Barrio

925 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-333-9953
http://www.barriotequila.com/

Category: Mexican

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: 5
Ambience: 8

Recommendation: Very Good. A mixed bag on the food – many stellar dishes but a few that were ho-hum, but this place sure knows how to mix up Tequila.

Barrio is a Tequila bar brought to us by the same people that are behind La Belle Vie and Solera, and that itself sets a high standard and expectation. Located on Nicollet Mall in a rather narrow space, you would surely walk by without noticing if it weren’t for the large crowd that fills this place nightly. The long bar and high tops fill the street level space, while the upstairs is a little more secluded but gives you a birds-eye view of the whole space and the bar patrons below. Chocolate and red are the primary palette and the dimly lit space gives it a romantic yet vibrant feel. Check out the impressive selection of Tequilas behind the bar and don’t forget to look to the sides to see the dancing puppets.

The menu is Mexican Tapas but it’s the drinks that will first catch your eye. We highly recommend the Enter the Dragon, a Passion fruit margarita with muddled pepper and cava…the flavor combination is exquisite, starting with sweet and fragrant and ending with a nice kick. If you want something a little less sweet, try the Macho Camacho, a blood orange Ancho 1800 Black Margarita with a stronger Tequila bite. If you’re in the mood for a beer cocktail, the El Toro hits you with sweet, salty and sour flavors. Overall, the drinks were A+; complex flavors that any cocktail lover would appreciate.

The Tapas menu allows you to sample all that the kitchen has to offer. The Sugarcane Skewered Tequila Shrimp is served with a lemon-ginger mojo that really shines. We also thought highly of the Potato Sopes that were topped with tangy goat cheese and a spicy red-chili salsa. You can’t go wrong with the Black Bean and Chicken Tostada either. We thought the Barbeque Pork Sopes were good but nothing special, but really didn’t care for the Diver Scallop Ceviche. We had to send the Ceviche back because the seafood just wasn’t fresh and didn’t smell appetizing, and that’s too bad because the combination looked stellar. Barrio also has a nice taco selection. After we were done with our small plates, we ordered four different kinds. Twenty minutes later we were surprised when the server asked us if we wanted anything else…”huh, what about our tacos.” Our server had forgotten about our order and by the time he put it in, we were feeling stuffed and asked him to cut the order in half. The Grilled Skirt Steak taco was nice, tender meat served in a deep fried shell. On the other hand, the Mahi Mahi taco was fishy, but had all the makings of being amazing if served with fresher fish (the batter was light and the accoutrements subtle enough to not take away from the fish.) Dessert didn’t impress us, although the Tres Leches with Scorched Bananas showed glimpses of awesomeness. The problem with that dessert was that the Chocolate Tres Leches was hard, not soft and spongy like we’ve come to expect from this quintessential Mexican dessert. We thought the banana flavor was amazing, the cinnamon flavored milk and malt balls floating in it an exceptional choice…if only the cake were different. We’d recommend skipping the Churros with Hot Chocolate – having been to Spain not too long ago we expected thick Spanish-style Hot Chocolate, not the watery concoction set before us. Let’s face it - it’s a lot more fun dipping fried dough in thick hot chocolate.

Service was average. Even though the upper level wasn’t packed it was hard to find our server at times, and the mix-up with the tacos, without a sincere apology afterward left us unsatisfied.

$$$. Entrees are $16-22, small plates $7.50 and tacos around $4 each.

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Salsa a La Salsa

1420 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN
612-813-1970
http://www.salsaalasalsa.com/
A second location is in the Midtown Global Market

Category: Mexican

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: N/A (takeout)
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Very Good. Reasonably priced authentic Mexican food on Eat Street within minutes of downtown Minneapolis.

Take-out food was the theme over Memorial Day weekend (we had friends visiting and with their 2 young boys, doing takeout was more practical). We were all craving Mexican and had to rack our brains for take-out options around downtown Minneapolis. A quick web search turned up Salsa a La Salsa and a quick glance at their menu made it our destination of choice for dinner. Some of the menu options were foreign to us…a true sign of an authentic restaurant. My friend and I (Nick) went to the restaurant which is located on the North end of Eat Street. It’s not very big but has a nice vibe to it, especially because of the live music that was playing on the Sunday night. We ordered our food and sat down to nibble on some chips and salsa. With the bar in plain sight, we couldn’t pass up on the Tequila selection and ordered a round of sipping Tequilas (Don Julio Reposado). Waiting for take-out was never this much fun – live music, good tequila, fresh chips and salsa (the pico was ok, but the Salsa Verde was awesome). By the time we were done with the first round of drinks, our food was ready.

Overall, we were quite impressed with the meal. The Plato de Carnitas ($10.95) was a favorite – the pulled pork was juicy and flavorful and the accompanying rice, beans, and corn tortillas were the right portion and stayed warm till we got home. We ordered a couple of different Popular Burritos ($8.95) and although they were good, we were a little concerned about the lack of consistency in the ingredients. The Vegetable Burrito had no sour cream while the Beef Burrito was loaded with sour cream and had no onions or cilantro! We would also recommend the Chicken Fajitas ($11.99) which were mildly spiced but didn’t dry out, even though they were sitting in the car for 10 minutes. Our only gripe with takeout was that we had asked for extra Salsa Verde – when we got home, we realized that we hadn’t been emphatic enough (we ended up with one small portion, definitely not enough for 4 people)! We’ll be heading back to Salsa a La Salsa soon – good authentic food at an incredible value.

$$. All entrees are less than $13. Metered parking on the side streets.

strong>Update (Mar 2009) – During our recent visit we decided to eat in at Salsa a la Salsa. The space is clean and inviting – lively and bustling is a good sign. The interior isn’t spectacular but you should check out the paintings that hang on the brick wall along one side of the restaurant. Vibrant artwork really brightens up the space.

Nick started the evening with a Margarita (with 1800 Reposado and served up, just the way he likes it). It went down quickly. For entrees, the Plato de Carnitas ($12.95) is a safe choice; a big helping of pork with plenty of sides. If you want to try something different, we’d recommend the Pollo Con Nopalitos ($12.95), chicken strips sautéed in a green sauce with cactus leaves, a very satisfying dish with mild flavors. The Carne Asada ($11.95), though wasn’t great; the meat was cooked well, but just wasn’t seasoned and tasted bland. Both desserts were fun. This is the first time we’ve had a Pineapple Tamale ($4.50)…the warm subtly flavored tamale paired well with vanilla ice cream and tart cranberry chutney. If you’re in the mood for chocolate, go with the Fried Chocolate Truffles with Vanilla Ice Cream ($6.95)…decadent and gratifying.

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Black Sheep

600 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis, MN
612-342-2625
http://www.blacksheeppizza.com/

Category: Pizza

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: 9
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Good. Our experience was a mixed bag – more downs than ups, but there are a couple of things on the menu worth checking out.

It was our second time trying to get a table at Black Sheep, the Twin Cities’ first coal fired pizza joint, which has now become the talk of the town. Our first time we waited for about 20 minutes and then left, knowing we had another engagement that we didn’t want to get late for. On our second try, we deliberately picked a Wednesday evening, and although the place was still packed, we only had to wait a few minutes. The interior isn’t very large and all the tables are concentrated in an L-shape around the kitchen – you get a great view of the kitchen from pretty much any table and its fun to check out the staff tossing dough and feverishly working on getting the pies to the table. With the large wooden booths, the space does get cramped, especially if you’re waiting for a table or sitting at the bar. A few modern paintings on the wall round out the minimalist theme. The heat from the pizza oven makes the interior nice and toasty, which was great on a cold winter evening (wonder what it will feel like in the summer).

A coal-fired oven imparts a unique char to the pizza crust, and that’s a good thing if you like spots of char on your crispy crust. The menu consists of some salads, appetizers and about a half dozen specialty pizzas. If the specialty pizzas don’t interest you, you can create your own from a list of two dozen toppings. We decided to try three specialty pizzas – the Meatball pizza (but added garlic and ricotta as recommended by the server), the Fennel Sausage, Hot Salami, Onion and Cracked Green Olives pizza, and the Oyster Mushroom, Smoked Mozzarella and Rosemary pizza. The Meatball pizza with the extra toppings was our favorite – good flavor with a nice sweet red sauce. We didn’t care for the Sausage and Salami pizza mostly because the Salami had a very pungent raw meat flavor (from the dry aging apparently) – the owner said he loves the strong salami, but this just wasn’t for us. The Mushroom pizza, which seemed very interesting and similar to a pizza we make at home, was a disaster – heaps of mushrooms and non-existent cheese made this white pizza very dry and bland. When the owner, Jordan, who was greeting all his customers asked how we liked the pizza, we were honest about our disappointment with the mushroom pizza. He offered to replace it but we politely declined. After another few minutes he came back to the table and once again insisted that he make us a new pie and we relented (we told him to serve us his favorite). About ten minutes later he came back with a pizza with Chicken and Pepperoncinis. An interesting combination that we both loved – the pepperoncinis added a nice tang and spice to this pizza. At the end of the meal we were full, but less than satisfied with our meal. We recommend you skip the specialty pizzas and make your own – our favorite toppings were the meatball, fennel sausage, and the chicken/pepperoncini combo. Small pizzas (12 inch) are $9-$13, while the larger 16 inch pizzas are $12-$22. Extra toppings are $2 for the small and $3 for the large, reasonable for meats, but outrageous for things like garlic and onions. And lest we forget, Black Sheep does serve wine and beer to enjoy with the meal.

