The Local … iirc, this is on the Nicollet Mall. Half the joint is an old-time Irish pub, the other is a restaurant that serves some pretty good food.
Dixie’s on Grand: this makes the list simply because they have the best babyback ribs I’ve ever had … seriously. I cannot bring myself to order anything else when I go. Load 'em up with the Shack bbq sauce, get a couple extra napkins, then dig in!
and a couple I have heard great things about, but have yet to dine at: J.D. Hoyt’s: my uncle and his two sons must have told me about the pork chops at this place a couple hundred times by now! I guess they’re pretty stinkin’ delicious.
W.A. Frost: This is currently at the top of my list of restaurants to check-out in the area.
A couple of years ago we traveled back to Minny to visit a musician friend who was having a concert. The following evening we all gathered at W.A Frost for a fabulous evening under the stars out on the patio. I had brought some bottles from our cellar and I had decided to bring a Schrader to dinner and was very surprised to to see it very well represented on thier fine list, thankfully the vintage and vineyard I brought was not on the list. The food was very good, coupled with great weather and and a really beautiful surrounding neighborhood made for a fantastic dining expierence.
Thank you for the WA Frost feedback. It’s something I suppose I’ll have to check-out when I get the chance, but I do appreciate reports (both good and bad) as they help sustain my excitement and/or help keep my excitement within reasonable bounds.
another place I just thought of: Pazzaluna, which, iirc, is near the Science museum and/or Orpheum Theater, serves pretty tasty Italian-American cuisine; they also have a tasty list of single malts.
Pazzaluna is just down the street from Meritage. Both are worth a try. Great single malt selection just kitty-corner from both of these places is the http://www.stpaulgrill.com and is home to the best hotel east of the Mississippi in the metro area.
Another cool fashionable restaurant on the East side is The Strip Club http://www.domeats.com. In the winter lots of hearty dishes; this time of year its lighter fair and always an emphasis on local ingredients. I’d consider Meritage to be more consistent than The Strip Club and Pazzaluna to be on the fringe of wanting to become a hip suburban chain but that’s my $.02 and unfortunately I don’t get downtown St. Paul as much as I should.
Agree. The bartender at Pazzaluna is great. The food is decent but is in my experience as you indicate above (and that’s a good way to put it). Meritage is much superior all the way around.
The St. Paul Grill is an outstanding bar to hang in. The food and wine list are ok.
Haven’t tried (or even heard of) Sea Change, but then again it’s been a few years since I lived in MN. I totally forgot about La Belle Vie - another place I’ve yet to try, but have heard only good things about. Thanks for reminding me!
Restaurant Alma is $15 I believe. Maybe $20, I can’t remember. It is the only place mentioned where I’ve brought something of my own. It is also my favorite restaurant in Minneapolis. I haven’t eaten at the better St. Paul establishments.
Sea Change is very good. At the top of my list for seafood (which is very short unfortunately) in the Cities. Restaurant Alma is a favorite of mine. Can +1 Bar La Grasse, La Belle Vie, and Meritage as well. Just had a tremendous meal at Cafe Maude, which has yet to be mentioned. I’d also throw out Haute Dish, which is a bit unique in MSP and worth checking out.
I am just wondering if these places are corkage friendly. I have eaten at La Belle Vie and Meritage before- both were excellent. But I wasn’t packing wine- and I am planning on this time.
Most of the mentioned places allow corkage, but the price varies. Bar La Grassa and 112 Eatery are each $30, I think Alma is $25 and Meritage is either $20 or $25. Best deal in town is Murray’s, which is $15.
Not mentioned so far but definitely worth trying is the The Bachelor Farmer. Could be tough to get a table at this point, though.
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