462021 Mon Nov 19 08:14:01 -0800 2007 58 8 Midwest 0 3138279 Since I'm new to this board, I was hoping to get regulars to post their top 10 Twin Cities restaurants. What are the last 10 restaurants you'd go to if you were moving tomorrow? I know this is a hard task, but I'd love to see what everyone thinks. Mon Nov 19 08:14:01 -0800 2007 138167 debbie421 1 3138525 Well I'll bite. Here's the list I came up with today (could be different tomorrow) after a minute. Each of these places has something that I don't think would be easily found elsewhere or is a long time favorite. In alphabetical order Al's Breakfast Barbette Broder's Pasta Bar Cafe Lurcat Cosmos Heartland Hell's Kitchen Lucia's Restaurant Maria's Cafe Vincent Mon Nov 19 09:16:34 -0800 2007 3138279 12826 bob s 1 3138534 There are probably other threads like this but I'll bite. Alma Tanpopo Noodle Shop Broder's First Course Solera Corner Table Sea Salt Nami Brasa El Meson Mon Nov 19 09:19:25 -0800 2007 3138279 82354 mnitchals 2 3138995 Adding places links: Mon Nov 19 11:12:06 -0800 2007 3138534 12826 bob s 2 3139679 Oh after seeing everyone else's list. I want to add: Uncle Franky's Bombay2Deli - I was just lurking on the Manhattan board and they were complaining that they didn't have any chaat houses, but we do! I guess I'll loose Sea Salt and Nami since I would only move to a place on the coast and there ought to be better seafood there. Mon Nov 19 14:09:28 -0800 2007 3138534 82354 mnitchals 1 3138613 Craftsman Heartland Quang Fuji Ya (St. Paul only) Rainbow jp's American Bistro Pineda Tacos La Belle Vie Hell's Kitchen Caspian Bistro Mon Nov 19 09:41:26 -0800 2007 3138279 56203 churchka 2 3139048 More places links: Mon Nov 19 11:23:17 -0800 2007 3138613 12826 bob s 1 3138728 Wow. In no particular order and with minimal thought: Russian Tea House Bagu La Belle Vie Fugaise Manny's Punch St. Paul The Nook 112 Eatery Al's Breakfast Tanpopo If Rustica Bakery and Izzy's count as "restaurants", I'd ditch Manny's and, maybe, Al's. Mon Nov 19 10:13:05 -0800 2007 3138279 11110 MSPD 2 3139101 MSPD's places links (wasn't sure whether Manny's meant steak or tortas, so I've included both...) Mon Nov 19 11:38:10 -0800 2007 3138728 12826 bob s 1 3138761 My “Top 10” restaurants (which I assume to mean my “favorite” or what I consider “the best”) is not necessarily the same as which restaurants I’d visit one last time if I were moving tomorrow. First, it would depend on where I was moving to… But, if I were moving tomorrow, I’d likely try to visit the places I consider uniquely Twin Citean, Minnesotan, or Midwestern. Some combo of (in no particular order): 1) Conny’s Cream Cone in St. Paul (for the State Fair style deep fried cheese curds and the peach or blueberry soft serve ice cream—summer only of course) 2) The Nook in St. Paul, for one last Jucy Lucy 3) Dari-ette in St. Paul (summer only) for one last “hot dago” sandwich. In winter, I’d head to DeGidio’s in St. Paul for my last hot dago. 4) Hell’s Kitchen in Minneapolis (because I think it’s unique)—I’d get the wild rice porridge, the house made peanut butter, the lemon ricotta pancakes. I’d split them with my sweetie because they are way too rich. 5) Al’s Breakfast in Minneapolis because it’s an institution and is completely unique to the Twin Cities. I’d order pancakes and eggs benedict. 6) Mancini’s steak house in St. Paul—because it defines “old” St. Paul in a nutshell, even if the chow isn't spectacular. 7) Izzy’s Ice Cream in St. Paul 8) The Groveland Tap in St. Paul for all you can eat Friday fish fry. (And I’d have a Cajun lucy, while I was there, as well as some deep fried cheese curds if it were winter and Conny’s was closed.) (If it were Lent, I'd go to a church-basement fish fry, St. Matthews perhaps, though that choice is more driven by atmosphere than chow.) 9) Kramarczuk's in Minneapolis for the fantastic sausages 10) I’d drive to Fisher’s in Supper Club in Avon for the walleye and the panfried sunfish. 