Such amazing wood fired pizza on a beautiful farm setting. I have had pizza in NY, San Francisco,…read moreLos Angeles, Italy, Minneapolis and this was some of the best pizza. Service is efficient and so professional. Very busy, make reservations and be sure to bring blankets and some paper plates. It is so worth the drive to Northfield.

This place was beautiful! We came here on a Wednesday evening for pizza night, and it was…read moreabsolutely lovely. The service was very quick, and it was relatively easy to get a reservation even on a beautiful day! The pizza was also incredible, highly recommend!

Don't waste your time stopping here. Highly recommend moving on to the next bar/restaurant. The…read morestaff are very nice, the food is mediocre. The cleanliness of the establishment has something to be desired. We stopped in on a Sunday afternoon and have stopped a few times prior. The particular Sunday afternoon the waitress and the cook had only been employed there 2 days. they were left to fend for themselves. The power went out, they didn't know what to do and tried to contact help...NO ANSWER! The selfish owners, left them to run the bar and went to Texas. NO proper training and clearly don't care about their staff or establishment...just money hungry. We were told by a staff member on a prior visit that the owners are not there often and that they have a hard time keeping staff due to being demanding and disrespectful. Not an establishment i will be spending any money at ever again.

Horrible food, entire place smells like whatever is being fried and BAD customer serviceread more

If you're in Minneapolis and looking for a great breakfast spot, this place is a must…read more Standish Cafe has that perfect neighborhood feel -- relaxed, welcoming, and exactly what you want to start your morning right. The food was delicious, fresh, and comforting... the kind of breakfast that just hits the spot. But what truly stood out was the service. Super friendly, attentive, and genuinely warm -- not forced, just real people who make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in. That kind of hospitality makes all the difference. It's one of those places you leave already thinking about coming back. Highly recommend.

The Standish Cafe is gives small neighborhood diner vibes. I visited here on a snowy weekday during…read morethe holidays and was seated within 10 minutes. The servers are making conversation with each table and it seems to be place with many regulars. I wish this place was closer because I would join the list of regulars! I started with a loose leaf earl grey to warm up and we received our food shortly after. The bacon was perfectly cooked and I would say you NEED the homemade biscuit. It had a crisp outside, but was not dry at all on the inside.

Nice restaurant with good food, good service, and a great bar. Decent steak and they make a good…read moreOld Fashioned. We started with the Blackened Beef. I love Chimichurri and a horseradish sauce. This dish has both. Honestly, this might have been my meal highlight. We also ordered a Caesar Salad with our starter and no complaints. For our main we shared the 6oz filet and the Shrimp Scampi. The steak was tender and cooked just as we asked. Wish it had a little more seasoning but nothing to complain about. The Scampi felt like it was lacking something. I would have thought that the mushrooms and leeks in a white wine cream sauce would have added plenty to this dish but it seemed to be a bit bland. We also ordered the asparagus with hollandaise sauce and we enjoyed it. All in all we were happy with our visit. I will definitely be back to sit at the bar for some drinks. I really appreciated their bourbon selection!

This place is truly an iconic beautiful piece of history. I met friends for a drink and ended up…read morestaying for dinner at the bar. The service is impeccable and the staff is super friendly. Every one of our drinks was made with complete care and were super delicious. I ordered the filet medallions with fries. They came with a beautiful bernaise sauce and I added their homemade chunky blue cheese to dip the fries in. I can't describe enough how beautiful of a bar, restaurant area and hotel this is. Take the opportunity and go enjoy! Def recommend!!

Great, well organized co-op. We went for supplies before camping and found a lot of great stuff for…read moreour mixed group of people with varied restrictions from gluten free to vegan to lactose intolerant. We thought the product selection was great and it was easy to quickly find everything. Cashiers were quick and friendly!

Came for lunch and to find some short ribs for Christmas, and left a bit disappointed on both…read moreaccounts. The short rib section was sadly empty so I will have to shop at a few other grocery stores for my Christmas entree. As for the hot and ready to eat foods I grabbed, I had the vegetable egg rolls, sesame tofu, and fried rice. The egg rolls and tofu were good and passable for a quick cheap lunch, but the fried rice was near inedible. Veggies were cooked and tender, flavor was good, but the rice was entirely undercooked. I struggled to even find a single grain of rice that wasn't raw and hard and since I had mixed my rice with my tofu it nearly ruined lunch. I wouldn't call this experience indicative of of Eastsides typical good quality food, so I wont judge too harshly, but I hope this experience wont repeat itself.

