Minneapolis eating advice
I need one breakfast joint (besides Al's and Hell's Kitchen)
and one not very formal business dinner spot in Minneapolis. Any thoughts?
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11 Comments:
"not very formal business dinner" spots*: Solera, Chino Latino (always a favorite for my out of town guests), any independent steak joint in downtown Minneapolis (Murray's, JD Hoyts, etc), Origami (sushi), Spoon River (veg, lighter fair, wine), Barbette (get the french fries)
breakfast joint: Never been to Al's or Hell's Kitchen - mainly because it shows up on lists like yours. My favorites have always been Key's Cafe and Sunny Side Up Cafe - good greasy breakfasts the way god intended.
*(having never warn anything but jeans into any restaurant in MN I am not sure any have dress codes)
bravian at 7:37PM on 01/11/08
Business dinner, try Restaurant Alma. The chef (Alex Roberts) was nominated for a James Beard award this year and puts out some incredible food, but in a casual atmosphere.
Unfortunately, I don't really have much for first-hand breakfast recommendations.
bradnelson at 8:05PM on 01/11/08
I would have to second Sunny Side Up on Lyndale and 26th... Their omlets and Southwestern Offerings are great... it was always our go-to place.
Alm25 at 8:12PM on 01/11/08
I also would recommend Chino Latino, Spoonriver, Barbette, and Sunny Side Up.
My favorites are Azia, Town Talk Diner (lots of kitsch, homestyle food, and frickles!), Loring Pasta Bar, and my favorite breakfast place: Zumbro Cafe.
LiveToEat at 8:18PM on 01/11/08
First off, I live in the Twin Cities. For a business dinner I would second Loring Pasta Bar, though it is in a college neighborhood. I will get back to you on that one - don't have many business dinners in Minneapolis (and anyways I prefer St. Paul).
For breakfast - French Meadow is wonderful! I also like Longfellow Grill. I have been there many times and have always been very happy with everything.
I was not impressed with Sunny Side Up, but that is my opinion. Keys is more like one step above Perkins...
But are you looking for downtown Minneapolis or just the area in general? I have never eaten breakfast in downtown...
Chau at 8:54PM on 01/11/08
Do not have a business dinner at Chino Latino if you hope to speak to the people you are with. It is loud, and frankly, not very good.
A great breakfast place is the Birchwood Cafe. Very tasty fresh food. Also good Maria's Cafe. They have the best corn pancakes in the world.
For dinner, I can't recommend The Craftsman enough. I just love it. They have amazing dinners, including pizzas, hamburgers and full on entrees. I recommend the venison burger and their different fish entrees. The atmosphere is classy and parking/busing is easy.
churchka at 10:49PM on 01/11/08
How about Victor's 1959 Cafe? Eggs with black beans and fried yuca? Toast with guava jelly?
It's got nothing for ambiance, but for my breakfast dollar, I'd head over to the Midtown Global Market and pick up tamales at La Loma. Killah.
I've listed a bunch of MSP favorites with addresses, etc. here.
missginsu at 10:34AM on 01/12/08
Where are you staying? Looking for something nearby or are you willing to drive a bit?
Uptown Bar & Grill is our favorite breakfast place....old school menu, great bloody mary's & if you order a basted egg they know what you are talking about. Across the street is Kitchen Window, a local independent kitchen store....nothing better than having a trough of hashbrowns, eggs & toast with a side of gyro meat....a couple of bloody mary's and then a little shopping.
For your casual business dinner:
J.D. Hoyt's or Murrays for steaks.
Nami for sushi
Babalu for cuban/latin
Fogo De Chao for Churrascaria
It's Greek to Me for greek/mediterranean
Nye's Polonaise if you want old school experience
POP for ecclectic..food is very good
Salsa ala Salsa for mexican
Chang Mai Thai for Thai
St. Petersburg restaurant & vodka bar...veronikas are fantastic.
All of these places are nice, food is good & the atmosphere is unpretentious. Google them for more info, most have websites.
2qrs at 11:13AM on 01/12/08
May I suggest you check out some of our Vietnamese offerings? My favorite is Pho 79 on Nicolete - certainly not a suit-and-tie sort of place, but an interesting slice of Minneapolis life. That whole stretch is booming with asian food markets and restaurants. I also second French Meadow as far as breakfast is concerned - they have good coffee, actual honest-to-goodness good coffee - which seals the deal as far as I'm concerned.
festivemanb at 11:43AM on 01/12/08
That's true about Nicollett. From the convention center on south along Nicollet avenue there's a bunch of great spots. The city is marketing it as "Eat Street," but it's not bunk.
missginsu at 7:50PM on 01/12/08
The atmosphere is fantastic at Nye's -- the food? Um, not so much.
112 Eatery is a great place to take someone for dinner; it's easily my favorite place in Minneapolis.
If Al's and Hell's Kitchen are out, go to Key's, I guess, although if you're in town on the weekend and you can wait until 10 for breakfast, Whitey's is a solid choice.
mjm_mn at 10:26PM on 01/12/08