Service was very good – fast and attentive. We especially liked the fact that the owner was interested in making sure his customers were happy. Just for the record, at no point in our visit, did he know we were going to write a review. He treated us in the same friendly and caring manner he was showing to his other patrons – a big thumbs up.

$$. Street parking is available, but sometimes hard to find.

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Quang Restaurant

2719 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-870-4739
http://www.quangrestaurant.com/

Category: Vietnamese

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 5

Recommendation: Very Good. This Eat Street favorite serves up great Pho soup and bubble tea…and a whole host of other tasty authentic dishes.

No other Vietnamese place in the Twin Cities gets talked about as much as Quang…and for good reason. This sparsely decorated restaurant is always bustling and if you go there during normal lunch or dinner hours, be prepared to wait. The good news is that the restaurant is quite large, the food comes out of the kitchen in a hurry, and the servers are always running to clear tables and keep patrons moving. The crowd is diverse and you see as many Asians as Americans, which is usually a good sign at any ethnic restaurant.

We have tried a wide variety of dishes from their diverse menu and never been disappointed. The Pho (noodle soup) is the specialty here and we have tried both the beef and the chicken Phos. The soup consists of a flavorful clear broth, served with rice noodles and meat (you have some options here). The servers bring a side of jalapeno peppers, sprouts, lime wedge, and Thai basil that you can add to your soup. We add all of these in plenty because it adds to the flavor and texture of the dish. The traditional way to eat this soup is with the chopsticks in one had and a soup spoon in the other – once you get the hang of it, you’ll have fun. The Spring Rolls are served with a hoisin sauce and have a very light and fresh flavor. The Egg Rolls are hot and crispy (try them both and compare). We also loved Quang’s Original Pork Chop platter – the meat had a nice char quality but wasn’t dry. If you’ve never had a Vietnamese Sandwich, you’re in for a wonderful surprise…think Parisian baguette packed with Asian ingredients and flavors. The Chicken Sandwich was served on a crispy French bread with pate, mayo, chicken and some veggies – it’s a staple in Vietnam. We love getting their bubble teas – they are a nice accompaniment to the meal – Hazelnut, Coffee, and Strawberry are our favorites…we especially love the chewy texture of the tapioca balls and sucking them through the large straw! Try the Lemongrass Chicken, which is nicely flavored for the American palate. The Grilled Meatballs Vermicelli Salad was recommended by our server and was excellent. The meatballs were served with vermicelli noodles, lettuce, bean sprouts, mint, cilantro, peanuts, and a sweet sauce on the side. The dish was bursting with flavors. The Iced Coffee, made traditionally with Chicory Coffee and sweetened condensed milk is nice and strong.

$. Entrees are under $10. Free Parking.

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Jasmine Deli

2532 Nicollet Ave
Minneapolis, MN
612-870-4700

Category: Vietnamese

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 5

Recommendation: Very Good. Inexpensive, flavorful and fresh – this place is a winner.

We’ve been to Jasmine Deli three times in the last month – we can’t remember the last time we frequented a restaurant this often. The food is light, fresh, and flavorful and the place is quick and inexpensive – there was no reason not to go back after our first visit. Located on Eat street, this establishment is small and inconspicuous – there’s nothing on the outside that would differentiate this place form the hundreds of others on Nicollet Avenue. Pop your head in and you’ll find a half dozen tables in a room no bigger than a suburban living room. Takeout is just as popular as sit down – apparent from the display of sandwiches and spring rolls wrapped and available for those on the go.

In addition to the staples above, you also find that the menu contains Bun Nuoc (Noodle Soup), Vermicelli Noodle Salad, Broken Rice Plates and other appetizers.
The Banh Mi (Sandwiches) is great, and it’s the bread that really shines. The Grilled Pork with its char has awesome flavor and the carrots, cucumber and cilantro add freshness. Wrap that in the crusty bread and at $3.50, you can’t find value like this anywhere in the city. If you’re looking for a similar pork preparation with rice, try the Broken Rice Pork Chop Plate ($7). Along with the rice and meat you get a salad and a sweet dipping sauce. We highly recommend the Bun Thit Xao (Stir Fried Vermicelli Noodle Salad, $7) with Pork. This light salad erupts with freshness. A burst of textures and flavors comes from the cucumbers, carrots, cilantro, peanuts and hoisin sauce. Throw in the sweet and light dressing over the charred pork and you’re one happy camper. If want soup instead, try the Hu Tieu Hai San (Seafood Rice Noodle Soup, $8). The broth is light and clean and although not as fragrant as Pho, still very good and offers a nice alternative to the heavier Pho. Bean sprouts, lime, and herbs accompany the soup. We felt that the shrimp and calamari in the soup were good, but the fish cake was a little strong for us. For drinks, there is a nice assortment of Bubble Teas that are prepared by blending the drink with ice – we really liked the Coconut Bubble Tea ($3.50).

Service is fast and friendly and even if this place is packed, which it usually is on the weekends, we recommend waiting – a table will open up soon. Else, walk up to the counter and order take-out.

$. Street parking is available.

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Kabobi

13250 Technology Dr #102
Eden Prairie, MN
952-937-1414
http://www.kabobi.com/

Category: Middle-Eastern

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: 8
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Very Good. We love the idea of a Persian restaurant that caters to the greater masses, all the while maintaining its historical and cultural roots.

You have to applaud the gumption of restaurateurs Anoush Ansari and Hadi Anbar to open a Persian fast-food-style restaurant in the heart of Eden Prairie. Eden Prairie wouldn’t be the obvious choice if we were opening a casual ethnic eatery, especially one geared towards the greater population. The restaurant is located in a strip mall, a stones’ throw away from the Southwest Transit Station and the newly relocated Santorini’s. The space itself is inviting and consistent with what you expect from a casual eatery – it’s clean and comfortable with minimalist decor.

The menu is small and specializes in kabobs. In addition to Shish Kabob and the Kabob Koobideh, the menu also features salads, gyros, and wraps. We started with the refreshing Kabobi Salad – a combination of tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and seasoning – this is a great complement to any dish and is a staple in Indian cuisine as well. We ordered two Soltani Platters with Chicken and Lamb Shish Kabobs (chunks of meat, grilled on skewers), and Lamb and Beef Koobidehs (kabobs made with minced meat). We’re hard pressed to pick a favorite because we liked all 4 kabobs – the minced meat gives the Koobideh a nice texture which also results in a well seasoned and moist kabob. On the other hand, the Shish Kabobs have a nice charbroiled consistency and the accompanying rice is wonderful. The flavors of the kabobs were much milder than we imagined (compared to the kabobs found in North Indian cuisine for instance). For dessert we would highly recommend a slice of the Roulette – a sponge cake rolled with cream - the result being a moist, sweet dessert that you can’t stop eating. The service here is quick and friendly – you order at the counter and within minutes the food is brought out to your table.

$-$$. The specialty plates are $10 and up but the sandwiches and wraps are $5-$6. Free parking.

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Kolap Restaurant

601 N. Dale St
St. Paul, MN
651-222-2488
http://kolaprestaurant.com/

Category: Cambodian

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 8
Ambience: 5

Recommendation: Excellent. If you’ve never had Cambodian food, head out to Kolap – the flavors are amazing and the preparation spot on. This place definitely impresses.

For the record, this is the first time we’ve eaten Cambodian. We were in St. Paul with some friends, when one of them (she’s Cambodian) recommended we check out Kolap, which in her opinion is the top Cambodian restaurant in the Twin Cities. The space isn’t very impressive – it’s akin to what you find at most small family-run Asian establishments.

