There are quite a few restaurants throughout the Twin Cities that Luke and I visit on a regular basis when we’re not in the mood to try something new. Much to my dismay, many people asking us for recommendations have never heard of many of these places! Here is an inside look at our top spots around the Twin Cities:
Brunch: Craftsman [4300 East Lake Street, Minneapolis]
We had never heard of this place until we moved to the neighborhood a few years ago. This East Lake gem has never disappointed us with their brunch. They use seasonal ingredients, so the menu changes, but there are always great choices and something for every taste. I have had the best quiche of my life here and Luke swears by their house made jelly. If you need a little hair of the dog after a night out, they serve up a pretty killer bloody mary. I’m a big fan of their house mix made with horseradish.
Service is always top-notch and we’ve never had an issue getting a table (they do take Open Table reservations though if you have a larger group). As an added bonus, they have a super cute patio during the warmer months.
Lunch: LoLo American Kitchen [233 Main Street South, Stillwater]
Stillwater holds a special place for Luke & I (separate post to come soon), but throughout the years, their dining scene has been a little lackluster. Many of the popular restaurants seem to serve up mediocre & over-priced food, catering to the tourists, boaters and bachelor parties who visit in the summer. Per their Yelp ratings, we stopped into LoLo one night after walking around the town. It was only a few months after they had opened, so we didn’t have super high expectations, but we thought we’d give it a shot. Best discovery ever.
I could go on about this place, but all you need to know: Korean BBQ wings & their fish tacos. Both are the best I’ve tasted in the Twin Cities. The service is always friendly & speedy and they have an extensive cocktail list. They really stole my heart when I discovered a cocktail named “The Gretchen Weiners”.
Unfortunately, I think a lot of others have discovered our secret since it’s always busy when we go, but plan for the wait and you’ll be fine. They take your phone number down and text you when your table is ready so you can snoop in a few nearby shops while you wait.
Dinner: Shish Mediterranean Grill [1668 Grand Avenue, Saint Paul]
This is our go-to spot for takeout if we’re feeling too lazy to cook. If you like Middle Eastern food (ie. gyros, falafels, chicken shawarma, etc), you’ve got to get to Shish. Even if you don’t, go to Shish. If you have an aversion to garlic, they serve up an All-American burger. My usual order is the Chicken Shawarma Wrap with fries, but I’ll opt for the Shish Taouk Kebab if I’m watching my figure.
With it’s proximity to Macalester, it’s usually pretty busy with college students and neighborhood residents, but don’t let that avert you from stopping in. You can always call ahead for takeout to avoid the line, which is usually what we do. The service was a little touch & go the over the past year, but we’ve noticed a significant improvement the past few times we’ve been so hopefully they’re on the up.
Drinks: WA Frost Lounge [374 Selby Avenue, Saint Paul]
I know everyone has heard of WA Frost and their fabulous patio, but did you know they have a whole other lounge located in the basement?! Take the steps near the bar and you’re transported into their cozy lounge area, complete with side rooms if you’re looking for a little privacy, or are visiting with a group. They offer their full bar menu in the lounge, making it a semi-affordable night out, especially if you can visit during their happy hour (the Chef’s burger is perfection). They offer a late-night happy hour on Friday nights from 9-11, which is a great time to visit with a group of friends.
I hope you enjoyed some of our top lesser known picks throughout the Twin Cities! Comment below if any of these are your faves or if you have a suggestions for us to try.
Until next time, gallivanters.
-j.
