Food
I love sushi. Maybe that's a little narrow. I love food. But sushi is one of my favorites. My wife Rachel takes credit for introducing me to Sushi.
Rachel & I usually go out at least once a week with a group of other couples for what we like to call "Supper Club".
Here is a list of my favorite places to eat in the Twin Cities:
Twin Cities Restaurants
Sushi
- Koyi - Koyi Sushi is my favorite sushi restaurant and by far the best value in town. They are located in the warehouse district in Minneapolis, close to the end of the light rail line. Their nigiri portions are thick-ass slabs of fish - the biggest in town - Seared Ahi, Yellow Tail and Bincho. Their rolls are also massive and tasty. The atmosphere is hip but still laid back. Try the Number 9, Tempera Shrimp and Spider Roll. They also have a good tempera fried green tea ice cream. Get down there before 6:30pm and enjoy happy hour specials on sushi and drinks!
- Bagu - Bagu is located near Pepitos and Turtle Bread on Chicago and 48th. It's really dangerous having sushi this close to my house. They have one of the
- Taiko - Taiko is located in a on old Hwy 10 (763-786-1434, 2394 HIGHWAY 10) close to my office. They have some of my favorite rolls in town. Their Cani Maki, Cal Ebi Maki and California Rolls are amazing. While California rolls are usually lifeless rolls, Taiko's are juicy and tasty. They pop in your mouth.
- Fuji Ya - Fuji-Ya is located at Lyn-Lake. I like Fuji Ya, but it's a little pricey and trendy for my taste. Their presentation is nice but their nigiri is tiny compared to Koyi. The Winter Roll and Number 9 are my favorite rolls. There's also a Fuji-Ya in St. Paul now!
- Anemoni @ Azia - A hipster kinda place with interesting sushi. Not the best value, but a cool place to hang and eat sushi if you're near MCAD or MIA. They do have some outdoor seating as well.
- Midori's Floating World Cafe - Midori's is just off of Lake Street near Hiawatha. They have some interesting rolls, using unique ingredients. They have some of the spiciest rolls I've ever had. Try the chef's special rolls.
Eclectic
- 128 Cafe - The 128 is probably my favorite overall restaurant in town. I haven't had a dish I didn't like. Located near the St. Thomas University campus, in the lower level of an old apartment building, the atmosphere is quaint and romantic. It's a good place to bring your lady.
- Bar Lurcat - Bar Lurcat is located at Loring Corners off of Loring Park in the old Loring Cafe space. They always have a nice cut of fresh fish or steak and the smoothest mashed potatoes in town.
- Loring Pasta Bar - A trendy, bohemian, Dinkytown hang-out with excellent appetizers and meals. I like to stick with pasta here. This is one of my favorite places to bring out of towners and business associates because of the large dining room and subtle live music.
- Jay's Cafe - Jay's Cafe is owned by our friend, Jay Randolph, and he only does breakfast and lunch. They are located near Raymond and University. Everything is made from scratch and is delicious. Try the Pasti of the Day, The Surfer Burrito or the Smoked Gouda Crepes.
- J.P. American Bistro - Located near Lyn-Lake, J.P.'s is right up there with the 128. I especially like the duck ravioli and the rustica pizza.
- Corner Table -
- Craftsman -
- 112 Eatery -
- Chambers Kitchen -
- Signature Cafe -
- 20.21 -
- Sapor -
Italian
- La Belle Vie -
- Giorgio's Wine Bar - I love the quaint dining area at the Hennepin location. This is another of my favorite places to go on my birthday or a special occasion.
- Luci Ancora - An excellent northern Itailian restaurant located near St. Kate's University in St. Paul. I've never been disappointed with meal here. Highly recommended for a date with your significant other.
- Prima - Prima is great neighborhood restaurant near our house. The food is high quality and moderately priced. My wife and I can get a great meal for two for under $30. I especially like their goat cheese and pepper flake ravioli.
Pizza
- Maggie's -
- Carbone's -
Ribs
- Scot Jamama's - Scot Jamama's is take out only. I love eating Scot Jamama's and watching the Twin's on TV. These are probably my favorite ribs in town. I recommend medium or hot BBQ sauce. Comes with a twice baked potato and slaw.
- Ted Cook's - Ted Cook's is take out only. These are the wettest ribs in town. Super juicy with great flavor. Served with thin sliced fried potatoes. A close second to Scot Jamama's.
Cambodian
- Cheng Heng - Cheng Heng is kinda like Thai food, expect maybe better, and they have bubble tea! The atmosphere is a little odd as it feel like your eating in a weird strip mall. Super affordable. One of my current favorite places to eat.
Vietnamese
- Trieu Chau - Hands down the best Pho in town and a great value. Get the #135. Everything else I've tried on the menu has been awesome as well. I eat here at least once a week.
- Pho ca do - Another good Pho joint on University, in St. Paul.
- Pho 79 - Good Pho joint in Saint Anthony Park, St. Paul.
- Quang - The asian Perkin's of Minneapolis. Huge dining room, lots of cheap options.
Thai
- Chang Mai Thai - Chang Mai Thai is an upscale Thai joint in Calhoun Square. Our friend, Kannika works there. All of the food here is excellent. They have the best Thai appetizers in town.
- Taste Of Thailand - Located just off of Snelling in St. Paul, T.O.T. is kind of a hole in the wall. I really enjoy their fresh spring rolls. I think they're the best, but they certainly are massive and one of the best values in town! All of the dishes are excellent.
