Hi----searched Mnpls restaurants---looking for some new venues: we've done Kincaids, Palomino, Brits, etc. Wondered if there are any new good ones to speak of? We'll be staying in the Edina area, but are willing to travel for something new, funky and interesting. Thanks

TTT

Well, Kristin, I hesitated to answer b/c I'm fairly new to the area, but since no one else has, I'll tell you that friends of ours who are natives highly recommend Aquavit as high style and haute cuisine; and I have been to Restaurant Alma, which was cozy, sort of casually hip, and had quite good food. I believe Alma was very hot a couple of years ago, but is less so now. Lastly, try the listings in MPLS/St. Paul magazine: www.mspmag.com. Have fun, and post your experiences here, I'd love to hear where you go and what you think.

Thx much for your response! I'll check out the mspmag website. Aquavit might be more $$$$ than we want to spend----altho it might be a good lunch possiblity! Does anyone out there know the name of the place that's in Uptown (?)---the chefs travel internationally and then return with offering from So. AMerica, Asia, etc.? It seems they maybe serve "family-style"?

Chino Latino is the place you are describing. It is a lot of fun!! (By the way, today we're getting the first measurable snow of the season here in the Twin Cities, although at this point it's only about 1/4 of an inch-- hoping for more)

Lottie----that's it!---couldn't remember the name---can you give me any more info on it? Is it true that it's "family style" dining? There are 4 of us, and we all have different preferences i.e. spicy, mild, etc. so am not sure this will work for us. Thx

Hurrah - a post about Minneapolis.
2 NEW great spots: Tiburon and Martini Blu. Unique (for Minneapolis, anyway) and great food. Also very hot is the old Loring cafe which is now a new cafe called...um..mind is blank...it will come to me...Very funky, though. If it comes to me, I'll get back to you. But all you'd need to say is the old Loring cafe place and you'll get there. Right across from Loring Park.

My husband and I will be flying into MSP for a convention in early March. We will be staying at the Radisson downtown Minneapolis. I'm familiar with Palomino (chain I think?) but what can you tell me about MartiniBlu and Tiburon---are these restaurants or clubs?

The restaurant I described but could not remember the name of is called Cafe Larcat, across from Loring Park. Neat area of town. Funky yet sophisticated bar and great food. MartiniBlu is a combo nightclub that serves good food. Tiburon is a restaurant with a neat bar area. There was just a review of Tiburon in today's Star and Tribune (local paper) I would start at Tiburon, go to Cafe Larcat, then end at MartiniBLu. They are all somewhat in the same part of town. You actually could walk to these spots from the Radisson, although I'd take a taxi back to the hotel from MartiniBlu.

It's Cafe Lurcat. I don't mean to be a stickler, but if you have to look the name up in a phone book or something...

Sorry about the mispell. It is a great spot.

Chuckie, the Strib made it sound soo hip--is it intimidatingly so?

Are jeans OK at these places?

E...I don't feel real comfortable in places that are too hip. Remember you're talking Minneapolis here - it is NOT too hip. I enjoyed it. There is a layer of sophistication, but not snobbiness. Lots of different people, wearing lots of interesting stuff. I hate to say it,(wait - maybe I don't hate to say it. We can be casual but cool can't we?!) but jeans seem to be okay almost anywhere in the Twin Cities. You would be fine wearing jeans, although I'd leave the sweatshirt and tennies behind! Have fun. And try the cheese puffs!

Cool, Chuckie, thanks! I have noticed that Mpls isn't generally a dressy place, but there's a casual elegance that reminds me of ski resorts in Europe, or maybe Aspen--casual, but chic and certainly not cheap. I've been amazed what a cosmopolitan city it is--and, of course, nice! It wasn't on my radar before we moved here, but now I can't wait to explore more. Thanks again!

ooo! I love having Minneapolis described as "casually elegant"!!

Now if only us natives could stop saying, "Oh Ya" instead of yes...

As for other, nice, moderately-priced places around Uptown, may I suggest:

1. Figlio - variety of fare. I've never ordered a meal there that I was disappointed with.
2. Campiello. Yes, I know, it is a local chain. But the food is always good, and the atmosphere is nice.
3. Tejas at 50th/France is the best southwestern cuisine that I've found in Minneapolis or St. Paul.

And Chino Latino, which has been mentioned. Great experience. It has been one of the most popular places in town for a few years, and for good reason.

I'm topping this one. No activity for 18 months, and I was about to post a similar thread. Looking to see what is new and hip in the Mpls/St. Paul area. These things seem to change every year.

I've heard that Goodfellow's has excellent cuisine these days. Also, a place in the Minnetonka/Excelsior area called Biella is an interesting Italian place.

I thought I'd mention a few recent dining outings in Mpls and St. Paul--not sure they're new and hip, though!

Had a so-so dinner at Vincent before the holidays. Excellent service, elegant decor, fun wine list, good-but-not-great food, high price. At the other end of the spectrum, have enjoyed Mai Village on University Ave in St. Paul several times recently--charming decor, great food and low prices. Bakery on Grand (in Mpls) provided what I believe are the best cookies I've ever had--the chocolate shortbread will send you, I promise. And I'm addicted to the cakes at Cafe Latte in St. Paul.

My two recent favorites are Al Vento, in south Mpls (Longfellow neighb), which has a really warm, romantic atmosphere and a flexible, delicious menu (by flexible, I mean, you can go all out with multiple courses or just have pizza and salad and go away happy either way--but don't skip dessert!); and Levain, which has a loud dining room and high prices but certainly some of the best food in town.

And now, how I wish I were at Al Vento, waiting for some fettucine...

I guess the new hip places are Bellenotte on Block E(help with the spelling?!), Mission, and Zelo on Nicollet Mall. We just ate at the Dakota on Nicollet. A great jazz place with great food.