Il Gatto

Il Gatto - 3001 Hennepin Ave. S. Mpls

If you have been to Uptown lately, you may have noticed that the beloved Figlio is no more and in it's stead is a restaurant that starts with the letter 'i', Il Gatto. When it originally opened, it was quite a dud for such prized real estate. It has since been retooled by Tim McKee (James Beard Award winner, also of Sea Change, La Bella Vie, Solera, and Smalley’s Caribbean BBQ). He redesigned the menu and brought in chef Jim Christiansen (long time sous chef at Sea Change - my favorite seafood restaurant in the state. Keep this seafood background in mind when making your selections). The menu consists of a variety of salads, pastas, pizzas, meat and seafood dishes. Sunday through Thursday, nightly specials are offered at a great discount. They have a full (and quite impressive) bar, an extensive wine list, and a few local brews.

We ordered exclusively seafood dishes throughout the evening, starting with the Frito Misto for an appetizer. This one is definitely to share! It was a heaping serving of lightly breaded and fried calamari, shrimp, scallops, and crispy vegetables. Served with a lemon, caper aioli, and a delicious cracked pepper marinara. Although I am usually not a fan of deep fried foods, it was light and crisp.

The Bobolati pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente, and tossed with a very healthy portion of lobster, shrimp, crab, and clams. The slightly spicy chili and tomato sauce added the right amount of zip to the succulent, sweet shellfish.

Our second seafood/pasta entree wasn't quite as spectacular. The Trofie pasta lacked a depth of flavors. It's pistachio pesto was good and the lemony zing added to the shrimp, but overall the dish could have benefited from more of the tomato confit.

In an effort to offset all of the carbs we had just injested, we ordered the Cavolo Toscano. It was a delicious blend of Tuscan kale, garlic, peperroncino, and pancetta, and it did just the trick.

The interior of the old Figlio's also received quite a redesign. Il gatto is much more modern, sleek, and streamlined while maintaining a warm and cozy feel. The remodeled space is utilized much better and consists of dark booths and high tables. My only complaint about the decor was that there were many TVs hung around the dining area. While enjoying the game may be fun when sitting at the bar, being inundated with commercials for the latest energy drink during a meal can distract from the food in which patrons are partaking. Overall, I would not say that Il Gatto was a major improvement over the old Figlio's, nor is it a downgrade. You will have to decide for yourself on this one!

Other recommendations from our club that start with a ‘i'

I Nonni -Rustic Roman food using locally soured ingredients.

It's Greek To Me - Known for their spanakopita, dolmades, and mousaka. Beautiful patio dining.

Izzy's Ice Cream Cafe - Some of the best homemade ice cream in the metro

Next month’s destination – Jasmine 26
Bon Appitte!

Haute Dish - 119 Washington Ave N. Mpls

For the letter 'H' we went to Minneapolis' Haute Dish (pronounced hot dish). It has been declared by Minnesota Monthly as 'one of the most important restaurants of 2010'; and it is highly deserving of that acclamation! Chef Landon Schoenefeld's menu is all-American in a very modern way. He uses many different ingredients and cuisines, and marries them blissfully! They have a full bar with a small wine list, a favorite local beer,Surly, and an array of classic American drinks. The mint julep is fabulous and is served Kentucky Derby style-- in a silver cup. The Minnesota Mule is equally delicious! Served in a copper mug, and garnished with house-dried ginger, this drink uses local Prairie Organic Vodka.

When it comes to appetizers, we are usually so hungry that making a decision doesn't take long. However, we were stuck when deciding between the Steak & Eggs (Steak tartare, Egg in a hole, and Bloody Mary oyster shooter) and the Med Plate. Although the Steak & Eggs was highly recommend, we chose the Med Plate because it looked much easier to split. It was easy to share, but I didn't want to do any such thing! It was scrumptious! A bottom layer of delicious hummus was covered with smokey flavored Pepperocini peppers, preserved tomatoes, oil cured Shitake, Cremini and Oyster mushrooms, garlic Confit, an array of different marinated olives, Olive Tapenade and a Feta cheese Panna Cotta with tomato water gelee! It was a plate fit for the Greek gods!

