Sis and I took a last-minute Thursday late afternoon roadtrip up Hwy 8 due to a FB Marketplace…read morepickup. It was dinnertime and I asked the Seller a restaurant they recommend in the area. She told us The Northern and to make sure to order the cheese curds. Looking at the menu before hitting the road again, sis and I knew the place was for us: burgers, sandwiches and wraps. Pulling into the parking lot was easy. Even though looked full, we were still able to find a spot. I want to note the gorgeous view of the red barn/farm across from the pond when pulling in. I noticed a patio on the North side of the building, which would put this farm in your view. We did have about a 20 minute wait for a table for 2. The restaurant looked busy from what I could see. Once we were brought to out table, I then noticed that the bar seating was pretty much open. Had I known, we might have elected to just sit at the bar. However, I asked for menus right away so that we could at least ponder it during that 20 minutes. We were sat at a high top right near the kitchen door. Being able to see all the food come out, I changed my mind on what I was going to order almost 10 times. We asked for the cheese curds as soon as we were greeted by our waitress. OMGosh! They were in the shape of cubes, deep fried to golden perfection. The outside had perfect firmness from the fryer. The inside was gooey, salty white cheese. Perfect just by itself. It did come with a ranch dipping sauce that was just so yummy. It reminded me a seasoned sour cream. The waitress didn't know the brand of the cheese curds (ie. Ellsworth) but did say the ranch was homemade Sis ordered the Great Northern Burger with French fries. She's a fan of BBQ sauce, bacon and onion rings on a burger. Fries were nicely seasoned, long, soft and semi-skin-on (not crinkle or steak fries). Burger was huge and worth the $15.99 price tag. I settled on the BOTM, the Nacho Burger, with tator tots. Toppings included nacho cheese, Fritos chips, bacon, diced/sliced jalapenos. The tator tots were one of the best I've ever had. Again, seasoned nicely. And the perfect ratio of hard outside crunch to soft inside potato. The Nacho burger was huge too....and messy with the nacho cheese. The Fritos did get a little soggy at the end. The bacon was under the melted cheese. And there were plenty of jalapenos hidden under the meat patty. Those were easy to discard so I could control how many fiery peppers were in my mouth at one time. Was service slower than normal? Yes. Was the service friendly? Yes. Was it worth the wait? Also YES! I would definitely recommend (I already have to my coworkers.) for anyone who loves gourmet burgers. They also have a nice variety to the sandwich, wraps, tacos and flatbread menu. I will just have to take the 40 minute drive again to try something else.

Embracing my Swedish/ Norwegian side checking out the lovely town ofLindström today. Well known as…read morethe town with the teapot water tower just north of Forest Lake. Along with a tasty lunch in Chisago. @thenorthernlaketavern wrapped up our visit with a tasty lunch. We enjoyed the chicken and garlic flatbread, and a mushroom Swiss burger with tots. Uffdah what a fun day! Hoping everyone can find some Hygge in your days.

Always in search of a nice speakeasy experience, we came across Anoka Hardware Store while in…read moreMinneapolis before heading off to visit friends. It was a bit of a trek through rush-hour traffic from our hotel but so completely worth the trip. Discretely located through a door marked only by a red light above it we were warmly greeted by gentleman behind the hardware counter. We were prepared to answer with the password to let us in but for some reason it wasn't asked. No big deal. You are then sent through a door into the beautifully dimly-lit space of the speakeasy. There is plenty of seating, with small tables and some booths. We were shown to our table and greeted by one of the great, friendly hostesses. Drinks are ordered directly at the bar with one of the attendants. You immediately pay for your order which will then be brought to your table. Different but really a nice idea. The music was also nicely unique, with a mix of oldies from the 50's and 60's. An old black and white James Cagney movie played silently on one wall. In terms of the cocktails I have to say these are some of the most delicious and finely crafted drinks I've enjoyed. I began with the Start Your Engine, a delicious gin-based drink. My wife had an absolutely fantastic smoked Old Fashioned, smoked in a large box for a minute or two. Wow! Probably the best we've ever tasted. My second drink was another gin cocktail, the Last Word, which I'd been wanting to try for some time. A fine gin supported by green Chartreuse and lime, this was simply sublime. Highly recommended. The bar and menu is quite varied and extensive, so you're sure to find something to your liking. The space has a great vibe and mellow ambiance. Sufficiently dark, cozy and very nicely and eclectically decorated. Service was outstanding and informative. Reservations are recommended. Like many such places you are "limited" to 90-minute timeframes, which sometimes seems like not enough but ultimately works quite well. The quality of the cocktails, space and service all make for a really enjoyable time. Well worth many visits.

