eastlakovore's Profile
Craftsman on Lake
+1 on the drinks and charcuterie comment.
There was a lull after Chef Phillips left, but they've certainly regained solid footing. Have had several solid to fantastic pasta dishes in recent memory.
Travail
Wanted to share a recent story here. Went for "Date Night" last night. Arrived at 5:10PM, got seated 85 minutes later. First time I've ever stayed someplace despite the wait, I was that focused on wanting this meal.
They were definitely hitting on high notes. I was impressed as this was the first time ordering their tasting menu. The food, which for appearances last night was a manufacturing line as it didn't look like they were making anything but the tasting menu, was impressive in it's consistently good flavors.
The two best of the 10 plus amuses for us were the Agnolotti and the Rabbit courses. The agnolotti was a Myer's lemon and ricotta filled pasta that was just amazing. The rabbit had breast, a confit, and a rabbit 'oyster' that the waiter tried to slip by to us. The oyster is innocuous, more shock than anything, but kudos to them to get my wife, and the couples sitting next to us at the tasting bar to at least try it.
Desserts were playful and fun, which is their goal, flavor is above average, but homemade dippin dots tableside elicits a smile, its fun, and thats why my wife and I dine. Others can pupu it, I don't care. Once seated it's a great time, and great food, and the chefs are really nice and don't mind interacting which adds to the fun.
Based on my sitting and waiting, I can't understand why they don't set up a 'sitting' routine, if 95% of the people come in wanting/getting the tasting menu, why not go for it, and have seating's at 5, 6:30, etc...Dined at Beast in PDX and that seemed to work very well, and I had an amazing dinner and didn't have to sit and wait for my table. Clearly they have a good thing going, so they won't change, and I had a great time, I just don't consider waiting part of the experience I want to partake in again.
Dinner with a good friend in highland area
I'd add Ristorante Luci or Luci Ancora for some Italian.
Informal Catering
Wish I could remember the price (7 years ago now...), but reasonable, otherwise would have gone elsewhere.
Pupusa bar was a gal working a portable flat top making them to order.
Informal Catering
I've used Salsa a La Salsa for catering my father's 60th birthday (Lorenzo the owner was great to work with). It was informal (same food as restaurant) with a papusa bar, which was a great idea.
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Salsa A La Salsa
1420 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Authentic, fresh or innovative Mexican food?
Just ate at Sonora Grill this past week - eggplant fries were awesome as were the lengua and pork tacos that I tried.
You mentioned not eating at Salsa/A la Salsa, and I find them for a sit down experience to be very solid. Not innovative like Masa, but the food is solid. A visit without getting the papusas is a mistake in my opinion.
You could try both if at Midtown Global Market and find something that works (huaraches at Taqueria Los Ocampos are guilty delight of mine).
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Masa
1070 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
A la Salsa
Minneapolis, MN, Minneapolis, MN
Taqueria Los Ocampo
809 E Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
looking for a good birthday cake - St. Paul
+1 for a Piece of Cake - I've had nothing but great results from them for birthday cakes, they're my preference.
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A Piece of Cake
485 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN
best breakfasts in/near minneapolis??
I'll throw my voice in for a few of my favorites in Minneapolis
Maria's Cafe - Huevos Pericos or their pancakes
Colossal Cafe - Flappers or Biscuits
Victor's 1959 - It's all good.
and of course - Al's (but I've always gone solo - it's easier to get a seat, and well, I'm up well before Mrs. Lakovore)
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Al's Breakfast
413 14th Ave SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414
Victor's 1959 Cafe
3756 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Maria's Cafe
1113 E Franklin Ave Ste 102, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Colossal Cafe
1839 E 42nd St, Minneapolis, MN 55407
Omakase for a Birthday
The wife loves sushi, and I'd like to treat her to a special sushi dinner. Usually everyone here says Origami is the best, is that the surest bet for an Omakase dinner?
Even more basic of a question - I haven't done an Omakase menu in any Minnesota sushi establishment, is it worth it, will we dine on something 'special'?
Victory 44 Recent Hits/Misses?
BigE stole my thunder. The bone marrow is rock star good. Was in two days ago, had their version of a bahn mi also, good not great, still prefer the 'perfect burger' which is pretty *expletive* tasty.
Had the lengua tacos about a week ago that were solid as well.
(Side note: I get a coffee shop to study at and I can order food worth salivating over, it's my nirvana, too bad ordering the charcuterie for one looks so gluttonous)
Looking for good food 1/2 btw Minneapolis and Rogers, MN
There is local chain Sawatdee also out in MG for decent Thai food. I use decent as beggars can't be choosers out in Maple Grove. 3 Squares is Longfellow Grill, Edina Grill, etc. They're all basically the same restaurant if that's what you're looking for.
