819 W 50th St
Minneapolis, MN
612-354-3512
http://www.heidismpls.com/
Category: American Casual
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 6
Service: 4
Ambience: 4
Recommendation: Average. Heidi’s is a great chef-driven neighborhood restaurant but the uncomfortable noise level and slow service won’t have us returning any time soon.
Heidi’s, owned by chef Stewart Woodman and his wife Heidi (the pastry chef) is housed in the space previously occupied by Pane Vino Dolce in the 50th and Lyndale neighborhood. It’s a great addition to South Minneapolis’ casual neighborhood restaurant dining scene (Broder’s Pasta Bar, Pierre’s Bistro, Café Maude, Arezzo to name a few). The interior has not change
d much from the Pane Vino Dolce days except it is less cramped… the place has a rustic elegance to it with its faux walls and dark lighting, but just like its predecessor, the noise level is uncomfortably loud and it’s really difficult to have a decent conversation without yelling into your dining companion’s 
ear. The dim lighting made it difficult to see what we were eating. The service is also a little slow, which wouldn’t be an issue if we were comfortable in the surroundings. At the end of the two hour meal, we couldn’t wait to get out of this place.
Thankfully, many of the dishes we tried were good so it made up for the ambience. The seasonally changing menu is small and consists of a handful of appetizers and around 7-8 entrees. All entrees cost less than 
$20 and the wine list is also reasonable. We started with a couple of appetizers…the Sliced Beets on Goat Cheese Parfait with Coriander Vinaigrette was ok. We couldn’t discern the flavors because the cheese was too tart and strong. The Crepe with Foie Gras, Curried Black lentils and Hibiscus Syrup was delicious. The richness of the Foie complemented well with the sweet tangy hibiscus syrup the beans came in… a match made in 
heaven. In the entrees, the Sea Bass with Parsley Puree and Creamy Mussel Foam was good. The bass melted in our mouth. The braised Lamb Shank served with wide rice salad was nice and tender and the star of the show (this would be the dish worth going back for). The salad had a nice crunch to it. The Lobster Pot Pie special for the night was disappointing…it wasn’t creamy enough and seemed watered down. The bread served was stale, which might have something to do with the fact that we visited on a late Sunday night.
$$-$$$
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Heidi’s
98 Pounds Restaurant
824 W 98th St
Bloomington, MN
952-881-1088
http://www.98poundsbuffet.com/
Category: Chinese, Japanese, Buffet
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 5
Service: 7
Ambience: 8
Recommendation: Average. If you’re really hungry, on a tight budget, and want to sample various cuisines, 98 Pounds will work well for you. Personally, we’d rather have a smaller selection of better than average food over the gargantuan buffet.
Over the lunch hour a few weeks back, my (Nick) coworkers convinced me to join them at 98 pounds. I had heard about this place and seen countless ads on the local buses and wasn’t enthused. The idea of all you can eat Chinese and Sushi for $8 isn’t very appealing (I drive by the Atlantic buffet in Bloomington a few times a week and till now have brushed off offers to eat lunch there). With 98 Pounds I decided to be a trooper and relented to their cries. When we entered, we were greeted by a long line out the front door (you have to pay first when you enter and this made the process a little unwieldy). The space itself is quite impressive – its clean and in good shape. It’s a large restaurant and there are several buffet tables that adorn the space. The rich wood motif, latticework, and decorative accents caught me by surprise – 98 Pounds exudes a relatively upscale tone (compared to most ethnic restaurants).
The buffet spread is where things are a little out of control with plenty of Chinese, Sushi and Continental selections, not to mention the fruit spread which rivals some grocery stores. I wanted to stick to the Chinese food, but in the interest of providing a holistic review, ventured into the other cuisines. The Chinese selections were actually pretty good with the zesty Pepper Chicken and creamy Coconut Shrimp deserving special mention. The Sushi buffet table had a large selection and although nothing was memorable, it wasn’t disgusting or fishy either (you could tell from the loosely rolled sushi that it wasn’t rolled meticulously). Between the salmon, tuna, eel, vegetable, crab and shrimp selections you have a choice of about 20 sushi rolls. If you’re not in the mood for Chinese or Japanese, you can try the continental food which consists of salads, shrimp and chicken options and pizza. For dessert, you can go with the fruit bar (which includes mango) or make your own sundae with hot fudge or the bananas in a hot pink strawberry sauce.
$. This buffet-only restaurant charged $7.99 for the lunch buffet and $12.49 for the dinner buffet. You can also do carryout for $4.29/lb.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
20.21
1750 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN
612-253-3410
http://www.wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/finedining/2021/minneapolis/cuisine.php
Category: Pan-Asian, International, Fine Dining
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 10
Service: 8
Ambience: 9
Recommendation: Excellent! A true gem in the Twin Cities’ culinary scene. Delicious Asian influenced entrees, especially seafood, and desserts that captivate the eyes as much as they do to the stomach.