Upon your first visit to Haute Dish, ordering the Tater Tot Hot Dish is a must! It is nothing like the traditional Minnesotan dish in any way, shape, or form (see the photo). The braised short ribs practically fall apart just by looking at them. Served along side the ribs were French cut green beans, Procini bechamel, and potato croquets. Oh, those tots!! Words escape me trying to describe these little clouds of potatoes sent straight from the heavens and onto my plate; crispy outside, and oohey-gooey goodness inside...*sigh*

You shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, nor should you assume the menu items at Haute Dish are what they seem. The Chicken and Dumplings also defied tradition. The chicken was indeed chicken (though seasoned and cooked far superior to most) but the 'dumplings' were actually gnocchi, and there wasn't any broth. There were also some amazing sausage meatballs, and sweet prunes. Each flavor was so distinct but all blended into a harmonious chorus of Alleluia!

Desserts are prepared by Christian Aldrich. This man is also a culinary genius! The Peach & Basil Sorbet with house-made marshmallow was definitely one of the most unique combinations I have encountered in a dessert in quite a while. The Butternut squash torte with toasted coconut ice cream, sage and cream sauce was like a pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving mixed with a New Year's celebration!

The ambiance is just as delicious as the food. Located in the old Cafe Havana space, Haute Dish boasts Victorian decor with dark and cozy booths and a bustling bar. I have been called both a food snob and a musical snob, and Haute Dish suited me on both fronts. Their play list was filled with great tunes (mostly of the Indie and Alternative variety - my favorites). The wait staff was extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu and was extremely attentive. The final reason that I would recommend Haute Dish is that they comply with one of our objectives; using local ingredients. They don't mention it on their menu, but while talking with Chef Schoenefeld, he told me that he didn't think such things needed to be mentioned, because it should just be a given that all good chefs are utilizing our local farmers! Since the menu changes seasonally, there is always something new and interesting at Haute Dish. I can't wait to go back for more!

Other recommendations from our club that start with a ‘H’:
Harry Singh's Original Caribbean Restaurant - Roti, curries, and great vegetarian options
Heartland - Inventive dishes using local ingredients. If the Wild Boar is available, get it!
Holy Land- Yummy Gyros, Falafel, etc. They also have a great market with some of the best hummus and feta in the state!

Next month’s destination – il Gato
Bon Appitte!

Good Earth - 1901 Hwy 36, Roseville

On our journey through the alphabet, we decided to venture outside the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul to see what the suburbs had to offer us in the way of local, organic, and sustainable cuisine. We decided on Good Earth, which has two locations both in the 'burbs, one in Roseville and another in the Galleria in Edina. Their mission is to 'cook in harmony with the seasons' while using local and organic ingredients. The menu was a wide range of soups & salads, sandwiches & wraps, natural burgers, options from the sea, and from the farm, and many vegetarian dishes. They also had a extensive menu of fresh juices, smoothies, and natural shakes. The wine and beer list included some local offerings, and even a vegan, organic wine.

From the 'Small Plates...Sharing Plates' section of the menu we selected the Bangkok Chicken Satay and the Sun Dried Tomato & Basil Pesto Pizza. The satay was a Thai marinated and grilled chicken, served over a napa slaw. Two excellent dipping sauces were served on the side; a peanut sauce and spicy chili sauce. The sun dried tomato & basil pesto pizza was a great Italian classic. The thin crust was good, although a bit on the soggy side. The pizza was topped with spinach, red pepper, onion, cherry tomato and covered in a nice layer of gruyere and shredded Romano cheeses.

Our first entree 'from the sea' was the Grilled Salmon & Mango Salsa. The salmon was quite good, especially when combined with the mango salsa. However, it was served with a very bland wheat berry rice and green beans. Neither had much flavor. The wheat berry rice was literally just that and nothing else, no herbs, veggies, or seasonings. I added the leftover sauces from the Chicken Satay to add some pep.

Our second fish entree was (not any less) boring! The Tilapia Tacos were a breaded and bland disappointment.The salsa was a very small portion and lacked any spicy zip. It was more like a Swedish taco than one of Latin America!

