Wanted: Downtown Restaurant for Two Couples’ Night Out
My boss’s boss sent me and a co-worker an email today saying that he and his wife are going out for dinner in downtown Minneapolis and asking for our recommendations as to where to go. His guidelines were, “Casual, not too upscale or fancy. Somewhere I can hear!” (He’s hard of hearing, so anywhere with live music is out.) Also, they’re all in their 40s and live in the ‘burbs, but aren’t city-phobic.
She recommended Buca di Beppo, Rock Bottom Brewery, The Local, Nami, McCormick and Schmick’s, Melting Pot, and then suggested Chino Latino or Stella’s Fish Cafe in Uptown.
I recommended Trocadero’s, Brit’s Pub, Masa, Pizza Luce, and then suggested Bar Abilene, The Herkimer, Chiang Mai Thai, or Figlio in Uptown.
Did we steer him right? What would you have suggested?
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A couple of those, I would question the ability to hear, like Chino Latino, Buca, and Figlio. It’s probably a question of where you sit and how busy it is.
I really like Koyi Sushi, across from Pizza Luce downtown.
Oh c’mon you guys, be a little more creative. Howabout the Craftsman or Riverview Winebar?
i haaaate figlio. but, here’s my suggestions:
Suburbia-in-the-City: Tryg’s (not really downtown I guess), Cafe 28, Rice Paper, Broder’s
Hipsters: Town Talk, Azia
A little more expensive but worth it: Craftsman, Corner Table, Lucia’s, Barbette, 112 Eatery
112, Masa, Salsa a la Salsa, or Town Talk are all tasty.
A special night to me means NO CHAINS (e.g., Buca, Melting Pot).
Rock Bottom is too loud. The Local and Brit’s are borderline at dinner. Herkimer is too loud.
Places you missed: Kabuki’s teppanyaki area (or sushi), Sawatdee (warehouse district is best), Kramarczuk’s deli across the river, Punch for fancy pizza (also across the river).
Eli’s at Hennepin and 13th is really good. Quiet, small, great food.
erte
that’s my favorite - decent price, nice and quiet, and usually with some sort of jazz group or trio playing