The menu is large and each dish is pictured in the menu. On first glance the menu doesn’t look completely unfamiliar – there are influences from China, Vietnam and Thailand and its evident in the preparations. We thought the single best dish we had that day was the Siem Reap Sour Soup ($8.50) – our new standard for soup, we’d go back to Kolap in a heartbeat, order this yummy soup and slurp down a big bowl each. The broth is fragrant but it’s the combination of the sweet pineapple and the spicy chili that really takes this to the next level. Add some rice into the soup and it becomes a hearty meal. Although the soup is amazing, the other dishes aren’t slouches either. We highly recommend the Deep Fried Tilapia Fish ($8.50) – the crispy skin conceals the moist succulent white flesh layered with flavor. The Chow Fun with Beef and Chinese Broccoli ($8.50) is a killer combination – the noodles are thick and chewy...and that’s a good thing. The Lot Cha ($7.50) - thick noodles in a sweet sauce, topped with sprouts and peanuts is also very good. For dessert, try the Red and Green Beans in Shaved Ice ($2.50) – now the average person may not find this intriguing, but once you mix the different components of the dessert (coconut milk, beans, jackfruit, condensed milk), it really grows on you. Service was very good – the servers were sitting in the restaurant watching TV so they were easy to find and attentive to our needs.

$. Most dishes are under $10 (this place is a steal). Parking is available on the street.

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Mission American Kitchen

77 S 7th St
Minneapolis, MN
612-339-1000
http://www.missionamericankitchen.com/

Category: American-Upscale

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 8

Recommendation: Very Good. Whether you’re taking a client to a business dinner, your significant other for the anniversary, or just a place to have drinks with friends, Mission offers it all. A great selection of well-prepared food in a cozy, comfortable environment.

People have a love-hate relationship with Mission. It’s been through its share of highs and lows (although we’ve personally never experienced the lows). Our first visit to Mission was about four years back.. although I don’t remember what we ate, I certainly remember that it was a memorable meal and we had, for the first time, a Pinot Noir that has since become our favorite (the Saintsbury Garnet). I (Nick) went back to Mission for a business meal not too long ago and it’s a lot like I remembered. A rich, cozy space full of business people – breaking the monotony was a young couple enjoying their meal with their two well-behaved 6 or 7 year old sons. You feel good when you walk into Mission – this place is done up beautifully and helps build anticipation for what the food may offer. The cinnamon colored crescent booths pop against the dimly lit backdrop and rich flooring. The soft lighting and warm colors certainly add a romantic spark. Walk to the bar though and you’ll find a busy space teeming with business professionals, either enjoying drinks with their coworkers or looking to get picked up.

Their dinner menu is intriguing – it ranges from refined bar food to classic upscale American with some international influences. We started with the Kalbi Beef Shortribs ($11) and the Steamed Blue Maine Mussels ($13). The aromas of the former were beckoning and the meat was tender and flavorful. On the other hand I thought the mussels were a mixed bag. The mussels themselves were plump, juicy and fresh, but the accompanying flavors just didn’t match – I could definitely point out the spicy chorizo, but the red grapefruit got lost in the mix. The entrée selection is extensive and they all look great. After much debate we ordered the Elk “Osso Bucco” ($32) and the Duck 2 Ways special. Although the Elk meat is lean, the final dish was full of flavor and the meat fork tender. The foie gras butter sauce was rich and the sweet roasted squash puree and with cranberry gremolata added a great balance to the dish. Highly recommended. I only took a bite of my dining partner’s meal and I can say the duck confit was spectacular. He definitely seemed to enjoy his dish. Don’t skip dessert – both the Apple-Cranberry Spice Cake ($8) and the Chocolate Flourless Torte ($9) were spectacular. The Spice Cake is a perfect winter dessert with classic spices paired with sweet and creamy accompaniments (the bourbon-honey ice cream and caramel). If you want something bold, the torte is the way to go – its rich, dark, dense, but it was served with an espresso mousse which help cut through the rich chocolate.

$$$$. Valet Parking is available. The restaurant is also open for lunch.

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Gandhi Mahal

3009 27th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-729-5222
http://www.gandhimahal.com/

Category: Indian

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 9
Ambience: 9

Recommendation: Minneapolis has a new standard in North Indian cuisine. Gandhi Mahal excels in all aspects of the dining experience and does great justice to Indian cuisine and culture.

We’re so excited about Gandhi Mahal that I’m sitting down to write this review after having just arrived home after eating dinner there - even though we are stuffed and could really use a nap. You get a good vibe as soon as you step into this restaurant. They’ve taken the extra step to up the ambience compared to most Indian restaurants, and it’s impressive. Dimly lit and romantic with live, soothing Indian classical music on the weekends. The richness of India was portrayed through the sandstone colored walls, brass ornaments, and the ornate fabric that adorns all corners of this restaurant. Even the table cloths have heavy embroidery – a small touch that goes a long way to bringing this whole experience together.

And it isn’t just the ambience that impresses – the food is every bit as good. The menu has the typical Indian list of curries, tandoori food, and vegetarian options, although some of the names are quite creative. We started with the Papadum ($1) – the flavor was nice, but it seemed like it wasn’t cooked fresh; it was lacking the crunch and snap. The accompanying chutneys were really good – the Coriander Chutney was spicy and fragrant, the Tamarind Chutney had a sweet lingering finish while the Onion relish was pungent. We enjoyed the Delhi Chicken Tikka Masala ($12) – a healthy portion of white chicken meat cooked in a creamy tomato sauce. Any respectable Indian restaurant should be able to execute this dish well and Gandhi Mahal doesn’t disappoint. The Lamb Rogan Josh ($14) was another winner – a dark curry with tender pieces of lamb and a nice kick. Another staple of North Indian Cuisine is Tandoori (grilling in a clay oven). The Tandoori Mixed Grill ($18) had some nice components, including the lamb tikka, shrimp tikka, and seekh kabob. Unfortunately the Tandoori Chicken was a little dry, but had good flavor. Both the vegetarian dishes we ordered were good. The Palak Paneer ($12) had a good balance of spices and the Malai Kofta (balls of paneer and potato, $12) was well executed, although we would have preferred the sauce to be a little thinner. An array of Naans flooded our table – we couldn’t pick a favorite from the plain, garlic, onion, cheese and potato naans (try ‘em all we say). We had asked for most of the dishes to be on the medium spice level and we can gladly say that the medium at Gandhi Mahal accurately represents Indian spice levels. A couple of the dishes were ordered hot and you could tell the difference. Our one gripe with this restaurant was the absence of alcohol – this is one Indian restaurant where we wouldn’t object to ordering a nice bottle of wine with our meal (I was in that frame of mind). Alas, we had to stick to Lassi, Juice and Water. The Mango Lassi was both sweet and tart and we liked it. On the other hand the Salty Lassi needed an additional spice or two. For dessert we tried all three options ($4 each) on the menu. The Kulfi was nice, albeit strong on Saffron, a flavor Nick detests. Our first set of Gulab Jamuns was terrible – light and fluffy and nothing like what it is supposed to be. We sent them back and the kitchen sent us a new order, apologizing because the initial execution had gone wrong – dense and sugary, just how they are meant to be. The Kheer is also very good – not too sweet with a terrific creamy bite.

Service was super – friendly, knowledgeable staff with attention to detail and hospitality just as you would receive in India. We were glad to see this restaurant is bucking the trend of understaffed ethnic eateries. At the end of our meal we were offered hot hand towels - a classy touch common in many restaurants in India.

$$-$$$. Our total tab for 11 people was $250. Street parking is available on 27th Ave as well as Lake St. Lot parking available as well.

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Meritage

410 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN
651-222-5670
http://www.meritage-stpaul.com/

Category: French, American-Upscale

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 8
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Excellent. A great addition to the St. Paul dining scene serving classic Brasserie items interspersed with New American dishes.

We’ve been eating at a lot of French inspired restaurants lately and that trend continues with Meritage, a trip way overdue. Located in the old A Rebours space in the historic Hamm building in the heart of St. Paul, Meritage recreates the look and feel of a French brasserie. Chef Russell Klein (formerly of WA Frost) is at the helm of this establishment, which was named for the wine of the same name. It symbolizes both the rich traditions of French cuisine along with influences from America. The space is elegant and romantic. Cozy tables occupy the small space and dim lighting adds to the charm. Rich wood panels, large mirrors, a wrought iron clock and a beautiful wine bar round out the decorative accents. There’s summer patio coming sometime soon.