The Turkey Meatloaf made me dream of Thanksgiving. The meatloaf had a distinct sage and stuffing (dressing) flavor. The cranberries were seasoned with allspice and nutmeg. And the yams tasted of pumpkin pie with all the cinnamon and nutmeggy sweetness.

To try something different, we sampled the Coconut Curried Chicken topped with shaved coconut. It was served with a great, and slightly smokey, mango chutney. Its sweetness complimented and contrasted the saltiness of the curry sauce. My disappointment with this dish was that it was served with white rice. (Brown rice would have been a more healthy choice.)

As we were leaving, we ordered a Keylime Cookie to go. Basically, it was a sugar cookie with a great key lime flavor. It was delicious and I'm sure it made up for any calories that we may have avoided during our dinner.

Good Earth is located in close proximity to the Rosedale Mall. The building looked and felt like it was a converted Bakers Square or Perkins. The interior felt similar... large open space with very generic decor. Their menu items were reasonably priced. However, I could have made any dish that we sampled at home for quite a bit less and made it much tastier. We felt that most of their menu items were bland and typical of what most people think of, when they think of 'healthy' food. This doesn't need to be and shouldn't be the case of a good healthy meal in my opinion. There are so many ways to add flavor without using 'unnatural' ingredients or lacing food with salt. If you prefer a Norwegian-style of seasoning and are looking to start supporting restaurants that utilize natural ingredients, perhaps you would enjoy Good Earth. For those of us who prefer to be dazzled with our meals, perhaps we will head back into the city!

Other recommendations from our club that start with a 'G':

-Galactic Pizza - Organic and local veggies when available, delivered in electric cars by spandex wearing super heroes!
-Gianni's Steakhouse - A yummy steakhouse (though they don't use grass fed/ organic beef) with an amazing salad
-Ginger Hop - A fusion of Asian deliciousness, and very budget friendly
-Good Day Cafe; A delicious destination for breakfast (and it's in the 'burbs)!
-Grand Cafe - Charming neighborhood spot serving local products and organic wines
-Grand Ole Creamery - Homemade ice cream, enough said!!

Next month's destination - Haute (pronounced Hot) Dish

Bon Appitte!

Firelake Grill House & Cocktail Bar - 31 7th St. S, Minneapolis

As our mission is to experience restaurants that focus on local and sustainable ingredients, we visited Firelake for the letter 'F'; an establishment that employs regionally selected products from small farms. Firelake has an expansive exhibition kitchen where diners can watch the wood-burning rotisserie and the mesquite open flame grill. The menu is a blend of classic Midwestern cuisine with a Mediterranean touch. They have a nice selection of wines, including some local options, and beers, hard cider, and some interesting sounding cocktails. The bloody Marys are highly recommended!

After starting to sip our wine, we realized that an appetizer was a must! We settled on the Five Layer Spinach Fondue with Asiago Flat Bread. Neither were amazing. The bread had a nice light, garlicy flavor. The fondue was on the thin side, almost like a queso dip, and nothing that anyone in our group couldn't whip up at home.

As we were quite famished on this particular evening, a soup and salad were our next order of business. The Minnesota Salad and Fresh Corn & Crawfish Bisques were ordered! The Salad consisted of mixed greens topped with cranberry-wild rice croutons, Stickney Hill chevre, onion, bacon, tomatoes, cucumber, corn, and a balsamic vinaigrette. The bisque was fabulous! The succulent pieces of crawfish were swimming in a delicious blend of pureed corn and cream.

Since the corn and crawfish combination worked so well, I thought I'd keep it going with the Heirloom Corn Crusted Walleye. This one didn't work so well for me! The corn breading was unimaginative, the fish had many bones still in place, and the fact that it came with fries instead of a vegetable was a letdown.

Luckily, the other fish we ordered wasn't so disappointing! The Hardwood Grilled Pesto Salmon topped with a tomato-basil relish, and served with white cheddar and herb mashed potatoes was tasty. It didn't really have a pesto flavor, the salmon had a nice smoky, woodsy flavor. The potatoes were a typical cloud of flavored mashed potatoes.