11) Key's Cafe for the caramel rolls and toast with the house-made rhubarb jelly. If State Fair were on, I'd have to go one last time for the Mouth Trap curds, the honey with sunflower ice cream, the french fries, spaghetti on a stick, shake from the Dairy Building, a few other things, if I had room. I’d pack a box of Pearson’s salted nut rolls, some wild rice (the hand harvested kind from Mississippi Market), and make sure I knew the mail order address my favorite source in Two Harbors for smoked lake trout and whitefish. ~TDQ Mon Nov 19 10:23:13 -0800 2007 3138279 12005 The Dairy Queen 2 3139126 TDQ's places links Mon Nov 19 11:43:44 -0800 2007 3138761 12826 bob s 2 3142742 Yours is the best response. Pretty much everybody else's top 10 are easily duplicated, and in most cases improved upon, in other cities. Unless of course you are moving to someplace like Olathe, Kansas. True, we're lucky to have so many good sushi places, but none of them are uniquely spectacular. Don't get me started on the complete lack of stellar pizza here. The only pizza place I would miss is Psycho Suzi's, and not because of the pizza, but because of the ambience and the deviled eggs and tater tots. And 112 is on national lists of great restos, but most major cities have a place as good. And with the massive influx of Mexican, Central American, and South American immigrants, most cities (especially some of the smaller ones) have really good Mexican food. And there's a rather long ongoing thread about the lack of good Indian in this town, so that shouldn't be on anybody's list. Instead of places, I would list things I would miss: walleye cheese curds corn honey crisp apples Ames honey Edna's caramels Shepherd's Way cheese Carr Valley cheese Mrs. Kelly's Teas (but not all of them) Mill City Farmers Market, and Brenda, and what she's doing with the local sourcing, organic, etc. Tue Nov 20 11:52:16 -0800 2007 3138761 13136 Loren3 3 3142869 On second thought, there are a few places I would visit one last time, and would miss, but strictly for emotional reasons. Runyon's - that was my study hall during grad school, and there's a picture of me in New Zealand, and of Chowspouse in Yunan on the wall, and I do love their Buffalo style shrimp. Koyi Sushi - because this was the "world is too much and the biz trip has been harrowing, and I'm brain dead, and I need some reliable, predictable sushi in a pleasant environment" regular sushi spot. Nye's - because where else can you polka with a bunch of hipsters to the world's most dangerous polka band, especially after Aquatennial fireworks? Keegan's - again not for the food, but for the beer and the live Irish jam sessions on Sunday nights. Years ago, in Houston, I used to hang out at a place like that, and it's not easy to come by such a place. Psycho Suzi's - as mentioned above, not for the pizza but for the ambience and the apps. Sam's Wine Shop and Surdyk's - lots of great free tastings, and they are just as happy to sell you that terrific, obscure $8 bottle of wine as they are that famous $60 bottle. Almost any local bar - Summit EPA on tap. 5-8 - perfect lunch spot for a walleye basket, or a grilled cheese sandwich. Where the waitresses (not waitstaff) know your name and have your drink ready as soon as you are seated. A very down-home midwest experience. Moose and Sadie's - best darn huevos rancheros in town, and just a charming place; not the typical stuffy coffeehouse. It was the "Sunday morning, spring is in the air and we can finally eat outside" go to spot across the street from the loft where I used to live. Tue Nov 20 12:20:22 -0800 2007 3142742 13136 Loren3 4 3143034 Since I just recently re-located to the Twin Cities, I have gone through that process for real---listing out all of those places I wanted to visit "one last time" or foods I didn't think I'd be able to find here. A very pared down version of that last is my "must do" list for when I go back "home" to visit, though, sadly, I