Hi,
Can anyone recommend a good restaurant in Minneapolis? Will be visiting for first time for a conference. Would like to go somewhere special (not a chain) the first night there. Staying downtown near airport.
Thanks,
Lisbeth

Hi - Downtown and near airport are two different things -- which one? Lots of great restaurants downtown -- let me know.

Gasthof Zur Gemmutlichhkeit at 2300 University. Great food and so so much fun. Fun to eat there with a group.

www.gasthofzg.com

Oops! My fingers got carried away!!! The correct spelling is Gemutlichkeit.

World class restaurants include chambers kitchen, d'amicos and la belle vie. Other fun places would be nye's polonnaise, chino latino, brits (in the summer), cosmos, stella's. Have fun.

taitai

Definitely recommend Figlio in Uptown, or Ike's downtown on 6th St. As already mentioned, Chambers is fantastic, the Cue at the Guthrie, Cafe Lurcat, or 20.21 at the Walker. check out opentable.com for some other good ideas - it's a great dining scene, which surprises a lot of people!

chambers kitchen, d'amicos and la belle vie are all very good choices, but "world class" is a tad of an overstatement.

Chambers is gorgeous BTW.

I love Chino latino uptown and Kincaids off normandale in bloomington I think. Check out this month in mpls magazine. They do all the restaurants. Nice issue. I am especially partial to the 128 cafe in st paul across from U st Thomas, since 2 of our 3 kids grad'ated from there. Hamburgers at Nooks In st paul (I don't know exactly where. Costettas in DT st paul is great food. Celebrated big times (like a post grad job) at St Paul Grill. Grandview grill in ST paul great bfst. St claire grill and snuffys are great places for a light bite in st paul.Savoy has great pizza.

My husband loves Peter's Grill- it is old fashioned comfort food. Former President Clinton ate there on a visit and there is a special named after him! It is near intersection of S 8th St and Marquette Ave.

Lucia's in Uptown--small menu, intimate dining space, wonderful food--you can't go wrong here.

MPS magazine does a nice job rounding up the spots but the actual reviews are hit and miss. Lucia's is often a can't miss in my book.

Skip the 128 on the St. John's football weekend, when it's full of visiting fans celebrating the inevitable victory.

Lucias has her weekly menu published on her website. You will need a reservation or else get there when the doors open at 5:30 for a table.

Don't forget about Zelo, or if in St. Paul, The Downtowner or the St. Paul Grill.

If you are near the airport, here is another vote for Kincaids in Bloomington.

LaGrollia in St. Paul on Selby Avenue. Lucia's in Minneapolis.

Nooks in St. Paul is on Hamline at Randolph. Across the street from the school. A hole in the wall but GREAT burgers and fries.

You might want to look at the web site for Minneapolis Magazine.
My BIL has been the food/wine critic for 25+ years.
M