Another of the entrees that we sampled was the Dry Aged Heirloom Pork Porterhouse. This was a great cut of meat cooked perfectly, however, it had a major sweet overtone due to the, raisins, pine nuts, sweet & sour onion compote, and bacon caramel.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Mushroom & Asparagus Gnudi. We added the grilled salmon option, which was coated in a delicious rub. The Gnudi was blended with oven dried tomatoes, woodland mushrooms, hazelnuts, white balsamic vinegar, and mushroom stock. This dish was a great balance of protein, carbs, and vegetables.

The Rotisserie Angus Strip Loin & Prawns was uneventful. The hand carved, smokey flavored, beef was over cooked and dry, and the tomato scampi butter sauce lacked any zip! The prawns were good and the white cheddar-herb mashed potatoes were a repeat of the other entree's.

Though it has become tradition to end our meal with an offering from the dessert menu, we did not indulge ourselves on this evening. Since it took us so long to get both our drinks and meal, there just wasn't enough time left in our evening for the Cherry Rhubarb Brown Betty!

Firelake is located in downtown Minneapolis and is attached to the Radisson Hotel. The decor and ambiance reflected both of these characteristics. The service upon our arrival was quite attentive, but as the evening progressed our waitress seemed to lose interest in our group (and therefore we didn't get dessert). The menu items were reasonably/average priced, however, we were quite disappointed with the selection of items. Firelake uses local ingredients and since it was the height of summer harvesting in Minnesota, we felt they should have utilized more of those fresh produce options. Most of the menu had a heavy, 'comfort food' feel. If you are looking for a wintery happy hour destination, Firelake might be for you. If you want something as fresh as cut grass, go elsewhere!

Other recommendations from our club that start with an 'F':
-Fat Lorenzo's, amazing deep-dish pizzas, with a selection of hoagies and pastas
-French Meadow Bakery, an all day menu of delicious, fresh, organic fare
-Fuji Ya, in my top two for Sushi. Their creative rolls are both beautiful and delicious!!

Next month's destination - Good Earth (Roseville)

Bon Appitte!!

Everest on Grand - 1278 Grand Ave. St. Paul

For the letter 'E', we embarked on a journey to Everest on Grand, a Nepalese restaurant, with a varied and extensive menu of samosas, momo, pakoras, and both vegetarian and meat curries. They had a short list of wine, beer, and cider. Our samplings included a Taj Mahal (brew from India), Angry Planet Pale Ale (from Flat Earth - a local brewery), and the Rush River Cider (from River Falls, WI).

We began our climb through the culinary offerings of Everest with Yak Momo, a steamed dumpling with ground yak (local, grass fed www.yak-man.com), a mix of veggies, cliantro, caraway seeds, and other spices. It was steamed to perfection (there was none of that typical crispy bottom or under cooked skin) and was served with a delicious Momo Achar, a house made sauce of cliantro, tomato,and Nepali spices. The Anchar is what made this dish memorable! It was reminiscent of a Mexican salsa, but the tangy, roasted tomatoes added a surprising twist.

Our next sampling was Daal, a lentil and urad (mung bean) soup. The lentils and beans were blended with garlic, butter, and ginger to create a grainy texture that made a great dipping medium for the Poori, a fried wheat dough. Porri tastes like a flatbread; rather bland on it's own, but it makes for great dipping in the many sauces that were served!

The Bhedako Maasu (Lamb Curry) was anything but a typical curry dish. It combined a succulent, cubed leg of lamb with ginger, garlic, tomato, and a blend of spices. This delicious curry was much heavier on the tomato than a typical curry and was somewhat similar to a chili or sorts (though eaten over rice).

Another of our samplings of Nepali cusine was the Maasu Dalla (Turkey Meatballs). These meatballs consisted of a ground turkey combined with onion, garlic, ginger, cilantro and tomato sauce.

I reached the top of Everest when I had my first bite of the Bheda-Ko-Sekuwa (Boneless, Roasted Lamb). I didn't need to consult the Dahli Lama to know that this was by far the best lamb I have ever tasted! It was marinated and then perfectly grilled with a slightly charred crust and thoroughly cooked but still moist inside. This decident lamb was served over a bed of green peppers, onions, and tomatoes and a side of a fresh, house made cilantro and mint sauce. All of the flavors were so distinct but in unison.

