danfromsf's Profile
What a disappointment
Our server was nice but seem to have too many tables to cover. It wasn't until the end of the meal and we had to get home to our young daughters. Too much was wrong with the meal to start trying to fix it. We had been to the old place and had a pretty good meal so it was surprising how much lower the quality was.
What a disappointment
Had a really terrible meal at Heartland last night. The most fatty ribs I have ever had. The server was surprised we didn't finish a 1 inch think portion of fat. Under cooked beans, potatoes, dry sturgeon, overcooked root vegetables. So unbelievable that the Star Tribune gave it 4 stars. What a joke.
Brasa?
Thanks for the recommendation on the sandwiches. I am originally from NY and lived in CA for 15 years. Having seen what you have written and generally agreed with it, I am excited to try the sandwiches. I would be thrilled to find good sandwiches in the Twin Cities-now don't get me started about Bewitched or Broders. To be fair about my feelings about Brasa, I have never tried the sandwiches and haven't been back in a while. I did go 4 times so I feel like I tried it enough. Got the chicken all times so I am glad that others share my opinion. I thought the pork was ok but prefer pastor from places on Lake St. and the beef was too sweet for me. May be in sandwiches they would be better. Some of the sides were ok to good, but I really didn't like the grits. I do like Alma a lot.
Brasa?
I think the Vietnamese is equal to or better in MN than CA. I think that places like the Slanted Door are more exciting than Ngon but that is really fusion so over all, I think places on Eat Street or Saigon are wonderful and very affordable.
Brasa?
Brasa's website in bold says that there food is inspired by the wholesome home cooking found throughout North America, the Caribbean and South America. To me, that is a good characterization of the kinds of food you find in the variety of different types of BBQ's in the south or the roast meats in CA. We can disagree on the grits. A number of people whom I have been to Brasa with also thought they were terrible. Very runny with bland flavor. To each his own.
I just think it is not that distinctive and Vietnamese in MN is.
Brasa?
It really depends where you are from. If you have regular access to BBQ or good southern cooking, I would skip Brasa and focus on Vietnamese for casual food in MSP. I know Brasa is loved in the twin cities, but having had great BBQ in the south and Mexican roast meets in CA, I think it is average on a national scale. High quality ingredients but I have had dry chicken and OK pork. The grits are terrible.
MSP New Japanese Restaurant on Hennepin & 6th
Went for the all you can eat a few weeks ago and it was just ok. Not terrible by the AYCE criteria but my wife agreed that there are much better options and we won't be going back. I would stick to Fuji-ya, Origami.... We recently tried the new Mt. Fuji on Hennipen and the fish was really nice. Didn't get any of the rolls. A little too busy for our tastes.
MSP: Southern Food?
Brasa is so weak. Though, for MSP Chowhounds, I am sure it is authentic. Terrible grits, lame chicken, bad spices on the pork. Go Team!
[MSP] La Gran Colombia
I went there yesterday and it was awesome. I had the Picada "La Gran Colombia" for $15.99. It was really, really good. All the meat was perfect and the different plantains were very tasty. What was really incredible was that I ate a huge lunch, my friend picked a ton off my plate, and then there was enough to take home to have dinner with my wife. I found that the meat was really complimented by the hot sauce on the table. My friend had the flank steak which was done perfectly, if a little bland. The hot sauce also helped a ton.
The menu is huge and I will be back frequently.
