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 speci
alty 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.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Black Sheep
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.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
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 po
rk 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. 
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.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
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 g
lance 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 Be
ans 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.
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.
