best of Nicollet Mall area

[fifibooboo]

Hi! I will be staying at the Marriott City Center for 4 days and I would like suggestions on the best places to eat in the area, all price ranges. I already have a reservation for breakfast at Hell's Kitchen. I love good dives AND fine dining.

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Hell's Kitchen
89 S 10th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403

[Brad Ballinger]

There is also the following thread. The hotel mentioned there is across the street from the Marriott.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/707297

[snoboardbabe77]

Suggestion if you do head to Fogo - go for lunch. It's the exact same blow out, (we went for din -I opted salad bar only - better than the average but low on meat-based protein items - good proscuitto though, hub got the meat meal) for 1/2 the price.

[pistachio peas]

Happy hour at Masa isn't bad.

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Masa
1070 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403

[fifibooboo]

Thanks so much for all the recommendations! They all sound great. I am happy to hear the light rail goes to Sea Salt. It sounds like my kind of place since I love out door dining and seafood "shacks". I can't wait to try several of these!

[MSPD]

Not to be picky...the light rail goes NEAR Sea Salt...it's 1/3 of a mile from the light rail stop. Worth the walk obviously, and you're walking in a nice park, but just be aware in case it's raining.

[meljohns]

Zelo and the Local are good also; I especially like the Local for simple but good pub food and the atmosphere. Bradstreet Crafthouse is terrific (it's across from the Target Center) and my favorite "bar" bar is Glueks. Great beer, pretty decent food.

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Zelo
831 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402

Gluek's
16 N 6th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403

[KTFoley]

This thread answers a similar request for four days & best places to eat in Minneapolis. The only basis for changing the answers would be whether you are without a car:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7037...

[fifibooboo]

Thank you KT. I read that thread and it was very helpful. I will be without a car so I prefer places that are within walking distance of the hotel. I am particularly interested in the best place for seafood. Also, how is the Brazilian steak house? Is it good or just a tourist trap?

[dougrw]

You mean Fogo de Chao? It's pretty good in my book, while at the same time being a bit of a crowd pleaser for all palates.... except perhaps for vegetarians. Even the salad bar is worth seeing, and I usually hate salad bars. I wouldn't consider it a tourist trap.

However, there is nothing especially "Minnesota" about it, and it's not a cheap dinner. But it's fun. The food is good. You could have quite a nice evening there.

Other steakhouse spots with more of a local feel not far away would be Manny's & Murrays. Manny's is the more modern and typically higher rated of the two, but Murray's is a Minneapolis classic and nothing to sneer at. If you're a tourist who wants a Minneapolis experience, I'd consider one of those two. If you're just after good food and a fun time, Fogo de Chao deserves a thought as well.

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Fogo De Chao
645 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403

Manny's Steakhouse
825 Marquette Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55402

Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail
24 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402

[BigE]

I think Fogo is good, considering the sheer amount of meat they put out. Be prepared for a RAUCOUS meal however, because the space is huge and almost always full.

The best seafood within walking distance would probably be Oceanaire, which is a half dozen blocks south of the Marriott (Nicollet, between 12th and 13th).

Sea Change is another great option for seafood, though that is closer to a mile away.

My other downtown favorites:

Vincent (corner of Nicollet and 10th) - White table cloth, french fare.

112 eatery (~0.5 miles) - More casual, but always packed. Make a reservation if you want to be sure of a seat.

Saffron (across the street from 112) - Upscale Middle Eastern food. Consistently one of the best meals in town.

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Sea Change
806 Second Street S., Minneapolis, MN 55415

[kevin47]

A quick note. If you are coming when the Twins are in town, try to plan around pre-game and post-game. Other notes:

At Hell's Kitchen, lemon ricotta pancakes and porridge are standouts on a hit or miss menu.

Fogo de Chao is pretty fun, but at that price point, you might opt for Manny's, especially if you're planning on dining solo. You'll get higher quality meat, and while it isn't "all-you-can-eat", it is certainly all that you can eat.

If you are keen, Vincent has a pretty special take on the ju(i)cy lucy, for which Minnesota is ostensibly famous. Vincent's is a burger stuffed with gouda and braised short rib. It also serves great French food.

If it's nice out, and a weekday, consider jumping on the Light Rail and going to Sea Salt for lunch. Good food in Minneapolis' most beautiful park. Evenings and weekends, you can expect a lengthy wait.

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Hell's Kitchen
89 S 10th St, Minneapolis, MN 55403

[KTFoley]

It has its strengths. One note is that it is most definitely set up to serve groups -- the larger the better. With a solo diner or a couple, the lightning-fast refills might become a disruption rather than a feature.