hear one of my favorites has undergone a major change. :( But, I love all the lists in this thread. A part of me wants to NOW do a list of my ten favorites, but that just seems piggy. Loren, your list is a list of all the places I've yet to try in the Twin Cities! ~TDQ Tue Nov 20 12:56:53 -0800 2007 3142869 12005 The Dairy Queen 1 3138781 If I had to eat at 10 restaurants before tomorrow, I'd be REALLY full. But I would try. Today, my list would include some top-of-the-class places as well as my sentimental favorites. Alma Al's Breakfast Birchwood Cafe (for everything on the menu and five slices of key lime pie) Bombay 2 Deli Izzy's (I believe that three ice cream cones count as a meal) Keefer Court (love the pastries - and now there's sit-down food, too!) Punch Russian Tea House Vincent And I'd cheat and call the Midtown Global Market "one restaurant", so I could eat at La Sirena Gorda, Los Ocampo, La Loma, Safari, Holy Land, West Indies Soul, and Manny's. Mon Nov 19 10:28:17 -0800 2007 3138279 12541 AnneInMpls 2 3138839 P.S. Welcome to the Midwest/MSP board, Debbie! What would your 10 restaurants be? I'd love to know... Mon Nov 19 10:41:51 -0800 2007 3138781 12541 AnneInMpls 1 3138962 La Belle Vie Alma The Modern Chai's Origami Broders Campiello Gorditas el Gordo Sabor Latino jP Bistro (HM: Fugaise, Masa, Nami, 112, Quang, Bombay 2 Deli, Tango, Cosmos, Uncle Franky's, French Meadow) Mon Nov 19 11:04:11 -0800 2007 3138279 59069 Foureyes137 2 3139156 Foureyes' places links: Mon Nov 19 11:50:45 -0800 2007 3138962 12826 bob s 3 3139897 Looks like they didn't all make it: Mon Nov 19 15:10:15 -0800 2007 3139156 12826 bob s 1 3139077 Good thread. It is fun seeing what everyone puts on their top 10 lists. Here is my list in alphabetical order: Al’s Breakfast Jasmine Deli La Belle Vie Lucia’s - restaurant, wine bar, and bakery Mandarin Kitchen 112 Eatery Punch Pizza Restaurant Alma Tea House Town Talk Diner Mon Nov 19 11:30:43 -0800 2007 3138279 10882 Josh Resnik 2 3139907 Additional places links for Josh's picks: Mon Nov 19 15:12:37 -0800 2007 3139077 12826 bob s 1 3139459 eek-- well i guess if i was moving, these would be what i'd miss, & have the least chance of being able to replace (depending on where i moved to) restaurant alma lucia's craftsman quang holy land-- deli/restaurant, right? hell's kitchen al's tanpopo obento-ya ngon i am glad that this thread is going just for the places list of everyone's faves! Mon Nov 19 13:14:57 -0800 2007 3138279 46030 soupkitten 1 3140124 Al's Breakfast La Belle Vie Midori's Floating Cafe Al Vento Origami Chi's Thai Ngon Resturant Alma Lucia's Resturant Quang Best breakfast you can find anywhere in the city is at Al's! Origami/Midori..by FAR the best sushi around!...If you haven't had Al's though, it is a must!!! Mon Nov 19 16:23:49 -0800 2007 3138279 144258 Daloris1 2 3140756 Daloris1's links: Mon Nov 19 20:03:26 -0800 2007 3140124 12826 bob s 1 3143326 If I were leaving the Twin Cities for good I think I would want a Jucy Lucy from the Nook and a fried Walleye sandwich from Tavern on Grand. Other than that I would not miss Twin City restaurants. But hopefully I would be moving where there are challenging meals to eat. Tue Nov 20 14:13:48 -0800 2007 3138279 10675 Davydd 2 3146881 Davydd's places link: Wed Nov 21 18:27:19 -0800 2007 3143326 12826 bob s 1 3143537 I'm assuming that if I actually ever leave saint paul I'll be moving to a metropolian area and will be able to get things like sushi, steaks etc. If I assume that I'd be moving somewhere less populated I'd need a LOT more than 10. That being said. Alma, Hell's Kitchen, Midori, Broders, Izzys (5 times) all previously linked (thanks again Bob S!) And that bakery - Truc Nam - would make some fedex deal for crossiants! Tue Nov 20 15:22:43 -0800 2007 3138279 18536 St Paul Susie 2 3143539 try it again. Tue Nov 20 15:24:53 -0800 2007 3143537 18536 St Paul Susie 2 3144721 This was much more in the vein of what I had in