If you are looking for what one might think is typical of Indian cuisine, the Tikka Masala (Marinated Chicken) would be for you. The chicken is cooked in a flkka (heavy cream) sauce with a mixture of herbs and curry flavors. This had a creamy, heavy on the milk, flavor when compared to most yellow curries.

Every great meal ends with dessert, and we ended ours with Jerri (Julebi). A wheat flour batter that is deep fried into rings and then soaked in sugar syrup. It was somewhere in between a funnel cake and a fortune cookie dripping with syrup. It was rather interesting, but with one bite I had ingested my daily amount of oil and sugar.

The building and decor of Everest were quite simple. Many pictures of Mt. Everest dotted the walls and tables. The service was quite slow, however on the night of our visit it was packed wall to wall the entire time we dined. The menu items were reasonably priced (we also used Restaurant.com to purchase a $25 off coupon on top of that) . If you are sharing, the combo would be the way to go. We rated Everest as our second favorite restaurant that we have been to so far!

Other recommendations from our club that start with an 'E':

-Ecopolitan
-Egg & I
-Erte

Next month's destination -Firelake Grill House and Cocktail Bar
Bon Appitte!!

Duplex

Duplex– 2516 Hennepin Ave. S, Minneapolis

The letter ‘D’ brought us to the Duplex in Uptown. Once a living space, it is now turned into a charming and intimate restaurant along bustling Hennepin Ave. The menu short, but diverse. From bar food, pastas, soups, and salads, to an elk or duck entrée. They have a full bar with small wine list, a local hard cider, and our favorite local beer, Surly!

After a few sips of Cynic (a Surly brew) we ordered our appetizers. Sweet potato fries with aoli and the vegetable tart seems to resonate with us and apparently our cravings were right on par. The tart was fabulous! It started with a flaky puff pastry crust, topped with spinach, roasted red bell peppers, caramelized onions, a tangy heirloom tomato coulee, and a decadent goat cheese. The sweet potato fries were not overbearing like some. Instead, they were thinly cut, crispy, and perfectly sea salted.

When a restaurant puts its name on something you know it’s ‘must try’ item. So, the Duplex Burger was ordered. This burger is a juicy, 8 ounces of certified black angus beef, topped with a heirloom tomato, raw milk white cheddar, red onion, lettuce and thick slices of applewood smoked bacon. As Americans we know that every good burger is served with French fries, and the Duplex makes their own in house.

If you order the Ratatouille I would recommend treating it as a side dish. The combination of yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, roma tomatoes, and navy beans wasn’t very filling. However, it was quite good, but it was the sun-dried tomato goat cheese that made this dish work!

Another dish that utilized the Duplex’s house cured pancetta was the Dirty rice with shrimp. It had a very generous amount of both shrimp and pancetta that combined beautifully with a great sauce, tomatoes, and was topped with fresh green onion. Very reminiscent of something you might find down in the Bayou.

The House made fettuccine was surprisingly light while packing a flavor filled punch. The pasta was tossed chicken, oyster mushrooms, rosemary, lemon juice, parmesan, and house cured pancetta (spiced, salted, and cured pork belly). The combination? A party in the mouth!

For a truly unique pasta dish try the House made pappadelle with duck. The white wine braised duck is pulled rather than cut and pairs beautifully with the pancetta. These meats are combined with tomatoes, carrots, onions, and served over the house made pappadelle pasta. Then to top it off, fresh parmesan. Only one word needed. Scrumptious!

If nothing above interests you enough to send you running out to try the Duplex, their desserts should! I would go there for a giant piece of cake alone. I can’t think of a much better way to replenish my energy after an afternoon of shopping or walking around the lakes. All of the dessert offerings are made fresh in house daily. We sampled the Carrot cake and the Chocolate gnocchi cake. Both were equally amazing! The carrot cake had a very unique crunchy, crispy outside and an oh-so-ooey-gooey inside. The gigantic slice was topped with a light and fluffy cream cheese frosting and then drizzled with an ample amount of caramel sauce. Heavenly! The gnocchi was made with dark chocolate and therefore, wasn’t over powering sweet. The rich chocolate sauce added the sweetness and the dried cherries brought just the right about of acidity. These were both so delicious we forgot to take a picture until we had finished them off (thus the empty plates).

