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, but Flawed
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.
This is a beta, so feel free to tell us your feedback. You'll see more restaurants with critics' ratings in the coming days and weeks.
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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 room 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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This teensy and humble neighborhood market and deli has the best falafel, hummus, baba gannouj, and tabbouleh in town. All foods are handmade from scratch.
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The sister restaurant to nuanced Wayzata Eatery, Alaska Eatery is a brassy, cavernous lodge of a suburban dining hall specializing in a tasty and thoughtful menu of roasted steaks, chops, and seafood. The hunt-club casual bar is convivial and specializes in single-malt scotches.
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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 renovation of the former Matty B's is all about burgers. Chef Rino Baglio's takes include a bison burger with horseradish and a Kobe burger with foie gras and black truffles, among others.
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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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The latest draw to Eat Street, BALi is a beautiful and low-lit space in which upscale Indonesian cuisine plays out. Think coconut milk, sweet and spicy sauces, curries, lemongrass, and lots of fresh veggies.
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Arguably the most alluring dining room 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 offers much more than its perfect cappuccino. The creative, Gallic-influenced fare is consistent and tasty, often made from locally grown organic produce and meats. We love the simpler fare, such as salad niçoise, croque monsieur, pan-roasted chicken, and espresso-chocolate fondue with fresh fruit.
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Barrio is the darkly hip tequila bar from Josh Thoma and Tim Mckee. 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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The former Viva Italia space has been reborn as BIBO, a casual restaurant and wine bar from Frank Marchionda of I Nonni and Buon Giorno Italia. Given his track record for high-quality authentic Italian food, this family-friendly space could pack them in with pizzas, pastas, and Italian wines.
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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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Blackbird is an eclectic and slightly eccentric all-day storefront restaurant offering everything from salmon fish and chips to bahn mi sandwiches to pork confit. The food is uniformly creative and carefully prepared, and the small space fills quickly most nights.
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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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Parasole has entered the local burger wars with the opening of Burger Jones. As snarky and wry as you'd expect, the menu is chocked full of high-quality 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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Using locally grown, sustainable ingredients, Café Agri is on a mission of eco-gastronomy. The largely vegetarian and gluten-free menu makes innovative leaps with scalloped spicy yams, fennel-ginger tempeh, and honey-glazed plantain cakes.
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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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The neighborhood has high hopes for this sassy new deli opened in the old Zander spot. The counter-service 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 is already garnering 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 rounds 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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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. Vino & Vinyl Su.
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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. Chef Mike Phillips sources locally and sustainably and cooks from both the soul and local soil in a restaurant that he gave purpose.
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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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From the owners of NalaPak, 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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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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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, Via) has 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 chocked 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 represents not only 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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New owners have given this Victorian grande dame a facelift that includes a top to bottom remodeling and 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.
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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 has 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, the recently opened northern Indian restaurant, Gandhi Mahal, is in good company. The menu is chocked full of traditional dishes, and an entire section is dedicated to a "strict Gandhian diet" (read: vegetarian), but 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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The Gold Nugget was once a divey old bar that cooked up burgers for the Glen Lake neighborhood. New developers have re-opened the 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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The third time is the charm for this south Minneapolis hangout, which makes a mean oeufs en cocotte with cream and ham and has survived into its third incarnation with its dignity intact and a chef who shows real promise. John Radle's bistro menu is well crafted and his fare suits the mood at Grand Cafe.
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Chef Keven Kvalsten sharpened his knives at the Corner Table and now runs this European-influenced bistro with a penchant for ingredients grown in the surrounding communities.
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Lenny Russo's small neighborhood restaurant showcases Midwestern ingredients, including the biggest selection of game in the region. The prix fixe menu changes nightly. An adjacent wine bar, open nightly, offers lighter fare and wines at more affordable prices.
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Stewart Woodman's storefront spot showcases the acclaimed chef's creativity and signature flavors on a seasonably changing menu. Everything is small and here, from the prices to the kitchen to the limited menu.
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In a devilish move, Hell's Kitchen has gone underground and taken over the old Rossi's Steakhouse space. The move has meant 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. Don't worry, 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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Freshly moved to a downtown spot on West 7th, this Italian eatery seems poised and refreshed. The menu focuses on southern Italy, meaning red sauce and flavor, and the new digs provide the much needed space for live entertainment on weekends.
