4200 28th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-729-6898
Category: Bakery, Cafe
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: N/A (counter service)
Ambience: 8
Recommendation: Very Good. A gem of a bakery and a great place for a continental breakfast.
The smell from this bakery is intoxicating and draws you to it just as you approach the corner of 42nd street and 28th Ave in SE Minneapolis. You can stop by for a quick “grab and go” to pick up all you need for a breakfast picnic at Lake Nokomis and Hiawatha Lake, which are minutes away. The interior isn’t fancy…in 
fact it’s cluttered with trinkets and antiques, but the stuff is quirky and you could spend hours looking through all the things hanging on the wall and scattered throughout the room. Tea cups and pots, clocks, bread baskets, coffee shop wall art, curios, handmade signs….the list goes on and on. The stuff is as eccentric as the owner who was hard at work in the back and brought out fresh batches of treats every once in a while. We’re glad that this place does so much more than breads…breakfast pastries, cakes, donuts, and coffee. It recently received the accolade of Best Bakery 2008 by CityPages.
We were there recently for a light breakfast and managed to get one of the few tables outside in the sun. The choice of breakfast treats is tremendous; to the point that the glass display couldn’t hold all the options…some were lying on the back counter. We pointed to the Chocolate Donuts, which had just been brought out. To add to the variety, we picked a Tea Cake and a slic
e of Banana Bread. The Donuts were outstanding…perfectly iced with sweet chocolate frosting yet light. Don’t miss out on the Tea Cake; think of this as a chewy croissant with a gooey caramel topping. We really liked the combination of the sticky texture of the topping with the light airy base. The Latte was a perfect complement to this sweet pastry. We didn’t actually get to the Banana Bread until later but when we did, we liked it. We’ll be back real soon to A Baker’s Wife…there’s too much left to explore.
$. Pastries are very affordable $2-$3.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A Baker’s Wife
Bombay 2 Deli
1840 Central Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN
612-788-4571
http://www.bombay2deli.com/
Category: Indian
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: N/A (counter service)
Ambience: N/A
Recommendation: Average. This Indian deli serves Indian street food such as Chaats, Bhel Puri, and Vadas. While the concept is unique, we found most of the dishes we tried to be average at best.
Awarded “Best Cheap Eats 2007” by City Pages, this unique Indian café is located on Central Avenue in Minneapolis, which is Minneapolis’ so called “Little India.” Bombay 2 Deli is attached to Asia Imports, an Indian grocery store - you can do your weeks groceries while the women in the back of the restaurant make your meal. The vegetarian menu consists of many curries such as Daals, Paneer, Chhole with a rotation of 3 curries per day. They also have daily mini meals where you can get your choice of 2 curries, rice, and chappatis (bread) for $6.99. We visited recently when we heard that they serve many snacks that are reminiscent of Indian street food. Having grown up in India, we were delighted to try this place for a taste of home most restaurants find hard to replicate. We found the food to be average at best but given that it is the only place serving Indian street food, we will most likely visit again, when the street food craving kicks in. Although the menu contains 15-20 different snacks, they were only serving 7-8 of those dishes when we visited.
The Bhel Puri ($3.49), found on every street corner in Bombay, has a base of puffed rice, sev (a fried snack), and other mixed snacks. The bas
e is then mixed with a variety of dry spices, tomatoes, onions, tamarind chutney, cilantro chutney, lime juice, and boiled potatoes to form a delicious savory delight. Bombay 2 Deli actually made a good Bhel Puri. Most other dishes at the deli were also topped with similar ingredients…the tamarind and cilantro chutneys, garbanzo beans, potatoes, etc. The Papri Chaat ($3.99) which used fried chips as it base and topped with yogurt was ok. We thought it lacked depth of flavor…it wasn’t seasoned well. The Samosa Chaat ($3.99) was our favorite…the popular Samosas are crushed and topped with - you guessed it - chickpeas, chutneys, onions, and yogurt. The Chole Puri ($4.99), which is Chickpea curry served with a deep fried puffed Puri (bread) was good. The curry was very flavorful. We didn’t like the Pav Bhaji ($4.49) or the Dhokla ($3.99). Pav Bhaji is a delicious and spicy combination of mashed vegetables cooked in spices and served with a warm buttery bread called Pav. The dish was totally bland and we had to add salt and lemon juice in large quantities to make it taste edible. The worst part that the deli did not have fresh limes, they used lemon juice concentrate! (Note: they have a grocery store selling fresh produce attached to it!). The Dhokla, which is a very popular dish eaten by Gujaratis is a steamed square made with chickpea flour and topped with fried mustard seeds, cilantro, and chilies. Unfortunately, it tasted worse than what you would get from a boxed mix and it didn’t have any mustard seeds or fresh cilantro on it. The Masala Tea ($1.50), milky Indian sweet tea made with spices such as cinnamon and cardamom was ok.