Mexican/Latin
- Monterrey - An awesome mexican joint way up in Circle Pines. Super good, super cheap. The atmosphere is a little lame, but the El Burro De La Roquetta is awesome.
- Burrito Market - Located on the west of side of St. Paul, this destination is part market, part burritos. Burrito Market is the answer to Chipotle boredom. This is my friend Jose's favorite burrito joint, and believe me, Jose takes burritos seriously.
- La Cucharacha - This is Rachel's parents favorite Mexican hang-out. I wouldn't necessarily say it's the best Mexican joint in town, but it is quite nice. I especially like the Nachos Azteca and their Bull Fighter marguerites by the pitcher.
- Pepito's - Pepitio's isn't the necessarily the best Mexican joint in town, but it is a neighborhood destination. I enjoy their burritos enchilada style and their salsa, which is quite hot and tasty. Their weekend brunch is nice if you enjoy building all-you-can-eat tacos and burritos.
- Salsa a la Salsa - I've only been to Salsa a la Salsa once, but I'm definitely going back. Located on "Eat Street" on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, this restaurant, you guessed it, has excellent pico and salsa. I had their combo fajitas which were quite good.
- Casa Lupita -
- Masa -
- El Meson -
- Cafe Ena -
Indian
- India Palace -
Cheap Chinese
- Ming Tree -
- Golden Dragon -
- Willow Gate -
Fast
- Chris and Rob's - I love a good Chicago-style hot dog and Chris and Rob's has a good one made with Vienna Beef.
- Gopher Bar - I also love a good Coney Island and the Gopher Bar is still tops when it comes to the Coney. On a butttered and toasted bun, loaded with meat sauce, cheese and onions.
- Matt's Bar - Some people say that Matt's Bar has the best burger in town. I don't think it's the best burger in town but it's certainly one of the best burger experiences in town. It's a fun little neighborhood hang-out. Highly recommended on a chilly fall or winter night.
- Maverick's - Remember when Arby's was good? Me either. But Maverick's is what Arby's should be. Real, rare and juicy roast beef on a hand baked bun. I usually get the brisket sandwich. They also have an open faced roast beef sandwich with mashed potatoes and gravy.
- Uncle Franky's - The dogs here are huge. I prefer their Chicago Style to their Coney Island as the meat sauce wasn't my favorite.
Chain Restaurants
- Big Bowl - I have to admit, I enjoy Big Bowl. Their Potstickers are some of my favorite.
- Buca - I like Buca for large parties. It's a fun place with decent food at an exceptional value.
North Shore Restaurants
- The Angry Trout - The Angry Trout is located right on the harbor in Grand Marais. I like to sit out on their patio if the weather is nice. I enjoyed the fish fritters and Billy's Little Brats. I'm not ga-ga about the food at the Angry Trout - I think it's a little overrated and overpriced for what it is, but their location does make the Angry Trout a worthwhile destination.
- Chez Jude - I think this restaurant is new within the last year, year and half. It's what I'd call eclectic, mixing French with some local twists. For appetizers, we had the coconut shrimp and the fish cakes with lingonberry/horseradish sauce. Both were excellent. If I had to choose which was better, I'd say the shrimp, but the sauce for the fish cakes was very interesting. Next, we had a lovely salad with crumbled cheese and candied nuts. For my main course, I had the duck breast which was delicious. The portions of every course were just right. Rachel, of course, had to have dessert. We settled on the chocolate tort.
- Gunflint Lodge - The Gunflint Lodge is located 11 miles shy of trails end of the Gunflint Road. The food and atmosphere is 'OK', as it kind of reminds me of Timber Lodge Steak House with it's over sized plates and portions. The view from the dining room is nice, and there were lots of humming birds feeding just outside our window. They have a BBQ on Sundays I'd like to try.
- Gunflint Tavern - We stopped in the Gunflint Tavern for beverages and a snack on two occasions. They have root beer on tap which makes me happy. The barbacoa quesadillas were excellent as well.
- Naniboujou Lodge - Rachel & I have stayed at Naniboujou a few times over the years. Most recently, we went up in February for a weekend special which included two nights and all meals. I owed it to her, given I had worked 10+ hour days every day since the new year. The rooms at the lodge are quaint, with no TVs or phones. There are some nice sun rooms that face Lake Superior that are excellent for reading and playing games. The dining room at Naniboujou is amazing. You really owe it to yourself to peek into this lodge. I wouldn't say the food is anything special, but it is quite good. Overall, the Naniboujou experience is not to be missed.
- Old Northwoods Lodge - I really enjoyed the food at the Old Northwoods Lodge. The atmosphere seemed nice but unfinished in some areas. I had a lovely salad and the shrimp dinner. The potato cakes were excellent and dinner was served with corn-on-the-cob. I'd like to go back on a Thursday and experience Chef Ron Berg, who is the guest chef on that particular night.
Want to Try List
Italian
Sushi
American
- Birchwood Cafe -
- Cosmos -
- Mission American Kitchen -
- Oddfellows -
- Solera -
- Snap -
- Vincent -
- Zander Cafe -
Mexican/Latin
- El Amanecer -
- Tejas -
Asian
- Evergreen Taiwanese -
- True Thai -
French
Misc.
- Open Table - Restaurant Reservations: Instant, Reliable & Free.
- Rewards Network - One way to keep down costs on eating out has been to register with Rewards Network. It's nice to see 10-20% off meals show up on our credit card statements each month. I'm usually skeptical of thing like dining discounts on credit cards, but in our case, it really pays off, and there's little hassle with taking atvantage of the service.