The ambiance at Duplex is like no other restaurant that I have visited. The interior is warm, cozy, and feels just like home (though with many tables and chairs in the living room). If the weather is nice I would highly recommend sitting on the patio. From there you have a perfect perch overlooking Hennepin Ave. to people watch, all while enjoying a good meal. The service was attentive and polite, the food very good and reasonably priced, and the atmosphere up-beat and fun! As one local publication said “The Duplex puts the date back in cheap date”.

Other recommendations from our club that start with a ‘D’:
D’Amico & Sons - Quick-service Italian, great deli offerings
Dancing Genesha - Contemporary Indian food from the owners of Nala Park
Dixie’s on Grand - Great Sunday brunch
Duffy’s Dinkytown Pizza – Pizza by the slice. Home made, gluten-free crust.

Next month’s destination – Everest on Grand
Bon Appitte!

Crave

Crave–1605 West End Blvd. St. Louis Park

Yes, our ‘C’ Restaurant was supposed to be Corner Table in Minneapolis! We had to make a last minute change due to 3 of our members work schedules. So we quickly settled on the conveniently located Crave in St. Louis Park. This suburban hot-spot boasts a something for everyone menu of upscale but accessible American cuisine filled with pastas, salads, steak, pizza, and sushi. They have a full and bustling bar complete with their own signature amber beer as well as our local favorite, Surly. Add to that a full wine list that spans the globe and you will find the perfect counterpart to your meal.

As has become our tradition, we started with a few appetizers. The Gingered Beef Egg Rolls were filled with the Soba noodles, beef, and cilantro and served with a delicious sweet but spicy Thai chili dipping sauce. The egg roll wraps were not greasy as is sometimes typical, and the sauce was such a great addition with it’s sweet start but spicy and bold finish. The Baked Crab & Artichoke dip had an earthy, seafood flavor with a splendid blend of lump crab, tiger shrimp, and fresh herbs served with focaccia bread. It was a far removed from the greasy, runny mess we have grown accustom to eating.

We ordered two pasta selections from the menu. The first of which was the Baked Truffle Macaroni with pancetta and gruyere, and topped with bacon and a delightful bread crumb crunch. This would be for those ready to graduate from the days of college mac and cheese. The second pasta dish was the Roasted Chicken & Penne with roasted red pepper, kalamata olives, goat cheese, and organic basil. The olives and goat cheese combined in a nice traditional Mediterranean/Greek flavor.

If sushi is your thing, Crave has many fabulous options and combinations. Being a lover of spicy food (and sushi), I ordered the Mexican Roll. It freshly combined tuna, escoler, jalapeno, cilantro, spicy mayo, with a soy citrus sauce. Though it wasn’t as spicy as I expected it did have a bit of a bite that was counteracted well by the cool cilantro and citrus flavors. I, of course, added wasabii for an extra zing! Scrumptious!

Though the Margarita Pizza didn’t make me break into song about the moon hitting your eyes like a big pizza pie, it was quite good. And, if a classic pizza that is your comfort food this one is for you. It’s light focaccia crust was deliciously topped with basil oil, oven dried tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella.

Another classic menu item was the Pork Tenderloin. It was topped with baked apple quarters, which complemented the pork very nicely but was no different then a Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house. The best part of this dish was the side of balsamic spinach.

The sesame crusted Grilled Ahi Tuna with wasabi oil and sake-soy reduction was quite fabulous on it’s own, but was overpowered by the gingered red and green bell peppers. The Tuna stake was quite large and would have been perfect for sharing.