mind. Sure, if you more to NYC you can still get these things, but if you move to Milwaukee or Detroit or Omaha or Rockford or Misoula or El Paso or you get the point...good luck. Wed Nov 21 05:05:31 -0800 2007 3143537 59069 Foureyes137 3 3358328 There is typically good food in many cities, but it's the local food that's unique. For instance, El Paso will have Mexican, Tex-Mex, and New Mexican (yes, they're all different) all in one metro area, but the fish there wouldn't be very good. While I'm not familiar with Milwaukee, I'm sure that you could get good German food there, as well as walleye and maybe lake perch. I'm a newbie to this area, and so far I've found Uncle Franky's, which has pretty good Italian beef, and Vienna hot dogs. I'm still looking for New Mexican style food (red or green chile on food, green chile stew, green chile cheeseburgers, good posole, etc.). Sat Feb 02 08:31:17 -0800 2008 3144721 21137 paoconnell 4 3358651 Most of the taquerias around the cities will have posole, especially on Saturdays. I really don't have the breadth of experience to say which place is better than the others or similar to what you would get in New Mexico. I suspect the posole at El Burrito Mercado would rank high for MSP. As for foods with emphasis on green chile, it's virtually non-existent around these parts. I've never seen green chile cheeseburgers like I've enjoyed in back roads joints in southern Colorado and New Mexico. Sat Feb 02 10:53:16 -0800 2008 3358328 11110 MSPD 5 3528724 I actually found a salsa at Target(!) called Desert Pepper Salsa DIablo. It's made in EL Paso from New Mexico red and green chiles (probably grown in nearby Hatch or Las Cruces NM), along with jalapenos. It's spicy, but not fiery. Posole is found in Mexico as well as Texas, and is easier to find in Mexican restaurants, so I'm hopeful. Wed Mar 26 06:07:39 -0700 2008 3358651 21137 paoconnell 1 3144565 mmmm... delicious tanpopo the wiernery triple rock victors 112 eatery the birchwood izzy's saigon heartland la grolla Tue Nov 20 23:10:14 -0800 2007 3138279 130995 liquor cupcakes 2 3144979 I love most everything on your list (though, I don't think I've been to VIc's), but I have to say, I don't think the food at La Grolla is very exceptional and I think the service is pretty bad :( ~TDQ Wed Nov 21 07:08:03 -0800 2007 3144565 12005 The Dairy Queen 3 3153338 TDQ, that is a shame about La Grolla! every time i have been there i have had a great experience. i REALLY miss pane vino dolce, that was my favorite italian in the twin cities. Sun Nov 25 13:00:07 -0800 2007 3144979 130995 liquor cupcakes 4 3153356 After a few great meals with excellent service at La Grolla I'll never go back after a few really bad meals & service. It was good while it lasted. Sun Nov 25 13:12:01 -0800 2007 3153338 18536 St Paul Susie 2 3146884 Liquor's places links: Wed Nov 21 18:31:16 -0800 2007 3144565 12826 bob s 1 3145091 I keep a list of restaurants I want to visit so I don't always go back to the same old places. I think you guys may have just doubled it! Thanks for all the great input. Since Chai Thai is the only Thai restaurant on here, I guess I better try it out. Wed Nov 21 07:42:18 -0800 2007 3138279 138167 debbie421 1 3146191 I have two lists, one for if I were moving tomorrow and one if I were moving in the middle of the summer. You see, to me there are some outdoor venues that I’d truly miss. Moving tomorrow’s list: Café Barbette and Bryant-Lake Bowl. I love the quirkiness (and huevos) of BLB and I love the atmosphere and food of Barbette. New Delhi, Bombay 2 Deli and Best of India. All have different favorites, and meet different needs. Basil’s because if it’s good enough for Mary Tyler Moore it sure as heck is good enough for me. First, I’d stop in at the Mark VII Lounge and have a martini and a salty snack. I always feel remarkably well-heeled when I go to Mark VII, probably because it is over the moon spendy, but I dig the atmosphere, too. Heartland because