FACES Mears Park

Where/Why:

With large open windows overlooking St. Paul’s historic Mears Park in the Lowertown community, FACES Mears Park is beautiful in the winter and summer.  Not only does this restaurant have a great atmosphere inside and out, but the food is exceptional.  Equipped with a wine bar, bottle shop, and bakery, there are many reasons to step inside.  This Moroccan style restaurant has enough to please any pallet. 

The Menu:

All ingredients are local, and organic, with no additives or preservatives.  Even their desserts are made completely natural with Turbinado sugar and unbleached flours.   They have a lot to choose from on the menu like burgers, steaks, pasta, pizza, and salads.  The main thing I want to mention though, are the Tagines.  This is a traditional Moroccan dish, named after the pot it’s cooked (and served in), pictured here: 

These flavorful dishes are really amazing, filled with all sorts of ingredients and everything cooked to perfection.  I tried the Yellow Chicken Tagine, pictured below:

This was so full of different flavors, it forces you to slow down and really appreciate all that went in to create it.  With raisins, Jerusalem artichokes, and spices, it’s well worth the price.  And where else can you get a traditional Tagine like this? 

Their desserts are also fantastic.  I tried their flourless chocolate torte which was so good I forgot to take a picture of it before it was devoured.   Like a rich, chocolatey, moist cake, this was a perfect finish to a delicious meal.  They have many other desserts to choose from like crème brulee, macaroons, carrot cake, and you can even get a cake lollipop flight!

The Price:

The prices are decent, especially for the quality of food.  The desserts range from $2.50-$9.  Sandwiches and starters from $10-$15.  Pizza from $14-$19, and entrees from $22-$36.  They also offer a happy hour from 3-6 everyday which I’d like to come back for.  They have $4 options like flatbread, burger duos, and sliders.  Also have $4 beer selections and house wine. 

The Service:

The service is great.  They are very professional, friendly, and informative of the menu.   While we were there the executive chef, David Fhima, came out and spent a minute at each table that was dining there.  He thanked each table for coming, gave some more information on the food, and asked how we enjoyed it.  I never announce I’m there doing a review of the restaurant so he did this on his own cognizance which I thought was really cool.  Seeing him talk about his dishes you can see he puts a lot of thought and passion into what he does, and it certainly pays off in his dishes!

Bringing a little bit of Morocco to St. Paul for us foodies to try is a great reason to come here.   The beautifully designed interior facing Mears Park makes this a great spot for a special occasion like an anniversary or birthday celebration.   With a wide variety of quality menu items, you’ve got to come back more than once!

Burch Steakhouse and Pizza Bar

Where/Why:

Located in the busy Minneapolis intersection of Colfax Ave. S. and Hennepin Ave., Burch Steakhouse is one of a kind with an award winning chef, Isaac Becker, who also owns 112 Eatery and Bar La Grassa.  Sit upstairs at the steakhouse for a fine dining experience or sit downstairs at the pizza bar for a more laid back relaxed endeavor.  I’ve sat at both and was thoroughly impressed with the very different, yet equally exquisite dining areas.   You just can’t go wrong.

The Menu:

Burch Steakhouse offers some of the best steak in the city.  Below is a picture of the huge 14oz New York Strip - sorry it's a little blurry:

Their steaks absolutely mouthwatering but that’s not all that’s amazing on their menu.  They also offer ahi tuna, salmon, oysters, and salads, and more.   Below are pictures of the Ahi Tuna and Salmon dishes.  I was lucky enough to come here for a family dinner so we all got to try a little bit of everything and not one thing was less than perfect.

 

I have to take a minute to talk about the pizza bar downstairs as well, where you can belly up to the bar and watch the pizzas being made fresh and put into the wood fire.   The pizzas are made with fresh ingredients right before your eyes and you can opt to add extra toppings including capers, lobster claw, and prosciutto.   Pizza sizes are individual sized pizzas, and trust me, they are so good you really can sit there and eat it all yourself (I did, in fact, do that with the Margherita pizza).  I suggest going with a friend and splitting two different pizzas so you can really get a feel for what they have to offer.

The Price:

Prices here are very reasonable for a steakhouse.  Steaks and prime beef range from $15-$50 depending on the size and cut.  Entrees range from $24-$32, salads $8-$16, and their pizzas $9-$19.  For the top of the line food and service you get here, these prices are a more than fair. 

The Service:

Service here is exceptional.  They are extremely professional and knowledgeable and absolutely aim to please.   The fantastic service definitely adds to the fine dining experience, making sure your outing is a special one.   Of course, they do get very busy, but they do accept reservations which you can make on their website for the steakhouse, or call for the pizza bar downstairs. 

