fratzke is cooking up a storm, and his meaty menu‹comprising small
plates and a short list of mains that includes the eponymous grilled New
York strip offered with a choice of seven sauces‹is both varied and deftly
prepared. From the small, crowded balcony, the view of downtown St. Paul is
terrific.
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Sushi master Tengo has a cult-like following for
his creative and uber-fresh sushi rolls. The freshly revamped Uptown
location is buzzing with pretty people enjoying the hibachi tables and huge
outdoor patio.
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New owners have revived the Zen Asian space in
Uptown. Szechuan Spice brings the heat with both Szechuan and Hunan dishes.
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Ask for the special Sichuan menu-that's where all the good stuff is. Superb fish soup, cold Sichuan noodles, chung king spicy chicken, cucumbers in spicy sauce, or shredded pork in garlic sauce are all outstanding. The best Sichuan food in town.
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A giant iron smoker and grill and the imperious gaze of the pit masters dominate this small takeout-only eatery. Cook's cherry-and-hickory-smoked spare ribs, chicken, and rib tips shouldn't be missed, nor should the sweet-hot glazy sauce that is a must for heat freaks.
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Committed to the community and its surrounding
agricultural bounty, Terra Waconia promises to cook seasonally with high
culinary standards.
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For as-good-as-it-gets Chinese food in the Twin Cities, this strip-mall café in Chanhassen is the place to head. Skip the usual choices and ask your waitperson to recommend some of the special Mandarin and Szechuan dishes that are as authentic, flavorful and unique as you'll find in these parts. Among the standouts are sautéed beef with golden garlic, a knockout version of Chung King chicken and eggplant and shrimp Szechuan style. If you call ahead, the halibut with chili sauce is swoonworthy.
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High design and a cool vibe are the hallmarks of this neighborhood wine bar. The seasonal menu is limited, but features thin-crust pizza, sandwiches, soups, and desserts.
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Tosca is charming Linden Hills with its seasonally
inspired menu of scratch-made antipasti, pasta, and proteins. A charming
ambiance, great service, and reasonable prices make it notable; a larger
menu is all it needs to make it a weekly staple.
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This diner serves homemade bananas Foster French toast, pancakes, and eggs at brunch, and burgers, sandwiches, salads, and reimagined classics in the evening, all with style and panache. Check out the farmer's sausage and cheese platter, the "frickles," crispy pressed half chicken, or the grilled tri-tip sirloin. Top-notch drink menu features one-of-a-kind cocktails.
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A couple of young chefs who bonded at Victory 44
have opened their own shop in Robbinsdale. Travail is a tiny, experimental
cook shop where the entire crew works all aspects of the room: dining,
kitchen, and bar. A chalkboard menu lists small plates of highly crafted
food that can feel "white tablecloth", and yet the vibe is seriously
laid-back.
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This attractive but never quite clicking north suburban restaurant has a new chef and management. There's a more polished feel, but the menu is still broad and appealing. Ambience is as charming as always.
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This spot features curries made from scratch and specialty stir-fries, plus there's a full bar.
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Parasole's latest venture on the Uptown crossroads
of Hennepin and Lake, Cafeteria plays a retro Brady Brunch vibe with modish
decor and a menu full of American classics aimed at feeding the young and
hungry. The rooftop is more of a swanky scene.
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When you can't stomach another Midwestern
breakfast, get behind the revolution that is Victor's. The
memorabilia-filled Cuban café serves one of the most memorable breakfasts
around: mango or banana pancakes, yuca and eggs, a sweet plantain omelet.
For dinner check out the Picadillo a la Cubana or the ropa
vieja.
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A hot foodie destination, Victory 44 is bringing
eaters to North Minneapolis. Chef-owner Erick Harcey has put the chefs in
charge of everything from cooking to taking orders. The food uses local and
fresh ingredients crafted with high-end technique, but the overall effect is
still familiar and delicious. It feels like a neighborhood joint, just with
better food.
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Expect pastas, pizzas, salads, and seafood in a
stylish venue by the lake.
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Four-star fare at three-star prices in a warm,
minimalist room. Vincent Francoual's cuisine has a southern French accent
but is contemporary, seasonal, and inspirational. The bar offers traditional
French bistro dishes and a worthy stuffed burger.
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Comfortable and laid-back, this casual counter-service cafe serves some mean treats, such as creme brulee French toast and dense fudge cake, along with finely crafted soups, sandwiches, and salads.
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Two days after closing Azia, Thom Pham returned to
downtown, opening Wondrous Azian Kitchen on Hennepin. Decked with a splashy
neon sign, the hot spot offers a big menu full of classic Pham dishes, some
new takes on old Nankin recipes, as well as a few fusion bar snacks. Weekend
brunch is downtown's first dim sum.
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Patty Soskin's counter-service bakery, café, and takeaway is long on style and serves up some tasty treats as well. The cinnamon pull-aparts with cream cheese frosting have achieved icon status. Breads, cookies, cakes, pies, and soups are all tip-top.
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Located in the Minneapolis Life Time Athletic Club,
the menu puts a Mediterranean spin on dishes that play to American tastes.
Look for sushi as well.
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