Neighborhoods

Excelsior & Grand, St. Louis Park
Who would have thought that one of the west metro’s dreariest crossroads would become the hub of almost frenzied attention, but that’s what’s happened at the intersection formerly known as Excelsior Boulevard at Monterey Avenue just west of the Minneapolis line. Several attractive new condo developments have provided a critical mass of residents, and Trader Joe’s, the wildly popular California–based specialty food market that opened its first Twin Cities outpost here in 2006, is bringing in the rest of us. Among other draws in the reconstituted neighborhood are a pair of informal eateries—Brix Bistro and Wine Bar and McCoy’s—plus a critical mass of better chain eateries, an interesting mix of one-of-a-kind retailers such as Lulu and Luigi (fashions and accessories for dogs and cats), Max’s boutique (neat stuff from jewelry to exotic chocolate), and Q Fashions (women’s and men’s).

50th & France, Edina
One of the Twin Cities’ toniest intersections, 50th & France just received a major face-lift. Besides the addition of luxury condos (some topping the million-dollar mark) at 5000 France, newcomers include the beauty boutique Cos Bar and culinary mecca Sur La Table. Those local outposts of national chains join wedding gown and ready-to-wear purveyor Monique Lhuillier and the gussied-up Parisian magasinAnthropologie. Popular locally owned shops at the intersection include Clutch (handbags), Bone Adventure (upscale pet supplies), Gather (for home and garden), Spirit (apparel), and Cooks of Crocus Hill (everything for the kitchen). Several outstanding restaurants round out the neighborhood’s offerings with a diversity of fare, including French at Salut,Southwestern at Tejas, Italian at Arezzo Ristorante, and updated American at the Edina Grill.

48th & Chicago, Minneapolis
South Minneapolis’s 48th & Chicago neighborhood features a friendly mix of charming shops and enticing ethnic restaurants that appeal to a wide range of tastes and interests. Foodies from around the Twin Cities flock to Cafe Levain for its contemporary American fare, Pepitos for homemade chorizo and spicy pork, and Bagu for sushi. Simpler fare is available at neighborhood favorites Turtle Bread Company (soups and pastries) and Pizza Biga (wood-fired pies). The shops are as unique as the restaurants. Twiggs Home & Garden is full of good stuff for the home; Shop in the City is a mini department store that stocks everything from apothecary and gifts to wool jackets, jewelry, and home accents; and Amazon Books Cooperative provides readers with a wide selection of new and used books.

Cathedral Hill, St. Paul
The neighborhood takes its name from the incomparable Cathedral of St. Paul, which overlooks both the Capitol and downtown St. Paul. Diners have been gravitating to this area for eons to experience the elegant dining at W.A. Frost and La Grolla, as well as the upscale Russian fare at Moscow on the Hill, where the martinis are legendary. Garrison Keillor chose this neighborhood to locate his bookstore venture Common Good Books in the basement of the historic Blair Building. After you’ve found something to read, head upstairs to Nina’s Coffee House for a cup of joe or stop by the Paper Patisserie to find a gift for that special someone. Afterward, head to The Happy Gnome for dinner, a microbrew, or a shot of single-malt scotch from the superb bar.