$. Street Parking. 
Monday, May 19, 2008
Broders’ Pasta Bar
5000 Penn Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-925-9202
www.broders.com
Category: Italian
Broders is located in a quiet neighborhood in south Minneapolis. On the corner of 50th St and Penn Ave though, you’ll notice a crowd either enjoying a glass of wine on a charming patio or patiently waiting for a table in one of the more p
opular eateries in town. You’re almost guaranteed a wait at Broders; its indicative of the popularity but also because the space isn’t very large. The walls are a stucco-style faux and the pendant lights are made from inverted colanders. There is a u-shaped pasta bar that sits in the center of this restaurant and gives you a first hand look at the kitchen hard at work. We recommend that you grab a glass of wine and check out the outdoor patio during summer months (they don’t serve the full menu outside.) Just a word of caution for larger parties – the restaurant isn’t very large and it might be a little cramped (we were 5, sitting at a table for 4 and certainly felt so.) Oh, if you’re looking for takeout or want to shop for Italian ingredients check out the Broders Cucina Italiana across the street.Broders philosophy is quite simple – fresh made pasta cooked to perfection with simple ingredients. We started our meal with a couple of appetizers - Salsicce Con Finocchio E Cipolla (mild Italian sausage with fennel and onions) and Roasted Garlic (served with flat bread and tomatoes.) The sausage was mild and sweet. The other app was like a bruschetta, accompanied by roasted garlic – not bad overall, bu
t we felt that the garlic could have used a few more minutes roasting and could have been sweeter. Most of the entrees were good but the two that stood out were the Gnocchi Con Manzo E Tartufo (Gnocchi with Beef and Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce) and the Fettuccine Con Aragosta (Pasta with Lobster, Lemon, and Herbs.) We’re picky about our Gnocchi (thank you Arrezzo) and have been disappointed too often by mediocre preparations. But not at Broders. This Gnocchi was appetizing and the accompanying beef very tender. The cream sauce was a little heavy, but we’re not complaining. The Lobster dish (technically Langostines) was also cream based, but lightly sauced and not heavy. The Spaghetti Con Polpette di Calabrese (Spaghetti with Meatballs) is also a good choice, but we felt that the meatballs could have used more seasoning. What really resonated with us was the consistency of the pasta preparations – don’t discount what perfectly cooked “al dente” pasta can do for an Italian dish.$$. Entrees under $15. Parking is available at the lot in front of the restaurant. There is also ample street parking. We recommend you call ahead and put your name on the list because Broders doesn’t take reservations on the weekend. The kitchen closes at 9.30 on weekdays and 10pm on weekends.
Mairin’s Table
23 NE Fourth St
Minneapolis, MN
612-746-4272
http://www.mairinstable.com/
Category: Moroccan, American-Casual
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 8
Recommendation: Very Good. Mairin’s Table is an unusual neighborhood bistro that combines a Moroccan menu with a classic American one and executes both perfectly. Lovely place for a romantic night out or a casual meal with friends.
Mairin’s Table, located in Northeast Minneapolis blends Morocco with Minneapolis from the moment you step in….dark wood and rich colors are complemented with a cozy fireplace and piano…classic American dishes such are Meatloaf and Stroganoff sit alongside Moroccan favorites such as various Tagines and Bastilla. Mairin’s Table was a lot more satisfying to us than our recent trip to another Moroccan restaurant, Barbary Fig in St. Paul. Mairin’s has outdoor seating but the views are nothing spectacular…the patio faces a parking lot. The inside of the restaurant is very beautiful and perfect for a romantic night out. The first Saturday of every month, they have two belly dance performances (7pm and 9pm) and a $30 pre-fixe 4-course Moroccan dinner.
The menu consists of a handful of appetizers, salads, and small plates – Moroccan dishes such as Hummus and Olives and American ones such as Artichoke Dip and Stuffed Mushrooms satisfy a variety of different palates. They have an eclectic wine list and all bottles are half price on Monday and Tuesday nights. All entrees are served with a choice of soup or salad. Their French Onion soup is delicious. For entrees, the Meatloaf which is the co-owner’s grandma, Mairin’s recipe is simply delicious. Served with garlic mashed potatoes, French bread, the meatloaf is tender, juicy, and flavorful. The Tagine of Lamb with Figs and Almonds, served on a bed of couscous and a side of pita bread is excellent. Tagines are slow-cooked stews braised at low temperatures, resulting in tender meat with aromatic vegetables and sauce. This one was perfectly done. The Minnesota naturally grown lamb was tender and flavorful, having been braised with spices and figs. The chunks of fig were delicious and added a nice crunch to the dish. The buttermilk harissa sauce was bland and watery.
$$$. Most entrees are between $15 and $20. Free Parking.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Great Wall Restaurant
4515 France Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
952-927-4439
http://www.greatwallrestaurant.us/
Category: Chinese
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6 (Buffet Only)
Service: 8
Ambience: 9
Recommendation: Good. Great Wall serves a nice buffet during lunch and is a reasonable option if you want a reasonably priced lunch option.
