Downtown Mpls - celebatory dinner

[MNLawGirl]

Chowhounders - I need your advice!

My boyfriend and I will be graduating law school and we can't wait to celebrate. We want to try out a restaurant in downtown Minneapolis that we have yet to experience. Below is a list of the places we have tried. Can you provide me with suggestions of other great restaurants in downtown Minneapolis that are not on the list?

We tried:
1) Solera
2) Ichiban - sushi is ok, teppanyaki was great.
3) Masa - dinner was good, but did not stand out
4) Oceanaire
5) Melting Pot - can only stomach it once a year if that
6) Martini Blu
7) 112 Eatery - impossible to get a reservation on a Friday night but so good
8) Saffron - not too thrilled with the portions or the food
9) Bellanotte - Too expensive for what you are getting...and in my opinion, not authentic
10) Sushi joints: Nami, Origami, Koyi, Wasabi Fushion
11) Bar Lurcat
12) McCormicks
13) M & S
14) Zelo

It seems like chowhounders have mixed reviews on Chambers. So I take it as a no.

I just realized I have no steakhouses on my list. Is Manny's the steak of choice? We will entertain any suggestion. Thanks and I'll report back!

[steakhound]

I don't see Murray's mentioned. I know it's old fashioned, but I have been going there for 45 years for birthday celebrations. I have never been disappointed.

[MSP Foodies]

Our top restaurants in downtown are Chambers, Cosmos, 20.21 and it would be hard to go wrong with any of those for a celbratory dinner. All of them have teriffic atmosphere and food to match. Havent been to La Belle Vie, but have heard great things about it. I think the steak at Capital Grille is hands down better than the one @ Manny's. Morton's is great as well.

[ashii]

Mission is a no go... i have been there quite a few times and food is really hit or miss and the service is interesting to say the least. I would go to La belle vie, it is just outside downtown.

If your looking for a lot of drinks, i was just at Manhattans and was very pleasantly surprised. Then from there you can walk to chambers...

Oh and dont forget BANK.
And i would not consider 20.21 downtown, and i would not consider it a good restaurant.

[Danny]

Dara's review captured Mission pretty well, the tasting menus are outstanding. Some of the other stuff wouldn't be, but you can do very well there. Here's the review: http://articles.citypages.com/2007-11...

[karykat]

I think you have some great choices here. What about Mission, with the new chef (Doug Flicker) from Auriga?

[Danny]

On Friday and Saturday nights, Mission has a 5 course tasting menu that was OUTSTANDING when we went there. I'd do that again in a heartbeat. (Although, I don't know if I'll ever see a menu that lines up with my favorite foods nearly as well. The 5 courses featured Escargot, Scallop, Risotto, Duck, and Creme Caramel.)

[MNLawGirl]

Oooh, Mission sounds fantastic. I'll make the reservation now. Thanks!

[SoozySnowFlake]

Don't forget Murray's for steak. The butterknife steak is one of the best I've ever had.

[mplsmike]

Second the rec for La Belle Vie. Morton's is hands down the best steak. It might be a quiet room, but you are going to get
-a better cut
-a more properly cooked cut
- much better service

[KTFoley]

Is Alma a little too far out of the way for your downtown destination? I can't think of any other reason why it wouldn't be a candidate.

Congratulations, also!

[MNLawGirl]

Alma is in the neighborhood where we live...so I would say yes to Alma, but we are having a party with friends after our celebatory dinner downtown. So we just would like to stay in that area. Been to Brasa. Can't wait for Alma.

[Jordan]

How about La Belle Vie? On the south edge of downtown, arguably the best dinner in town.

[maureen73]

My choice for a celebration is ALWAYS La Belle Vie? It is a true dining experience if you do the tasting menu and wine pairing.

[bob s]

My choices for a pull out the stops celebratory dinner, in no particular order: D'Amico Cucina, Cosmos, Vincent, Chambers.

I think that Manny's is the steak of choice, but haven't been there in a few years.

P.S. Congrats on the law school graduation. There's still time to save your soul by not taking the bar. [I say that as one of those who has already sold his soul... ;-)]

[MNLawGirl]

Thanks Bob - yes unfortunately both my boyfriend and I will be selling our souls come February. I'm thinking Cosmos...

[AnneInMpls]

Vincent is always my choice for celebration downtown. Pricey if you eat in the restaurant, medium if you eat in the bar, and cheap if you go for happy hour in the bar. And the food is always great.

Anne

[Quince]

I second Cosmos. I've only been once, but I have to say, the food on that visit was really remarkable.

[MSPD]

Cosmos is a glaring hole in that list. The colors and atmosphere make for a good celebratory vibe. Do NOT skip dessert.

Manny's is my personal favorite for extravagant steakhouse. Fogo de Chao would be another over-the-top, carnivorous experience -- also festive.

Congratulations in advance!