This place is a hidden gem... literally. You go in a side door and the entryway just has a counter…read morewith a really old cash register, which I am guessing is the old checkout counter for the hardware store that used to be there. The guy that greets you asks for the password (yes they actually have a secret password!) then he takes you through a metal door into the bar. Love the decor and ambiance. Lots of nooks and places to sit where you are not smashed right up against another table. The food is really just snacks which is fine since this is more of a go there after dinner kind of place. The cocktail menu is extensive, almost overwhelmingly so. I typically go with my gut when it comes to cocktails but because of so many options I asked one of the cocktail servers for a recommendation and was not happy with the result. I honestly think since she was so young, she probably doesn't have much experience drinking craft cocktails yet so I can only blame myself. I did try my friends' drinks and they chose wisely. I am definitely looking forward to going back and trying something else.

Stopped in for fried chicken lunch at the Stone Inn on a Wednesday. Had a long drive afterwards so…read moreskipped the beers on tap. Fried chicken was excellent. Good enough so that I changed dinner plans and skipped a favorite restaurant so I could eat my chicken leftovers for dinner instead. Off my beaten path but if even sort of in the neighborhood will return.

The only redeeming quality was the sweet server we had which we will give them 1 star. We left…read morehungry. I ordered ribeye with double the veggies for the side and received rib eye thinner than a deck of cards and a large portion of brocolli that had been steamed with mold on the tips and part of the top of the stalks. Server offered a replacement or side to take home. I respectfully declined. The management took $4 off the check. Would have been nice to have my 2 root beers comped instead. Oh, well! Also, the decor is Interesting. However, for an indoor venue, flies were EVERYWHERE! We were swatting them the entire meal. Do yourselves a favor and skip this joint.

Wow, this place was cool!…read more The entry is pretty hidden and parking requires a bit of work unless you do valet. We went on a Saturday night, so we had to wait a bit in order to be seated. However, it was worth the wait for us. There is a dark moody vibe and while my group went in for drinks, there are also options for food. The place itself is pretty loud - both with music and talking, so maybe not the best location for a first date. The drinks are expensive, but the experience was worthwhile for us. I enjoyed the meditteránea. I'll very likely be back! What a neat spot.

Flora Room is a gorgeous cocktail bar located behind and beneath Chef Del Prado's steakhouse…read morePorzana. Fortunately, I arrived at 5:30 PM on a Saturday, which was early enough to avoid a line and a velvet rope. I don't wait in line for anything unless I'm at a pharmacy, bakery, post office, or airport. Lines at restaurants and bars strike me as pretentious or bad management, and I don't tolerate either. However, I'm old, and at my age, nothing is worth waiting for unless it's a necessity. I found a seat at the beautiful and expansive bar and looked around at the Del Prado design. The colors might be different, but Flora was reminiscent of Minari and Noma. All three add to the Twin Cities' cachet. However, I was taken aback by the attire I saw around me. People were dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers. It's friggen Saturday night Minneapolis. Have some class! Flora Room was a lovely cocktail lounge, perfect for wooing, but don't expect to strike up a conversation with any of the bartenders. At these Del Prado joints, the staff must be trained not to engage. I'm out alone and enjoy talking. Bartenders used to be part of a lounge's attraction when I grew up in NYC. They learned your name, knew what you did, and gave you a hearty welcome. That, I guess, is not part of the culture in Minneapolis. Well, at least not at the Del Prado restaurants and bars. Chef Del Prado is from Argentina, and certainly, Argentina is one of the warmest and friendliest countries in the world, so I don't get it. I now live up the block from the Flora Room. I'm a neighbor and would like to be treated like one. Neighborly and the Flora Room are distant concepts.

I'd seen rave reviews about this place, so we decided to go here to celebrate a personal…read moreaccomplishment last weekend! It's a really cozy moody interior, with *no big lights* aka great low lighting and comfy seating options. When we went, there were just a few other parties there so pretty quiet. I liked that we had a whole corner to ourselves with a sectional couch of sorts and some chairs. They close at 10pm on a Friday night, which felt absurdly early for a cocktail bar. But, we were able to order and drink one drink during the ~45 minutes we had. They closed up shop promptly at 10pm. They had a classics and a "rumors" section of the menu. I didn't think the signature drinks were overly unique, with classics like Paper Plane making that menu side. I had a pomegranate mojito which was good! Consensus was that the cocktails were good not exceptional, especially for the $16-17 price point. We ordered churros for the table which were a table favorite! I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, but we enjoyed our time and could see this being a good option if you lived in the neighborhood and don't mind the early close hours.

The interior of this place is incredible, such a cute spot with moody lighting, intimate seating,…read moreand vibey music. It's a great place for drinks and appetizers. The drinks were good, and they also have a solid selection of beer on tap. The food portion are a bit small imo but I will say the Mac and cheese was pretty darn tasty!

We went to Stella's to celebrate my husband's birthday! The restaurant was very elegant and cozy -…read morejust the perfect vibe for our celebration dinner. We tried some of their delicious cocktails - the apple butter old fashion, stellar martini, and the angry cab. All were fun and delicious! We started with the Brussels and Bacon appetizer - it was an interesting dish. The brussels sprouts were crispy and there was this savory and flavorful sauce on top. I would highly recommend this one! My husband had the Filer Oscar and I had the Salmon Oscar - both were delicious! Our server was very friendly and attentive. To top off the night my husband got a nice ice cream surprise for his birthday! What a great evening! I highly recommend this restaurant!!

