minneapolis suggestions

[iridium7777]

i'd like to take out my girlfriend out for her birthday out in minneapolis or st. paul area on a friday night. it'd only be the two of us; preferably, it'd be more ambiance and drink orientated and not a 5 course tasting -- more of a lounge than a bar.

we're already going to chino's on saturday so that's out. even something cheesy like psycho suzi's would be good, although we already went there and i'd like to take her some place new. i know nothing in minnesota so i'm looking for any suggestions.

thanks.

 

[mr. magoo]

My wife is from there, so I go back from time to time. MN-based folks may have better suggestions, but here are a few...

http://www.112eatery.com/
http://www.chambersminneapolis.com/c...hotel-kitchen/
http://www.restaurantalma.com/
http://info.walkerart.org/visit/dining.wac
http://www.cosmosrestaurant.com/

 

[Epaulet]

If cheesy is alright with you, then there's only one place to go. It's amazing! www.nyespolonaise.com

 

[erbs]

+1 for Nye's Polonaise Room.

Murray's and Manny's steakhouses are also great choices:

http://www.murraysrestaurant.com/home.html

http://www.mannyssteakhouse.com/

 

[RustyRyan]

+1 on Manny's for food, make sure to get a side of the bacon.
-1 on Nye's, very overrated

 

[SoCal2NYC]

I enjoyed Chambers Kitchen and the restaurant at the Grave's when I went.

 

[Cary Grant]

For dinner- 112. It's where the chef's eat after hours.

For young swank and trendy bars plus good food, CHambers, Graves and Cosmos are all hopping. But they're pricey- $10-$15 and up for mixed drinks etc. For dinner, dessert and drinks at any of the best places along Hennepin etc you're looking at $100 and up if you go all out.

The guys from La Belle Vie have opened Bario and it's brillaint- tequila bar, tough to get a table. Definitely the hot spot now but also quite affordable.

http://www.barriotequila.com/

I bet you'd love it.

For romance, Vincent's is very popular- but it's more of a quiet dinner scene. And Nyes is certainly great for a red velvet laugh.

 

[iridium7777]

thanks for those suggestions. i was actually aware of the two steak houses and we've walked by them before but i didn't really want to do a $50/plate with heavy food -- more of a decent drink atmosphere with some food to nibble on.

Originally Posted by erbs

+1 for Nye's Polonaise Room.

Murray's and Manny's steakhouses are also great choices:

http://www.murraysrestaurant.com/home.html

http://www.mannyssteakhouse.com/

 

[iridium7777]

thanks for the suggestions. the bario place if we can get in would be more of what i'm looking for. drinks + some snacks. since you're from around there, do you know of any tapas places?

Originally Posted by Cary Grant

The guys from La Belle Vie have opened Bario and it's brillaint- tequila bar, tough to get a table. Definitely the hot spot now but also quite affordable.

http://www.barriotequila.com/

I bet you'd love it.

For romance, Vincent's is very popular- but it's more of a quiet dinner scene. And Nyes is certainly great for a red velvet laugh.

 

[bdeuce22]

haven't been there yet, but have heard good things

solera

 

[Cary Grant]

Tapas: On Hennepin- Solera, from the same chef as Barrio and La Belle Vie. Excellent. Upscale/trendy crowd.

I haven't been to La Bodega but friends like it. It's casual and in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood. If you're not from the area, you'd probably get more out of Solera as it's in the heart things.

I bet you'd like Solera or Barrio.

 

[whallyden]

I would second La Belle Vie, 112, or Solera.

 

[SoCal2NYC]

Solera was okay. A lot of what they served didn't really work.

 

[Nataku]

Porter & Frye in the Ivy tower next to the civic center is pretty good. The Capital Grille on Hennepin Ave is also great.....these are food-wise. I see you lean towards drinks and ambiance. Give Bank a try. It's in the Westin Hotel: http://www.bankmpls.com/

 

[iridium7777]

Originally Posted by Nataku

I see you lean towards drinks and ambiance. Give Bank a try. It's in the Westin Hotel:
http://www.bankmpls.com/

ooo, i like that. i made a reservation at firelake but will probably switch to this. thank yous.