665511 Sat Nov 07 21:00:49 -0800 2009 15 8 Midwest 0 5164415 Hi everyone, I am beginning to plot my bachelorette party and I was thinking maybe you all might have some ideas of where to go for dinner. Ideally I would like the restaurant to be in the vicinity of a variety of bar options so we don't have to go far to get the party started :) So...I was thinking maybe downtown Minneapolis or Uptown - though I am not super familiar with the offerings of Uptown (I'm a St. Paul girl). I like most food with the exception of sushi. I would appreciate any bar suggestions as well. Thanks! Sat Nov 07 21:00:49 -0800 2009 1119284 elle.eats 1 5170316 Chino Latino in Uptown comes to mind, as they have a lot of variety on their menu and a fun atmosphere for cocktails and kicking off the evening. Or Chiang Mai Thai. Downtown I might suggest Solera, Barrio or Masa. Masa is the most sedate of the three, and Barrio is a tequila bar that happens to serve food. Solera's kind of in the middle in that regard. Tue Nov 10 10:36:23 -0800 2009 5164415 62741 StPauliGirl 2 5170536 Chino is a good place if you plan to stay in uptown. Probably the best option there. Downtown the coolest place is the Seven Lounge, and you can order from the steak menu up there too. Barrio food = blah, but a neat place (small though so watch out if you have a large group). Tue Nov 10 11:40:39 -0800 2009 5170316 1121517 boardsurfer 3 5170739 Last time I was at 7 everyone at our table was disappointed with the food. Sushi was good, not great and the steaks were average at best. The roof deck is cool for a drink.....but that's about it. Tue Nov 10 12:51:17 -0800 2009 5170536 18536 St Paul Susie 3 5171235 Barrio's food is excellent. I haven't seen anyone but you promote Seven as a good food destination. What's up with that? Tue Nov 10 16:13:51 -0800 2009 5170536 13777 Jordan 4 5173325 I've been many times and it's always excellent. To each their own i guess but it's usually packed so I'm thinking i'm not alone on this one. Barrio, well, my food was terrible and the server was non-existant, but i've only gone once so take my advice with a grain of salt (and a shot of tequila with it if you hit up barrio). Wed Nov 11 12:17:26 -0800 2009 5171235 1121517 boardsurfer 5 5173553 boardsurfer-welcome! It's nice to "see" fresh faces. I look forward to more of your input. Very disappointing to hear about your lousy experience at Barrio. Was it the Minnepolis or the St. Paul location and, if the latter, how long ago was that? ~TDQ Wed Nov 11 13:19:10 -0800 2009 5173325 12005 The Dairy Queen 6 5173823 Was the Minneapolis restaurant about 3 weeks ago for lunch. Wed Nov 11 14:53:17 -0800 2009 5173553 1121517 boardsurfer 7 5189480 jfood's been to Barrio downtown twice with the same server in the front of theplace. The only reason he stayed the last time was the server saved a major nose plant by the hostess. Liked the food both times as well. Seven was serving at the Taste of the NFL Charity event two weeks ago and jfood reallyliked whatthey were serving. He is definitely going to give them a try downtown. Tue Nov 17 13:40:35 -0800 2009 5173823 11290 jfood 5 5175527 Usually packed? They were forced into bankruptcy (apparently things have improved and they're now exiting)...I'm guessing it's NOT a result of a lot of patrons. Hey, I've been to Seven on numerous ocassions as well...and the food has been okay. The steaks weren't bad, the sushi has been hit or miss (big hit the first visit, miss the second). The only spot I've ever seen busy is the rooftop during the summer (which I have to say is the best in the city). I think Foureyes137 hit the nail on the head....it all depends on what you're looking for. Maybe hit up Solera for a few small plates, then go work the "cool" guys at the bar at Seven who will undoubtedly shower you with free drinks (not bartenders, the fake bake guido's throwing cash around to anyone that will take it). And chalk up 1 more vote for Barrio....love that place. Best of both worlds, lively atmosphere and the food is spot on. Thu Nov 12 08:20:30 -0800 2009 5173325 276890 b ster 2 5171503 Chino Latino did come to mind...I guess I wasn't super impressed for the $ when I went there a couple of years ago. It might be time to try it again...I do remember it being rather festive. Tue Nov 10 18:24:09 -0800 2009 5170316 1119284 elle.eats 1 5171388 I went to Solera for the start of a