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DOWNTOWN. Though the location (and prices) may seem custom-wired for corporate types with expense accounts, Mission goes the extra mile to make sure those who take food seriously walk away impressed. Dinner mains range from grilled quail with polenta to smoked miso salmon, and potato cake with feta makes an awesome side dish. As to the space, designers hope to recall the flavor and attitude of San Fran's Mission District with the eclectic art collection, citrus color scheme, marble-top bar, and smooth hardwood floors.
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SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. The regional New American cuisine cooked up in this comfortable Arts and Crafts kitchen is prepared using organic, chemical-free produce, meat, and fish, much of which is grown locally. Representative dinner offerings include grilled pork chop with chourcoute bread pudding and pan-roasted pheasant wrapped in caul fat and cured ham. Their creative pizzas are also worth consideration, particularly the one topped with squash, chevre, and thyme.
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3. BANK
88 S 6th St, Westin Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN 55402 · 612-656-3255
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DOWNTOWN. One of Minneapolis's most evocative dining rooms, BANK occupies the former space of the Farmers and Mechanics Bank. Its thoughtful design is a true feast for the senses – a sleek bar in the center, soaring ceilings and windows, a vault-turned-wine cellar, and beautiful early 20th century millwork. Representative mains include seared walleye with butter-poached lobster, 8-oz. beef fillet with mashed red potatoes and garlic-scented spinach, and short-rib lollipop with sweet potato hash.
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| Avg. Entrée: |
$$$16 - $30
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| Reservations: |
Recommended |
| Outdoor Dining: |
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LYN-LAKE DISTRICT. Owner-chef J.P. Samuelson earns high praise for his inventive take on traditional American fare. His menu gets facelifts seasonally in order to take advantage of the finest the Minnesota countryside has to offer, from fish to farm-fresh meat and produce. The space, formerly a tire warehouse, certainly does its part to contribute to the contemporary vibe, with its open kitchen, high ceilings, exposed ducts, opaque glassblock windows, and exposed brick walls. Outdoor seating is available when the weather's pleasant.
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SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. Sure, the name inspires images of guys huddled over a lunch counter. While there is a counter at Town Talk, this place's repertoire runs far deeper than any diner you've ever visited. For starters, there's the design: a classy ensemble of weathered brick, terrazzo tiles, stainless steel, exposed ceiling (in the main dining room), and an open kitchen. As for the eats, dinner mains range from pulled pork sandwiches to sumac-braised lamb with tabouli. Also impressive is the weekend brunch spread, especially if you're in the mood for bananas foster French toast, pulled pork pepper hash, or steak and eggs.
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6. Grand Café
3804 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55407 · 612-822-8260
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| Avg. Entrée: |
$$$16 - $30
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| Reservations: |
Recommended |
| Outdoor Dining: |
None |
SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS. This understated yet classy spot in South Minneapolis gets high marks for its intimate tables and wallet-friendly prices. But that doesn't mean the one-time bakery doesn't turn out creative fare – they do, in fact, and manage to utilize a fair amount of local ingredients along the way. Representative dishes from the dinner menu include a duck confit and garlic-lamb meatball cassoulet, polenta cakes, and braised short ribs with homemade spatezle. Weekend brunch features delights like corned beef hash made with Kobe brisket and huevos rancheros filled with Berkshire pork confit.
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7. Porter & Frye
1115 2nd Ave S, Ivy Hotel, Minneapolis, MN 55403 · 612-353-3500
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DOWNTOWN. Local products (beef, pork, chicken, vegetables) capture the spotlight at this stark downtown kitchen, located in Starwood's oh-so-posh Ivy Hotel. Head Chef Steven Brown applies modern twists and turns to heartland standards (Prime ribeye with spinach and potato fondue), and he isn't afraid to "go coastal" with dazzling renditions like grilled swordfish with celery root and apple butter or Artic char with braised winter greens. Tasting menus are available.
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LORING PARK. This chic cafe's spare, geometric design perfectly offsets views of Loring Park visible through floor-to-ceiling windows that line one side of the restaurant. Fresh takes on traditional American dishes populate the menu; double-cut Berkshire pork chops with apple chutney and game hen with sage and prosciutto stuffing are characteristic of the cuisine served. Live, international music enhances dinner and can be heard nightly. The lively Bar Lurcat is perfect for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail or glass of wine from the superb list.
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9. California Café
368 South Ave, Mall of America, 3rd fl, Bloomington, MN 55425 · 952-854-2233
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BLOOMINGTON. California Café offers a taste of San Francisco in Minnesota and makes you feel as if you're dining on a garden patio. Dishes like angel hair pasta with pomodoro sauce, grilled swordfish with celery mashed potatoes, and lobster ravioli help make the restaurant one of the Twin Cities' favorites. California Café also serves tasty pizzas like the "Chicken Fajita" and "Margarita," both of which are more than enough for two.
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NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS. Add the term "retro" in front of this neighborhood-style bistro's name, and you'll have a good idea of what to expect decor-wise. With the checkered linoleum, formica tables, and chrome trim, Modern certainly seems like it's been stuck in the 50s since... well, since "I Like Ike" pins were all the rage. Don't let all that jazz fool you, though – the kitchen here has quite a few New American surprises up its sleeve, incorporating everything from sautéed sea bass with bok choy to lamb shank with mint-cilantro chutney.
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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