We managed to get a table by the large windows overlooking St. Peter. The menu selection varied and has a nice selection of both American and French foods. There’s a daily special, usually a traditional French preparation like Pot Au Feu or Bouillabaisse. We started our meal with Scallops with Meyer Lemon, Wasabi, and Green Apple; and Pork Rillette with Fig Spread, Grilled Bread and Grain Mustard. The Rillette (pork pate) was amazing – complex flavors result from lathering the salty pork and sweet fig spread onto the smoky bread. The ceviche preparation of the scallops was underwhelming; the scallops were sweet and fresh, but we couldn’t taste much of the accompanying ingredients. For the main course we would highly recommend the Halibut (with Pea Puree, Fingerling Potatoes, Cippolini Onions, and Truffle Emulsion) as well as the Saturday special Beef Short Ribs (with Potato Puree and Seasonal Vegetables). The Halibut had subtle, yet refined flavors and the preparation did justice to our favorite fish, while the Short Ribs were “melt in your mouth” tender. Both the Steak Frites and the Meritage House Hamburger were very good as well; simple preparations executed well. We weren’t too impressed with the Frites, which were on the soggy side. An after-dinner cheese course looked appetizing but we decided to go directly to dessert. We liked the rich Dark Chocolate Mousse which was paired well with citrus. On the other hand the Izzy Salty Caramel ice cream was just ok. And lest we forget, the complimentary bread was wonderful – dense and chewy, just the way we like it. We had great service all night and our server did a great job recommending dishes.

$$$-$$$$. Entrees are around $25 and appetizers are about $10. Valet parking is available Tue-Sat (evenings).

Update (Feb 2009) – We’re back at Meritage, this time for brunch. A beautiful winter day with lots of sun shining into the dining area – we were lucky enough to score a spot by the window. Little did we realize that we’d occupy this space for a good two hours and enjoy an amazing multi-course meal that was executed to near perfection.

The menu has many appealing dishes and we had a tough time deciding which ones to get. We started with the Meritage Mimosa, made with blood oranges and prosecco and it went down fast. As a starter we split the Pomme Frites with Bearnaise – a classic executed well. We decided to stay traditional and try some of the egg dishes on the menu. You can’t go wrong with either the Eggs Benedict or the Lobster Omelet with Spinach and Tomato. The Benedict was freakin’ awesome – when done well, there are few egg dishes that compare. And the Lobster Omelet is no slouch either. Sweet lobster and spinach both impart subtle flavors and combine very well. But we couldn’t stop without getting dessert and coffee. The Espresso Pot de Crème was fabulous – if there’s one dish that stood out that day, this was it, and that’s saying a lot. Creamy and light in texture but rich in flavor, with a dollop of Crème Fraiche on top – I’ll take this any day. The Profiteroles are really good too and so was the accompanying Latte.

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Santorini

13000 Technology Drive
Eden Prairie, MN
952-546-6722
http://www.santorinimn.com

Category: Greek, Mediterranean

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 8
Ambience: 8

Recommendation: Very good. Santorini’s offers classic Greek cuisine in a beautiful space located close to the Eden Prairie Center.

The first thought that came to our mind when visiting the newly relocated Santorini’s was “Wow!!” The family owned restaurant, which was originally located in Golden Valley relocated to Eden Prairie a few months ago and with the move came a space that is brighter, twice as large, and simply stunning. The color theme is classic Greek blue and white, although some of the rooms have a different motif. There are several sections of seating areas to pick from - a large bar, roomy booths, a bright and cozy veranda area with a couple of fireplaces. Santorini’s is a great choice for many different occasions, be it a business lunch, after work happy hour, or simply a night out with friends (they have live entertainment on weekend nights). The menu is large and not only contains Greek classics but also several American dishes. The appetizers consist of Greek dishes such as Dolmades (ground beef and rice wrapped in grape leaves) and American ones such as Crab Cakes, Shrimp, and Chicken Wings alike. They also have Pizzas, Pastas, Pita Spreads, Salads, and several types of Mediterranean entrees.

For appetizers, we liked most of the Mediterranean dishes we ordered – Flamed Saganaki, a cheese that is served sizzling and set ablaze at the table is excellent with warm pita bread. If you’ve never had it, it’s a dish worth ordering just for the show it offers. The Spanakopita is a Spinach and Feta cheese baked pastry and is delicious. Olives with Feta Cheese and Peppers served with warm pita bread is also a nice dish. We had a somewhat mixed experience with the Pita spreads. The eight different spreads are served with delicious warm pita bread. We found the Tzatziki (Yogurt sauce with garlic and cucumbers) too watery and a little too sweet. The Tahini Hummus and Roasted Eggplant were both ok and the Taramosalata (Red Caviar spread) a little too strong for our liking. Our favorite hands down was the Spicy Feta, which starts off with a creamy tart texture and then slaps you in the head with a spicy finish. The Gyro Pita at Santorini’s is one of our favorites on the menu. The meat is always juicy and the bread is warm. The accompanying thick cut lemon-oregano fries are crispy and offer a nice change from the standard fried potato. A great alternative to the Pita sandwich is a Pita Melt sandwich, which comes with cheese melted in between two warm pitas. The Grecian style Burger cooked with spices and topped with roasted peppers and feta cheese was well flavored and delicious. If you don’t mind a big lunch, try the Taverna Pasta with Lamb Chops. The thin lamb chops have a mild herb flavor and are cooked well; the accompanying angel hair pasta isn’t too heavy and is a wonderful pairing. They also offer a lunch special where you can go through the carving station, which contains meat, salads, and bread for $10 (you can only go through it once). For dessert, we recommend the Baklava. Now I know you’re probably saying, “cliché”, but in all honesty, this preparation is light, filled with chunky nuts, rolled and drizzled with honey. Don’t forget to drink a shot of the complimentary Ouzo (Anise flavored Liquor) on your way out.

Our server was awesome. Friendly, knowledgeable and had good recommendations. He’d stop by often to make sure we were doing ok and that everything was to our liking – he even offered a replacement to the red caviar spread when he noticed that we weren’t terribly fond of it.

$-$$. Free Parking.

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Be’wiched Deli

800 Washington Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN
612-767-4330
http://www.bewicheddeli.com/

Category: Bakery, Café

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: N/A (counter service)
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Good. Be’wiched is a gourmet sandwich shop with a comfortable unpretentious space located in the warehouse district.

We ended up at Be’wiched recently because we weren’t able to get into the newly opened Black Sheep Pizza nearby and wanted to grab a quick meal before taking in a show at the Guthrie. Be’wiched was started by Matthew Bickford and Mike Ryan, who have worked at some of the top Twin Cities restaurants such as Solera, La Belle Vie, D’Amico and Sons to name a few. Their gourmet sandwich shop focuses on fresh ingredients and local and natural foods. Be’wiched is a lot like French Meadow bakery, serving Sandwiches, Soups, and fresh baked desserts. The menu also has teas, coffees, wine, and beer. The space is cozy and great for lounging around. The biggest downfall is that the place reeks of a strong deli meat smell and we found that our clothes smelled of it for hours after we left the place (yuck!). It’s never a good sign when a friend comments that we all smell of food…and we had to sit next to her at the show. Talk about feeling conscious.

The Soup of the day was a Roasted Sweet Onion with Blue cheese and Pistachios. We ordered it assuming it was a clear soup, similar to a French Onion but it turned out to be a creamy and thick soup. It was delicious and had a unique curry flavor (it reminded Natasha of a Curried Carrot soup that her employer’s cafeteria serves). While curry in soup might sound a bit odd, it was actually really nice. The odd thing was that we couldn’t detect any sweet onions, blue cheese, or pistachios in the soup! The Pulled Pork sandwich was served on an Onion bun with a side of Coleslaw and Potato Salad. The meat was tender and flavorful even though it wasn’t lathered with sauce. The bun wasn’t soft and the coleslaw was pretty much non-existent. A friend ordered the Vegetable Burger and we were amazed at how good it was. The patty was made of beets, mushrooms, and grains and was incredibly flavorful. The Spinach salad with diced smoked apple, brie, and toasted pecans was also nice. It had the right amount of dressing and the ingredients complemented each other very well.

$. Most items under $10. Street parking on Washington Ave.

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Modern Cafe

337 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN
612-378-9882
http://moderncafeminneapolis.com/

Category: American - Casual

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Very Good. Great homey neighborhood restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis serving American comfort food.

Modern Café is located on a quiet street in Northeast Minneapolis and if you weren’t looking for it, you’d walk right by this gem of a place. We had driven by it hundreds of times and never gave it a second thought until a friend suggested it. The interior is a cross between a retro diner and an artsy café. Modern café has a casual café feel but has some nice artwork and bright colors. On a recent Friday night, we went there with a group of 9 friends and hung out for a while, without feeling rushed. It’s a great location for a quieter night when you don’t want to deal with the weekend crowds at most restaurants. The menu consists of hearty comfort foods such as Pot Roast, Meatloaf, Gnocchi, Soups, and Salads. Even the side dishes such as Lentils, Hotdish, and Mashed Potatoes scream comfort. They have an extensive wine list with nearly all selections under $40 - talk about great value.