Our monthly happy hour hang out brought us to Volstead House this month to check out the snacks and…read moresips! Plenty of parking available in the shared lot out front! Enter through the Burger spot and look for the Coca Cola machine! Once you enter Volstead House, you can't help but be transported into what feels like a Spirit Library. A huge accent wall lined from floor to ceiling with spirit bottles is the perfect back drop to this cozy hang out. Perfect for a date night, friend catch-up, or solo Whiskey adventure, Volstead House is a vibe! Pair the atmosphere with top notch, educated bartenders and mixologists...you know you'll be taken care of! We started with the A La Louisiane, a spirit-forward, whiskey cocktail with some funk from Peychauds and Absinthe. It was delicious and well balanced. We also shared the Glazed Carrots and the Parm Fries. The carrots didn't hit for me, as the glaze and sauce lacked a punch of flavor but the fries were crispy and delicious. If you have a spirit enthusiast or someone that likes to explore the world of cocktails, I think this is the perfect vibe!

Finally crossed off Volstead House from my A-Z restaurant list, and honestly this one was more…read moreabout the experience than the food for me. First off, going through the hidden Coke machine entrance is actually really fun and makes the whole place feel like a little adventure. The decor and speakeasy atmosphere are definitely the standout. Very cool space. VERY loud though. Like "lean across the table and say WHAT?" loud at times. The waitress was super nice and recommended a mocktail for me that called Ass in the Sand. It ended up being really good. It tasted like an elevated lemonade and was probably one of my favorite parts of the meal. Started with the rolls and whipped honey butter which were delicious. Very soft, warm, and honestly dangerous because I could've just kept eating bread all night. For the main meal, I did the Wagyu Burger with Parmesan fries. The burger itself was okay but surprisingly didn't have a ton of flavor outside of the grilled/charred taste. The Parmesan fries were actually the standout for me -- hand cut fries and parmesan fries are just hard to mess up. My partner tried the Mushroom Soup en Croute and wasn't a fan because the mushrooms were blended and he said it lacked flavor. He also had a Steak Taco special using their medallion steak and said even with lime it still needed more flavor. Finished with Crème Brûlée which is always a classic favorite for me and this one was good. Overall: fun experience, cool hidden entrance, great decor, good mocktail and bread, but the actual food menu is pretty limited and the flavors didn't totally wow me for the price. Glad I went and finally crossed it off my list, but probably a one-and-done visit for me.

The Landscape Arboretum is another one of the Twin Cities treasures that is overlooked or taken for…read moregranted. It was founded in 1958 and has 1200 acres located in Chaska. It is different experience depending upon the season and what you choose to do. Today I went to their annual pancake breakfast, highlighted with their own maple syrup. They also showed how maple sap is collected (there are plastic tubes running between trees leading to collection bags), to the process of reducing the sap into syrup. They also process Black Walnut and Birch syrup, with tastings of each. At other times, highlights include a three mile drive that loops through the forests, variety of shrubs and plants, sculpture garden, and heads to a farm with a variety of displays. You can also take a narrated shuttle trip. Seasonally, the tulips (40,000 tulip bulbs!), roses, and daffodils are amazing and worth a visit just for that. In addition, there are miles of walking trails, and surprises around every corner. In their library there is even a collection of Nakashima furniture, from a world-famous furniture maker. There is something that will delight every age from toddler to grandparent in this everchanging environment. Tickets are a bit on the expensive side ($20 for 16 and older), but free for under 16 with an adult. If you are going to make multiple visits within a year, you might want to consider membership, which entitles you to unlimited free visits, plus a discount in their gift store. You can apply your paid visit to the cost of an annual membership. Pro-tip: Although they have a cafeteria, it's not their strong suit. I recommend eating before hand, or bring a picnic if the weather is nice and warm.

I was a member of the arboretum many years ago and enjoyed walking here, but on a more recent visit…read moreI noticed (and was reminded of) some significant issues. First of all, for those who do not have a membership or who are from out of town the admission cost is $25 per person (not per car). We had three people in our group so we paid $75 to walk a frozen albeit beautiful landscape, (with some paths not entirely cleared of ice). In the summer it might possibly have been worth that much to spend a day here, when there would have been better access and gardens in bloom. We were "greeted" on our visit by an unpleasant woman at the gate post. She asked if we had been there before and I said a very long time ago. She then informed us of the price per person (and peered into our car...to make sure we weren't hiding anyone?!) and took our money and waved us on. No welcoming utterance or thank you or asking if we had any questions. I asked for a map after she tried to wave us through without any further information and she told us to go to the customer desk because "they have everything" there. We didn't plan on going inside first so that was completely unhelpful. But this woman was done and offered no further help or what we might want to see. There was no one behind us waiting in line so I am not sure why she was so impatient. I thought the park would have the same layout as when we last visited, but it did not. We started walking where we used to walk, only to be stopped by a sign that said walkers were not allowed on the Three Mile Drive (the main route through the park). We turned around and went back towards the beginning of the path, and found out that now there were two options for touring the grounds: the Three Mile Walk (new to us) and the Three Mile Drive. The Three Mile Walk was a rerouted pathway through the park utilizing the sidewalks and attempting to keep walkers away from the road. We walked most of the Three Mile Walk until I ran out of energy (having not eaten breakfast) and we found an old shortcut that we remembered that led back to the visitors center. (Make sure to eat something before walking, as I didn't do!) At the visitors center we discovered the cafe had just closed (it was shortly after 3 pm on a weekday). So we traipsed downstairs to the gift shop and purchased several yummy snacks...and there certainly was a good collection of trail mixes and chocolates.... So I would recommend this park with some reservations. It is a beautiful place to walk but I would not go during the winter unless you decide to become a member. The visitors center also showcases cool artwork, the gift shop is fun to browse, and there is a cafe open during limited hours...but I haven't had good experiences with customer service (outside of the gift shop) and admissions is very pricey without a membership.

