Best places to eat/drink in Minnie

[DaveW]

Heading to Minnie for the Outdoor stadium game this weekend.

Have been to Minnesota several times obviously but usually its just for a couple ball games or work.

 

Wanted to get some recommendations for some of the best places to eat/drink in the city (we are staying a block or so from the Target Center) so downtown or within 5-6 miles would be ideal.

 

Looking for: Good Whiskey Bar, Good Beer bar, Good food spot.

 

I usually hit up hells kitchen for a brunch or two when I stay, so something along those lines when it comes to pricing/vibe/quality.

 

Also any good sports bar worth checking out as well? I have been to the ones near Target Field etc and they are OK, I'm just sure there is one that might be a bit more recommended by you locals.

 

Also this thread may be a good one overall for you locals as well to share some tips.

 

Cheers!

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

I don't drink whiskey....and these aren't the BEST places, but I'd recommend these for sure:

 

Butcher and the Boar

Bachelor Farmer (pricey, possibly, the bar below is supposed to be awesome)

Sanctuary (a bit pricey, but not outrageous)

Chino Latino (not downtown, but not far)

Saffron (love this place)

Lake and Irving (not downtown, but not far)

Northbound Smokehouse and Brewpub (not downtown, but not far)

 

The following breweries also:

Fulton (nice and close)

Surly (I like the food too, some don't)

Dangerous Man

 

If none of those appeal to you, let me know, I can post A LOT more......

 

[Craig Arko]

For breakfast; strongly recommend Keys.

 

114 So. 9th Street, (in Foshay Tower) so a few blocks away.

 

http://www.keyscafe.com/restaurants/minneapolis-mn?__hssc=28183779

 

[ALessKosherScott]

My beer of choice is Surly Bender.

 

My hangover breakfast of choice is Victor's 1959 Cafe.

[Craig Arko]

For drinking downtown I'd probably head to Kieran's or Lyon's Pub. My kind of ambiance.

[USAFChief]

Pizza:  Jake's, downtown Willmar

 

walleye:  my nephew's house.

[Willihammer]

Merlins Rest is THE whisky spot. 36th and Lake.

 

Keys and Hell's Kitchen are both good brunch choices. Keys does not take reservations IIRC so you'll want to get there early.

 

At the slightly higher end/classy scale, Lucia's on 31st St just west of Hennepin is a good spot. That's a good place to make a dessert run too if you want to eat somewhere elsewhere in uptown.

[Craig Arko]

 

Merlins Rest is THE whisky spot. 36th and Lake.

 

Keys and Hell's Kitchen are both good brunch choices. Keys does not take reservations IIRC so you'll want to get there early.

 

At the slightly higher end/classy scale, Lucia's on 31st St just west of Hennepin is a good spot. That's a good place to make a dessert run too if you want to eat somewhere elsewhere in uptown.

++ Merlin's Rest.

[DaveW]

 

Pizza:  Jake's, downtown Willmar

 

walleye:  my nephew's house.

Not to be that "guy" from New York, but I am quite the pizza snob, is it life changing Pizza? Or just good?

[DaveW]

 

 

Merlins Rest is THE whisky spot. 36th and Lake.

 

Keys and Hell's Kitchen are both good brunch choices. Keys does not take reservations IIRC so you'll want to get there early.

 

At the slightly higher end/classy scale, Lucia's on 31st St just west of Hennepin is a good spot. That's a good place to make a dessert run too if you want to eat somewhere elsewhere in uptown.

There we go! Will definitely check out Merlins.

 

What is a good place to just go get a nice old fashioned ribeye or porterhouse?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

[USAFChief]

Not to be that "guy" from New York, but I am quite the pizza snob, is it life changing Pizza? Or just good?

Yes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In all seriousness, I would guess that pizza is in the eye of the beholder...That said, i am possibly biased due to favorable memories of youth, but Mrs Chief and I do not take a trip to Minnesota without inventing a reason to have pizza at Jakes, even if involves a 2 hr drive.

[Squirrel]

 

There we go! Will definitely check out Merlins.

 

What is a good place to just go get a nice old fashioned ribeye or porterhouse?

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys!