Made a reservation and our table was ready early when we arrived. Everyone was very friendly. We…read moreloved the fireplace and seasonal cocktails - it was really putting us in a Fall mood. Food was delicious and I would come back - we were thinking this would be a great spot after a round of golf outside.

Through word of mouth, found this intimate gem that offers a dining experience once a month at…read moretheir establishment. The chef and bartender design and develop new and fresh ideas for the menu each month. The Prime Rib sandwich was a sell out hit. The wild mushroom flatbread was tasty and a nice crispy crust. The craft cocktail concoctions were especially enjoyable. Loved the Christmas Cookie cocktail with the sugar cookies dessert option. Will definitely be going back on another month.

Outstanding Restaurant!!!…read more Stonehouse Catering offers a "First Friday" where every first Friday of each month they have food and drinks. If you haven't been to a first Friday you are missing out! The food is to die for! I have to say my prime rib sandwich was one of the best I've ever had. What really pulled this dish together was the au jus sauce. The ahi tuna had a rich mix of textures and flavors. I had the maple old fashioned and the blend was delicious. The crème brûlée was amazing! A great treat to the end of our night. Would highly recommend! We will definitely come back to First Fridays at Stonehouse, and I would highly recommend this place to others!

So we have traveled the county 16 places total and found Vinny's to be the best!! Waitresses top…read morenotch! Their fish fry includes a salad and no other place did. Also their bake potato is huge! Price is very good! Back to Vinny's we go!

Expect the unexpected. I was skeptical of the high reviews,…read morebut something about them made me want to try it. I was definitely not disappointed. The burgers are as good as everyone says. The bartender (Ashley) was awesome and a sweetheart. She was quite busy with the volleyball teams outside, but she juggled everything very well, First and foremost, it looks like a sports bar. Don't be put off by that, or an almost full parking lot. There is table service inside and there may be folks on the deck or playing sports outside. I didn't have a chance to try anything else but the pizzas look fantastic and quite a few were ordered by regulars, so they must be good. If you're in the area, I highly recommend this place!

Dined from 7:30-8:30 on a Monday night. Plenty of available tables. Atmosphere was cozy and warm,…read moremusic was tastefully low. "Contemporary American" was the vibe, lights were low, lots of wood/black pipe. Staff was exceptionally attentive, including our server (terribly remiss to have forgotten her name, but she was absolutely perfect and we enjoyed sharing some conversation with her as well). Proper Smashburger (8/10). I got mine with the caramelized onions (how can one not?) and it was perfect. Great bun-to-meat ratio, bun was not overly starchy or dry. Lettuce was fresh, onions were bangin, and the garlic aioli tied it all together. Sweet vinegar pickles were a nice touch. Togarashu Fries (8/10). Fresh cut skinny fries topped with a spicy seasoning that sneaks up on you. Served w/ a yuzu miso mayo for dipping that gave it just enough tang and paired well w/ the spicy. Truffle Fries (10/10). Fresh cut skinny fries topped w/ fresh grated and some diced chives. Served w/ a garlic (?) aioli that was top notch. Absolutely fantastic side.

While visiting Stillwater, we stopped here for lunch. Upon entering I observed that it looked…read morereally clean for a bar. We were also greeted by numerous employees. All were friendly and professional. Inside they had numerous tables and a couple of booths. The bar portion also seemed to be a good size. They had a few televisions throughout. They also have a touch tunes music player. The service was fast and accurate! The menu is a la carte. My sister, daughter and I all had burgers and fries while my wife ordered chicken wings. The burgers are made to order. On mine I had added bacon, cheese and an egg. It was delicious. The fries were also good. My sister and my daughter also liked their food. My wife really enjoyed her chicken wings. She told me that they were good and spicy. She also said, "it has been a while since I have had good wings." If you are in Stillwater Minnesota or visiting, I highly recommend stopping here!

Such a great spot! It's ticked back in an industrial park and we visited around 10 on a Saturday…read more There were a few customers still hanging out but the bartenders said it was fully packed earlier. The space is big and they have live music on the weekends. We sat at the bar and grabbed a Mexican old fashioned and a Shut up and Take my money. Both were delicious! Not overpowering and nicely blended. I grabbed a tequila honey bee as well which was nice but not as good as the first two drinks. We also tried their Thai chili pepper vodka in a one night in Bangkok. I was worried it would be too spicy based on some other spicy liquors I've tried but it was the perfect amount of heat and blended nicely in the drink. It would make an excellent Bloody Mary! Service was top notch. You order in a QR code but we sat at the bar and had fun talking with Lauren and Christine. They were so helpful and outgoing and it was a nice way to end the night. We waked away wondering when we could make a return and bring friends! So glad we decided to stop.

Such clever recipes! Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Delicious drinks. Nice space. Plenty of off…read morestreet parking.