The Pot Roast, which is the main draw, was served with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, caramelized onion jus and horseradish sauce. It was tender, juicy and just pulled apart without effort. The generous portion of horseradish sauce was excellent and gave the dish a strong flavor that we loved. The Duck Ragu served with homemade fettuccini was another favorite. The duck was delicious and the pasta was cooked to perfection and not overdrenched with the sauce. The Gnocchi with Oyster Mushrooms was another winner. We have to admit that we are somewhat snobby when it comes to gnocchi and there are only a few places in town that make gnocchi to our liking…we’ve definitely added Modern Café to that list (Pazzaluna and Arezzo being the others). The Slow Roasted Pork with polenta and pear chutney was tender and the pear chutney was an excellent complement to the dish. Our friend tried the Lamb Burger and liked it. We also liked the Brussels Sprouts and Squash Hotdish, which was a cheesy gooey concoction. The only dish that was somewhat disappointing was the White Bean and Ham soup. The beans were a little undercooked. Our server was friendly and didn’t rush us through the night.

$$. Most entrees cost $14-$16. Free parking in the back of the restaurant.

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The Sample Room

2124 Marshall St NE
Minneapolis, MN
612-789-0333
http://the-sample-room.com/

Category: American - Casual

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Very Good. American style “tapas” served in a cozy tavern type setting.

We ended up at Sample Room in Northeast Minneapolis after a friend of ours recommended it. It is located in a beautiful historic building in the middle of a residential area. The interior gives a cozy feeling with its high ceilings, roomy booths, and large bar. The Sample Room is like a neighborhood bar, except that the menu is more sophisticated than the standard deep fried fare. It consists of various small plates – Cheese, Veggies, Meat, and Seafood. It is set up like a tapas restaurant where a table can order several different small plates and share. The menu also has soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees but we stuck to the small plates.

We ordered the Warm Camembert with Caramelized Onions from the Cheese section. It was a delicious pairing – the strong creamy cheese went really with the slightly sweet onions. From the Meat section, we ordered the Bratwurst with Spicy Mustard and Pork Ribs with Bourbon BBQ sauce. The brat was flavorful and juicy, the ribs were ok. The Seared Rare Tuna with Miso Glaze was another winner at our table and so was the Gulf Shrimp with Garlic, EVOO, and Lemon. Although vegetarian dishes aren't top of mind when ordering, we couldn’t resist getting the Roasted Veggie Torte – a flaky pastry stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, eggplant, and goat cheese served with a red pepper sour cream. It was excellent. Our server took great care of all the four tables that were occupied at the time we were there, even though they were down one server. He had some great recommendations.

$-$$. Most plates cost between $5-$8.

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Isles Bun and Coffee

1424 W 28th St
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-870-4466
http://www.islesbun.com/

Category: Café/Bakery

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 9
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Excellent. If you’re craving something sweet for breakfast, look no further. The smells (and crowds) will draw you to Isles.

Once in a while we’ll get a craving for a particular food and that’s when a quest begins. Luckily the search for sweet rolls ended quickly (all thanks for an mspmag story we came across). We didn’t realize that we had a specialty purveyor of these sweet, sticky rolls close to where we live (we’ve probably driven past 28th and Hennepin a thousand times and never noticed Isles). And now, we’ve been to Isles three times in the past month – after our first visit, Nick ended up getting treats to celebrate birthdays at work.

The menu at Isles is quite simple (sweet rolls, coffee cake, scones and cookies). This place is no bigger than a suburban family room and for those that can find a seat at one of the handful of tables, the mesmerizing smells can lead to food coma (or atleast a sugar high). The Cinnamon Rolls are large and soft – you even get to frost your own roll (although we caution you from going overboard, which is easy to do). Both the Caramel and Caramel-Pecan Rolls also pull apart easily and aren’t as sweet as their frosted counterparts. The pecan rolls have a generous topping of nuts and we like that combination. If you want something less intimidating in size than a Cinnamon roll, you must try the Puppy Dog Tails (a cinnamon twist), which we think allows for an ideal bread to frosting ratio. And you’d be remiss to pass on the Coffee Cake – the base of the cake is pretty much the same daily but the toppings change regularly. The toppings are always decadent and we’ve enjoyed all the ones we’ve tried, including a raspberry-mango, a cherry-white chocolate and a blueberry. In addition to the sweet temptations, there is a nice selection of coffees and teas – we personally didn’t think the coffees were spectacular (and the last time my caramel latte was sweeter than the rolls themselves), but how can you pass up coffee to go with the rolls.

The staff is always friendly and helpful. This place can tend to get crowded so take-away might be your best bet. If you want large quantities, fax in an order ahead of time. Regardless, the small batch preparation ensures that you’ll usually get warm treats, even if you have a wait a few minutes. And this place won’t break the bank either - the rolls are less than $4 each, while the puppy dog tails are a buck.

$

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Peninsula

2608 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612-871-8282
http://peninsulamalaysiancuisine.com/

Category: Malaysian/Pan-Asian

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Very good. This Eat street eatery serves delicious authentic Malaysian dishes incorporating the best aspects of Indian, Chinese, and Thai cooking.

We have the Twin Cities Malaysian community to thank for this authentic Malaysian eatery that serves up the best Malay food we’ve tried in the area. Peninsula was originally located in Eau Claire, WI until the Malaysian community convinced the owners to move the location to Minneapolis. The restaurant itself is simple yet a huge step above its neighbors on Eat Street. There is an open kitchen in the back when you can watch the chefs in action. Peninsula serves up unique cuisine that is native to the Southeast Asia region and incorporates flavors and spices from Indian, Chinese, Thai cuisines. It has a diverse and unique menu that has many Southeast Asia favorites such as Hot and Spicy Crab, Pineapple Seafood Fried Rice (served in a pineapple shell), and Udang Mee (Penang style noodles served in shrimp broth with shrimp, pork, & bean sprouts).

All the dishes we tried were part of the chef’s recommendations and we couldn’t have been more satisfied with our experience. We started out by getting the Roti Canai, which is an Indian bread (fluffy on the inside, crispy and flaky on the outside cooked with oil on a skillet). Being from India, we love this bread and can simply eat it by itself. We ordered the Curried Potato and Chicken dipping sauce to accompany the Roti. If you’ve tried Indian Chicken curry, this dipping sauce has similar flavors. Their Chicken Satay is also delicious (perfectly marinated and served with a peanut sauce). For the main course, we had the Beef Rendang (slow cooked beef with lemongrass, chili paste, coconut milk, ginger, cinnamon, & cloves finished in a rich red curry). Absolutely to die for! Another dish we had was the Fried Fish in Spicy Thai sauce. While we don’t typically care for fried fish, this one was truly outstanding. The flavors of the spices were fantastic. We didn’t care for the Sambal Udang (sautéed shrimp with onions in a spicy Malaysian shrimp paste) as much. The paste had a very overpowering fishy taste. They have an interesting non-alcoholic drinks menu with various types of shaved iced drinks, teas, and coffees. We tried the Red Bean Freeze, which consisted of red beans, shaved iced, and milk. We couldn’t take more than 2 sips, the drink was awful – very milky with hints of red bean and hardly any shaved ice.

$$

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Pazzaluna Urban Italian

360 St Peter St
St Paul, MN
651-223-7000
https://www.pazzaluna.com/

Category: Italian

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 9
Ambience: 9

Recommendation: Excellent. An excellent Italian fine dining restaurant in St. Paul that is ideal for a pre-theatre (Ordway) or pre-Xcel event meal or after-work happy hour.

Pazzaluna is located across the street from the Ordway theatre in St. Paul and its excellent location serves it well. The place is usually packed when there is a show at the Ordway or an event at Xcel Energy center. Unfortunately (or fortunately!), due to the ongoing new restaurant openings in the Twin Cities, Pazzaluna, a mainstay on the Twin Cities dining scene didn’t make it on our list until recently. We like the fact that the Twin Cities has a bunch of great Italian places catering to many different occasions – whether it be casual neighborhood dining at places such as La Grolla, Al Vento, Broder’s or fine dining at D’Amico Cucina, Campiello, Osteria I Nonni, and of course Pazzaluna. The dining room at Pazzaluna is simply beautiful – a large mural adorns one wall and we love the large windows with beautiful drapes. The interior exudes romance on so many levels whether it is the beautiful chandeliers or the flickering of the flame from the open wood-burning oven. Couple the beautiful dining room with the well-dressed theatre/event goers and you have a perfect combination for a classy night out.

Their selection of wines is excellent and they are known to have one of the most prized (and expensive) wine lists in town. We had a bottle of the Santa Cristina, a Sangiovese-Merlot blend from Tuscany, which was excellent. The complimentary bread they serve with an olive tapenade is delicious. Pazzaluna has also won many awards for their excellent Happy hour where you can get half price martinis, cosmos, tap beer, wines, and Margherita pizza.