Fantastic space With may options for usages Crazy treehouse unit as well with own entrance…read morefor a unique getaway

If there's one thing that we've doing during this pandemic, it's we found all sorts of interesting…read moreTV shows. One of the more interesting shows we've been watching is Treehouse Masters. Did you know there is a treehouse right here in Minnesota that you can stay in? And it puts anything Treehouse Masters has made to shame. No offense to Treehouse Masters, they build some fantastic treehouses. The treehouse at Hope Glen is the next level. In fact, its several levels. After being so cooped up and not going anywhere, I planned this night out as a surprise to my wife. For the record my plan worked perfectly. She had no idea where we were going and packed like we were going to be stranded somewhere. Little did she know we were only going to be about 20 minutes from home. Hope Glen is easy to find, just down 61 in Cottage Grove. From what I read on their website this is a popular destination for weddings. The treehouse requires that reservations are made on their website. Once you have been confirmed you will receive an email with instructions. Parking was easy as their lot was empty when we arrived. You can't actually see the treehouse from the parking lot but if you follow the signs, a short walk around or through the pavilion and you'll see the treehouse. The entry is by lockbox. When you first walk in the door there is a beautiful sitting area and great fireplace. One of two fireplaces in the treehouse. This area opens up to the kitchen and a door to the deck. The kitchen has granite countertops and a full fridge, stove with oven and sink. If you take the stairs down you'll find the main bedroom which has the other fireplace. Across from the bedroom is a huge bathroom with a jet tub and big shower with a rain shower head. Upstairs and up the ladder is the lookout where you can see for miles. And don't forget about the secret room. Well actually the secret room has access to another bathroom too which you can only get to from the secret room. We really enjoyed our stay in the treehouse. There are games that we played and I lost but I still had fun. The treehouse is not an inexpensive night. But then again, this is a luxury treehouse right here in Minnesota. Did I mention that there is heating, air conditioning and heated floors too. In a treehouse! The owners were prompt and professional. We'd love to stay here again sometime.

Amazing food, fast and good portions! They had cauliflower crust for a GF option and the margarita…read morepizza was amazing! All staff super friendly. Above and beyond. Great experience will be back!

The food was fantastic. The service could be slightly better, seating was so tight it was hard for…read moreanyone to get around let alone them carrying food between chairs. I will definitely go back but for take out.

I have been visiting Red Wing lately and stopped in twice now to Liberty Restaurant. Both times the…read morestaff were very friendly and the food was very good. The atmosphere is very cozy as well. I have to add that my waitress today surprised me! In passing conversation it came up that I was taking myself out for my birthday. When I went to pay for the meal, my waitress told me that someone paid for my dinner. I was shocked and didn't know what to say! I asked her who paid for it, but she tried to play it off as she didn't know. I was very pleasantly surprised by how lovely, considerate and thoughtful it was for her to do that! I know it had to have been her because no one else knew why I was there. She truly doesn't know how much that meant to me and how that act of kindness was appreciated, especially during the current season of my life. I wish I could remember her name, but unfortunately I didn't memorize it quick enough. She didn't give me a receipt that I could look at for it. But I will never forget her or what she did and hope that I am blessed enough to chat with her again! I definitely recommend going to Liberty Restaurant when in Red Wing! You won't be disappointed! Someone told me to try the fish there, so maybe I'll have to return when they have their Friday fish special! And if the management views this review, please know that you have an amazing woman working on your team who is very rare in today's world! Cherish her! I was at the restaurant between 1530-1630. Have a blessed day! Richard

We stopped in for a bite and were immediately overwhelmed (in a good way) by how large the menu…read morewas--so we decided to start with two appetizers: the onion rings and jalapeño poppers. The onion rings looked great but definitely needed more seasoning and salt to bring out the flavor. The jalapeño poppers, on the other hand, were excellent--stuffed with a generous amount of cream cheese and served hot, which isn't always the case at other places, so that was a pleasant surprise. We'd heard the restaurant was known for their pizza, so we gave the house pizza a try. It was enjoyable overall, but it didn't come out well-done like we'd requested. I'm admittedly a bit of a pizza snob, with lots of solid pizza options back home, so while it wasn't bad, it just didn't wow me. The sauce leaned on the sweeter side, which isn't quite my preference, but the thin crust had a nice crunch to it. All in all, a decent experience with some highs and a few misses. If you like sweet sauce and crunchy thin crust, it might be right up your alley.