Although it’s located in a strip mall, you get a different vibe when you walk into Great Wall. We wouldn’t call it upscale, but the décor is quite pleasing and in that way this place differentiates itself from the competition. The wallpaper and wood blind accents are in natural colors and we like the “zen” like approach.
A large group of us went there for lunch recently. The lunch buffet has limited options, some of which are staples on most Chinese menus. We skipped the Sweet and Sour Pork/Chicken dishes as the thought of drowning battered meat in a sweet sauce isn’t really appealing. The Chicken with Cashew Nuts was really nice – we like the crunch from the nuts especially. As was the Pork with Vegetables in Brown Sauce – a quick stir fry of fresh vegetables is really what makes this dish. The Eggs Rolls are delicious – the accompanying mustard was a little watery and not as hot as we are used to. We’d skip the Wontons though – too brittle and not enough filling. We did order one dish off the menu – Pork with Scallions and Chilies. It was a little on the salty side, but overall it had good flavor and was appreciated all around. Service was excellent – friendly and prompt. Our one serious gripe is the placement of the buffet table – it becomes a parking lot because one end is placed against a wall, and the entrance and exit is on one side only.
$.
Spoonriver
750 S. 2nd St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-436-2236
http://spoonriverrestaurant.com/
Category: American, International, Vegetarian
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: 7
Ambience: 6
Recommendation: Good. Located in the newly revitalized Riverfront district and located right next door to the new Guthrie, Spoonriver serves a primarily organic and natural selection of food.
Spoonriver is the creation of Minneapolis chef Brenda Langton who is well known for her commitment to the organic and locally produced food movement. It is located right next door to the new Guthrie making it a great option for a pre-show meal. It is also very close to the Metrodome, the Mill City Museum, and the Stone Arch bridge. Chef Langton also owns Café Brenda in the Warehouse district, which has been a Twin Cities institution on locally grown and vegetarian food for over 20 years. In addition to the locally grown ingredients featured on Spoonriver’s and Café Brenda’s menus, chef Langton has also created the Mill City Farmers’ Market located on the plaza by the Guthrie and continuing into the Mill City Museum’s train shed. The market, that started as a Saturday morning only market last year has now expanded to Thursday evenings also. It features different local farmers selling various food items, arts and crafts and flowers.
The restaurant itself is in a very narrow space inside, although the floor to ceiling windows and the bright orange walls make it look more open and spacious. Outdoor seating is a much better option.
We’ve only been to Spoonriver for lunch and found our meal to be average, at best. This was a huge surprise to us given the accolades this restaurant has received. It was listed as one of top restaurants in Minneapolis’ foodie scene in a recent New York Times article. We started out with their Grapes of Wrath Sangria that had frozen grapes at the bottom. The drink was awful. It tasted bitter and was essentially flavorless. Our server replaced it without any issues and also mentioned that several other customers had made a similar comment. We’re not sure why they continue to serve a drink several customers have complained about. The next drink which was a Prickly Pear Margarita was great. It contained pineapple infused vodka and Prickly Pear liqueur. The drink was a very pretty fuchsia pink. The taste of the drink was sweet and earthy and it grew on us after a few sips.
For appetizers, we tried their Wild Mushroom and Pistachio Terrine, which we really liked. It was served with Cranberry coulis and ultra thin 
Crostinis on the side. The cranberries were delicious…they tasted very fresh. Although the mushrooms completely overpowered any pistachio flavor there might have been we found the dish to be innovative and tasty. The Thai Noodle Salad with Pan Seared Jumbo Shrimp was a huge disappointment. Note that they serve 4 jumbo Shrimp with the salad with their heads on. The shrimp was very delicious by itself. The salad was supposed to be flavored with hoisin sauce but didn’t taste like it. It was flavorless and very watery. When we asked for extra hoisin sauce, the kitchen couldn’t provide that for us and gave us soy sauce instead, which didn’t do much to revive the flavor. The other dish which was a Sea Bass with Pesto, Spinach Risotto, and a beautiful display of yellow and red heirloom tomatoes was much better. The pesto was delicious.
$$$. They give you a 10% off coupon for Café Brenda.