Needless to say, their pastas are excellent. Pasta Ai Sughi lets you customize your dish by picking from five different pastas and six different sauces. Meat can also be added to the dish. A simple dish of Linguine with Bolognese sauce and Chicken was excellent. The chicken was flavorful and the pasta wasn’t too overdressed with sauce. Their Gnocchi, which is a house specialty and made fresh daily can be ordered three different ways (Quattro Formaggi, Bolognese, or Pomodoro & Basilico). We tried the Quattro Formaggi and it was one of the better gnocchi’s we’ve had in town (it compared to our long time favorite at Arezzo). The gnocchi was “pillowy” and the sauce, while rich wasn’t too cheesy. The Porcini mushroom crusted Veal Tenderloin was another winner. The medallions were tender and had a buttery soft feel to them. The linguine it was served with may well have been the best pasta dish we had that night – garlic butter, spinach and mushrooms were a deadly combination. Unfortunately, the Scallops served on cauliflower puree were a letdown. We loved the texture – they were soft and velvety with a nice crust but didn’t care for the flavors. The scallops were pretty bland and didn’t have any sweetness to them. We couldn’t taste any of the hazelnut vinaigrette and we didn’t know that the “tomato confit” was actually sun-dried tomatoes. We didn’t care for the cauliflower puree combined with the really tart sun-dried tomatoes.

For dessert we would highly recommend the baked to order Chocolate Soufflé Cake with berry and mango sauce. It is served slightly warm, the chocolate is smooth, rich and dark, and the accompanying sauces and ice-cream only heighten the culinary experience. The Crème Brulee is also excellent and offers a little surprise at the bottom – a delicious chocolate ganache base. The crust is perfectly done and the flavors literally burst in the mouth. Our server was very attentive and offered excellent suggestions.

$$$. Valet parking on site for a fee.

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Thanh Do

3005 Utah Ave S
St. Louis Park, MN
952-935-5005
http://www.thanhdorestaurant.com/

Category: Chinese, Asian

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: 6
Ambience: 6

Recommendation: Good. This strip mall restaurant serves a variety of Asian cuisine, including Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese.

Thanh Do was started by Tom Pham, a notable Twin Cities restaurateur, who also owns Azia, a hip Asian fusion restaurant on Eat Street and until recently Temple (now closed). The interior is better than most the other strip mall Asian places – a little more cozy and comfortable. The menu has a good blend of dishes found at Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese places - Kung Pao and Sweet and Sour Chicken sit side by side with Pad Thai and Curries. Lunch specials at $8.50 are a bit pricier than most other Chinese restaurants where you can get them for under $6.

Tom’s restaurants are known for their Cranberry Puffs and Cranberry Curry so we had to try at least one of them. We went for the Puffs. The puffs are essentially cream cheese puffs but include some spices and dried cranberry – cream cheese and cranberry form a surprisingly good combination. The Thai Style Spring Rolls were fresh and flavorful. The herbs complemented the dish well. We weren’t too impressed with the Green Papaya Salad – it needed a bit more citrus and lots more heat. The Thai Style Red Curry was nice and creamy. We would have liked a little more curry and fewer vegetables but overall it was a nice dish. We’re huge fans of the Holy Basil Chicken at King and I Thai and are not often impressed with this dish at other restaurants but to our surprise, we really liked the Thai Basil Supreme at Thanh Do. The dish was spicy and fragrant with a beautiful curry and plenty of chicken. For a vegetarian entrée, our server recommended the Garlic Lover’s with Eggplant. The curry had lots of vegetables – mushrooms, peapods, carrots to name a few but the undercooked and bland eggplant took away from what could have been a good dish. The menu lacks Fish dishes - Salmon and Tuna are the only options, there are no white fish dishes. We were really looking forward to a whole seabass or walleye, but were disappointed to not see something close on the menu. For dessert, we were disappointed with the Mango Sticky Rice – it’s a usually a problem when the Coconut milk is too watery. The Thanh Do Coconut Almond Joy is an interesting take on a Hot Fudge Sundae – except it’s served with Toasted Coconut ice-cream with plenty of nuts. Service was ok. Our server was in a huge rush to clear our table as we arrived shortly before closing time (we arrived at 8:30pm on a weeknight while they close at 9.) She took our wine glasses away before we had a chance to finish the wine.

$$.

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U Garden Chinese Restaurant

2725 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN
612-378-1255
http://ugardenrestaurant.com/

Category: Chinese

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 8
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Very Good. This is a great option for a Chinese restaurant by the U of M campus.

We have to caveat this review by stating that we had an excellent pre-selected meal at U Garden, courtesy of one of our couple friends who are considering having their wedding reception here. The restaurant is owned by our Cambodian friend’s mom’s friend and we got to try an excellent multiple course meal, consisting of her mom’s favorite dishes – some from the regular menu and some from a special banquet menu.

As we entered the restaurant, we were struck by the enormity of the place. It is large and hence popular for Chinese wedding receptions and events as they have the capacity to handle big groups. The décor isn’t anything special and is what we have come to expect from most ethnic establishments, except for one thing. Along the center of one wall, there is a large seating arrangement symbolic of the dinner table where the wedding party sits. It’s decorated nicely and in front of it is another table setting that presumably depicts how they set this restaurant up for banquets. It was pretty cool, but it would have been mega cool if we were treated to the same grandeur. The restaurant has an open feel to it, especially due to the windows that surround this place. They serve a lunch buffet, apparently the largest one on campus. The menu is pretty large and consists of many popular dishes such as Kung Pao Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken as well as more traditional Sichuan dishes. Like most Chinese restaurants, U Garden also has a special weekday lunch menu that is served with an Egg Roll for around $6.

We started our journey with the Seafood Crabmeat and Fishmaw Soup. It ended up being our least favorite dish. It was pretty bland on its own but tasted good when dressed up with soy sauce. The Shrimp Roll, which had pork and shrimp wrapped in tofu skin and deep fried was excellent. It was served with soy vinegar and a duck sauce on the side. The Lobster with Ginger and Onion was spectacular. The lobster tasted fresh and the ginger sauce was excellent – Nick will be talking about this dish for a long time. You could take this ginger sauce and dress any meat or veggie with it and get rave reviews. It doesn’t get much better than this. The Special Fried rice with Chinese Sausage and Shrimp was another winner. The Seafood combination, which is one of their house specialties, was served in a bird’s nest made of fried potatoes – very pretty. We couldn’t find a couple of the dishes we had on the regular menu so we assume they were part of the special banquet menu - the Baby Bok Choy with Chinese Shitake Mushrooms and Abalone (sea snails), both of which were delicious. The sauce in the mushroom dish was rich and flavorful and the mushrooms had a perfectly smooth texture. We also had an appetizer platter with a trio of appetizers – cold Pork Rinds, Fried Squid, and Shrimp. We ended our meal with a whole Fried Walleye – if you ever order whole fish, make sure you’re dining with someone who can carve the fish or at least one who excelled in high school biology. We have to commend the restaurant on the quality of their seafood – we predominantly had seafood dishes and we felt that the seafood was fresh (especially given that we went there on a Sunday night.) The servers were pretty knowledgeable and we were impressed with their explanations of the dishes, which is unfortunately not a common experience at most Asian restaurants.

$-$$. Free Parking in rear.

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Nick and Eddie

1612 Harmon Pl
Minneapolis, MN
612-486-5800
http://www.nickandeddie.com/

Category: American - Casual

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: 7
Ambience: 7

Recommendation: Very Good. The lunch menu here isn’t terribly fancy and very affordable – can’t go wrong with great value.

Nick and his coworker ended up at Nick and Eddie for lunch one day. We had heard good things and wanted something that was casual but not generic. Before you even step into the restaurant, you know Nick and Eddie has something going for it – the location is perfect, overlooking Loring Park and which was adorned with beautiful fall colors. The restaurant says European bistro all the way – a large space with high ceilings, light colors, and minimalist décor. Casual and inviting – its reminiscent of Paris; I feel I can sit along the window, drink an espresso while reading a book, and yet not be bothered by the restaurant staff or asked to vacate the table (caution – this is just a hunch.) Large windows stand between the diners and beautiful Loring Park – if you want to romance a loved one, this is an ideal setting.

