Sonora Grill: Mexican with a flair

I was pleasantly surprised by my most recent visits to the new Sonora Grill at 33rd and E. Lake Street. I've been a fan of the original Sonora Grill counter inside the Midtown Global Market, but the new sit-down, table service restaurant (in the former Molly Quinn space, strikingly remodeled) offers a full bar, more variety, and a creative take on Mexican cuisine. The basic … [Read more...]

Now open: The Rabbit Hole; Coming soon: Sonora Grill, Freehouse, La Fresca and maybe Lutong Mekeni

UPDATED 12/12/2013 | Some exciting new restaurants have just opened or are opening up in the next few days, and Midtown Global Market is the incubator for two of them.The Left Handed Cook has closed its counter in the Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, and has reopened in the same building as a sit-down restaurant, The Rabbit Hole. The new restaurant offers an … [Read more...]

Sex, pizza and dim sum: Umami by Travail, Wanderer’s Garden, and a culinary tour of Guangzhou

You know that saying about pizza? “Pizza is like sex. When it’s good it’s really good. And when it’s bad it’s still pretty good.”Well, that’s the way I feel about dim sum.I had a chance to try the dim sum at Umami by Travail last night, and I the dim sum at Wanderer’s Garden in Minnetonka last weekend. I have never had authentic dim sum at a tea house in Guangzhou, which … [Read more...]

Sunday night is date night at Rinata in Minneapolis

So, where do you like to go when you don't feel like cooking? I don't mean special occasion places, just places where you can have an enjoyable dining experience without spending an arm and a leg.Last Sunday, we got into another one of those Sunday night situations where we just got back into town, and it's 8 p.m., and neither of us feels like cooking (which sort of makes it … [Read more...]

Minneapolis bites: Bluestem Bar & Table, Sandcastle, and 3 Tiers

Finally made it over to Bluestem Bar and Table, the cozy little bistro tucked away behind French Meadow Bakery & Cafe. BB&T and FMB&C share a kitchen, and you can actually order anything from the FMB&C menu at Bluestem, but Bluestem offers tableside service and its own menu of more upscale preparations.First impressions: I was charmed by the looks of the … [Read more...]

Date night at the Lowbrow Cafe

I've grown rather fond of the new gastro-pubs, but what I really like about the Lowbrow Cafe is that it isn't trying to be one of them. No macaroni and cheese with truffle oil. No duck confit banh mi sandwiches. Lowbrow isn't stuck in the past, but the core of their menu is classic Americana — chili, burgers, fries, and even fish sticks and deviled eggs. Even the more … [Read more...]

Origami Uptown joins the Izakaya crowd in Minneapolis

Origami Izakaya: can the Japanese restaurant be saved?I don't know if you have noticed this, but a lot of Japanese restaurants have started adding Izakaya to their name, or their menu, or both. I'm not sure which came first, but we now have Zenbox Izakaya; Wasabi has added an Izakaya and hot pot menu, Obento-ya has an Izakaya happy hour menu; and Masu Sushi and Robata has a … [Read more...]

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