Update (May 15, 2008) – This is a tough review to write. Our last experience wasn’t spectacular and we were hoping this time around, the dinner would wow us. The outside patio was open and it was a pleasure sitting outside and watch 
the theatergoers go by. We tried the Moroccan Mojitos and loved them. The cardamom and rose water accented the drink and gave it a nice fragrance and zing (very creative.) The Duck and Chicken Liver Pate appetizer had a very strong flavor but grew on us – it’s a simple and classic preparation. On the other hand, the Spoon Dips (White Bean Dip and Carrot, Red Pepper Dip) served with veggies was average. We don’t doubt the ingredients are fresh and local, but the preparation was nothing spectacular. For entrees, the Halibut Special with Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc and Lentil Stew was nice – mild in flavor but a great preparation none the less. The New York Strip Steak with Bulgar Rice Pilaf and Steamed Broccoli that Nick ordered was a major disappointment.
Nick rarely orders steak when he goes to a restaurant but the server really recommended the grass-fed beef. The steak wasn’t overcooked but was tough and chewy. A saving grace was the home made steak sauce which had a sweet, spicy flavor. Both desserts were good – the custard in the Lemon Tart was light and the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse had nice flavor tones. In our view the quality of ingredients is at the heart of the restaurant; however, the preparations are very simple (some too simple for us) so keep that in mind when you visit Spoonriver.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Bayport Cookery
328 5th Ave N
Bayport, MN
651-430-1066
http://www.bayportcookery.com/
Category: American-Upscale
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 6
Ambience: 6
Recommendation: Excellent. A gem…the New American fare, with meticulously conceived dishes and skillful preparation, embodies the art of cooking.
Let’s be honest – when you hear the name Bayport Cookery the first reaction is always “where’s that?” For the record, Bayport Cookery is located in the town of Bayport, just south of Stillwater. This restaurant’s been there for 10 years and it was the Top Zagat-rated restaurant in the Twin Cities from 2005 to 2007. It’s thriving and credit goes to chef and owner, Jim Kyndberg. The restaurant is located in a non-descript building and even the interior doesn’t have a “wow” factor. Don’t get us wrong, it’s charming, but when you think of a New American Upscale restaurant, you think glitz and glamour, chic and modern. Maybe that’s what makes Bayport even more remarkable. A large stone wall with fireplace forms the backdrop to the dining area. And there’s a delightful patio at the back of the restaurant.
The menu changes per the seasons and availability of ingredients
. There are nine courses and you can choose a prie fixed 3, 5, or 9 course meal. We…Ok, a group of 10 of us visited there recently to celebrate Nick’s birthday and were delighted to see that the theme of the menu was Pacific Rim inspired Seafood. We all opted for the Chef’s 5-course tasting menu. While we waited for the first course, we nibbled on fresh-baked bread (yes, it was warm). The first course was a Miso Marinated Halibut with Pad Thai Noodles and Ginger Chive Broth. The flavors in the fish were subtle, 
yet the broth was fragrant albeit a little salty. The presence of the noodles and peanuts added great textural balance. Our second course was a carpaccio of Pacific King Salmon with Shaved Daikon, Asparagus, and Jumbo Lump Crab. A winner all around – the daikon and asparagus were nearly as thinly shaved as the Salmon! Our next course was the Pork Tenderloin with Eda Mame (puree), Tempura Scallops, and Soy Sake Glaze. This preparation had a lot going on but noth
ing really seemed out of place – the ingredients of pork, bacon, and mushroom are familiar and just when you think you know what this dish presents, you’re in for a surprise with the Asian inspiration of the glaze, eda mame, and tempura scallops. Bravo, Chef. Before our next course we were presented a Pineapple and Lime Sorbet to cleanse our palates. With the crisp and clean flavors of the sorbet, we were ready for our next course…a surf and turf. The most complex 
preparation yet – Beef and Tuna with Ying & Yang Risotto, Port Wine Reduction, Foie Gras, and Morel Mushrooms. On one side of the plate we had a sous-vide beef preparation - tender and juicy meat, creamy risotto, a hunk of morel and a sweeter port reduction…a not too unfamiliar preparation of a meat course. On the other side of the plate was the antithesis – Tuna instead of beef, a wild rice preparation to differ from the risotto (in both texture and color) and a savory foie reduction instead of the port wine sauce. We savored every last morsel of this dish. Finally, we’re on to our last course, dessert. By this time (3+ hours into the meal) we were the only ones left in the restaurant and were 
frankly getting a little impatient. We were surprised to see the chef send out a few plates of each of the two dessert options on the menu. The Kona Coffee Cake with Coconut Ice Cream and Banana Spring Roll was a creative preparation and had nice flavor combinations. Although, it was the Citrus Mango Tart with Pineapple Sabayon that blew us away – crisp and sour flavors were the perfect finish to this meal.