If you live in Minneapolis, or even if you’re just visiting, I definitely suggest you make a point to stop here.  Ideal for a special occasion, like a birthday, anniversary or just because.  Don’t forget about that pizza bar downstairs either, it’s a hidden gem!   

Smack Shack

Where/Why: 

The Smack Shack started off as a food truck in 2010 and grew quickly.   After much success, notably with their lobster roll, they started a partnership with The 1029 Bar, and ended up gaining notoriety when they appeared on an episode of ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ airing in 2012.  They are now a large full blown, restaurant with a complete menu, located in the North Loop of Mpls, on Washington Ave.   In the summer they have a big wall that opens up to the outside, giving the restaurant a nice open, coastal feel, topped with a laid back atmosphere and excellent food - need I say more?

The Menu:

Seafood, seafood, seafood!  From clam chowder, to lobster boils, to oysters, to crab cakes, they have anything seafood you’re looking for.  Two items you just have to try is the Lobster Roll and their Lobster Mac and Cheese.  Lobster Roll pictured below:

With big chunks of lobster you just can’t go wrong.  Both are very rich so I recommend getting the Mac and Cheese on the side and sharing it. 

The Price:

The price is good, what you’d expect for lobster and seafood.  The Lobster Rolls are about $17 and their other sandwiches range from $10 - $19.  The Lobster Boil and King Crab is served on a per pound basis which ranges from $30 - $44 a pound.  Starters range from $8 -$17.  They have a good price range, you don’t have to spend a ton of money if you don’t want to.  They also have a happy hours with deals on beverages and snacks Monday – Friday 3pm-6pm and Sunday-Thursday 9pm-close. (This probably changes so I’d check their website to be sure)

The Service:                                            

Good service.  They do get very busy at times but they do accept reservations, so call ahead to assure a table.  Friendly, happy, fun. 

This is a must try if you’re a seafood lover, even if you’re not an all-out seafood lover, you just might become one if you come here.  Also, it’s always great to support a business that has started from the ground up like this one has.  And the fact that it started as a food truck and did so well speaks for itself!  Way to go Smack Shack!

Betty Danger's Country Club

Where/Why:

Betty Danger's Country Club is the ultimate adult playground, complete with a ferris wheel (or as they call it ‘mechanical tree’), mini golf, food, beverages, and plenty of decorations to feast your eyes on.   From their gigantic outside seating area, to inside, to the bathrooms, (even their website!), it's all decorated to a tee.  Don’t let the ‘Country Club’ fool you in the name; they cleverly name this 'a Country Club for the 99%', so this place is far from snooty, but with classical music and fantastic décor.  Located right on the river in NE Minneapolis, this old-fashioned country club - meets adult carnival is not something you’re going to want to miss!  

The Menu: 

They have a brunching, lunch, and evening menu.  Each menu has a nice variety of options, and I like that there are plenty of healthy options to choose from, it’s not your regular bar-food only menu, I mean, it is technically a Country Club, but if it’s bar food  you’re looking for you can find that too.   Some of their menus are even displayed in an old fashioned etiquette book, so you can learn how to act like a lady or gentleman while you wait for your food.   If you decide you’d like to splurge they even offer a Rolls Royce for $284k on the menu…I’m curious if someone ever actually ordered this what they’d do…    Anyways, you can get anything from breakfast, tacos, patty melts, sandwiches, delicious salads, lasagna, even enchiladas.   I have to recommend the ‘Rachel “Bunny” Lowe Lambert Lloyd Mellon’s Guacamole Recipe’.  It’s a large platter served with chips, guac, salsa, and fresh veggies.  I love that they automatically serve this with salsa and veggies, you have to order veggies and salsa separate at a lot of restaurants so I love that they just cut to the chase and include it all in one order.   I also tried the Sag Harbor Shrimp Salad, which was delicious!  It’s tossed in a citrus vinaigrette so it’s light but it filling and the tequila pickled jalapeno gives it a nice kick.  I was too full to try their desserts but they have some great options, pecan pie, lemon bars, coffee cake, bon bons, and more.  Whatever you’re craving, you can’t go wrong here!

The Price:

Prices are reasonable, definitely not country club prices but it’s about what you’d spend at most decent restaurants in NE or uptown.  You can get an entree from $10 - $15, but this ranges depending on if you’re there for lunch, brunch, or dinner.  The ferris wheel is sold as a package deal, so you can’t just buy one ride, you’ll have to order a drink with the ticket, or food as well.  So if you’re buying for two, it’ll cost you about $30, more if you order the food package.  I think it’s well worth it, with great views of the river and skyline, you can relax, taking in the views while enjoying food/drink and good company.

