drew13000's Profile
Devil's Advocate - What's the deal?
Tried Devil's Advocate for lunch this week. the hook here is that they serve several types of meatballs (beef/short rib, chicken, salmon, chickpea) and you choose the ball, the sauce (pesto, marinara, cucumber), the bread (slider, baguette-type bread or a pretzel bun) and the cheese (provolone, swiss, mozz). With that, you get salad or fries. You can also choose a side of noodles, if you'd rather have your ball on pasta. I really hate restaurants that have to explain how to order to you, and their menu has beautiful design, but is kind of confusing, so the explanation was necessary. They offer plastic ordering forms and a grease pencil so you can check off your order, but the waitress didn't use them, and asked for our orders instead.
Their beer list is awesome (unfortunately, I wasn't able to partake) but the food was average enough that I won't be going back except for a beer. I had a beef/shortrib meatball sub with pesto and mozzarella. The pesto was delicious, but the beef meatball was really dense and dry, which is surprising because shortrib was listed as part of the meat, so I thought that would make it tender. I ended up just eating the bread and pesto. The fries were really salty. I liked them, but my coworker felt they were a little too salty.
I love the space and the beer list, but I don't see how somewhere with this narrow a menu and a complicated ordering system is going to survive. The menu is so limited, I don't see it attracting the business lunch crowd. If they had a few non-meatball options - more sandwiches, soup, a couple more salad options - I could see it as being more viable. And even for happy hour, I want more variety in apps than to get a meat/slider option.
Where can I find habernero (hot pepper) plants in the Twin Cities?
Saw several habernero plants at the Bachman's on Lyndale on Sunday.
Looking for the Twin Cities Best Calamari, suggestions?
I'm going to throw another vote toward Sea Salt. Their calamari is incredible!
Favorite Restaurant to bring out-of-town guests?
Heidi's, Alma, 112, Bar la Grassa and Saffron. Sea Salt, if it's a beautiful day.
Super Moon Buffet in St Louis Park - Any tried it?
Does anyone know if they do a take out option?
Las Teresitas
I also love this place. I've had delicious enchiladas, chilaquiles, chili rellenos, fish tacos, and a barbacoa burrito. If you spend a certain amount, you get access to the salsa bar, which has chips and about 8 different kinds of salsa. I'm addicted to the avocado salsa verde.
THIS Saturday Night - Group Res - Foodie Restaurant
I third the rec for Butcher Block. It's wonderful and doesn't get nearly as much attention as it deserves!
Bradstreet Crafthouse - new chef?
Bummer!, their small plates were delicious and what made Bradstreet unique! Disappointed that they're doing small sandwiches, which you can find at many bars in town--even sports bars.
Authentic, fresh or innovative Mexican food?
I think s/he's referring to Rosa Mexicano as the chain.
Best Old School Spaghetti and Meatballs?
I agree on the Al Vento suggestion. The meatballs are tender and delicious! I think the Rinata version (same owner) is the same.
Anniversary Dinner
If you're interested in Edina, I'd recommend Bacio. But I agree that The Strip Club is even better than anything in Edina.
What's missing from MSP's culinary landscape?
I think the M&S downtown is decent, but I've eaten a few times and the M&S in Edina and it's wretched. Everything I've had is either way oversalted or lacks any sort of flavor whatsoever. Don't understand why the two would be so different, but they are, and I'll never go back to Edina.
What's missing from MSP's culinary landscape?
I wish we had more Eastern European. I love Kramarczuk's for a pierogi fix, but would love more options. I'm not a fan of Nye's for Polish food.
And I really want an in-and-out burger. I want to see what all the fuss is about.
New York-style pizza in the south metro?
I honestly don't know of a NY style in the Nokomis area. A Slice of New York, on Nicollet was tasty, but I can't vouch for how close it is to real NY, as I've never visited NY.
If you'd settle for just good pizza, there's a new place on 34th Ave and 56th(?) called DiNoko's. It's awesome. My favorite in the neighborhood.