Service was a mixed bag. Our servers were attentive and cordial but the whole experience took close to 4 hours. We did have a group of 10 and can appreciate the challenge when serving a multi-course meal to such a large group, but there were times between courses, where the wait seemed too long. And there were instances where we felt the food just wasn’t hot enough (temperature wise). Nevertheless, these things are little annoyances and of little consequence when the food is of this caliber.
$$$$. 3-course meal is $35, 5-course is $55, and 9-course is $85. Our total with wine, tax and tip was about $90 per person.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Fugaise
Update (May 8, 2008) – Just returned from a fabulous evening at Fugaise. We were sad to see the restaurant was completely empty but that allowed the server and kitchen to have their undivided attention on us. The 5-course tasting menu ($65) was ahead of us and we were looking forward to it. We were enticed with an amuse of Prosciutto wrapped Grilled Asparagus with a berry compote - refined rustic would be a good definition with the char flavors of the asparagus paired with the sweetness of the compote. Our first course was an Almond Crusted Scallop served with celery root puree, celery remoulade, and bacon vinaigrette – the crunchy salty bacon left a lasting impression and really added depth to the flavors. The Frog Legs, prepared two ways, was our second course – a light tempura frog leg and a pea puree with frog legs was immaculate. I’ve had the pleasure of some great Halibut preparations recently and the delicately flavored Seared Halibut with Leeks, Whipped Potatoes and a Parsley Artichoke Broth was no exception – the fragrance emanating from this dish was intoxicating. Our fourth course was the Pork Tenderloin with Glazed Pork Belly, Root Vegetables, and Honey Au Jus. The single most impressive component tonight was the crispy and sweet pork belly and that’s high praise for what might seem as an innocuous ingredient. We ended the meal with a Lemon Panna Cotta with Strawberries, Mint, and a Honey Foam. A light and clean finish to a wonderful meal – sour citrus, sweet strawberries and honey, and pungent mint. Service was impeccable and our server even went out and replensihed our parking meter. Chef Saunders is on a roll.
208 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55414
612-436-0777
http://www.fugaise.com/
Category: French
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 10
Service: 9
Ambience: 9
Recommendation: Excellent. Fugaise was recently ranked by Zagat as one of the Top 10 restaurants in the Twin Cities (we agree wholeheartedly and understand why) – the result of meticulous preparation and exacting execution is a meal we won’t soon forget. THIS PLACE HAS CLOSED AS OF MARCH 2009.
Fugaise is the brainchild of chef and owner Don Saunders (formerly of Vincent, La Belle Vie, and A Rebours). It’s located on a stretch of 
Hennepin Ave north of the river and even frequent visitors to the area probably don’t know it exists (the entrance is tiny and easy to miss). We’ve heard incredible things about Fugaise and were looking forward to the meal…although with a bit of trepidation because high expectations have sometimes lead to let-downs. The restaurant is located at the end of the building’s entrance corridor. As soon as you enter the restaurant, your eye is drawn to the mosaic tile that forms the backdrop to the small bar. The dining room itself has the feel of a modern, romantic loft with flashy, colorful, contemporary art adorning the dull gray and brick walls. There are no windows in this restaurant, but frankly it doesn’t matter – the décor is splendid and you don’t feel like you’re in a confined space.
The menu is small and is more readily appreciated by those with a more refined palate (luckily for us, our group of friends fall into this category). We were 
treated to fresh baked bread (warm out of the oven) and an Amuse – Olive Tapenade with Basil and Anchovy on Toasted Brioche (salty and wonderful). Among the appetizers, the Scallops with Parsnip Risotto and Lemon Truffle Froth was the clear winner and we’d all go back just for that dish alone. The sweet scallops were cooked perfectly and everything on the plate was a hit – this might be the single most memorable dish we have had in the Twin Cities. The pan seared Foie Gras with Poached Pear and Puff Pastry was amazing and came in a close second followed by the Fried Squid with Butter Lettuce, White Anchovy and Basil (which was good, but not in the same league as the first two).