Original Post (Oct 27, 2007) - 20.21, Wolfgang Puck’s Minneapolis restaurant is in the elite class of restaurant. Located in the Walker Art Center and named after the Walker’s mostly 20th and 21st century art collection, 20.21 serves an Asian influenced menu. As you step out of the elevators, there is a 
chic lounge area. The restaurant itself has a long chocolate brown bar and an open kitchen, which is a Wolfgang Puck standard. Colors and décor are minimalist…chocolate browns, blacks, and white with occasional splashes of red. About half the seats have gorgeous views of the Minneapolis skyline and the St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The space is small and the tables are sometimes close to each other so be prepared in case it’s loud in there. The crowd here is very well dressed. On a recent Wednesday afternoon for lunch, we met Wolfgang Puck himself (!), who was in town for a dinner he was throwing for his regular clients in the Skyline room.
The menu represents many parts of Asia including Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Thailand, Korea, and India. We recommend going family style, so you can taste the variety of flavors and dishes offered. The server started us off with complimentary “Amuse Bouche” (small bite sized dish to prepare the guest for the meal) of Szechuan Green Beans with Candied Walnuts and Sesame seeds. What an incredible way to start our food journey! The dinner 
menu has an extensive list of appetizers that will satisfy just about any palate ranging from Ahi Sashimi and Tartare Salad, to Beef Shortribs, to Chinese Chicken Salad, Tandoori Salmon, Roasted Beet & Humboldt Fog and of course, Spring Rolls, and Pot stickers. The dipping sauces and toppings use many flavors we love such as Basil, Tamarind, Pickled ginger, Kimchee, Scallions, and Oranges to name a few. We tried the delicious Pork Pot Stickers that came with a Black Vinegar Dipping sauce, Chili Oil, and Scallions. The servers actually serve the food on your plate (very craft fully and with care) so all you have to do it eat – no work required here! The entrees range from Noodles, to Curries, and a variety of meats such as Pork Chops, Chicken, Duck, Beef Tenderloin. We highly recommend their Seafood entrees as they are classy. The Miso-Sake glazed Black Cod with Chili Orange Noodles and Miso-Sesame Vinaigrette was one of the best pieces of seafood we’ve had in the Twin Cities. The Cod literally melts in your mouth and the Miso flavors provide a good hint of sweetness to the dish. The Thai Seafood Curry with Scallops and Shrimp was also great. The curry was thicker than others we’ve had and we felt was a bit toned down from a spice stand point but the Shrimp and Scallops were fresh and tasted great. The Crispy Quail came with a Pineapple Black Pepper sauce and was delicious. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside with hints of pineapple flavors.
Despite the incredible meal we had here, the highlight of the meal was dessert! 20.21’s signature dessert is the Spoon, Cube & Cherry, inspired by the popular fountain sculpture Spoonbridge and Cherry in the Minneapolis S
culpture Garden. The dessert comes with Dark Chocolate Cream, which has a mousse like silky texture and a Sour Cherry sauce. This is by far one of the best desserts in Minneapolis! Being the chocoholics we are, we also got the Chocolate Sampler, which came with a Flourless Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Tart, and a Chocolate Coconut Flan. Our favorite was the flan. The other two were also great (how can you go wrong with chocolate!) but we found them to be too dense. The Bread Pudding with Crème Fraiche Ice cream and Cardamom Black Pepper foam was also good.
Underground parking in the Walker ramp. Wolfgang Puck Catering offers their services at the Sky-line room on the 5th floor of the Walker, which has more incredible views of the city with seating capacity of 200.
$$$$. Lunch entrees range from $15-$20 and Dinner ranges from $30-$45. Tasting menus are offered with or without wine pairings for both lunch and dinner ($61-$79 for 4 course dinner). Brunch offered on Sundays. Closed Mondays.
Update (July 31, 2008) – There are some dining experiences that are just memorable. It might be a result of that special occasion you are celebrating or that special person/people you are with. Either way, for an experience to be etched in your memory forever, the restaurant has to deliver on all fronts. On our trip to 20.21 earlier tonight, all these forces converged and as a result I’m sitting here writing this blog with a big smile on my face (and an even happier stomach). We’re 2 days away from b-day (the due date for our first child) and we decided to go out with our family and celebrate the much-awaited arrival. We were lucky enough to score the large table that sits in the corner of the restaurant and offers a prized view of the city. Although the table was a little large for our party of five, we were able to have comfortable chatter because the restaurant wasn’t loud.
