MN Ladies

[noodleskooze]

BTW, still bummed I'm missing the gtg by one day!

We will be in MN next week, and our anniversary falls during the trip. We usually go to an Italian restaurant, but are open to other options if there's some place we really shouldn't miss. We'll be in the Andover area and probably can't venture too far from there. Any recs?

[malibu]

I can't think of anything on that end of town. Downtown Mpls usually has the 'must-try' restaurants, and that's probably out of the range if you can't venture too far.

[nahoku]

I'm not *too* far from that area and, honestly, you're not going to find much outside of chain restaurants if you don't want to venture too far from the Andover area. For that, there are a lot of options in Coon Rapids. I was trying to think of good restaurants in the north metro area and I thought of Tria in Centerville (which I've been to once and really liked) and Acqua in Forest Lake or White Bear Lake (haven't been but is supposed to be solid).

But, depending on where you are in Andover, those are still like 25-30 minute drives away and at that point, you may as well go downtown, imo! If you do decide you can venture further out of the burbs into Minneapolis, I will recommend Bar La Grassa - I'm never disappointed.  So good! And Italian

[katieido]

Andover is pretty remote, restaurant wise, not going to lie. There's some decent places in Blaine, coon rapids. and anoka maybe. Probably not fine dining. I live in this area if you want specific recs.

[katieido]

The tavern and Bricks in Blaine are not bad.

[nahoku]

Mar 6, 2014 14:33:47 GMT -5 katieido said:

The tavern and Bricks in Blaine are not bad.

Agree, I've liked the Tavern.  I haven't been to Brick's yet.  


There's also an Axel's in Blaine, which is (I think) a local chain.  It's usually our choice if we want something nicer but don't want to drive too far

[noodleskooze]

Thanks ladies! It's not that we don't want to drive back into the cities, but we will have family watching the baby and will be borrowing their car, so we're hesitant to venture too far out. I'll be looking up some of your recs later!

[Blueper]

Maple Grove has a Buca Di Beppo and Champlin has www.buonaserawinebar.com/

Buona Sera is THE place that people in my town go to for their anniversary. You are "treated like family" because the restaurant is in a one story house.

Of the two, I like Buca more.

[noodleskooze]

Ok ladies, we decided we should go I to the city for dinner.

What are some places we shouldn't miss?

[Blueper]

I don't have any Italian suggestions for the city. My favorite restaurants are Chino Latino and Chimborazo(Ecuadorian).

[nahoku]

I'll restate my rec for Bar La Grassa if you're going into the city and want Italian. I'm never disappointed with their soft eggs and lobster bruschetta for an app and the gnocchi with cauliflower and orange for an entree. Yum yum yum!

My other go-to restaurant recommendations are: 112 Eatery, Butcher and the Boar, The Bachelor Farmer, Red Stag Supper Club (all in Mpls). If you want an old-school type place, you could do Nye's in NE (and then dance to the world's most dangerous polka band or sing a song at the piano bar!).

In St Paul, I'd recommend Heartland or Meritage.

If you're feeling really adventurous and you're okay with being a little outside of the city, go to Robbinsdale to Travail or The Rookery or Pig Ate My Pizza. Travail/Rookery are the big foodie restaurants here, they're in the same building and PAMP is just down the street.

[Moe]

Mar 10, 2014 13:17:13 GMT -5 nahoku said:

I'll restate my rec for Bar La Grassa if you're going into the city and want Italian. I'm never disappointed with their soft eggs and lobster bruschetta for an app and the gnocchi with cauliflower and orange for an entree. Yum yum yum!

My other go-to restaurant recommendations are: 112 Eatery, Butcher and the Boar, The Bachelor Farmer, Red Stag Supper Club (all in Mpls). If you want an old-school type place, you could do Nye's in NE (and then dance to the world's most dangerous polka band or sing a song at the piano bar!).

In St Paul, I'd recommend Heartland or Meritage.

If you're feeling really adventurous and you're okay with being a little outside of the city, go to Robbinsdale to Travail or The Rookery or Pig Ate My Pizza. Travail/Rookery are the big foodie restaurants here, they're in the same building and PAMP is just down the street.

Nahoku pretty much hit all my faves.

I also like Union (but only their rooftop bar, mostly because of their locale), Craftsman, Borough/Parlour, Piccolo (do the tasting, a la carte would be foolish) and the Corner Table.

Not romantic, but Victory 44 is closer to you (and delicious, also do the tasting menu!), & I love Tilia (the bad is that there's no reservations, but they're delicious!)

[keyslover]

Mar 6, 2014 14:57:59 GMT -5 noodleskooze said:

Thanks ladies! It's not that we don't want to drive back into the cities, but we will have family watching the baby and will be borrowing their car, so we're hesitant to venture too far out. I'll be looking up some of your recs later!

There is an Italian joint in Champlain that is good.  
www.buonaserawinebar.com/

Anoka has a Mexican place that is good, not fancy. It is cute in Downtown Anoka.  Casa Rio Tex Mex Restaurant.

[Blueper]

Mar 10, 2014 14:21:44 GMT -5 keyslover said:

Mar 6, 2014 14:57:59 GMT -5 noodleskooze said:

Thanks ladies! It's not that we don't want to drive back into the cities, but we will have family watching the baby and will be borrowing their car, so we're hesitant to venture too far out. I'll be looking up some of your recs later!

There is an Italian joint in Champlain that is good.  
www.buonaserawinebar.com/

Anoka has a Mexican place that is good, not fancy. It is cute in Downtown Anoka.  Casa Rio Tex Mex Restaurant.

You should go there on Wednesdays (I think). They have a great date night special. Fajitas for two, two drinks, chips and cheese for ~$20