123816 Thu Mar 03 16:10:58 -0800 2005 5 8 Midwest 0 672603 We are two DC hounds coming for a combined business/pleasure trip to Minneapolis. We're spending the weekend at a downtown hotel (probably the Grand or Marquette) and then going the Holiday Inn Metrodome for the workweek. I will be doing research on campus. Without duplicating the recs just below for another poster can I get some can't-miss/Minneapolis one of kind recs for our fun weekend and some recs near the university area for lunch and dinner? We eat everything, but no steakhouse recs please. Thanks and I promise to write a report. Shelly Thu Mar 03 16:10:58 -0800 2005 0 shellymck 1 672605 Do you drink beer? If so, across the street from the Holiday Inn is the Town Hall Brewery. I’ve never had their food but their beer is really good and really fresh. Thu Mar 03 17:12:09 -0800 2005 672603 0 Paz 1 672606 While downtown, go to Babalu in the Warehouse District (700 Washington Ave N). I recently had the "Vieras al ron de la Habana" (scallops in a Habana rum sauce) and the "Chorizo Y Camarones" (shrimp and chorizo) off their Appetizer/small plates menu. Among the best seafood dishes I've had in a while. Fun place, inventive food and live music after about 8 p.m. By the U, a couple blocks south of your hotel is the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. A couple good holes-in-the-wall include the Wienery (if you like hot dogs and fries) and Red Sea (www.redseaclub.com for menu). On the north side of campus is Dinkytown, which has some good food. If you don't mind obscenely cramped quarters, try Al's Breakfast, a MSP landmark (open through lunchtime as well). Take a look inside -- if that's too crazy, go back across 4th to Shuang Cheng for Cantonese (seafood is their specialty). Or Kafe 421 (casual cafe food) a couple doors from Al's. Very close to campus is Restaurant Alma which was discussed below. If you're on the company dime, you can't go wrong for supper (no lunch). Menu and directions on www.restaurantalma.com. A little bit west on 4th Street and you'll hit Hennepin Ave. To your left (215 E Hennepin Ave) you'll find Kramarczuk's which is a wonderful eastern European deli. They have a cafeteria style dining room, which is a great lunch option (if you like sausages, cabbage rolls, pierogis etc.). In the evennig, go back and duck into Nye's Polonnaise Room down there for a drink, polka and/or some kielbasa. It's a one-of-a-kind place. For a more refined meal in that neighborhood, Bobino Wine Bar is there, but Alma is probably a better bet. Finally, if you want to stretch your legs a bit, head to the Longfellow neighborhood where you'll find two of the more intriguing new restaurants in Minneapolis. (Look on a map, follow the River Parkway southeast from the hotel to Lake Street -- where Lake Street meets the Mississippi River is where to go -- not far from campus). At the higher end is Craftsman, for which you can scroll down and get info. The Longfellow Grill is a casual, funky place with great food ("upscale diner fare"). If you like a turkey burger, theirs is superb. The sweet potato fries are addictive. Very good pastas, salads, sandwiches and nightly specials. Though Longfellow Grill is new, I've eaten many, many times at their sister restaurant (Highland Grill) and have never had anything less than satsifying (menus, quality, preparation are nearly identical) LG is connected to Dunn Brothers, a local coffee chain which is highly regarded. Welcome to MSP. Thu Mar 03 17:24:05 -0800 2005 672603 0 MSPD 2 672607 I like the Shuang Cheng rec: they have this squid dish there, it is something like spicy baked squid, it has a great 5 spice flavor. Thu Mar 03 18:32:09 -0800 2005 672606 0 Alice 2 672609 In downtown i suggest 112 Eatery (discussed below, also you can check review on www.citypages.com). Babalu is fun for drinks and "small plates" but it's my experience that their main dishes can be very inconsistent (unless the Brazilian chef is at the kitchen making his special dish, which used to happen on Wednesday nights) Around the UofM I second the recos for Shuang Cheng and Al's Breakfast. Thu Mar 03 20:15:47 -0800 2005 672606 0 MariQ 1 672667 If you're gonna be next to the Metrodome Holiday Inn, you have to go next door to the Town Hall Brewery. Amazing brewpub and surprisingly good food. I have to say that their calamari is the best in the city -- and the jalapeno tartar sauce is a nice addition. Town Hall's IPA is really good and if you can get it "on cask," that is, hand pulled from the conditioning casks, you're in for a treat. Take a cab and venture into the "Warehouse District." It's about a mile west on Washington from the Holiday Inn and scout around there for something interesting and a taste of the only real nightlife in Mpls. Mon Mar 07 16:02:57 -0800 2005 672603 0 yam