Rich

Any help here? I'm off to the Twin Cities for the first time in 20 years and would love some recommendations for great breakfast and dinner locations. Help me Fodorites! Love almost any kind of food (would particularly like sushi recommendation) and want to show friends a good time in the best kept secret in the Midwest!

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Try Lord Fletcher's for dinner and Robert's Cafe in St. Paul

La

Best breakfast is hands down Key's Restaraunts, spattered all around the cities. More of the typically Midwest foods, frech toast and pancakes ect. They specialize in breakfasts, closing at 3 in the afternoons. I would stay away from sushi in the midwest. Unless it's a fresh water small fish, it probably isn't that fresh. The Green Mill is a great local Italian place! Perfect for dinners. If you grew up in St. Paul/Mlps, its the only place to be taken on a real date. They've grown since starting in the early 1900's, and are like Key's, scattered all around the Cities.

Cali

I totally agree with Keys. It is yummy!! Also enjoy a tip now and then to Al's Breakfast in Dinkytown. Kind of a different experience and good breakfasts too. I also like Lord Fletcher's and we also go to Kincaid's and Murray's. We leave for MN today - can't wait to go back to all of them

me

The Edina Grill makes a great omelette. It is a gentrified place, not the authentic greasy spoon you might be looking for, but I've never been disappointed with the food.

Agree, Sushi in Midwestern cities (with the notable exception of Chicago) is not always so great.

Jane

Rich-
Welcome back to the Twin Cities! There have been a lot of new restaurants lately and it's hard to keep up with them. Not sure of your price range or where you will be staying but here are some of of my favorites:

Sushi- Origami (downtown Mpls on the corner of 1st and 1st) IMO, consistently fresh fish and the best in town. Fuji-ya (Lake and Lyndale) is trendier but Origami is still my favorite. No reservations so weekend waits can be long. I recommend sitting at the sushi bar.

Seafood- Oceanaire (downtown Mpls on Nicollet Mall, Hyatt Regency) Delicious. The appetizers are amazing (I love the seafood tower) and the desserts are huge! Reservations recommended and it's a little spendy. Manny's next door is also wonderful for steak and seafood.

Zander Cafe- (St Paul on Dale and Selby)...just plain good. Great wine list with a pretty innovative menu. This area has really developed within the last 5 years or so.

Lucia's (Uptown)- Menu changes daily and uses seasonal ingredients. Has a cute wine bar next door, too.

I probably wouldn't recommend Green Mill (sorry La)...I've never really been impressed with it. I do like Edina Grill for breakfast, Uptown Diner, and the French Meadow Bakery.

If you are looking for some other recommendations, let me know and I'll try to help!
Jane

cg

My favorite breakfast place in the world is the Louisiana Cafe in St. Paul. Their cajun breakfast has us making special trips back to MN. The Original Pancake House in Edina is also pretty good for more traditional fare.

I second Jane's recommendation for Origami - great atmosphere and really good sushi (don't worry - it is very fresh). Get there early or on a weeknight to avoid the lines. Another option is Sakura in downtown St. Paul. They've also got great fish and the setting is a little more casual.

Chiang Mai Thai in Calhoun Square is a good stop for excellent curry.

Marie

I wouldn't recommend Green Mill either. They used to be a very good chain serving some of the best unique pizza in town, but it's gone downhil a little.

Not much of a sushi eater, but I have heard good things from my friends who eat sushi about Origami.

Lucia's is considered to be one of the best restaurants in town - I would put it near the top of your list. (FYI - it's named after the chef. Does anyone out there know if Lucia is a man or a woman - just curious?)

Italian: Buca's in either downtown Mpls or St. Paul for family style Italian or Tucci Benucch at the Mall of America.

Sawatdee is a local (i.e. Twin Cities only) Thai chain that gets very good reviews.

Breakfast - French Meadow Bakery.

My personal favorite is Palomino's in DT Mpls (Mediterranian emphasis). It's a chain, but I believe there are only 3 or 4 throughout the nation.

Jane

Marie-
I believe Lucia is a woman.

I like Buca but I think it is a chain now-- they may have some where Rich lives currently. They did start in the TC though.

As long as we're making Thai recommendations, I like the King and I on LaSalle and Grant in downtown Mpls. Service can be a bit inattentive at times but I love the food!

Oh another thought-- Nicollet Island Inn does a great Sunday brunch. It is right on the Mississippi across from downtown Mpls near the St Anthony Main area.

Mmm...everyone's suggestions are making me hungry!

Jane

sam

i don't know about the twin cities, but the quads of New Mexico are amazing. I would suggest the Paul Rever Inn. It's a quaint B&B, only about $300 per night.

brooks

Uptown diner for breakfast, the best hashbrowns, outside of my grandma's of course.

and dinner would habe to br rudolph's the bbq i've ever had.