I haven't lived there for a long time so I don't know if what I knew then still applies ... someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Manny's was always a very good steak house. Then there's Murray's ... not really sure about how good they were/are, but it's kind of an 'old fashioned' steak house; one of those kind of iconic 'landmark' restaurants that every city has.

 

Both of these I think are still in downtown Minneapolis? Yes?

[DaveW]

 

Yes.






In all seriousness, I would guess that pizza is in the eye of the beholder...That said, i am possibly biased due to favorable memories of youth, but Mrs Chief and I do not take a trip to Minnesota without inventing a reason to have pizza at Jakes, even if involves a 2 hr drive.

Good to know, will give it a shot.

[USAFChief]

Good to know, will give it a shot.

The two hour drive thing was for real. Each way. Just so you know. Willmar. Check a map.

[Craig Arko]

I haven't lived there for a long time so I don't know if what I knew then still applies ... someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Manny's was always a very good steak house. Then there's Murray's ... not really sure about how good they were/are, but it's kind of an 'old fashioned' steak house; one of those kind of iconic 'landmark' restaurants that every city has.

 

Both of these I think are still in downtown Minneapolis? Yes?

Yes. Still both considered top of the line. I would also put in a vote for Fogo de Chao, for the variety as well as the quality.

[DaveW]

The two hour drive thing was for real. Each way. Just so you know. Willmar. Check a map.

I believed you!

[joethastud]

Whiskey Bar: Marvel Bar

Burgers: Red Cow

Steak: Butcher And The Boar - Murray's and Manny's are can't miss, but just too expensive.  BATB is a great environment too.

Breakfast: Key's or Barbette in Uptown.

Pizza: Not downtown, but my favorite is Psycho Suzies.  Probably my favorite all around bar too.  Black Sheep is always good downtown too.

[twinsnorth49]

Will vouch for Black Sheep, although busy and it's small. They will serve pints while you wait for your table though. Pizzeria Lola was life altering pizza for me however, the best I've had, although not downtown.

 

Definitely second the nod to Barbette, for breakfast or for late night pints, it's a gem in Uptown and right across the street from the previously mentioned Lake and Irving. Stella's in Uptown is also good, nice rooftop patio and good food.

 

 

Cuzzy's is a good breakfast too, if you like dives. Around the corner from Target and up the street from Fulton's brewery and tap room.

 

Manny's and Murray's are both top class steak houses (Manny's is around the corner from Hell's Kitchen and Murray's is on 6th, straight out the gates of Target), but sticking with the North Loop theme. J.D. Hoyt's Supper Club and Monte Carlo are excellent and more affordable.

 

Brit's Pub is a good place, as is Kieran's Irish pub, which is literally across the street from Target, literally.

 

So many more to name, so little time.

 

Enjoy

[Mike Sixel]

I would also endorse JD Hoyt's and Monte Carlo as good and cheaper than Manny's, but I LOVE Manny's. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

While we're on the subject, is there a truly good scotch bar in the TC? I have a pretty solid collection of scotches - about a dozen bottles now - but I hate having to buy a $50+ bottle to find out if I like a scotch.

 

By "good scotch bar", I'm talking about a place with at least 30 scotches on hand, preferably with a focus on non-Speyside varieties. Anything less than that and I've probably tasted whatever the restaurant has on hand (I've had scotches from 40-50 distilleries).

[Mike Sixel]

 

While we're on the subject, is there a truly good scotch bar in the TC? I have a pretty solid collection of scotches - about a dozen bottles now - but I hate having to buy a $50+ bottle to find out if I like a scotch.

 

By "good scotch bar", I'm talking about a place with at least 30 scotches on hand, preferably with a focus on non-Speyside varieties. Anything less than that and I've probably tasted whatever the restaurant has on hand (I've had scotches from 40-50 distilleries).

 

If I can recall who they are, I'll ask some friends (I have two that love them, but now I can't remember which ones).

[Vanimal46]

 

While we're on the subject, is there a truly good scotch bar in the TC? I have a pretty solid collection of scotches - about a dozen bottles now - but I hate having to buy a $50+ bottle to find out if I like a scotch.

 

By "good scotch bar", I'm talking about a place with at least 30 scotches on hand, preferably with a focus on non-Speyside varieties. Anything less than that and I've probably tasted whatever the restaurant has on hand (I've had scotches from 40-50 distilleries).