I’ve truly enjoyed each Flora prix fixe dinner I’ve had there. I always go with a friend who’ll swap desserts with me, because for some reason the Flora dinner never has a chocolate dessert whereas the Fauna dinner almost always does. Murray’s. An odd choice for a vegetarian, but I always wonder if I’m sitting where Ruth Gordon and Garson Kanin sat when they ate there (which apparently they did whenever they were in town). Plus, it also has a quirky character and they make a great martini. Oh, and the alfredo sauce is wonderful. Pepito’s because the craving for bean lupitas and their spicy salsa actually pulls me out of my house even if I don’t feel like it. Byerly’s because I’d have to buy a case of Salted Nut Rolls before I moved and where better to do that? Not a list of 10, but an addendum for summer needs: Nicollet Island Inn for an appetizer and a glass or two of red wine. They always have something really good by the glass and who can argue with that view? Axel’s in Mendota because they let me order an entire dinner of side dishes, all done very well and all very tasty. I love the drive there, it’s so scenic. And the patio is great fun. Also, they have a great martini and a good by the glass wine list. Sunsets in Minnetonka. Just for the view and the splendiferous people watching. I guess now it’s my turn to be dogged for my choices even though I’ve given reasons for most of them. I realize that food is not always at the heart of the choices listed above, but as you can see by my list it’s not always the food that drives me to pick where I spend my dining dollars. Wed Nov 21 13:20:03 -0800 2007 3138279 10516 MplsM ary 2 3146899 Places links for MplsM ary: Wed Nov 21 18:39:19 -0800 2007 3146191 12826 bob s 1 3146816 I think the Twin Cities have top-notch authentic Asian places. University Avenue in St Paul is home to some of my favorites in the Twin Cities - Hoa Bien, Krua Thai, Little Szechuan, Que Nah, Va Lor and Cambodia Cheng Heng. Amazing Thailand in Uptown is a new Thai eatery worth checking out. Amazing food and decor imported from Thailand. Wed Nov 21 17:48:13 -0800 2007 3138279 144049 MSP Foodies 2 3146913 Places for MSP Foodies: Wed Nov 21 18:45:06 -0800 2007 3146816 12826 bob s 1 3147036 Cafe 128 Blackbird Cave Vin Ted Cook's 19th Hole Tin Fish (Seasonal) Pho 79- Nicolett Convention Grill Be'Wiched Matt's Punch These really are 10 of my favorite not just listed because they aren't on anyone else's list. Wed Nov 21 20:12:46 -0800 2007 3138279 125379 GastronautMN 2 3147409 GastronautMN's links: Thu Nov 22 05:22:09 -0800 2007 3147036 12826 bob s 3 3147972 Oops I have never been to 128 cafe (although I have heard many good things about there former incarnation). I was thinking of Cafe 28 in Linden Hills, where the food is really good but the beer list is without peer. Thu Nov 22 12:01:37 -0800 2007 3147409 125379 GastronautMN 3 3148573 I don't think anyone has mentioned Sapor Cafe yet. Haven't been there since their new menu (a couple of months), but we usually choose this as a special event destination. Great food, locally sourced, excellent service. Would be #3 on my top ten...112 and Alma being 1 & 2. Erte would also rank for consistently good food and service. Thu Nov 22 21:33:56 -0800 2007 3147409 86283 AGallagh 4 3149055 Adding AGallagh's and Gastronaut's picks: Fri Nov 23 08:41:58 -0800 2007 3148573 12826 bob s 1 3149416 I have been away for six months in total since January on research trips and I can tell you what I actually missed and what I think are gems having spent significant time in Honolulu (5 months) and Philly (one month), chowing away: Barbette Birchwood Cafe Bryant Lake Bowl Auriga (for happy hour, before it closed. i still dream about that tomato pizza) Pane Vino Dolce (again, closed while i was gone) --> Good thing I have a new crush on Broder's Pasta Bar Quang Chatterbox pub for cheese curds and beer Hell's Kitchen for breakfast King and I Thai And I have to include the Wedge