Pittsburgh Blue is, IMO, suited perfectly for where it's at. Not a chain, but part of Parasole umbrella group, it's expensive, but probably the best in the area, I often use it for business meetings. Biaggi's second.
Otherwise its Granite City, TGI McSheannigans, and Benihana's as far as the eye can see.
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Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
12051 Elm Creek Blvd N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Sawatdee
7885 Main St N, Maple Grove, MN 55369
Pittsburgh Blue
11900 Main Street North, Maple Grove, MN 55369
NYC Hound looking for what MSP does better
I'd throw out Piccolo as a suggestion under the 'what else' category, food is incredible.
SE Asian - Quang for the Sea Bass soup on the weekend.
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Quang Pastry & Deli
2719 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Piccolo Restaurant
4300 Bryant Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55409
Looking for your Favorite Maple Grove spots Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner.
Unfortunately Curry Up is closing in July (announced via Twitter, and website is down). I often enjoyed their lunch buffet, and am sad to see it, along with some very nice people working there, go.
There isn't too much "chow rec" worthy after having worked up here for a few years. Chains mostly. Pittsburgh Blue certainly isn't bad, HH is decent. J Cousineau's for a decent hamburger and meat raffle.
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Pittsburgh Blue
11900 Main Street North, Maple Grove, MN 55369
J Cousineaus
13540 Grove Dr, Maple Grove, MN 55311
Curry Up
13601 Grove Drive, Maple Grove, MN 55311
Need a new Vietnamese restaurant. Does anyone remember the Nam on Nicollet Mall?
I grew up on Que Viet some twenty odd years ago when they were on Hwy 13 and 35E in Lilydale. Their hot & spicy chicken (and beef and potato) is my ultimate comfort food, it always hits the spot, the NE Mpls Que Viet tasted pretty darn close to the way I remembered it.
Certainly wouldn't be considered authentic...
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Que Viet Village House
2211 Johnson St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
BBQ, Minnesota Monthly, Q Fanatic
Went to Bob's Smokestack (Rochester) this past weekend for their soul food buffet. I loved the ribs in Elgin, and I love them even more in Rochester. Seriously tasty. They also made up some beef brisket which was perfect. Wish I spent more time down in the area to warrant more visits.
Shocking lunch
I think you're missing some key information to help chowhounders out. Perhaps you could inform us of the restaurant?
Terrible Service at Victory 44
I have eaten there probably 10 times, I have received mediocre service once, and good service the remaining nine times. I usually end up going by myself after a long day at work, sit at the bar, enjoy a couple beers and a couple plates of food and chat up the bartender who has also been prompt, and if I need something I just ask. No hurry, but perhaps my expectations of a meal are different (or "lower" as I am to agree with ibew292).
I will agree that after watching the team enough times, they aren't always in sync with who is serving where and when, but you have to, or at least I did, make that assumption walking in the door knowing there is no host/(ess) or "wait staff".
I won't make excuses for them during for your trip, I just want to offer a counterpoint that I have had multiple really good experiences there.
St. Paul Monday Night Dinner: Downtown, Selby, Grand?
Luci Ancora?
Moscow on the Hill, does Russian food work for the group? I'm not sure what too foodie means. But I've had pleasant, quiet meals there.
I nonni is a stone's throw (well, if you could throw a stone across the Mississippi) from St. Paul.
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Moscow On the Hill
371 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
I Nonni
981 sibley memorial hwy, Lilydale, MN 55118
Luci Ancora
2060 Randolph Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
msp - Flourless desserts
I get the flourless chocolate torte from The Wedge. Crazy good. Crazy expensive. (They have individual pieces in bakery as well)
But the 9" torte serves a lot people because of how "rich" (to lack a better word right now) it is.
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Wedge Community Co-Op
2105 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Ideas for a post-curling club happy hour in st. paul?
The food is pretty good for where you are, a bar above a sheet of ice. It's not haute cuisine, but you can get a sandwich and be happy. A lot of happy souls at Curling Clubs I've learned.
Seating can be hard if a "big event" is happening (ahem, they televise curling events which draws in the crowds). But generally, it's easy to get a seat.
I believe the bar is open when leagues are in session (so 6days/week after 4PM (I think Saturdays are for tournaments).
*Disclaimer - I am a member of St. Paul Curling Club, and have utilized the bar to great success, sometimes too much so*
Asian Deli at 388 Western - What a GEM
Got take out there last night. Fantastic stuff.
As a first pass, I wanted to stay simple - their spring rolls and egg rolls along with the pad see ew with beef. All three tasted fresh (the chinese broccoli in the pad see ew was perfect). The price point couldn't be beat, and the staff (or family) was friendly.
Glad this board mentioned them, I would have driven right past not knowing they were doing seriously good cooking. I look forward to going back for further exploration.