Cocktail/bar supplies in Minneapolis?
I've seen the bittercube bitters at Sorella Wine on Washington.
MSP Wine Bar Personalities
I've been to the Riverview and Spill the Wine. The Riverview has the atmosphere you're looking for and interesting wine flights, but I agree with keith - the food is totally meh. I think Spill the Wine has kind of a sterile atmosphere, good wine selection and the food is good, but really overpriced. I, too, am sad that the TC doesn't seem to have a wine bar that covers all your bases.
I like the Solera recommendation. The small plates are delicious and plenty, nice wine selection, and nice atmosphere. I think you'll have better luck exploring restaurants that have good wine selections, rather than wine bars, because I think often the food falls short at our wine bars.
Top 5 Restaurants for B'day Dinner
1. Heidi's - if they're still serving the lobster/truffle pappardelle pasta, it's incredible. I could eat this every day.
2. Saffron
3. Bar la Grassa
4. Meritage
5. Cosmos
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Meritage
410 Saint Peter St, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Lasagna, pasta, salad & breadsticks
Fat Lorenzo's and Carbone's come to mind.
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Fat Lorenzos
5600 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55417
Last great meal in Minneapolis/St. Paul?
Definitely gotta get to Corner Table, Himalayan, and the Strip Club. I'd also throw in the Butcher Block.
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Corner Table
4257 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55409
The Strip Club
378 Maria Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55106
seeking list of best,most interesting NE Minneapolis restaurants
The Butcher Block
Brasa
Northeast Social
Sample Room
Erte
Red Stag
Jax, especially for brunch
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Jax Cafe
1928 University Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Sample Room
2124 Marshall St NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Erte
323 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN
Northeast Social
359 13th Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Best prime rib?
Can't vouch for it, but I noticed Prime Rib on the menu at Woolley's Steakhouse.The mac and cheese, however, was awesome.
Quick good eats near Orpheum
I'd grab a few small plates at Solera. Let them know you're heading to a show and they're very fast and accommodating.
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Solera
900 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403
Favorite children's books that are food themed?
This might be a little older, but Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach. I used to love the idea of living in a peach, then eating my way out.
Best prime rib?
You know, I think you're right. I could swear I've dined with someone that's ordered it, but I don't see it on the menu. Maybe I just feel like Mancini's is the kind of place that should have it.
So I take back Mancini's. Go to Jax.
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Jax Cafe
1928 University Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Best prime rib?
I'd recommend Jax, but Mancini's might also be fun for the old-school atmosphere.
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Jax Cafe
1928 University Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Where to take a non-Westerner for the most "American" food experiences? Must be baby-friendly.
What a fun thread!
Classic pancake breakfast: Al's or Colossal Cafe
BBQ: I'm not really a huge BBQ person. Maybe Ted Cook's? Get takeout and go to Minnehaha Falls.
Burger and malt: The Nook or Convention Grill (bonus to the Nook is they have awesome cheese curds, too!)
Ice Cream: DQ AND Grand Old Cafe
Sea Salt, if the weather is nice
Gluttonous steak dinner: Manny's or Murray's. Maybe Murray's is more kid-friendly.
Roast beef or brisket sandwich at Maverick's
Too bad your guests won't be around for the state fair. What a trip that would be!
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Convention Grill
3912 Sunnyside Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55424
Chinese take-out in South Minneapolis
The place at 46th and Nicollet is Fresh Wok and I agree, they're awesome (though I have to do pick-up--they don't deliver to my 'hood.) The chicken in garlic sauce is fresh and delicious.
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Fresh Wok
4610 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55419
Chinese take-out in South Minneapolis
I second Singapore and would also add Crystal Garden, which is in the strip mall near 46th and Hiawatha. I love their chow fun!
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Crystal Garden
4711 Hiawatha Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406
What's your fix when the Heat Index tops 95 degrees?
Second that! And I'll add that a scallop taco at Sea Salt is pretty nice as well. Even when it's incredibly hot, it always feels a little cooler hearing the rushing water from the falls.