I’ve only been there for lunch once, so the review is based on that experience. The lunch menu isn’t expansive, yet there’s something for everyone be it salad, soup, sandwich, or a meat/fish entrée. What really caught my eye was that most options were under $10; that’s hard to find at most restaurants, especially one of this caliber. We started with a soup and appetizer. The Baked Gnocchi with Cheese Sauce was spectacular (just a heads up that its not potato gnocchi – it’s a puff). Regardless, they were light and airy in a light cheese sauce, and the brown baked crust gave it great flavor. I wasn’t a big fan of the Beef and Cabbage Borscht – the flavors and rich, dark, and intense and this isn’t for everyone. For mains, the Spicy Steak Dip Sandwich is a winner – how can you go wrong with blue cheese and caramelized onions on a sandwich. The crusty bread was stuffed nicely with these ingredients and made for a wonderful texture and flavor combination. The side of coleslaw was crunchy and not overdressed. The Minute Steak was nicely done and was accompanied by crispy, well-seasoned fries. Service was attentive, always easier when the restaurant isn’t busy.

$. Most lunch options under $10. Parking meters across the street.

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Harry’s Food & Cocktails

500 Washington Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 344-7000
http://www.harrysfood.com/
Category: American-Casual

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: 7
Ambience: 6

Recommendation: Good. Harry’s serves some of the most inventive burgers in town. While the location is ideal for a pre-show meal, we feel the rest of the menu at Harry’s isn’t special enough to command its premium prices.

Harry’s is located in the former Nochee space on Washington Avenue, close to the Guthrie and the Mill City Museum. We first went to Harry’s when it opened in the Fall of 2007 (Steven Brown was head chef at the time) and were a lot more impressed with their menu at the time versus our recent visit a year later. Some of the unique dishes such as the Braised Pork Belly are now gone. The menu is geared towards classic American fare such as burgers, steak, chops, but their burgers are what set Harry’s apart. On the Sides menu, modern dishes such as Sauteed Arugula and Green Beans with Walnut Vinegarette are offered with classics such as Cole Slaw and Creamed Corn. As you enter the restaurant, you won’t miss the chandelier made with Grain Belt Premium bottles. Very unique! They have a much larger bar than Nochee had and an open kitchen. Seating is a mix between indoor large comfy booths that make you feel you are in the suburbs to the outdoor patio with a fire pit along with HCMC sirens that won’t let you forget you are in downtown. Parts of the place have a very retro feel to them…especially the restaurant’s logo, and parts feel like a chic loft with exposed brick and high ceilings. We feel Harry’s is trying to be a bit of something to everyone and it remains to be seen if this strategy will serve it well. On a recent Friday night, the place was practically empty.

They serve a good mix of Cocktails, beer, wine. The French Martini was great with just a hint of sweetness. We liked the Havana Sidecar (Rum, Cointreau, fresh lemon, sugar) although it was a bit strong. The Strawberry Shandy sounded very unique but the taste didn’t live up to it (Stoli Strawberry lemonade, and Honeyweiss). The homemade sweet and sour pickle mixture served with the drinks was excellent.

On our first visit, we tried several appetizers and were very impressed. The Fried Artichokes with Parmesan Dip served with Grilled bread was fabulous. It was unlike any other Artichoke dip we’ve had. The texture was very creamy and the dish was really rich, served with actual whole fried artichokes. It was very greasy, but given the delicious taste, who’s complaining? The Calamari was another winner. It was very lightly fried so it preserved some of the seafood flavors and was served with a spicy sauce and lemon. Unfortunately, the Braised Pork Belly, which was truly a signature dish is gone and the appetizer menu is a lot more mainstream - Shrimp, Chicken Wings, Cheese platter, and Cheese curds.

If you like burgers, this is definitely the place for you. Harry’s serves several different burgers including the Cowboy (Stuffed with BBQ Pork, Jalapeno Cheese). We’ve tried many of their burgers and have enjoyed them all - the Frenchie with Ham and Brie, the Espana with Smoked Paprika and Manchego, the Lonely Repairman with Blue Cheese, and the Harry’s, which had Cheddar Cheese and a Secret sauce. All burgers are served on a Potato flour bun, topped with raw or charred onions (yum!), with French fries on the side. The fries are thinly sliced, Belgian style. Unfortunately, their burger selection has also been cut down within the last year.

Harry’s serves a wide range of entrees including Red meats, Seafood, Chicken along with Salads and a variety of vegetable sides. We tried their Grilled Hangar Steak, which was served on a bed of cold Parsley, Pesto, and New Potato Salad. Although it came highly recommended by our server, we were very disappointed. The meat was cold and not flavored well at all. We ended up sending it back and substituting for a burger (of course!). The manager was very apologetic and came to our table personally to make sure we were ok, which was a nice gesture. The Wisconsin Fish Fry was not a winner at our table either. It was greasy and uninteresting. The Ahi Tuna salad was the only salad interesting enough on the Salad menu.

For desserts, we tried the very retro, Milk Chocolate Banana Cream Pie served with Malted Vanilla ice-cream. We loved it and would consider going back just for the dessert again. We felt the dish could have used more of the banana cream but overall it was delicious.

$$$. You can make reservations online at http://www.opentable.com/

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Indio

1221 West Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-821-9451
http://www.restaurantindio.com/

Category: Mexican, International

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 1 (atleast the guy tried)
Ambience: 8

Recommendation: Good. The food was memorable but the service experience was bizarre and has us scratching our heads in amazement. THIS PLACE HAS CLOSED AS OF JANUARY 2009.

Indio is the newest addition to the “contemporary international cuisine” trend and is brought to us by Chef Hector Ruiz, who also owns Café Ena and El Meson. I (Nick) went there for lunch with a large group of coworkers – I was especially intrigued because some of my dining partners are either native Mexican or have spent considerable time there and was looking forward to seeing if the “contemporary“ flair would meet with their approval. Indio is housed in the old Pizza Nea location in Uptown. The interior really caught my eye as we stepped in the place – it strikes you as fashionable, but not over the top (which equates to affordable). Colorful draperies adorn the large windows and even spread themselves across the ceilings. There’s a small bar tucked away in a corner – if we didn’t have to go back to work, I’d definitely be sampling the impressive list of Tequilas.

Our bizarre service experience started as soon as we entered – we’d made a reservation for 10, but they hadn’t set up a table for us. The restaurant was quite empty so there was no doubt we’d score a table, but it took the host (who we later realized was the only server and bartender as well) a while to figure out where to seat us and get the table ready. Once seated, with menus in hand, our excitement grew – there was chatter around our table as we each tried to decide what we wanted, while some needed an interpretation of the ingredients. The non-alcoholic drink list is quite interesting so Nick tried the Hacienda (a pomegranate spritzer) – certainly tart and refreshing, but $5.50 is a little steep. One of my coworkers ordered the Horchata, which the server wasn’t familiar with. For appetizers, we started off with the Chips and Salsa; a perfect appetizer for a large group. Don’t dismiss this as this isn’t the stuff you get at Chipotle – both the roasted red tomato salsa and the tomatillo salsas were amazing. The latter was especially memorable with just the right amount of heat and flavor – this salsa appeared in various dishes that afternoon and was critical in taking some of these dishes to the next level. Ten minutes after ordering our entrees, we were looking around for the server because Nick was the only one that had received his drink – on finding him he informed us that they were out of Horchata, before he scurried away to help the three other tables that were occupied.

The entrees didn’t take too long and we all had silly grins on our face as we laid our eyes on them – this stuff looked good! We’d highly recommend the Huarache Azteca with cecina, charred onions, and chilies. This pizza-style dish uses a thick masa tortilla as its base and was piled high with toppings, including the cecina (beef that is dried and marinated). With all these toppings, it’s hard to make this dish look pretty, but close your eyes and take a bite – you’re taste buds will be begging for more. We also thought highly of the Tlalayo (chicken enchiladas, that were light and flavorful) although the side of parsley rice didn’t fit. The Sopes, which are on the appetizer menu, are actually a good option for lunch – we wanted the Al pastor (but they were out?) so got the Cecina instead. Three open-faced tortillas with a swirl of crema looked beautiful on the plate. The Camarones al la Diabla (sautéed shrimp in a lime tequila sauce) was also very nice, although my coworkers that were familiar with this dish didn’t think it was authentic. For dessert, the Empanadas (rompope rice pudding with cinnamon ice cream cajeta) was a hit – it wasn’t too sweet and maybe that’s what drew us to it. Overall the consensus was that the food was excellent and quite authentic – with the chef’s distinctive touches apparent in every dish.

The service was a let down. In addition to the wait to get our table, there were times we just couldn’t find the server (Nick literally entered the kitchen to grab him and hand him our money.) Towards the end we found out that he’d only been on the job a week. We also noticed that that he was also the bartender that afternoon – you could see he wasn’t familiar with the workings of the bar because he was referencing a recipe and looking around to familiarize himself with the names of the Tequilas, while making a cocktail for another table. There was no manager for most of the afternoon – towards the end he walked in but seemed rather disengaged. An hour and a half lunch just won’t cut it for working professionals – they better get this in order.

$$. Most lunch entrees are between $8-$14, although the drinks aren’t cheap. Parking is available in the lot behind the restaurant.