The most impressive thing about Crave is the décor. The interior is beautifully decorated with a warm color palette of ruddy, coppery hues. Beautiful chandeliers hang from the ceiling and an impressive, glass walled wine room is in the center of the restaurant. The service was timely and polite. Overall the food at Crave was very good but not quite on the same level as our other two destinations. Though the prices were high for such a restaurant the portions left you feeling quite full. If going to Crave I would recommend visiting during happy hour since they have quite a few good specials during that time, especially on sushi.
Other recommendations from our club that start with a ‘C’:
Café Twenty-eight – Comfort food with a focus on organic, local, and sustainable agriculture.
Cheeky Monkey Deli- Fabulous sandwiches (cold, hot, or pressed), salads, soups, and daily meat and
cheese board selections.
Chino Latino – A twin cities must visit! Great food and a fabulously fun atmosphere!
Common Roots Café – A short menu of salads, soups, and sandwiches made with local ingredients.
Cossetta’s – Cafeteria style pizza, pastas, and salads, plus a full Italian market.
Crescent Moon Bakery & Restaurant – Gyros, shish kebab, and a must try Afghani pizza!

Next month’s destination – The Duplex in Uptown
Bon Appitte

Bar La Grassa

Bar La Grassa–800 Washington Avenue N. Minneapolis

The second stop on our alphabetical restaurant journey brought us to the highly recommended Bar La Grassa. Winner of 'Restaurant of the Year' by the Star Tribune and Metro Magazine; 'Best New Restaurant' by Mpls StPaul Magazine and Minnesota Monthly; and 'Best Italian Restaurant' by City Pages. This North Loop neighborhood restaurant is a rustic, Italian version of a Spanish Tapas bar, with many small plates that make it easy to sample and share. The menu is broken down into 6 sections: Antipasti, Bruschetta, Dry Pasta, Fresh Pasta, Secondi, and Contorni. The drink menu was full of a variety of great wines, sophisticated cocktails, and a small but well selected offering of beer –including some local brews!

Our meal began with fresh bread and a gratis appetizer of giant corona beans, cubes of manchego cheese, and pickled vegetables. Upon devouring these, the selection process from the menu began. We started with the Bruchetta w/ Soft Eggs & Lobster and the Beet and Avocado with Citrus salad. The Bruchetta was heavenly! It’s light, fluffy, cloud-like eggs far transcended any typical breakfast fare. Combine that with the tender, succulent, Atlantic lobster and creamy cheese sauce with truffle oil, and you have a culinary masterpiece served on a crunchy yet melt-in-your-mouth bruchetta. The salad was a great combination of beets with the cool creaminess of avocado but, what made this salad come together was the tangy citrus dressing.

The Orecchiette with Braised Rabbit was an upscale spin on a typically considered ‘gamey’ tasting meat. Served in a robust, base reduction with medallions and tossed with orecchiette pasta, the rabbit was braised to tender and delicate perfection! This combination transports you far away from the vision of a lumberjack in northern Minnesota.

A slight disappointment of the night, was the Crab Ravioli. Although it was quite good by most standards, it lacked the dense blend of flavors experienced in everything else we encountered. The white cream sauce was very typical, and though the ravioli was filled with a decent amount of succulent crab meat, we would recommended ordering the entrée size if you want to share.

One of the more unique dishes was the Foie Gras Tortelili. Traditionally tortelili is filled with a cheese of some kind, this one was filled with Foie Gras, the liver of a duck or goose. The tortelili was tossed in a Biagarade type sauce with raisins and a hint of maple sweetness.

I highly recommend the Calamarata with Raw Tuna. This dish was a burst of complex flavors! The calamari ring shaped pasta was coated with a slightly spicy chili oil that contrasted the cold mélange of the cilantro/lime marinated sashimi tuna.

The Paccheri with Milk Braised Chicken was a more traditional dish. Milk braising the chicken did wonders to lock in the moisture. The paccheri pasta and chicken was coated with a classic buttery sauce fragrant of saffron.

It came highly recommended, and the Gnocchi with Cauliflower and Orange lived up to the hype! The scale of the heavy, potato gnocchi and the light cheesy sauce was perfectly balanced with sliced, caramelized cauliflower and red pepper flakes to set off the orange citrus flavor.

Though there are so many great items on the menu of Bar La Grassa, saving room for dessert is a must! The Salted Butter & Caramel Crespelle consisted of two crapes oozing with hot caramel and topped with a vanilla bean ice cream. We sampled the Chocolate Hazelnut Cake, which was a very surprisingly light layered cake, served with a side of butterscotch ice cream and sprinkled with salty nuts. We also immensely enjoyed the Panna Cotta, an egg-less custard topped with a citrusy, wine reduction.

