Minneapolis best?

[docrck]

Hi

I'm a NYC hound who will be in Minneapolis for four days and want to experience some of the best food there is to offer. So far, places that we are considering include Grand Cafe for breakfast, and Restaurant Alma, 112 Eatery, Five Restaurant & Street Lounge, Masa and Lucia's for meals.

Any thoughts on these as well as other recommendations would be much appreciated. Thanks so much and I cannot wait to visit.

docrck

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Restaurant Alma
528 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

112 Eatery
112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Masa
1070 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

[docrck]

Hi folks.
Thanks so much for the great suggestions! Am in Minneapolis and having a great time so far. We've been to Heartland and 112 Eatery so far and will be heading off to Restaurant Alma's in about 30 minutes. It's great that the chef's of all these restaurants have been nominated again for James Beard awards and will be in my hometown this weekend.

Tomorrow its Lucia's for lunch. Great city with wonderful dining experiences. Thanks again.

docrck

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Restaurant Alma
528 University Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414

112 Eatery
112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

[soupkitten]

wow great lineup Docrck. i am drooling with envy :)

[LiaM]

Have we mentioned Piccolo yet? I really liked Piccolo when I went there. Every report I've seen on Piccolo has been overwhelmingly positive.

[BigSal]

Agreed. I am still trying to justify my next visit and trying the 6 or so plates I didn't eat the first time I went there.

[keg]

Tight food and service - La Belle Vie
Madelein Kamman influenced - Lucia's
Down home charcuterie - Craftsman
Megalomaniac (there's a pun for you) - Heartland
New and hopping - Bar la Grassa
Simple, local, technically solid - Alma

There was a mention of Blue Door. It's a neighborhood burger joint masquerading as a postage stamp. I eat there, but coming from NYC.....

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La Belle Vie
510 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405

[lstereo]

I would forget Masa for sure. Bland/boring and not at all special. You may want to try Ngon Bistro. Its a nice Vietnamese-French sort of fusion that's really nice. It can be a bit too noisy inside — too many hard surfaces — but the food is good and unique.

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Masa
1070 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

[jfood]

Jfood would place the following into contention

- Alma is jfood's favorite. and if you want a great lunch by the same owner go to his rotisserie place, Brasa for an outstanding pork or beef sandwich
- Same owner for 112 and Bar La Grassa. Other than the foie gras meatbhalls at 112, jfood finds BLG much more inventive.
- jfood also thinks Meritage in SP is tops and places Craftsman right behind it. jfood also a big fan of strip club

- another place for local food is corner table, check the website for the menu

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Meritage
410 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102

Bar La Grassa
800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401

[kevin47]

Five is no longer open.

My boilerplate advice for visitors is to visit Heartland, a localvore pioneer that features a changing daily menu based on what is locally available.

The 112 eatery and Lucia's are excellent choices, and Alma earns raves on this board.

I would find time to make it to The Strip Club in St. Paul. Great grass-fed steaks and innovative small plates (the Devil's eggs are to die for) in a lovely room with a view of downtown.

A word of warning if you are strapped for time. A number of popular recommendations (Al's Breakfast, Brasa and The Blue Door in particular) boast long waits for tables.

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The Strip Club
378 Maria Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55106

[The Dairy Queen]

Welcome. 112 Eatery is one of my favs.

Grand Cafe has had an unfortunate chef change (the chef died in the past week or so), so, it's in a little transition right now.

Masa is fine, but not in the class of the others you mention. If you're looking for the most upscale Mexican restaurant with table service, etc., in the Twin Cities, it probably qualifies, though Barrio tequila bar might give it a run for the money if you don't mean sit-down dining...

I also like Meritage and Heartland, both in St. Paul.

~TDQ

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112 Eatery
112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401

Masa
1070 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Meritage
410 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102

[Latinpig]

I would not go to Five. I have found the food to be very subpar. I would add Bar Lagrassa, Seachange, and La Belle Vie to your list.

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La Belle Vie
510 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55405

[meljohns]

Grand has transitioned well; the sous chef is taking over.

[soupkitten]

really? i would SO hesitate to go to grand cafe so soon. . . the crew there is so tiny and close, they were all devastated and will likely be in considerable emotional pain for some time. i'd be afraid to ask my server for more syrup and have her/him burst into tears randomly or something----it's just not a good time right now for this restaurant. depending on what day of the week the op would be in town, & what area s/he is staying in, i'd say some of the restaurants listed serve great weekend brunch (lucia's, strip club, meritage). weekday is a bit trickier, but still with some great breakfast options.

i'm echoing many others: my faves in town which have the most to offer visitors: heartland, alma, 112/bar la grassa, la belle vie
meritage, strip club, lucia's, craftsman, saffron

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la belle vie
minneapolis MN, minneapolis, MN

[meljohns]

From people who know them best there, their fear is that people will stay away for this very reason. I'll be going this week to show support for the restaurant, which I love, and the staff (particularly Mary, who has always been incredibly sweet to us).