The Service:

The service was great here both times I was there and both times it was pretty busy.  They keep a large amount of staff on hand so that certainly helps.  They are very friendly and professional but keep it very loose and are ready to joke with you if you’re in the mood for some laughs. 

I just love this place, I think it’s my new favorite happy hour spot for the summer.  The ferris wheel actually runs during the winter too, they offer warm blankets and hot beverages to keep you toasty so it’s not only fun in the warm months.  I think this place is perfect for a first date because there are so many things to talk about just looking around at the decorations, or opening an etiquette book – you shouldn’t run out of anything to talk about!  But really, it’s perfect for anyone and any occasion.  Except maybe the 1%...  :)

Check out some pictures from the ferris wheel below:

Icehouse

Where/Why:

Craving a unique, cool, relaxed spot to hang out with a friend, watch some live, local music, and eat some great homemade food while you’re at it?  Icehouse has what you’re looking for.  Even when there isn’t live music playing they still make sure to give you the ultimate smooth, jazz feeling.  Sitting in the middle of the restaurant surrounded by tall ceilings and long wooden frames I had a feel of a ski lodge mixed with a warm, intimate venue with some great decorations - like the carboy light fixtures which were great!  Here’s a little taste:

 I think the moment I knew I loved this spot is when while immersed in my amazing bowl of shrimp gumbo, ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ came on, but with a jazzy twist that I had never heard before.  I almost forgot I was right on 25^th and Nicollet, which is another thing that makes this place a perfect place to get away!

The Menu:

Offering four different menus depending on the time of day (lunch, dinner, snack, and brunch), Icehouse does a great job with comfort food for all tastes.  Their menu definitely isn’t something you’ll find at any other restaurant, in a very good way!  Take for instance the shrimp gumbo I had topped with a chicken wing for a twist.   This was amazing, huge pieces of shrimp, scallops, and pork tenderloin with great spice.  You can also get Bangers (sausage) & Mash, Scottish Salmon, Beef Short Rib Stroganoff, and Hash.  I’m not even skimming the top of it with that list either.  They also have great breakfast options, delicious snacks, and ice cream/sorbet selections you won’t find many other places.  Need and example?  How about beat sorbet , tobacco ice cream and smoked chocolate ice cream!   Not to leave out their beverages either, who could after seeing these!  You can get a Bloody Mary garnished with a mini-doughnut, or if you’d rather have a Screwdriver with a twist you’ll have to try the ‘WanDangSuperTang’.  I can’t wait to keep coming back to try another unique item on one of their inimitable menus!

The Price:

Prices are what you’d expect for Nicollet's eat street, but you definitely pay for quality food.  Lunches range from $11-$15, dinner from $18 - $22, small plates, desserts and snacks around $8, and beverages mainly range from $6 - $11.  You can also get a scoop of one of their many ice cream and sorbet selections for $2!  And daily late night specials, like $5 Tequila & Tacos Tuesday, and $6 Dawg & Tallboy Saturdays. 

The Service:

Icehouse can get busy and it definitely depends on the day, time, and if there’s live music playing so it might be a good idea to check out their website first if you’re wanting a quiet night (Icehouse ).  They do take reservations during their dinner and brunch hours if you want to lock down your munching spot.  Staff is friendly, and relaxed yet insightful and knowledgeable of the menu options.

Icehouse is just a great, unique, and easy to fall in love with restaurant.  The feel of the large open rooms and tall ceilings paired with the music and the unmatchable, strange, yet awesome and delicious menu, this is a place everyone should try, and try again. 

Buster's on 28th

Where/Why:

Craving a relaxed bar you can go to, small enough that you’ll be noticed but loud enough you won’t feel like you’re walking into a silent movie theater?  Buster's on 28th is your spot.  This is a great place to come for some delicious bar food, great craft beer selection, quick service, and a little bit of laughter and rowdiness.  Great place to come to blow off some steam after a long day at work, or just to come have a beer with a friend.  Located on the North side of Lake Hiawatha, right on - you guessed it - 28^th Ave.  Buster’s makes a fantastic neighborhood bar and restaurant and is not to be overlooked!

The Menu:

Their menu ranges from pizza and burgers to Po-boys and Panini.  From the buns to the meat, their burgers and sandwiches here are incredible.  One option you won’t be disappointed with (or left hungry with) is their Beer Braised Beef Sandwich.  Here’s some homemade comfort food at its best, just check out this picture:

It’s filling in all the right ways, juicy, with great flavor and tied together with a nice big bun and chipotle cream cheese.  I heard their burger has won awards but this sandwich has got to be in the running as well!  I also tried the Turkey Panini, easy to eat, light, simple, and mouthwatering.  Also, if you want to put a little spin on your sandwich or burger you can add all sorts of ingredients for a dollar, such as fried onions, mushrooms, bacon, beets, and blue cheese crumbles.