Ideas for a post-curling club happy hour in st. paul?
Ya got me...you're right I haven't been to Halftime since ownership change, I forgot they dropped food with the change.
If going to Selby Dale, Fern's, the Gnome, and Sweeney's are all fine. I've probably spent the majority of my dollars at Ferns after curling at St. Paul Curling Club (the happy hour group might enjoy peeking their heads into the official club and see the leagues in play).
Ideas for a post-curling club happy hour in st. paul?
I'm not sure about their happy hour's, but you could go the opposite direction away from Selby/Dale - DT St. Paul and go to Halftime Rec.
If going to the DT area what about The Liffey?
Best meals of 2010
High buck dining was significantly slowed in 2010 but I still got to manage a couple of tasty meals.
Victory 44 - Roasted Bone Marrow and Charcuterie plate
112 Eatery - the scallops, the steak tartare, the foie meatballs
Travail - the Dessert tasting menu was over the top tasty.
El Centro - I'm sucker for their pupusaw.
Bar La Grassa - mushroom tagliatelle stands out
Two of my favorite meals however were on vacations (where I freely spend a dollar) One was at Beast in Portland, OR. An unbelievable chanterelle pot pie won me over. And the other was at Zentan in Washington DC. Flank steaks shouldn't taste as good as it did (and I cook with it way too often and felt I had a perfected recipe).
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112 Eatery
112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Victory 44
2203 44th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
Bar La Grassa
800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Dinner near the Madison hotel
I, a foodie from Minneapolis will be travelling next week staying at The Madison on business, solo. Any recommendations for the solo dinner diner?
No real preference on food type (although I do enjoy housemade charcuterie), or cost; just looking for a place I can relax at, maybe at the bar, and get a good meal. Thanks.
Minneapolis Local Restaurant Scene - Aren't we lucky...
Again in no particular order
1) 112, still rocking it day-in/day-out
2) Craftsman - being in walking distance almost feels wrong
3) Travail and Victory 44
4) Bob's Smokestack - ok it's in Elgin, but they're doing serious ribs down there
5) Bar La Grassa
6) Heidi's - I await the return of the shefzilla surprise
7) Tanpopo
8) Bon Vie
9) Cake Eater Bakery
10) Cafe Twenty Eight
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Bon Vie
518 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Victory 44
2203 44th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
Bar La Grassa
800 N Washington Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Travail in Robbinsdale
I hadn't had the chance to get online to post my review...Went last week on Tuesday, arrived just before 6 which seems to be an ideal time if not looking to wait around for a table. Got seated at the table top looking at the cooks, which really worked out well to engage in conversation with the chefs and discuss meal options.
Starters were the beef tartare and the beet salad. Texture wise on the tartare, the sous vide egg was an interesting approach (I think I still like the raw egg better), I liked the fried capers and the cornichons. Good, but I'm still favoring 112's version. The beet salad was solid.
Two of us split the fish and chips, the agnolotti, and the steak presentation. The fish was perfectly battered/fried and needed no accompaniment, that dish while so overdone at every chili's or tgi mcfuntime, was so tasty.
The agnolotti came out a little cool, I wanted a warmer dish but it certainly was tasty. And after a couple bites I was in no position to complain. The steak was also perfectly medium rare, and while a small size, was savory enough that I felt satiated.
Then the best dish of the evening - the dessert tasting menu. It certainly is a "lets throw stuff around and see what works. The course of mousses that are doused in coffee and then liquid N2 chilled was amazing. The peanut butter version certainly sticks out. I also remember a dippin dot ice cream that had green apple flavoring amongst others. I think there were 3 or 4 courses of desserts, all tasty but over the course of the week I've forgotten the rest.
I enjoy Victory 44, and have had great/personable service there, so trying Travail felt very similar, although the energy was higher, but the food quality was equivalent. I don't know if I'm willing to pick one or the other, and expect to find myself at both again in near future.
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Victory 44
2203 44th Ave N, Minneapolis, MN
MOA
I guess I'd add two more...
1) Napa Valley Grille
2) Tiger Sushi
I've had a good meal (I didn't pay - sometimes that changes my opinion) at Napa Valley Grille and Tiger Sushi serves its purpose for standard sushi fare.
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Napa Valley Grille
220 W Market, Minneapolis, MN 55425
Tiger Sushi
222 W Market, Minneapolis, MN 55425
Midtown Global Market - Must Try Items
I'm preferential to A La Salsa - Chicken Koo Koo Roo or they're Chiltepin is tasty. Lorenzo the owner has been very friendly in our visits. A good happy hour keeps me coming back when not working too late.
Bagel + Lox
I'd love an answer on this also, my East Coast wife laments the lack of quality bagels and its
Lox + Bagel combination...
Maybe Cecil's?