We decided to skip the tasting menu (you get to choose from one of four options, 
where each diner is served four courses, yet each course has multiple dishes). We started our evening with a round of drinks – of special mention is the fragrant, but strong, Lychee Martini. In addition to the usual suspects (Pork Pot Stickers and Chinese Chicken Salad), we ordered the Korean Beef Shortribs, Tempura Fried Shrimp, and Ahi Sashimi and Tartare Salad appetizers. The shrimp was beautifully battered and the server artfully distributed the 
accompanying vinaigrette and salad to ensure that we all got to taste the full flavors. The Sashimi and Tartare appetizer was also very good and packed a nice citrus punch. We were quite disappointed in the Shortribs which we found to be dry and lacking flavor (if we want good Korean shortribs, we’re going over to our friend Alex’s house). And although we really enjoyed the appetizers, it’s the entrees that really took this meal to the next level.
The Shanghai Maine Lobster (with crispy spinach, Chinese Risotto, and a Yellow 
Curry Sauce) was exquisite – the creamy, sweet, and mild curry balanced well with the crispy and slightly bitter greens. Our recent run of excellent beef dishes (see the post on LBV and D’Amico Cucina) continued with the Szechuan Style Beef Tenderloin – the beef was tender and the port sauce paired well, but the winner here was the Stir-Fried Seasonal Vegetables that were truly prepared Szechuan–style and packed a nice punch. The Miso-Sake Glazed Black Cod was as amazing as ever – still can’t 
get over the fact that the accompanying noodles had a nice orange tang to them. We also adored the Mongolian Lamb Chops with the Cilantro-Mint-Ginger Vinaigrette, but once again it was the accompanying vegetable, in this case the Hunan Style Eggplant, that blew us away. It was so tender and flavorful; if you know someone that doesn’t like eggplant, we’d recommend they try this side at 20.21 – it’ll make them a believer, guaranteed.
By this time we were pretty full, but find it was hard to pass on the desserts. The 
signature Spoon, Cube and Cherry was delectable, but as good (if not better) was the Manjari Torte – chocolate cake with orange cream and served with raspberry pepper sorbet. The tangy fruit flavors added significant value and depth to this dish. We’d recommend skipping the Lemongrass Pannacotta with Guava – the pannacotta was too mild and the guava felt like an orphan child. Don’t forget a cup of latte to go with the dessert – it’s the perfect complement.
Service was precise – they took pain to carefully serve up the appetizers to each of us. We also noticed that the ladies on the table were served first. The server was well informed and made some good recommendations.
The bill for the 5 of us (including a total of 3 drinks) was around $400.
Punch Neapolitan Pizza
210 E Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN
612-623-8114
http://www.punchpizza.com/
Additional locations in St. Paul, Eden Prairie, Uptown and Wayzata
Category: Pizza
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: N/A (self serve)
Ambience: 8
Recommendation: Very Good. Punch serves delicious and simple Neapolitan pizza and is located in a happening stretch of Hennepin Avenue in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis.
Punch serves classic Neapolitan style pizza which originated in Naples, Italy. Neapolitan pizzas are simple yet flavorful and are made primarily with San Marzano tomatoes (grown in the rich volcanic soil of San Marzano, Italy), Mozzarella di Bufala (made with milk of water buffalo), and other ingredients such as basil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. They are made in a blistering hot wood fired oven and cooked for only 90 seconds. Punch’s oven is
surrounded by mosaic tile and is very beautiful. The edge of the pizza crust typically has charred bubbles which apparently are the hallmark of a classic Neapolitan style pizza. Punch is the English translation of Pulcinella, a clown like character. The décor of this restaurant has clown masks interspersed on the walls with black and white images of Pizza and other pieces of colorful art. We love the dark woods, brick walls, and the warm reds and browns in the restaurant. You have to stand in line and order your pizza. This place is typically packed and sometimes you might have to wait to find seating. Along with booths, they have a long table in the middle that can be shared and seats around 15-20 people so you might end up with a not so private dining experience. They have outdoor seating in the summer. Take-out is also a good option here.