I also must mention the beer selection.  They have a wide variety to choose from, many which are local, and some great seasonal selections as well.  Some local taps include Fulton Sweet Child of Vine, Harriet West Side, Rush River Lyndale Brown, and Surly Furious.  Keep in mind these are subject to change but either way, as you can see, they have great taste in their beer selections.  They also have a ‘build your own beer flight’ where you can pick five of your favorite drafts and turn it into a nice flight of beer, which you might need to do if you can’t decide on which of their fabulous beers to get!

The Price:

Their dishes are very reasonably priced, especially given the sizes of some of them!  Their burgers are just $10, and most their sandwiches are $10 or less.  Served with your choice of fries, sweet potato fries (I highly recommend), chips, and other options.  Appetizers range from $4 - $12, most places don’t have anything on their menu for $4!  Beer prices aren’t bad either.  Most tap selections are either $5 or $6 and the ‘American Beer Flight’ is $14.

The Service:

I was really impressed with the service here, and this is with it jammed packed!  We were seated almost immediately, had waters right away, and our beverage order taken before we even knew what we wanted!  They were thorough, to the point, and quick – what more could you ask for!  Food came out before we knew it and we were actually out the door so quick I wondered how long we were even there! 

With their wide-ranged beer selection and classic American bar menu, you might want to stay for one more beer.  Buster’s on 28^th is a great place to visit.  I loved the neighborhood feel of the restaurant and relaxed atmosphere.  Laugh out loud with a friend and enjoy some fantastic food and beer!

Broders' Pasta Bar

Where/Why:

Hidden in the neat area of 50^th and Penn is an amazing Italian restaurant as well as a great kept secret.   Broders' Pasta Bar is charming, romantic, warm, and the food is something to talk about.  I love the unique set up of the restaurant with a bar wrapping around a wine-dispensing contraption and metal strainers used as light fixtures.   It has a cozy feel with great decorations, flowers, candles, and seasonal decor.  It’s relaxed, yet very classy and impressive.  I’ll recommend this restaurant for anyone that loves great Italian food for an even greater price and a fantastic atmosphere.

The menu:

Their menu is full of fresh, authentic Italian dishes inspired from a trip to Bologna, Italy by the owners back in 1980.  Their egg noodles are made in-house on a daily basis, ensuring only the freshest of ingredients.  Their menu changes seasonally which is a nice way to get us coming back to see what’s new.  Oil and bread is served prior to your meal, and if you happen to be a wine-o you’ll certainly be pleased with their wine selection and dispensary. 

When I was there I ordered the ‘ravioli con cucuzza’ which is house made butternut squash ravioli with walnuts and a taste of sage.  It was absolutely delicious!  Each flavor was matched together perfectly; certainly a great Fall dish but I could eat this every day!

I also had the pleasure of trying their ‘fettuccine con manzo’ which includes beef tenderloin, zucchini and mascarpone cheese.  This dish was absolutely delicious as well, in fact my boyfriend stated this was the best pasta he has ever had, which I couldn’t disagree with after trying!  You can taste the thoughtfulness of each dish, each ingredient complementing the other in a simple, yet flawless way.

The price:

The best part about this restaurant is its amazing quality of food, professional service, and amorous atmosphere with prices that aren’t going to break the bank.  Most dishes range from about $9 to $16, appetizers between $8 and $12, and a nice price range for their wine list so you can get an expensive bottle of wine or a not-so-expensive bottle, ½ bottle, or by the glass.  I loved the variety of the wine options.    

The service:

Instead of sitting at a table we were sat right at the wrap-around bar so our server was always somewhere along the bar area which was very nice and made for excellent service.  From here you can even watch your meal being prepared in the kitchen right in front of you.  They were very professional, yet emitted a warm sense of friendliness at the same time.  I was very impressed with the service here from walking in the door and being greeted to walking out.  Do be prepared for a little bit of a wait if you go during regular dinner hours…but the wait is worth it, especially if you grab a glass of wine and relax in their waiting area, even there has a great feel – see my picture below:

Broders’ Pasta Bar is a great place for a romantic date to celebrate an anniversary or just because.  If you’re looking for a nice precooked Italian meal right in your home their menu is also available for takeout - or you can even buy some of their ingredients to make your own dishes at home with your own spin to it!  Don’t miss out on one of the best Italian restaurants in the area; make it soon to check out the Fall seasonal menu!