1 night in Minneapolis
 

Hi,<BR><BR>I will be in Minneapolis for 1 night on business. <BR><BR>What good restaurants can you recommend that's close to Mall of America area. I don't like to eat at chain restaurants..<BR><BR>thanks,

I can't think of any non-chain restaurants which are worth recommending around the MOA. <BR>Driving west toward Edina/Eden Prairie, or to the downtown area offers the best options.<BR>The MOA area is chains and middle of the road type places.

I know it's a chain but the California Cafe in the MOA is an especially good dining experience. Nice atmosphere and really good food. <BR><BR>I guess you could also call Napa Valley Grille a chain, though to my knowledge there are only two of them--one in Napa Valley (Yountville) and one at MOA. It has a nice, clubby atmosphere with lots of polished wood and pretty good California cuisine. <BR><BR>Honestly, both of these places will award your indulgence with good meals. <BR><BR>We also enjoy the restaurants at the Sofitel near the Mall--Chez Collette is a good imitation of a Paris bistro and La Fougasse has great, trendy atmosphere. <BR><BR>Another place out that way is Ciao Bella, as you'd guess, an Italian. It's decor is lovely and its food good, but it's cavernous and has a terrible noise level--but that's &quot;in&quot; these days, so if you don't mind the noise, this too is a good, current, trendy option.

Another good restaurant in the MOA is Tucci Benucch. It is, however, part of a very small chain (there is one other in Chicago, I believe.)

Like the above poster, my faves would be Chez Colette at the Sofitel (good French bistro description from above poster), and Ciao Bella in Edina. Ciao Bella is noisy &amp; dark, but good food, VERY comfortable leather booths and cool bar. Another good place might be Kincaids for steak and/or salmon. Upscale, located in a tall office building, but very pretty inside. All 3 of these places are approx. a 15-min. drive from the MOA.

Napa Valley Grille and California Cafe ARE chains, owned by the same company Constellation Restaurants). They each have one or two locations here in Chicago, and are good places to eat.

thanks everyone for the great suggestions! I will probably try the sofitel restaurant<BR><BR>i appreciate your time and help.

Even though it is about a 20 minute drive, I would go to Dakota's. Has a nice dining area and after wonder in the Bar area and see some top rated Jazz. For a list of shows while you are there go to www.dakotacooks.com

Sounds like you've decided, but allow me to second the suggestion of Napa Valley Grille...the food is really very good, the menu is inventive, there's an actual chef in the kitchen, and the decor does not suggest you're in a giant mall. The service, which is too casual, is the only tipoff that it's a chain.