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True Thai

2627 E Franklin Ave
Minneapolis, MN
612-375-9942
http://www.truethairestaurant.com/

Category: Thai

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7
Service: N/A (takeout)
Ambience: N/A (takeout)

Recommendation: Very Good. True Thai is another great Thai restaurant part of an already long list of distinguished Thai options in the Twin Cities (Chiang Mai Thai, King & I, Gangchen, Amazing Thailand to name a few).

Our Take-out food theme over Memorial Day weekend continued with True Thai (we had friends visiting and with their 2 young boys, doing takeout was more practical). Located on Franklin Avenue close to the Cedar-Riverside area, True Thai is close to Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the U of M campus.

The menu is pretty large and has many varieties of Appetizers (including Sweet Purple Yam), Soups, Salads (including Crispy Catfish Salad and Laab), Curries, Wok Fried dishes, Noodles, and Fried Rice. The Green Papaya Salad ($6.50) was very refreshing and crunchy with the crisp green papayas, tomatoes, cilantro, lime, and spices. However, the flavors were too mild and didn’t capture the confluence of sweetness and spiciness that normally accompany this salad. The Sweet Green Curry with Chicken ($9.95), a traditional commonly available Thai dish was spiced to order, fragrant, and had good flavors. We tried both the Tofu Pad Thai ($8.95) and the Chicken Pad Thai ($9.95), classic noodle dishes and found both to our liking.

The place gets really packed on weekends so call ahead and reserve a table.

$$. Most dishes are under $15. Parking on side streets. Closed on Sundays.

Update (October 18, 2008) – We went back to True Thai and did takeout again – our friends who visited from Chicago on Memorial Day loved this place and were visiting and wanted to get food from True Thai once again. We really liked the Pad Thai (something Nick isn’t a big fan of) at True Thai. Unfortunately the restaurant made a mistake and made one of them mild, which made this dish pretty bland and uninteresting, but the nicely spiced one was fabulous. The Bangkok Crispy Sweet Beef had a nice crispy, chewy exterior and a sweet lingering finish. However, the dish that made a lasting impression was the Crispy Catfish Salad. This salad is a nice alternative to the Green Papaya Salad as it has similar flavors. The fried chunks of fish were completed nicely by the citrus aromas of the dressing - throw in pieces of mango and crunchy veggies and you have a dish you simply can’t pass up. On the other hand, the Wok Fried Chilis and Holy Basil with Chicken was unimpressive – King and I Thai has set a high bar for this dish and True Thai’s wasn’t even close. Our two complaints were that finding pieces of chicken was a treasure hunt in the sea of vegetables, and the flavors were subdued. We’d recommend skipping it.

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Chambers Kitchen

901 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN
612-767-6978
http://www.chambersminneapolis.com/

Category: Pan-Asian

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 5
Ambience: 10

Recommendation: Excellent! A trendy restaurant and bar with an Asian inspired menu, amazing cocktails, and art like no other in the Twin Cities.

Chambers Kitchen (located in the Chambers hotel) is run by world renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. As soon as you set foot in the swanky cocktail lounge (the restaurant is in the basement below it), the vibe is more New York than Minneapolis. The menu is Asian inspired and fabulous (our other favorite in this category that gives Chambers a run for its money is 20.21). The lounge has great views of the Theatre district and Hennepin Avenue outside and modern artwork inside. The staff at the bar is borderline pretentious…this is one of the few restaurants in Minneapolis where dressing up is a must (unless you wish to have all eyes glaring at you)! The restaurant below is minimalist and has some seats right by the kitchen with a huge window where you can see the chefs in action. If you go, check out the artwork…we especially like the one in the hotel lobby made of Indian “chapati” tongs.

Chambers has some amazing cocktails…the Pineapple Mojito and the Ginger Margarita being our favorites. The Margarita had really strong ginger flavors and we wondered if they used Ginger Ale in addition to fresh ginger. The Mojito had a nice sweet and sour taste. Skip the Cucumber Mint cocktail… refreshingly cool but lacked flavor and had an overpowering taste of cucumbers. For appetizers, the Rice Cracker Crusted Tuna with a Sriracha and citrus sauce was crunchy and fresh. The creamy emulsion added depth to the dish. We also liked the Crispy Peekytoe Crab which was essentially in the form of a fritter with a sweet chili dipping sauce that was nice and spicy. The Butternut Squash Soup with Ginger and Basil was interesting…not as rich and creamy as the traditional kind but had a nice ginger flavor.

The menu offers a dozen or so entrees and is heavily focused on seafood, which we think Chambers does really well. The seafood here is packed with strong Asian flavors, which we love and reminds us of seafood we’ve had in Southeast Asia. The Striped Bass Crusted in Spices was delicious. The sweet and sour buttery broth it came in was very aromatic. The Halibut (or Cod) with Malaysian Chili sauce was excellent…we loved the crispy texture. Another favorite was the Red Curry Duck. It was creamy and rich and reminded our Cambodian friend of her mom’s home-made duck. The Soy Miso Beef Sirloin was also a hit at our table. The sirloin came on a bed of crunchy and sweet bok choy and was topped with a fresh cilantro chutney. Even though we’re not huge fans of Tofu, the Crispy Tofu at Chambers was a winner. Although one can argue that anything tastes good when deep fried, this Tofu has a nice fried crust and a soft and tender inside. We thought the Radish salad it came with was too sour... we found actual chunks of lemon pulp in it. The only entrée that didn’t quite impress us was the Soy Braised Lamb Shank…the flavor and crust were incredible but the piece of meat was malnourished and the Apple-Jalapeno puree was a bit too sour. We can’t remember the last time we were served such a measly piece of shank. We finished off our excellent meal with a delicious Warm Chocolate cake served with Vanilla ice-cream and Cocoa Brittle Tuile. Our friends got the Banana Cake with Salted Caramel ice-cream and even though we are die hard chocoholics, we have the admit their dessert was better than ours.

Service was really slow even though the restaurant wasn’t packed and our server was inattentive. He disappeared on many occasions.

$$$$. Entrees priced between $20 and $45. Valet parking available ($8).

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Abu Nader Deli & Grocery

2095 Como Ave
St Paul, MN
651-647-5391

Category: Middle Eastern, Deli

Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: N/A (counter service)
Ambience: 5

Recommendation: Average. Located on a quite stretch of Como Avenue in St. Paul, Abu Nader is average at best. If you are looking for a cheap Middle Eastern meal in a casual setting, head to Holyland instead.

Abu Nader is a small family owned restaurant on Como Avenue in St. Paul, close to the St Paul campus of the University of Minnesota. The menu includes a handful of Middle Eastern items such as Pies, Falafel, Dips, and Sandwiches. There is a small grocery store but we visited mainly for the deli. The experience is pretty bare bones…plastic everything with a few tables scattered around but we didn’t mind because we’ve heard Andrew Zimmern talk about this place umpteen number of times so we were sure the food would make up for the lack of ambience. Unfortunately, we were not as wowed as Zimmern. We think Holyland’s food overall rates much better than Abu Nader.

The Pepper and Feta Pie ($2.69) consisted of a pastry shell filled with a mix of hot peppers and feta...a good dish that reminded us of Jalapeno Poppers. The Tabuleh ($3.99), which is cracked wheat mixed with parsley, mint, and tomatoes was a bit bland but tasted good when mixed with the other dips we got. The Falafel Plate ($7.99) came with four medium sized falafels that were good but not as good as Holyland’s. The hummus tasted a bit off..there was a starchy taste to it that reminded us of gram flour. We liked the pickled vegetables that came with the dish. The Middle Eastern Rice ($3.99) was a combination of seasoned rice and ground beef but was flavorless and lacked salt. For $1 more, you can add Chicken or Shawarma meat - a great deal. The Baba Ghanouge (Eggplant dip, $3.99 for ½ lb) had a nice smoky flavor and we ordered some Pita bread on the side with it. Our favorite dish, the only dish we would go back for was the Open Face Shawarma ($7.99). It included a combination of spiced beef and lamb, topped with warm feta cheese and vegetables and baked on flat bread. The warm feta really hit the spot and the meat was spiced well. The Abu Nader Special Sandwich ($6.99) was ok…ground beef mixed with onions and parsley and baked, served in a pita pocket. The dish had a spicy kick to it and came as a pleasant surprise against the others that were under seasoned. For dessert, the Baklava ($1.75) was delicious..it was dense and rich, one of the better ones we’ve had. The Kinafeh ($1.75), layers of puff pastry with ricotta cheese was less than stellar. For drinks, we grabbed a mango juice, which was excellent. They also have Guava juice.

$. All items are under $10. Hours are 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday.

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