Rowdy's Profile
Looking for the Twin Cities Best Calamari, suggestions?
My favorite calamari in the style you described is at Cafe Biaggio.
What to order at Saffron?
They have a killer black muscat dessert wine by Ferrari-Carano (2010) that was to die for with the chocolate ganache. I've been dreaming of it ever since.
Heartland, Hiedi's, or Ngon's Entrees?
Is noise an issue? I had wanted to go to Heidi's for my birthday, but cancelled when some friends told me you can't carry on a conversation because of the noise level.
What to order at Saffron?
We were there at 6:30 on Monday, and there was a 6 month old baby at a table with 6 women. Everyone was perfectly fine with it, and the two businessmen dining next to them stopped to admire the baby at length on their way out.
Personally, I never mind well-behaved children in any setting, and wish parents weren't made to feel so cautious about taking their children out.
Good place for Sunday brunch on James Island?
We're visiting from out of town, and don't want to go into downtown Charleston on Sunday due to crowds and traffic.
THIS Saturday Night - Group Res - Foodie Restaurant
I confess, I don't get the love for Butcher Block. We've been twice, had okay food, but two services experiences that ruined it for us. The first was just bizarre and unhelpful, the second so incompetent it trashed our whole evening.
Dinner for wine-loving parents with Weight Watchers friendly choices?
I'd suggest Spoonriver. That's always been my go-to place for WW-type food. And it's delicious!
Authentic Chinese?
Vegetable Thentuk, in the vegetarian entrees. Gorkha Palace has been mentioned favorably any number of times. It's a great little place!
Authentic Chinese?
Oh, soupkitten, your question isn't any bitchier than mine: how do those of us in the US even know what's authentic unless we've travelled widely in China? ;)
What's missing from MSP's culinary landscape?
+1 back at ya, MplsMary, ;) It was sooo nice to have a restaurant where you could eat anything on the menu and not violate your dietary principles.
Open on Christmas Day
Gorkha Palace is open on Christmas Day, and it's easily accessible depending on where you are in St. Paul. From the Fairgrounds, it's ten minutes. And the food is great!
Il Gatto closed
Lagoon Theater is a regular stop for us long-timers. With Campiello (our favorite while it was there) long gone, our second choice would have been Figlio. But Il Gatto? Once was enough! though we were probably there before McKee was called on. There was no way it was "gourmet" then--barely even edible.
Il Gatto closed
" ...I have to say I went to Figlio's many times, but Gatto once and did not return...."
This was my experience as well. Il Gatto was awful! Plus their servers wore such hideously sexist T-shirts. C'mon!
What's missing from MSP's culinary landscape?
We have gone to McC & S on many special occasions. Have only been to Oceanaire once, and thought it was a total bust: just gigantic, unimaginative portions at expense account prices. I 'd put McC & S on a par with Sea Change as far as the fish goes, though the service seems more gracious and relaxed in a good way. Can't say anything about the clams, oysters, and mussels, as I don't eat them, but DH is a connoisseur, and says they're excellent. I've almost never seen business groups there. It's mostly couples and families and prom goers. :)
What's missing from MSP's culinary landscape?
Do you not consider McCormick & Schmick a seafood restaurant?
What's missing from MSP's culinary landscape?
Nuh-uh. Finnish Bistro was Soile Anderson, who used to do the great Scandinavian brunch at the Minnesota Museum in downtown St. Paul that closed about 15 years ago. She started the Finnish Bistro on Como, and I can't remember if it was part of the business she sold off several years ago or not. She still does private catering.
Dining up and down University Avenue
We had takeout from On's tonight, and there was only one table occupied at about 6:45. On a SATurday.
Better get visiting, people!
Meritage off Opentable in July
I should have double checked the article, I suppose. Right principle, wrong amount.
Meritage off Opentable in July
It's $1 if you reserve through the restaurant's web site. It's much higher if you reserve directly through the OpenTable web site.
Top Chefs of the Twin Cities
I'd put Brenda Langton in the category of a trailblazer who still turns out imaginative and delicious food. Just think---she's been at this since she was 18 years old---about 34 years now! Because she has no pretensions to "fine dining," she often is overlooked, though you'll consistently get as good a meal at her restaurant as you will anywhere.
Romantic seafood restaurant?
+1 on MC & S! We always feel as if it's our own private little lair.
Brunch before Beerfest
Pickin's are pretty slim hereabouts, sad to say. Muffuletta is pretty close by and will no doubt be serving on their patio. Keys (if you can abide it) is up on Larpenteur at Lexington. Bon Vie is about 10 minutes away by car, as is Gorkha Palace. Oh, and Black Sea is just across the railroad tracks. Scratching my head--that's all I can come up with at the moment.
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Black Sea Restaurant
737 Snelling Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55104
Bon Vie
518 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Gorkha Palace
23 4th St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Got any Black Sea news?
I noticed this too, about ten days ago, so tonight as we drove by, DH went in and inquired.
They were closed for a short while for some "cleaning and rehabbing" and are now open again as usual. Whew.....!
Your new pop-up ad sucks!!!
I can't even log in on the opening page of the Mpls/St Paul board. The ad covers it up and I can't move or remove it.
Graduation dinner resto RECS
The Lexington has a suitable private room, and it's definitely of the classic tradition. Food has always been solid if not outstanding, and they recently hired a new chef (with a change of ownership) though I haven't been since then.