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The best Italian restaurant 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 the best osso buco around. There's an extraordinary Italian wine list as well.
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Carl Wong, formerly of Seafood Palace on Eat Street, operates Jade in the Midtown Global Market. He offers a menu stacked with traditional Cantonese and Sichuan dishes, contemporary Asian fusion items, a wide selection of sushi, and a massive lunch buffet.
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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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Jay's loves the locals and the locals love Jay's, which proudly names local farms with their ingredients on the menu. Breakfast brings apple-caramel French toast, lunch offers a horseradish-roast beef sandwich, and dinner shows off with pork chops and grass-fed beef roast.
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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, the fare is competent, occasionally inspired (N'Awlins shrimp is addictive), 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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Acclaimed chef Tim McKee's sophisticated but recognizable Mediterranean fare remains as superlative as ever (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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Juan Juarez Garcia, an Italian-trained Mexican chef, has opened La Chaya Bistro in south Minneapolis. Allay your fears of meatball-pinata decor, this former KFC has been upscaled with natural colors, warm woods and sophisticated artwork. The real color splash comes from the food, which promises to bring the best of Latin and Mediterranean flavors to your table. 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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It's all cowboy culture at Laredo's, where the margaritas are strong and the guacamole is "hand-hacked." The Tex-West menu offers quesadillas, a pulled pork sandwich, enchiladas, and beer-can chicken.
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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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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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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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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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This French brasserie 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.
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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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Golden Valley's newest 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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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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Chef Steven Vranian's rustic fare and 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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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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Salsa music and dancing help set the Latino vibe in the riverfront space. The food follows suit with empanadas, ceviche, and tomatillo-braised pork.
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Easily the best restaurant in Maple Grove and the northwest metro, this Parasole venture is a 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 with artistry and sumptuous surprise. The broad menu covers substantial entrees of local beef, pork, and chicken as well as lighter vegetarian and spa plates. While exciting and innovative, the food is executed with classic technique and heartland sensibility. Matching the caliber of the kitchen, the polished and professional service staff is warm and welcoming. If you go for dinner, be prepared to sit back and enjoy the long, leisurely, and luxurious ride.
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Suzi's sits in an old Nordeast drive-in where the carhops have been banished to Grease revivals and the interior is decorated like a low-rent Trader Vic's. The menu of kicked-up kitsch bar fare and "Minneapolis" pizza is good for a laugh, but when the food arrives, it's all tasty and fun. Woe be it to the soul who is trying to eat "lite" here, but for all the rest of us, Psycho Suzi's 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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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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Alma is always lively, interesting, and welcoming, and chef Alex Roberts changing menu reflects a passion for organic, locally grown foods.
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restaurant Max is run by Morrissey Hospitality Companies of St. Paul Grill, Pazzaluna, and Tria fame. This hotel restaurant offers "lifestyle cuisine," which includes appetizers, flatbreads, pastas, seafood, and chops.
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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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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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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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The restaurant has moved, but the specialties still include seafood, pastas, and Greek dishes. Appetizer menu includes spreads and dips, from feta to eggplant to caviar.
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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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One of the nation's top Spanish restaurants. Tim McKee and Josh Thoma's stylish Minneapolis hot spot features more than 40 kinds of tapas and a stupendous selection of Spanish wines. Don't miss the paella, but save room for pastry chef Adrienne Odom's show-stopping desserts.
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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. And when it comes to the front of the house, co-owners and Town Talk Diner vets Tim Niver and Aaron Johnson are as an accomplished pair of hosts as you'll find, offering bonhomie and an interesting mixed drinks and wine program. From the small, crowded balcony, the view of downtown St. Paul is terrific.
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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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This Edina spot boasts a warm, Southwestern atmosphere and a robustly nouvelle approach. Entrées include braised lamb shank and smoked-chicken nachos. Many items are smoked on the premises with hickory, apple, and pecan woods. A winning way with fare that's hard to find locally.
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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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Chef Adam Vickerman is charming Linden Hills with his seasonally inspired menu of scratch-made antipasti, pasta, and proteins. A charming ambiance, great service, and reasonable prices make Tosca 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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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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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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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 occasionally inspirational. The bar offers traditional French bistro dishes and a much-hyped 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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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, this is actually the second outpost for Zahtar -- the first serves members-only at the Eden Prairie club. David Fhima puts his Mediterranean spin on dishes that play to American tastes. Look for sushi as well.
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