Co-op as #10 since I missed the deli, bakery, and everything about it while in Honolulu, where co-ops like that don't exist. We are so, SO lucky, fellow MSPers that we have such a selection of co-ops. Honorable mention: Heartland makes me proud to be from the midwest. Although I did not miss it while I was away, if I were moving tomorrow, I'd head there for dinner. Fri Nov 23 11:38:56 -0800 2007 3138279 91090 slowfoodgrrl 2 3149671 slowfoodgrrl's picks. (Sorry, slowfoodgrrl, but I'm only linkin to restaurants that are open ...) Fri Nov 23 13:52:27 -0800 2007 3149416 12826 bob s 1 3520169 Tea House II Alma Mandarin Kitchen Pancho Villa Seafood Palace Le Meson Pho 79 Primo Tea House I (in Golden Valley) Cafe Levain Sun Mar 23 15:46:32 -0700 2008 3138279 176814 discus 1 3524614 ok. . .I'll play; with an admitted St. Paul bias and in order: heartland restaurant alma punch pizza w.a. frost (burger and fries in the bar only) rotissieria (chicken only) vincent sakura little szechuan manny's tortas bombay bistro (weekend buffet) Mon Mar 24 22:12:13 -0700 2008 3138279 55569 reidmc 2 3524621 BONUS PICK cafe brenda Mon Mar 24 22:16:16 -0700 2008 3524614 55569 reidmc 1 3525354 Let's see...I'll try-even though some of my favorites have closed... 1. Bickos pizza (closed) 2. KhinDo (the one in Golden Valley for their curry chicken lo mein) 3. Holy Land 4. Grand Pad Thai (I think that's what it's called) 5. Lucia's take home place 6. Manana 7.Maria's cafe 8. Cafe Latte 9. Freighthouse in Stillwater (for the view, not the food) 10. Bonxai It took me a while to think or them- Tue Mar 25 08:05:29 -0700 2008 3138279 171426 jenniegirl 1 3525361 I forgot Sunnyside Up Cafe...I'd take that over Bonxai Tue Mar 25 08:06:10 -0700 2008 3138279 171426 jenniegirl 1 3525869 112 Cafe Maude Hells Kitchen Al's Breakfast Brasa Manny's Tortas Pizza Nea JP Sea Salt Tin Fish Tue Mar 25 10:07:02 -0700 2008 3138279 123056 mplsmike 1 3529346 so i got my post deleted because i included a restaurant that shall go unnamed that i used to work at...here's the amended version, without the unnamed restaurant. Red Stag Supper Club Masa Triple Rock (sunday brunch) Punch Pizza (Highland Park) Chino Latino French Meadow Bakery Pepito's The Nook Hell's Kitchen Mickey's Diner (7th St.) Wed Mar 26 09:01:51 -0700 2008 3138279 158440 amgarrison 1 3535512 Not in any specific order.. Bulldog (burger, tots, Belgium beer) Zelo (pasta...a dish they don't have on the menu anymore) Granite City (Cuban, wings, two-pull beers) 112 Eatery (fried bread w/ proscuitto and a Summit) Bar Lucrat (bbq sandwich, doughnuts, fries) Bella (butternut squash ravioli) Key's (egg sandwich, rolls) Tasty's (good ‘ol pepperoni pizza) Brit's (anything on the rooftop on a spring day) Ruth's Chris (still the best steak I've had in town) And for everyone that complains about our food options....open a restaurant. If the need is really there I'm sure you will do well! Thu Mar 27 20:34:46 -0700 2008 3138279 178615 lcvandew 1 3536179 This is a difficult question. Mood makes everything change. There is also the question of cost. I see someone posted Vincents. I love Vincents but it is a bit spendy. Especially if you do the tasting menu with the wine paring. I promise you will not be disappointed but be prepared to pay. My all time favorite place is "Everest on Grand" it's in St. Paul on Grand. Price is fair and food is excellent. Emily's Lebanese Deli is awesome as well, JP's American Bistro on Lake and Lyndale in Mpls is good comfort food. I think depending on what one is in the mood for makes a difference as well. Sushi, steak, Thai, Italian. If you put that all aside Everest on Grand is still my #1 pick! Fri Mar 28 06:37:59 -0700 2008 3138279 178673 Drack69 1 3547786 Alma Vincent Satay 2 Go Little Szechuan Dong Yang Punch Pizza (NE is just as good as Highland and 6 times faster) Tanpopo Sapor Mandarin Kitchen Los Ocampos #3 at Chicago and Lake Mon Mar 31 19:13:23 -0700 2008 3138279 27956 JimGrinsfelder