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.
Update (April 2009) – We had originally planned to visit Harry Singh’s for dinner, but after a mix-up in the reservations and being belittled by an arrogant host, we decided to make our way to our new favorite Twin Cities establishment, Gandhi Mahal. They accommodated our large group of 11 on short notice and we enjoyed another great meal. If you’ve never tried the Badam (Almond) Lassi, we’d highly recommend it – sour and creamy with a lingering taste.
The Queen Crore Vindaloo with Lamb ($13) was outstanding. A dark sauce that is loaded with spice, this isn’t one for the faint hearted…at a medium spice level, this burns good. You can’t go wrong with the Five Spice Garlic Shrimp ($15), a tomato based curry with an ample amount of shrimp. We also ordered Shikh Kabob, a tandoori classic. Made with ground beef the kabobs were tender and succulent…however for $14 you don’t seem to get much. The meal was made complete with a hearty helping of fresh warm Naan to dip in the curries.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Gandhi Mahal
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 th
e 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. 
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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 t
oo 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 lun
ch, 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. 
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. 
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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.
$$. Most entrees cost $14-$16. Free parking in the back of the restaurant.
The Sample Room
2124 Marshall St NE
Minneapolis, MN
612-789-0333
http://the-sample-room.com/
Category: American - Casual
Rating (Scale 1-10, with 10 being the highest):
Food: 8
Service: 7
Ambience: 7
Recommendation: Very Good. American style “tapas” served in a cozy tavern type setting.
We ended up at Sample Room in Northeast Minneapolis after a friend of ours recommended it. It is located in a beautiful historic building in the middle of a residential area. The interior gives a cozy feeling with its high ceilings, roomy booths, and large bar. The Sample Room is like a neighborhood bar, except that the menu is more sophisticated than the standard deep fried fare. It consists of various small plates – Cheese, Veggies, Meat, and Seafood. It is set up like a tapas restaurant where a table can order several different small plates and share. The menu also has soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrees but we stuck to the small plates.
We ordered the Warm Camembert with Caramelized Onions from the Cheese section. It was a delicious pairing – the strong creamy cheese went really with the slightly sweet onions. From the Meat section, we ordered the Bratwurst with Spicy Mustard and Pork Ribs with Bourbon BBQ sauce. The brat was flavorful and juicy, the ribs were ok. The Seared Rare Tuna with Miso Glaze was another winner at our table and so was the Gulf Shrimp with Garlic, EVOO, and Lemon. Although vegetarian dishes aren't top of mind when ordering, we couldn’t resist getting the Roasted Veggie Torte – a flaky pastry stuffed with spinach, tomatoes, eggplant, and goat cheese served with a red pepper sour cream. It was excellent. Our server took great care of all the four tables that were occupied at the time we were there, even though they were down one server. He had some great recommendations.
$-$$. Most plates cost between $5-$8. 
