We've eaten at Zelo a few times and have enjoyed each visit.
We also like Nami and Origami for sushi.
Not a new or "hot" place, but we enjoy French Meadow in Uptown for fresh, (mostly?) organic ingredients with a bottle of wine.

I jump up and down just hearing Figlio's. Great Italian food!
Goodfellows is in a good location in DT Mpls, however, I have one complaint. Even though the food is very good, the portions are very small. If you come hungry, you may go home hungry and the bill is high!
One of the best restaurants in DT that my husband and I have recently discovered and are raving about is Firelake. Some of the best food I've had in a long time. I was not able to have alcohol due to some meds I was taking, but my brother-in-law ordered a Mojoito(sp?)that I did have a sip of and it will be a requirement in future trips there. The attention from the staff was good, as well.

Hmmm-- new and hip?

Here are my 2 cents:

1. Bellanotte-- in Block E. Definitely a hip scene-- food is overpriced though and not worth the $$. I'd recommend drinks/apps here and go upstairs to...

2. Cosmos- in Le Meridien. Very chic, trendy bar, and good foodie type food. Great service.

3. Solera-- Tapas next to Orpheum theater in downtown. I love this place- there's a wide selection of tapas, and great atmosphere.

4. Cafe Lurcat- Loring Park. Owned by D'Amico...great atmosphere, fun bar, and great food...bar can be very hip.

I've heard about the chef change at Goodfellows but have yet to check it out. I was unimpressed with FireLake (service) and thought the food was good, but nothing special. I need to get out to Al Vento too-- looks like it is getting great reviews!

Jane R

Aquavit closed a year or so ago and I can't recall the name of the new place even though I walk by there every morning. For the locals - Easter brunch is wonderful at Window's on Minnesota on the 50th floor of the IDS. Watch the local paper for reservations.

Here's my list of fav.'s:

Zelo
Azia - Nicollet & 25th South
Pizza Luce - Warehouse District
Nami
Origami
Loring Grill - 1614 Harmon Place (Cajun Crab Cake Benedict for breakfast... check out their website)
Atlas Grill
Basil's - in the IDS Center
Martini Blu - MIL is going to their "all you can eat" sushi this Sunday so I'll let you know her review

Uptown / LynLake:

Machu Picchu - Lake & Lyndale (best ceviches and seafood paella ever)

It's Greek to Me - Lake & Lyndale (had our wedding reception in the outdoor courtyard - highly recommend)

El Meson - Lyndale & 34th South

Sushi Tango

Fuji Ya

jP's American Bisto - Lake & Lyndale

Well, this is an old post, but there is always something new popping up. My husband and I are a boring Campiello couple, but the atmosphere is nice, the food is good and consistent, and it is local. I wish they changed their menu more....I don't mean the Tuscany thing either. Anyway, we tried Auriga (1930 Hennepin Avenue S) last night due to a review that I read in the StarTrib. It was excellent. I am not wild about the interior of the place, but the food was exquisite. You get very small portions. In fact, they have an Amuse which is a very tiny sample at $2 -$3. You can't imagine the flavor packed into these little guys. Anyway, my husband and I are trying to cut back a bit on the amount we eat, but we still each had an amuse, a salad and an entree, and I was very content because of the quality. We chose not to have dessert, but you could easily choose dessert and not feel stuffed. EXCELLENT food! If you are a foodie, you have to give this place a try.

We went to Levain literally the week the chef left with some of the staff(can't remember his name). He was the one who got them all of their accolades orginally. Well, it was not a good meal at all and quite expensive. I felt they were trying too hard. They were very kind; however, and gave us a gift certificate to come back and try. I realize they were in transition so I will definitely try them again.

I love Bakery on Grand, and Cave Vin which is on Xerxes next to the market. Good French food at reasonable (for French) prices.

I like and love Lurcat. This seems to be my problem with most restaurants in the Twin Cities. One time I go there I love it, and another time it is just so so.

I think Babalu (sp?)(downtown Minneapolis) has great cuban food! If you are into jazz, good music too!

But I guess none of these are really new. Tried Bobino again due to new chef, but I didn't care for our appetizers. Oh well!

Hi----fun to see this post still getting responses! What is an "amuse"? is that like a tapas? I've not heard that word before so guess I'm not the "foodie" I thought I was. Anyway, just wanted to say that on Christmas Day, my family flew into Mnpls from many Midwestern venues, and we stayed at the L'Hotel Sofitel, and on Christmas Day we had their Christmas brunch. It was absolutely fantastic. Lots of seafood, avocado salads, lobster tails, prime rib, crepes with many fillings, and of course turkey, stuffing, etc. I was worried 'cus Christmas/Easter/brunches at large hotels are sometimes suspect, but this was wonderful. We sat in the newly renovated "Fougasse" restaurant---very pleasant, a couple of fireplaces, nice bar-----and the brunch was actually out in the hotel lobby amongst ice sculptures, etc. So, just a tip for Christmas Day brunch at the Sofitel, and definitely a feather in Fougasse's cap!! I think Fougasse used to be called Cafe Royale, and I think it was kinda forgettable. But if the food at Fougasse is anything like the Christmas brunch, it's worth trying out if you're in the SW 'burbs. On another subject to the mojito-lover: the mojitos @ Solera are also wonderful.

