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!