We got an assortment of entrees, including the special of the day – Pheasant with Root Vegetables and Lemon Truffle Froth. It’s hard to pick a favorite, so we’ll pick two – the Assiette of Veal (Tenderloin, Sweet Breads, and Cheek with Sauce Perigord) and the Duck (with Grilled Mushrooms, 
Fried Sweet Potato, and Orange-Sherry Sauce). Both were cooked to perfection (actually, all meats were beautifully cooked) and the sauces worked really well with the meats mentioned above. The Pheasant special would have been up there with the other two if it weren’t for the Lemon Truffle Froth which we felt was too mild for the game. The Monk Fish with Savoy Cabbage, Pork Belly and Cider Jus was the weakest entrée – it just didn’t have the wow effect like the others did. In fact we swapped the Cider Jus from the Monk Fish and the Lemon Froth from the Pheasant and that significantly improved both dishes! For dessert we highly recommend the Sticky Toffee Pudding with Chestnuts, Toffee Sauce, and Vanilla Ice Cream – it was devoured quickly. The Dark Chocolate Marquise with Orange was quite good but could have used some more orange peel/zest as the combination of the two ingredients elevated the dessert. I know its nit picking, but that’s what remains when the meal is of this high a caliber. The service was great, partly because the restaurant wasn’t crowded but also because the staff was tag teaming when waiting on tables.
$$$$. Most entrees are $25-$30. On average we paid $55 with tax and tip not including wine, which was around $10 per glass.
Read more! On "Fugaise"!
Vincent
1100 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN
612-630-1189
http://www.vincentarestaurant.com/
Category: French, Happy Hour
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 7 (Happy Hour Only)
Service: 6
Ambience: 7
Recommendation: Very Good. It’s great to see a restaurant that genuinely cares about the quality of food and beverages they provide at happy hour.
Not too many restaurants take the happy hour concept seriously. “Yes”, the goal is to provide cheap food and drinks, but Vincent has shown that you don’t have to compromise quality. Granted, Vincent is an upscale restaurant, 
but that’s why a good happy hour at reasonable prices is even more surprising. HH is only served in the lounge area, which is quite small and always brimming with people. It lasts from 4.30pm-6.30pm so we recommend going early. The lounge/bar area is upscale and elegant albeit not trendy. It’s filled with closely packed high-top tables and is separated from the more upscale and elegant dining area.
We were able to get a large round table at the edge of the lounge, looking over Nicollet Mall (this is one of the nicer seats in the restaurant). The HH menu is a slimmed down lounge menu – the dishes are still served in healthy portions and 
the food is definitely refined. A unanimous winner was the Vincent Burger ($8) made with beef and short ribs and topped with smoked Gouda cheese. Juicy, Meaty, Hearty, Flavorful…we could go on with the adjectives. We also recommend the Chicken “Morsels” a la Plancha ($4) – tender chicken pieces bursting with Asian flavors. An unusual, yet satisfying option was the Socca ($4); a pancake of chickpea flour, filled with roasted shrimp, salami, red peppers and cheese. This is a specialty in Southern France, but the pancake is also a staple in Indian cuisine. Not everything we tried was this good. The Pommes Dauphine (fried potato dumplings, $3.50) were light, but needed more seasoning; the Joe’s Potato Hot Dish ($3.50) was greasy and uninteresting; and unfortunately, the Flat Bread ($4) sounded much better than it tasted (a combination of smoked chicken, caramelized onions, blue cheese and grapes really had our 
mouth watering). We do have to praise the drinks – full pours of wine and beer for $3! And Champagne Cocktails for $5! The Poinsetta was made with Cointreau, cranberry juice and champagne and was a nice departure from the traditionally sweet cocktails that are so prevalent now. We did end our evening with dessert (not on the HH menu). The Lemon Tart with Citrus Salad is divine – kumquats and basil make a great combination. And although we usually prefer chocolate to most everything else, the Louis XV Chocolate Cake didn’t match the perfection of the lemon tart. Overall, we were duly impressed and have a new HH favorite – we’re looking forward to dinner someday at Vincent’s.
$. Most happy hour options are $5 and under. HH runs from 4.30-6.30pm Mon through Fri. Valet parking available on 11th street, starting at 6pm.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sea Salt Eatery
4801 Minnehaha Ave
Minneapolis, MN
612-721-8990
http://www.seasalteatery.com/
Category: Seafood
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: N/A (counter service only)
Ambience: 8
Recommendation: Good. We had mixed feelings about our visit – a great location in a picturesque setting by Minnehaha Falls, but the food isn’t spectacular, even by casual eatery standards.
Sea Salt is literally a stone’s throw away from the beautiful Minnehaha Falls. The place is little more than a concession stand and gives you the feeling that you’re in San Francisco’s Fisherman Wharf instead of Minneapolis’ Minnehaha Falls. If you’re in the area, it’s a good place to grab a bite to eat, along with a cold beer while enjoying music in the nearby bandshell or just lazing in the park...the only thing the experience is missing is a beach! Plenty of outdoor seating is available and a few seats are also available inside the eatery. Sea Salt redefines summer picnics in the park…gone are the burgers and hot dogs; in are oysters, fish tacos, calamari, and Po’Boys. They also serve wine and beer. Sea Salt serves a handful of flavors of Sebastian Joe’s ice-cream, a perfect companion on a warm summer day.
