125086 Sun Feb 12 23:08:49 -0800 2006 4 8 Midwest 0 679055 I plan to have a lunch at St. Paul from Minneapolis to Chicago. Any recommendation for a must-eat, casual lunch spot? Some people like Cosetta's. I might try Juicy Lucy if there's top rated place in St.Paul. Thanks for your recommendation in advance. Sun Feb 12 23:08:49 -0800 2006 0 kthan 1 679056 If your in the mind for a burger go to The Nook at 492 Hamline Av S just south of Randolph. They have one of the best Jucy Lucys in town although if you go I might suggest you try the Lodge Burger which in my opinion is even better than the Jucy Lucy. Casper & Runyon's Nook 492 Hamline Ave S St Paul, MN 55116-1613 (651) 698-4347 Mon Feb 13 08:42:26 -0800 2006 679055 0 Sven 2 679079 Sven is right about The Nook. The Groveland Tap os also good (just west of Fairview on Saint Clair. Fairview is about a mile west of (and parallel to) Hamline. Saint Clair parallels Randolph, about half a mile to the north. But for my money, the Nook is a bit closer to downtown, and maybe more than a bit better for that kind of thing than the Tap. The Nook calls their Jucy Lucy a Juicy Nookie (no, really.) because Matt's Bar, over in Minneapolis claims ownership/invention of the Lucy. Along with the spelling. If you haven't had a Lucy or Nookie, be sure to let it rest a bit (eat some of the Nook's fabulous fries) before biting into it, and do not under any cinrcumstances underestimate just how warm molten cheese can be when it gushes out of the burger and into your mouth. Have ice water (or a pint of our local Summit Winter Ale) handy. It is very possible that Sven is also right about the Lodge Burger, which is mighty fine. But if it is a Lucy experience that you seek, well, the Lodge ain't a Lucy. Then if you have time, go west on Randolph to Cleveland. Go North on Cleveland to Marshall, and turn the corner east on Marshall to discover Izzy's Ice Cream just east of Cleveland on Marshall. Maybe four miles, total. Then a couple of doors west of Izzy's, get some high cocoa content truffles at Legacy Chocolates to enjoy later with coffee or red wine. You could also go North on Hamline to Grand, and east on Grand. A little ways past Victoria, Grand Old Creamery is on the South side of Grand. Probably two, two and a half miles, and Grand will dump you back downtown (and heading past Cosetta's on West 7th, I think), if that matters. While both are good, I prefer Izzy's. At Izzy's, to look like a local, tell them right off what you want for your Izzy scoop, which is a tiny scoop that gets added to the top of any order, which can be any flavor you like. If per chance you are then going to the airport, continue east on Marshall to Fairview, and go south on Fairview until it spits you out onto Mn 5, I think it is, pointing right at the airport, About a ten minute drive. If you are going downtown, Selby or Grand will get you there, and you can get to either from Fairview, about half a mile east from Izzy's. Enjoy. Tue Feb 14 10:36:24 -0800 2006 679056 0 ajs 3 679083 I second the recommendation for Izzy's Ice Cream. It's wonderful! Note, however, that Izzy's has reduced hours in the winter. They're open from 2pm until 9pm on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. They're closed Monday-Wednesday. Anne Link: http://www.izzysicecream.com/ Tue Feb 14 13:57:56 -0800 2006 679079 0 AnneInMpls 4 679096 thanks for pointing the Izzy's hours thing out, AnneInMpls. I have just been so wowed by the fact that they have gone to year 'round operation that I plum dumb didn't think about their trick winter hours. Wed Feb 15 01:17:41 -0800 2006 679083 0 ajs