friend's bachelorette party and would recommend it. The food was good overall - lots of things to try as a group (ranging from pretty good to awesome - I remember the scallops as being really good). It was not crazy busy, but lively enough to be interesting. I have never been to Barrio with a group, but I think that would be another potential good starting location - just make sure you can get a reservation for your group size for the time you want to go. The one time I was at Duplex on Hennepin in Uptown there was definitely a large group of girls getting started for a birthday or bachelorette party. It would be a smaller, more laid back sort of place. I have only eaten appetizer food there, but it was decent if you decide you want to head towards Uptown for bars. It would not be my first choice for a bachelorette party, but would potentially be an option and the people we saw seemed to be having a good time. Another thought in Uptown would be Barbette (as long as your group is not too big). It would be a bit more "dark and mellow" than someplace like Chino Latino (which I think might be a good idea, but I have not been in so many years that I do not really feel comfortable suggesting it), but in general I like the atmosphere and the food at Barbette. Tue Nov 10 17:33:08 -0800 2009 5164415 27702 LauraB 2 5171513 Everyone seems to like Solera. I have yet to go there. I heard they have movies on the roof in the summer. Ah summer....how I miss thee! Tue Nov 10 18:25:49 -0800 2009 5171388 1119284 elle.eats 3 5171792 I can't stay out of this one. I dislike Solera and love Seven! Solera doesn't seem like a good place to bring a bunch of roudy girls, but upstairs at Seven? Heck yeah! Great bar and fantastic steak! Good view through the giant windows too! You can plot out your next destination just by looking out. Tue Nov 10 20:55:09 -0800 2009 5171513 323333 princebaal 3 5173642 I also cannot stay out of this one. I think it is all on how you'd like to enjoy this evening. If you intend to eat and keep it relatively low-key, I'd suggest Solera. They serve food you will want to eat. It is not a clubby/pick-up scene at all. If you had planned on going out to the clubs afterward, this is a good start to the evening, though not likely someplace you would stay all night. If you plan on partying (drinking) and being loud and getting free drinks from 25 year old "bros", and want it to be a spendthrift Las Vegas vibe without good food, se7en is that. It is clubby. I am sure it is fun if you are not trying to eat there. I have been twice. I am over 30. In another thread someone posted, "I had my 23rd birthday party at 7 Steakhouse, and as a group of 21-26 year olds, I definitely felt more comfortable there than at other downtown steakhouses I've been to. The service was exceptional for my party of around 12, but it was on a Tuesday and there was almost no one else there. Upstairs there can be pretty trendy during the weekends." to which I had to agree that se7en is the best restaurant at which to celebrate a 23rd birthday downtown. Wed Nov 11 13:45:29 -0800 2009 5171513 59069 Foureyes137 4 5196779 I've been to many a bachelorette parties in DT Mpls and Uptown. elle.eats, I'm also a St Paul girl. I agree with foureyes, it really does depend on what you're looking for. I'm 32 - and I recently went back to Chino after years of boycotting it (when it first opened, of course, that was the place to be) - and found the food decent and the ambience loud and social. It still reminds me of a place to see and be seen - that is what you might want for your evening. That, along with Solera (have had hit and misses there), the evening can get VERY pricey VERY quickly - don't know if that plays a factor. If you're looking for more a nice girls dinner/cocktail out and then getting rowdy - I would suggest Barbette-it's always got a pleasant vibe, the food is pretty darn good - you can chat and laugh over wine with the girls and then hit Chino for drinks, and then whereever else-(Stella rooftop, Independent, whatever you like). If you head DT, I've done dinner at Zelos (which surprisingly was very good, though some argue pasta is much too heavy for a night of drinking) but it was a good middle ground for a group that ranged from 22-44. And with good wine beforehand, it made doing shots at Aqua a little easier. :) Fri Nov 20 12:15:37 -0800 2009 5173642 72211 snoboardbabe77