The lines are terrible on weekends so we visited on a weekday night and didn’t have to wait at all. Unfortunately, they were out of the oy
sters, which we were really looking forward to trying – the guys at Sea Salt are ex Coastal Seafoods (an excellent local fish market) employees so they really know their seafood. We got the Grilled Marlin Fish Taco ($7), Crab Cake Platter ($10), and a Crawfish Po’boy ($10). While the experience was great (where else can you eat seafood sitting right by the waterfalls?), the food didn’t quite wow us. The Fish Taco came with two corn tortillas, grilled marlin, and red salsa topped with onions, cilantro, and a side of lime. We have to give this place points for serving an authentic taco…there was no shredded cheese or sour cream in sight. The flavors were ok…the fish was pretty bland overall and the salsa was watery and didn’t 
have a kick to it. Some shredded cabbage and white sauce would have done the trick. The one Crab Cake the platter came with was good…although the word “platter” was misleading. Apparently a small slice of honeydew and a little plastic container with bland dry coleslaw made this dish a “platter.” We would have been just as happy to have paid a little less ($10 for one crab cake?) and got just the crab cake. The Po’Boy was also ok. It came in a soft bun with fried crawfish along with creamy tartar sauce (no sign of the hot sauce that was supposed to come with the dish). Overall, we thought the meal was good for a summer day in the park but not if you are looking for great seafood. Yes, we know it’s a casual eatery (and we given them points for fresh tasting seafood), but they could benefit from a couple of tweaks to take the food to the next level. If you’re looking for seafood, we’d recommend Stella’s Fish Café or Oceanaire over Sea Salt.
$$. We paid $38 for 3 dishes and a drink. Open April-October from 11-7 Sun-Mon and 11-8 Tues-Sat. Paid parking lot close to eatery. Light Rail access.
May Day Cafe
3440 Bloomington Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-729-5627
Category: Café, Bakery
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: N/A (counter service only)
Ambience: 6
Recommendation: Good. This eclectic neighborhood coffee shop near Powderhorn Park serves great coffee and bakery items.
May Day Café is a quirky neighborhood café in southeast Minneapolis that attracts mostly locals from the area. On any given day, you will find students doing homework, families with kids taking a break, couples lounging, and teachers checking homework in the 20 or so seats this small 
café has. The staff behind the counter is friendly and this place definitely feels like home. They are known to serve some of the best organic and fair-trade coffee in town and were recently on Citypages 2008 list in the “Best Latte” category
We had to get the Caramel Latte that Citypages raved about being the best in 
the Twin Cities. It was indeed very good…homemade caramel and really good coffee made a great combination. The Cheddar Basil Scone was just delicious…crumbly on the outside, soft on the inside with a pronounced cheesy flavor. It tasted very fresh. The Cherry Muffin was somewhat of a disappointment. It was hard to spot the cherries in the muffin and the flavors were there.
$. Street parking available. Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm, Sat 7am-6pm, Sun 7:30am-6pm
Hunan
8066 Morgan Circle
Bloomington, MN 55431
952-881-2280
http://www.hunanrestaurant.net/
Category: Chinese
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 7
Ambience: 4
Recommendation: Excellent. This strip mall Chinese restaurant consistently serves the best lunch buffet in town.
This Chinese restaurant is tucked away in a strip mall in Bloomington. The décor isn’t much to speak of and the restaurant probably only has about 20 tables. It tends to get busy at lunch but the crowd (and the food) turns over quickly. There are usually only a couple of servers and although they are understaffed, the servers are friendly and try and take good care of your needs.
The lunch buffet here is spectacular. It’s not as large as some other Chinese buffets (it has 8-10 entrees), but you will find that the food is well flavored and cooked perfectly every time (we know because Nick himself has been there over a dozen times). Their Spicy Chicken is excellent (it’s not terribly spicy), as is there Shrimp and Pork Stir Fry, Fried Rice, Egg Rolls, and Chinese Green Beans. The Stir fried Potatoes with Onions is a must try! It is unlike any other dish normally found in Chinese buffets. Other staples such as Beef with Broccoli and the Buddha’s Delight aren’t spectacular but still very good. Most of the dishes on their lunch buffet are a mainstay but they tend to change one or two out on a regular basis. They also have a dinner buffet on the weekends, but we haven’t had a chance to sample it yet. Hunan also makes a killer mixed vegetable stir fry where you can pick the sauce you want the vegetables to be stir fried in.
$. Buffet costs $8. Dinner entrees range from $5-$15.