Slightly off topic relating to your interest in scotch, would you say that's an acquired taste that you've gained over the years? Did you always know that you liked scotch? I can drink vodka, rum, and wine like water but have not been able to find a scotch that I enjoy.... or maybe it's because I haven't acquired the taste for it yet. 

[Craig Arko]

Slightly off topic relating to your interest in scotch, would you say that's an acquired taste that you've gained over the years? Did you always know that you liked scotch? I can drink vodka, rum, and wine like water but have not been able to find a scotch that I enjoy.... or maybe it's because I haven't acquired the taste for it yet.

 

To learn to drink Scotch, starting with one of the smooth blends like Chivas Regal might work.

 

By my standards, it's Ouzo that's an acquired taste.

[twinsnorth49]

 

To learn to drink Scotch, starting with one of the smooth blends like Chivas Regal might work.

By my standards, it's Ouzo that's an acquired taste.

Start with these.

 

[twinsnorth49]

I've simply never been able to acquire a taste for something that I imagine is what  a dirty sweat sock, stuffed with moss and soaked in gasoline tastes like.

 

So yeah, not a scotch guy.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Slightly off topic relating to your interest in scotch, would you say that's an acquired taste that you've gained over the years? Did you always know that you liked scotch? I can drink vodka, rum, and wine like water but have not been able to find a scotch that I enjoy.... or maybe it's because I haven't acquired the taste for it yet.

I've only gotten into scotch over the past few years. I always liked it but I didn't know much about it. Liking scotch requires a few things:

 

- You like seriously strong liquor

 

- You like drinking liquor straight

 

- You like spending too much money

 

It's not for everyone. I happen to like the taste of whisky and the varieties available. I rarely, if ever, mix whisky. It doesn't matter if it's scotch, bourbon, Japanese, Canadian, Irish, or whatever.

 

And if you don't like drinking straight liquor, then it's not likely scotch is your bag (nor any aged liquor, really). Some people claim to like scotch and soda but I think it's horrendous. If you're interested in trying some milder scotches, I can steer you toward some reasonable bottles that won't invert your face after sipping the scotch.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I always thought Cedar-Riverside and Seven Corners were underrated, but sounds like you are too fancy for those neighborhoods? the best breakfast you might ever have is at Hard Times Cafe but the staff there comes and goes, so who knows. Hard Times is what Hell's Kitchen wanted to be before Hell's Kitchen went corporate. Hell's Kitchen still highly recommended however. If you need a hot dog or sausage and are feeling lucky there was (is) a place called The Weinery which gives new meaning to the phrase hole in the wall/greasy spoon. There are usually some good African restaurants but the Chinese places aren't recommended. If you get scared there is a Chipotle nearby. There are a couple good bars, a couple of modern sports bars, music clubs and small theaters. This is the area between downtown and the U of M. Feel like you are in college again. You only live once!

[Squirrel]

 

I always thought Cedar-Riverside and Seven Corners were underrated, but sounds like you are too fancy for those neighborhoods? If you need a hot dog or sausage and are feeling lucky there was (is) a place called The Weinery which gives new meaning to the phrase hole in the wall/greasy spoon.

They were on Triple-D. (Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, for those not in the know.)

[Shane Wahl]

If I ever make it back to the TC, I will go out to two places (after Surly): CC Club and Palmers. If you don't understand why, I can't help you.

[DaveW]

I always thought Cedar-Riverside and Seven Corners were underrated, but sounds like you are too fancy for those neighborhoods? the best breakfast you might ever have is at Hard Times Cafe but the staff there comes and goes, so who knows. Hard Times is what Hell's Kitchen wanted to be before Hell's Kitchen went corporate. Hell's Kitchen still highly recommended however. If you need a hot dog or sausage and are feeling lucky there was (is) a place called The Weinery which gives new meaning to the phrase hole in the wall/greasy spoon. There are usually some good African restaurants but the Chinese places aren't recommended. If you get scared there is a Chipotle nearby. There are a couple good bars, a couple of modern sports bars, music clubs and small theaters. This is the area between downtown and the U of M. Feel like you are in college again. You only live once!

I don't mind hitting up any neighborhood, I won't have a car though so I prefer any place that is 20 minutes or less in an uber

 

Thanks for the recommendations all!