The menu includes around 15-16 classic pizzas with a variety of toppings such as Sun-dried tomatoes, Sausage, Capers, Salami, Olives, etc. You ca
n also craft your own pizzas by picking your toppings. The menu includes 3 varieties of Pizza Bianco, which is pizza made with fresh mozzarella and no tomatoes. Punch also serves a handful of starters such as salads, Artichoke Dip, and Focaccia. We love their Margherita Extra Pizza, which is a classic with simple toppings of Basil, Mozzarella, and Mt. Vesuvio tomatoes (grape tomatoes). The combination of fragrant basil, tart tomatoes, and creamy mozzarella is heavenly. Another favorite is the Bruni, which comes with Sausage, Spiced Salami, Onions, and Oregano. Simply delicious and so flavorful. Nick likes the Bufalina, which is a new Pizza Bianco that comes with Mozzarella, Prosciutto, and A
rugula. The Prosciutto gives the pizza some saltiness while the Arugula adds a hint of bitterness. If you like the Prosciutto and Arugula toppings, you will love the Toto – garlic, goat cheese, and red pepper makes this pizza one of Nick’s favorites. Although we love their pizza, we find that sometimes the center does not fully cook and is a bit limpy. And keep in mind that you have to appreciate their hallmark burned crust to enjoy the pizza. At roughly $10, the individual sized pizzas are a bit on the pricey side.
$. Metered street parking available.
Key's Bar & Grill at the Foshay
821 Marquette Ave. S
Minneapolis, MN
612-339-6399
http://www.keyscafe.com
Other locations in St. Paul, Woodbury, White Bear Lake, and Spring Lake Park
Category: American, Breakfast
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 5
Ambience: 7
Recommendation: Very good. A family café offering generous portions of home-cooked food, Key’s is one of our favorite breakfast places in the Twin Cities.
Original Post (Aug 12, 2007) - The original Key’s opened up in 1973 in St. Paul and since then, Barbara Hunn and her family have opened up 6 more locations in the Twin Cities. Key’s is a Twin Cities institution where breakfast is concerned and has made many local and national “Best Breakfast” lists. We used to love going to the location on Nicollet Mall downtown but that has now moved to the Foshay Tower on Marquette Avenue. The Foshay location is much bigger, offers breakfast all day and also serves desserts, lunch, and dinner. Most of Key’s locations have a small town diner feel to them but the Foshay location, with its yellow lighting and chandeliers is very charming. It also offers outdoor seating. They offer a Happy hour from 3pm-7pm and have free delivery until 9pm. Happy Hour is from 3-7pm and 9-10pm (includes 2 for 1s on liquor and mixed drinks, $1 off select beer and wine, and $2 off appetizers).
We’ve tried various different things from their breakfast menu and have never been disappointed. Their Two Eggs, Sausage with Toast costs $6.75 and it always very good. The Specialty Pancakes are also good and come in flavors such as Blueberry Bran, Raisin Walnut, Banana Pecan, and Granola. The Banana Pecan is delicious and has chunks of mashed banana. The Eggs Benedict is another favorite. The Hollandaise sauce is very nice and creamy. The last time we were there the English Muffin was slightly undercooked. The Hashbrowns are great - nice and crispy on the outside. The Cajun Skillet, which is Scrambled Eggs with Andouille Sausage, Mushrooms, Tomato, Onions, and Hollandaise sauce is a winner. The Sausage is incredibly flavorful and the dish comes with crispy potato chunks on the side. We’ve never tried their burgers but they seem very popular and the portions look huge. Desserts also seem to be popular here with their Pies, Rolls, Cakes, Brownies, etc. For dinner, they serve comfort foods such as Meatloaf, Roast Beef, Turkey dinners, etc.
Key’s is always crowded for weekend brunch so don’t expect stellar and attentive service. Despite our low expectations on service, we were really disappointed by our server the last time we were there. The service was really slow and the server was nonchalant.
$. Breakfast dishes are under $10.
Update (Sep 23, 2007) – We tried the location on 500 N. Robert St in St. Paul today. The Mexican Omelet was a hodge podge of ingredients including chilies, salsa, sour cream, beans, cheese…it tasted ok but didn’t resemble an omelet, if that’s what you are looking for. The Ham and Cheese Sandwich was good and came with crispy fries that were delicious.
Update (Aug 3, 2008) – Our visiting family was in the mood for a hearty American breakfast and Keys was our top choice. At 11.30am on a Sunday morning, this place was swarming (we didn’t realize that there was a Twins game on and that it would cause such a rush). The 30-minute wait made our stomachs growl (even more as we watched multitudes of food pass us and get served to the masses). The saving grace is that after the long wait, the server takes your order quickly and the food doesn’t take too long. Nick started with the Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice, which he didn’t care for. If it was fresh squeezed, it didn’t taste so and we were hard pressed to tell the difference between this and the stuff out of a carton. We wanted to try the Caramel Rolls, but they were out of them (both the Caramel and Cinnamon Rolls are in hot demand so get there early if you want a piece). The simple 2 Eggs with Bacon and Hash ($9) was done well. Hash was nice and crispy as was the bacon, just as we had ordered. The toast was limp though – it should have stayed in the toaster a little longer. Our family enjoyed the pancakes – both the Banana Walnut and Raisin Walnut are hearty and highly recommended. 