Update (April 30, 2008) – After several return visits, we’re glad to report that the food hasn’t changed a bit. It’s just as described above and the restaurant is as popular as ever. You can rest assured that the food served at lunch is fresh because of how quickly the dishes turn over (during really busy times you may have to wait a few minutes for certain dishes to get replenished). The Egg Rolls might be their biggest asset – crispy and flavorful, especially with a dash of the nostril cleansing mustard. The Hot Sour Soup is excellent as well, but we’re not as impressed with some of the appetizers like the Cream Cheese Wontons, which are too crispy. Our favorites are still the Spicy Chicken and Chinese Green Beans; the latter get a quick fry in the wok and still maintain their natural color and texture.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Barbette
1600 West Lake St
Minneapolis, MN
612-827-5710
http://www.barbette.com
Category: French, Cafe
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 9
Service: 8
Ambience: 8
Recommendation: Excellent. A diverse, bohemian neighborhood bistro in Uptown that serves simple French fare. Barbette also makes a great spot for a weekend brunch and late night dining.
Barbette is a cool bistro in the heart of Uptown with a diverse clientele, hip interiors, and simple food. The interior, with the bright contrasts of oranges and blues, has a trendy vibe, but the environment is friendly
with casual seating and outgoing staff. We love the funky pendant lights hanging from the ceilings. They have a breakfast/brunch, lunch, dinner, and late night menu and dishes consist primarily of simple French/Belgian favorites such as Croque Monsieur, Pommes Frites, Steak Frites, and Steamed Mussels. The extensive wine list, global beer selection, and late night dining menu make this a great spot for after-dinner drinks/dessert. Chef Sarah Master uses natural/organic ingredients when possible and the quality is evident in the food…everything we’ve had here always tastes fresh.
For brunch, we like the Eggs Benedict. The hollandaise sauce is home-made and side serving of petite greens tossed with lemon juice and olive oil is simple 
complement. On a recent visit, we tried the Tomato, Brie, and Leek Quiche (they have daily quiche specials during brunch). The quiche itself was fluffy and creamy and just melted in your mouth but the overall flavors were pretty mild. It also needed to be seasoned with salt and pepper. We ordered a side of French bread that went nicely with the quiche. For lunch or dinner, we highly recommend getting a side of the Pommes Frites – probably the best French fries we’ve had in the Twin Cities. They are thin and golden brown but not as crispy as the ones you may find on the streets of Amsterdam. While we prefer our French fries to be a bit crispier than the ones served, once you start eating them, the texture really grows on you. We didn’t care for the saffron aioli served with the fries. The Steamed Mussels with Red Curry sauce were amazing…the 
mussels were big and juicy, unlike the ones you normally find in Minneapolis. Another favorite is the Royale with Cheese, a thick and luscious hamburger topped with caramelized onions and brie, served on toasted bread. It was a great burger, albeit a bit messy to eat because the meat patty was thick and very juicy. We didn’t care for the chips that were served with the burger; we recommend ordering a small side of Frites with it instead. Servers were friendly and very accommodating.
$$-$$$$. Open daily from 8-1am (Sun-Thur) and 8-2am (Fri-Sat). Lunch/Brunch entrees priced between $7 and $15, Dinner entrees between $20 and $30. Street parking available.
Crema Cafe
3404 Lyndale Ave S
Minneapolis, MN
612-824-3868
Category: Café, Desserts
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8 (only dessert)
Service: N/A (counter service only)
Ambience: 9
Recommendation: Very Good. This charming neighborhood bistro serves up some terrific ice cream and decadent dessert.
The Twin Cities lacks dessert options that could be considered a destination unto themselves (the two that come to mind, and we admire, are Zeno and Café Latte). There isn’t a shortage of ice cream joints, though, and many consider Crema Café to be on the top of that list. Crema is a delightful neighborhood cafe that is the home of Sonny’s ice cream. What started off as an ice cream destination has since expanded to serve lunch and dinner. The setting is wonderful – lot of attention has been paid to the interior and that’s what makes Crema cozy and inviting. In the midst of the warm colors on the wall, you’ll find sharp color contrasts in the modern and eclectic artwork.
Although their menu includes food, we’ve never eaten here and our review is based entirely on our recent visit where we sampled the ice cream and dessert. The choice of ice cream and sorbet flavors isn’t large but most definitely unique. We loved the signature “Crema”, the sweet cream accented by strong coffee and espresso flavors. The Chocolate Caramel was also a hit; not as decadent as chocolate alone but it was sweet and rich. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try the Italian Coconut Cream Cake which combined flavors and textures perfectly. As you bite into the moist cake, your senses are bombarded by the flavor of the rich coconut flakes before the sweet cream frosting hits you. This cake is rich so we recommend you share.
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