The entire experience at Bar La Grassa was great! Our waiter, Tom, was very attentive and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu items and their preparation. In spite of a packed house, the drinks were delivered quickly and the food seemed to be served almost immediately! The atmosphere was bustling, fun, and energetic. The space is a big, open, brick and beam warehouse space with an artsy vibe of vintage reclaimed wood and contemporary black leather. Reservations would be highly recommended, especially if going on game night, since it is within walking distance of Target Field. Their kitchen is open late, so if that hot dog didn't do it for you, La Grassa would be an ideal after game destination. 'La Grassa' in Italian translates to 'the fat’. Chef Isaac Becker (also of 112 Eatery) makes sure everyone leaves full, sassy, and satisfied!

Other recommendations from our club that start with a ‘B’:
Bacio - good eats in the (western) suburbs
Barbette- Complex yet simple French fare using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients.
Barrio- Cheap and yummy eats, and the best margaritas in town!
BeWiched- Gourmet deli using locally sourced items.
Birchwood Cafe - Casual neighborhood spot filled with amazing pizzas, sandwiches and baked goods. Supporting local farmers and brewers.
Black Sheep Pizza- Coal fired, New York Style Pizza.
Brassa- A must try! Creole inspired comfort food employing natural, locally produced, and organic products.

Next month’s destination – Corner Table (4257 Nicollet Ave S. Mpls)

Bon Appitte

Azia

Azia – 2550 Nicollet Ave S. Minneapolis

The first stop on our alphabetical restaurant journey took us on a trip to Azia. This hip, eat street restaurant is a fusion of the many vastly different cuisines that are contained within the continent of Asia. Their offerings ranged from pho, curry, and pad thai, to sushi and seafood. The drink menu was also full of variety with a great sake and wine list, exotic cocktails, and a array of beer –including a gluten free offering!


We began our evening of culinary bliss with the Kabocha Squash Dumplings. These dumplings (think pot stickers) were very reminiscent of a squash ravioli; however they quickly strayed from their Italian counterpart when you tasted the blend of creamy, sweet squash with the tangy but spicy ginger soy sauce.


The highlight of our dining experience for me was the Cranberry Curry. This dish was a burst of a complex blend of flavors! The sweet but tart taste of the cranberries, the milky curry, and spicy peppers were all equally present and combined for a unique taste unlike any Asian dish I have experienced. I recommend getting this dish with chicken.


The Northwood’s Walleye in Jalapeno-Basil Sauce was an interesting spin on Minnesota’s favorite fish. Compared to the other dishes ordered it was a rather large portion and one of the most colorful of presentations! The breaded and pan-fried fillet was slightly bland on it’s own but when coupled with the sauce and pineapple, it transported you far away from the cabin fare of our Scandinavian heritage.

If you are looking for a typical southeast Asian dish and a smaller portion, the Basil Supreme would be for you. This is a classic combination of vegetables and basil in a ginger soy sauce, served with rice. We sampled it with Calamari, which to our pleasant surprise, wasn’t breaded and had wonderful texture.

The Sushi was very fresh and was presented beautifully. Although I wouldn’t put this in my top 5 destinations for great sushi in the Twin Cities, it was very delicious and there were some unique combinations.

Our experience at Azia was fabulous! The service was very attentive. Drinks were delivered quickly and the food was served in a reasonable time frame. The atmosphere was chic, fun and upbeat, and the space is decorated to host any occasion. If going on the weekend, I would recommend getting a reservation, because it gets quite busy. As spring fever hits in earnest, Azia will ship you off to a foreign and exotic place, even if only until you finish dinner.

Other recommendations from our club that start with an ‘A’:
-Adele’s Frozen Custard (now that the weather is warming up it’s a great cold treat)
-Restaurant Alma (one of my all time favorites – and it supports local and organic ingredients)
-Amici Pizza and Bistro - great Italian in Northeast

Next months destination – Bar La Grassa (800 Washington Avenue North). April 14th @ 6:00. Let me know if you would like to join us! Bon appetit!