We also had the Christmas Day dinner at Hotel Sofitel and I can also say it was fabulous. I have always liked their food but this was even better than I remembered.

An Amuse` is short for Amuse` Bouche, to tickle or amuse the mouth. It is a tiny morsel, served by the restaurant that is not ordered, not on the menu and not billed to the client. I think of it as a 90's sort of thing but I am very happy if a restaurant makes that sort of effort.

Mention of Campiellos and Cafe Lurcat made me think of the same restaurants which are well loved in Naples Florida as well. I believe the restaurant group that creates these places is the D'Amico and Partners.

LMF

Auriga's take on the amuse bouche, according to the Star Tribune, is to charge $2 or $3 for each one and leave it up to the diner whether to order one or more or none at all. Personally, I think this should be called tapas, b/c I agree with LilMsFoodie that amuse bouches are sent by the chef at no charge.

Anywho, had another great meal recently, at A Rebours in St. Paul, near Rice Park. Fabulous! It's owned by the same folks behind Bakery on Grand in Mpls, but it is quite different--authentically French bistro-style in decor and food. Short menu, great service, and amazing value--the entrees, contrary to recent trends, were actually quite big and hearty, making dessert difficult to fit in--although we managed! We spent about the same here as at Al Vento--$100 for two before tip (this included wine, appetizer, entree, coffee and dessert)--and felt A Rebours was far superior.

Bon appetit!

Note to LilMsFoodie-----thx much for the amuse bouche info. What a cute little phrase!! (and if you get a chance, I'd love to know the pronunciation of that---I get the "bouche" part, but is it "ah-moo-ZAY", or "ah-MOOZ"??? (thx for the french lesson) I think I must have experienced a true amuse bouche in Napa Valley a few years ago. We ate at Auberge du Soleil in Rutherford, and served alongside our "flight tasting", my hubby and I each received some cute little tarts on a plate "compliments of the chef". So I've experienced an "amuse bouche" and didn't even know it!! Ah....travel.....food....fun foreign phrases.........I love this chatline.

thank you LiMsFoodie for your explanation of Amuse. At Auriga, they do charge for it; however. It should not be considered a tapas at Auriga, since it is literally a tiny bite of food. From the tapas' I have had, they can be shared although small. This Amuse is just a bite...no sharing. I am so glad that Kristin inquired about new restaurants in 2003, I don't even know if she is still looking at this post, but glad to have it live again.

My husband and I went to the Sampler Room in North Minneapolis. Had great reviews and word of mouth, but we were not impressed. We sat at the bar. It is not a very large bar, and yet the bartender felt very overwhelmed and literally crabby with the customers. I did not like the seafood and ???? I can't even remember the other one we had....not memorable. We decided to stop at appetizers.

Glad to hear about Sofitel. My husband and I loved going there years (as in close to 15) ago to La Terrese (sp?). We did not like the redecorating nor the food when we went there several years ago. We will have to try again due to these new posts.

I had read about A Rebours a while ago. So the same people own that as Bakery on Grand? We will have to give it a try.

I am so glad this post is alive again!

MARTINI BLU REVIEW:

Here's the MIL's review of the All You Can Eat Sushi at Martini Blu:

"I thought it was good value. It really was all you wish to eat - and never slowed down. The sushi that we had was all good. It appeared that there was no eel on the list - but otherwise was about what I would expect. Since the place is not totally Japanese, it seemed a bit "different" for a sushi bar but I would definitely return."

Oceanaire-best seafood in the twin cities (may be a chain)

Forepaugh's-St. Paul- in an old renovated mansion-very elegant atmosphere.

The Vintage-St. Paul- similar to Forepaugh's with an excellent wine list.

Manny's-steakhouse, an institution.

Murray's-another great steakhouse

Mancini's-very old steakhouse in St. Paul, with rich history.

W.A. Frost-St. Paul, excellent food, great patio in the back.

Zander Cafe- St. Paul, very small, intimate, funky little place with interesting food and good wine.

Agree with A Rebours - what a delightful place in St. Paul. One of my favorites in downtwn Mpls is Ike's -- great bar, good food, reasonably priced and the brunch on Saturday and Sunday is fabulous -- you will never see another caramel roll that big (and it's complimentary) just like the chocolate chip cookies at the end of your meal. Also -- two other new and great places: The Corner Table (42nd & Nicollet) and the 112 Eatery (112 N 3rd St). Both are great.

Not new, but FABULOUS with a hip atmosphere, in dwtn St. Paul:

Fhima's - ask for the corner table with all the fantastic cushions.

Great wine list.

The risotto is to die for!

Yum, T.