05 Feb 10 Minneapolis Restaurant Roundup

So I’ve been to a bunch of new restaurants lately. Time to review them! Now, when it comes to reviewing food, I am strictly a foodie–someone who enjoys food strictly for consumption and enjoyment. I differ from a gourmet in that I’m not really interested in just the best food, but rather everything about food. Without further ado…

Sauce Spirit and Sound Bar: B+

The owner of this restaurant, in true demonstration of the 6-degrees of separation rule, is a cousin of a friend of mine from work. I went here, which is located at Lake and Lyndale, expecting something similar to the Tapas restaurant that was here before. And while they do have excellent appetizers, they also have a full range of sandwiches and pasta. Delicious! Great crowd of the uptown hipster brigade with consistent new, local shows while you eat and drink away.

Appetizer: Parmesan and french fries with garlic aioli, sauteed calamari in cream sauce and peppers

Entree: Fusili Gorgonzola: Italian sausage and vegetables in cream gorgonzola sauce

Drink: Newcastle Ale

House of Wong: C

I went here with the bears (Kameron, Dave, and Jeremy) for a post-Avatar Chinese food session. I had the orange chicken which was pleasantly sweet and salty, and very filling. As far as basic Chinese restaurants go, House of Wong is private and cozy and warm, even after a disappointing science fiction movie. Uniquely, they also served American food here and apparently have been around since 1950.

Stella’s Fish Cafe: A

I came here on an excellent date in late December. While the focus was on the conversation, the amazing food was a perfect compliment. Authentic seafood all around: from the appetizers to the entrees. My boss had given me a coupon for this excellent place, a point of great contention between my predecessor and I. Armed with a bottle of Carmenere, I mused that the reputation of oysters as an aphrodisiac is based on pseudoscience but certainly not a mis-correlation, for this particular evening.

Appetizer: Oysters on the half shell for two

Entree: Blackened diver scallops in a white wine sauce

Drink: Carmenere red wine

Keys Foshay Tower: B-

I came here with the aforementioned date for a post-New Year’s brunch.While the original plan was to go to Hell’s Kitchen, we were sorely disappointed by the wait time and how mean their staff were. But apropos. We had enough energy to charge into the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and spend most of the afternoon there! The only thing I really missed were their elaborate Bloody Mary’s–bright red, served with a state fair-sized pickle and celery with a shot of beer.

Appetizer: Carmel and cinnamon roles (we shared)

Entree: Key’s Famous Everything Ommelet

Drink: Fresh-squeezed orange juice with a hint of grapefruit

Rinata: A-

While a little on the spendy side for me, Rinata is an excellent and homey Italian restaurant. I came here back in early winter on a casual date with, oddly, someone from near my hometown. While in some cases you are almost bumping elbows with your neighbors, the atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, especially when watching wet fall leaves chase each other on the drab sidewalks.

Appetizer: Baked Bulgarian feta with artichokes peppers and olives

Entree: Gnocchi with veal saltimbocca prosciutto and lemon white wine sauce

Drink: Cecchi Chianti ’06

Great Moon Buffet: B

OK, so this is not a recent visit. My roommates and I, in the celebration of our traditional Asian Thursday meal together, went to St. Paul’s Great Moon Buffet way back in October. I remember fondly dreaming of my Morgog the Lich costume while I ate some delicious sweet-and-sour chicken. While buffets have a (often well-deserved) negative opinion, Great Moon Buffet is clean with happy staff and while large, doesn’t come across as a dining hall due to its design and private booths.

Lyndale Tap House: A+

As awesome as all these restaurant are, the Lyndale Tap House stands out as one of the best restaurants I have been to–period. As a new place on Lyndale (where JP’s was, across from Herkimer), it was favorably reviewed by Minneapolis-St.Paul magazine, which led me to the place. After a few Finnegan’s red beer, I muse that the unique 1950’s pinup pictures of women in skimpy cowgirl outfits wrangling cows is a fascinating juxtaposition on American perceptions of “meat”. Fascinating!

Since that first fateful dinner there with my roommate Cody, I’ve been there four separate times with friends and once on a date (all within a month). It’s absolutely amazing–great food (marinated pit beef and hamburger), flavorful sides and fries, homemade pickles, and a great beer list. The best thing about the great flavor? Nearly everything on their menu is under $10. A very well-deserved A+ grade restaurant, clearly the favorite as I start 2010.

Appetizer: Hand-cut fries with Wisconsin cheddar, beef jus and scallions; garlic sausage bites with house-made spicy mustard; grilled bruschetta with cannellini bean dip and roasted garlic

Entree: 1/3 lb hamburger with fried onions, lettuce, tomato and cheddar cheese; 1/3lb hamburger with grilled red peppers, onions, smoked gouda and charred jalapeno aioli; and 1/3lb hamburger with Black River, WI blue cheese and smoked bacon.

Drink: Finnegan’s red (consistently)

Tags: dates, food, foodie, Minneapolis, restaurant, St. Paul, wine