I have been here a few time before and definitely thought I had already written a review, but I…read moreguess not. I have been here two times in the last week and lemme tell ya.. this is quite the spot. I do suggest making a reservation because everytime I go here it is popping! What a vibey place, the lights aren't too bright, it gives a hip, fun, light energy and is not too pretentious but has INCREDIBLE FOOD AND DRINKS. Right now, one of their specials is whitefish toast.. if you enjoy fish at all, you need this. The fish is light and fresh, they put fresh dill on top and it is placed on top of some toasted sourdough bread perfectly. The fish is flavorful, a lil earthy and I feel as if there are capers or olives in in the fish mixture, whatever it is is fire! The burrata, beets, and citrus is a nice lovely, fresh, light app, the burrata is perfection with the beets and fresh, juicy citrus, drizzled with some oil and random pieces of garlic mixed in, YUM. I suggest ordering bread on the side with this one! The wings here are a staple and always delish. Crispy, hot, and coated perfectly in a light sweet chili sauce.. they hit the spot everytime. The housemade ranch is a perfect dipper. The other day I tried the chorizo and scallops... oh my goodness gracious.. it was a lil spicy and creamy with the bean puree and the scallops were buttery, light and divine! 10 outta 10 would do again. Finally, got the goat cheesecake, gluten free ginger snap crust with poached pears. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I want this now and in every lifetime! The cheesecake was light, yet decadent, deep, creamy with a light, unassuming flavor. The crust was delicious and the poached pears added that perfect fruit component. I got Liam as my server both times, he was helpful, attentive, had good suggestions when asked questions and didn't interrupt at all, amazing! This is the spot for any occasion!

LOVE! Beautiful space, kind staff, incredible cocktails!…read more Came to Emerald Lounge for the first time with a friend for a cocktail before dinner. Parking was easy enough to find on the street. We weren't able to find a reservation online, but had no problem walking in on a Saturday evening. We were able to grab a standing spot at the bar. The host asked us a bit later if we'd like to sit down at some bar seats that opened up, which was very kind! I ordered the martini du jour and am obsessed. If you like martinis, this is the spot for sure! Looking forward to retuning!

The White Squirrel Bar was just okay to me. There was live music going on, which was a nice touch…read moreand probably the highlight of the visit. The inside of the bar is pretty small and felt a bit cramped, especially with how busy it was on a Sunday. They do have a back patio that is fairly large, which I appreciated, but during the day it did not feel very inviting. Without lighting or much going on, it came off a bit plain. As for drinks, I tried a non alcoholic half and half with lemonade and iced tea, which I actually really liked. I also had a mojito style cocktail that was not my favorite and tasted a bit too strong for me. The overall vibe just was not really my thing, but I could see it being more fun at night or with a bigger group.

Cute bar! Feels like a fun, slightly elevated dive bar. Definitely a local place, lots of friend…read moregroups and people hanging out in the booths/ at the bar, I went on a Monday during the holidays and they had live music, a comedy show, and a lively crowd until I left around midnight. Fun cocktail options, and a good beer selection as well. The bartenders were great, it was busy but they were helpful and quick to get drinks, water etc. The bartender was also willing to keep my drinks behind the bar when I used the restroom (I was alone and unwilling to leave my drink unattended) which was extremely nice. Check this place out if you're looking for a fun, bright dive bar vibe!

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!

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.

We were in the area and finished with work sooner than planned. My daughter asked for oysters and I…read morefound this restaurant, plus they have oysters on their happy hour menu! Located in the area by the private colleges, they have a small parking lot on the right. Inside of the restaurant is colorful and dimly lit. I see the restaurant is known for craft cocktails and was excited to try. We sat in the front room since we didn't have reservations, I would recommend for party of 4 people or more.

Such a fun cocktail bar! Deliciously curated and unique drinks, and the food is actually very good…read moreas well, great spot for date night! We tried a couple dishes and drinks, both for the Halloween pop up and on their main menu, and loved everything. The only issue we had is that there was some miscommunication/ aggression regarding last call and closing time - I think those things could be better communicated by servers early on, as many parties were kicked out of the dining room with food and drink still remaining. But besides that, we had a great time and will be back!

From out of State to visit Family & friends. Not one to pop into a bar alone being a female to…read morehave a beverage. Brandy, the bartender was so welcoming and within 5 mins he made me feel comfortable and welcome sitting at the bar. He engaged in conversation with me and checked on me to make sure I was ok. My french 75 cocktail was THE BEST and I stayed and had two. The two men at the door were SO kind and deserve a shout out as well. Thank you Brandy & staff for making my time in Minnesota even better. I will be back.

My friends and I went to visit here for our monthly restaurant night and it just happened to be a…read morevery snowy night. There was only one guy waiting tables and working the bar and he did such a great job on such a snowy night. We started with some apps; the French onion dip with homemade chips, loaded fries and Brussel sprouts. Those were all tasty and I enjoyed the homemade cheese dip that was on the fries and wanted to eat it with a spoon. We then each got a burger; funny is that we all chose a different one. We like to stay and chat and catch up about what has happened since last month so we decided to order dessert. My two friends each got a slice of pie and I only wanted a bite of my sisters pie and made a joke that I only wanted a bite and the waiter over heard me and he actually brought me a small slice on the house; he was so nice and I wasn't expecting that at all. It was such a nice booth that we were in and the restaurant wasn't very busy so we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. I could sit there for hours and just chat and relax. I can't wait to go back and try more food next time.

This was my first time at Moscow on the Hill and overall a really great experience…read more The food was solid, but the drinks are where this place really shines. The martinis are to die for, and everything is very reasonably priced for the quality. They make their own vodka, which is such a cool touch, and it's definitely worth trying a few of the different flavors. The horseradish vodka martini was surprisingly really good. Service wasn't overly warm, but still friendly and attentive enough throughout the meal. The atmosphere is great, and the patio is easily one of my favorites in the area. Such a good spot to sit and enjoy a drink, especially in the warmer months. There is plenty of street parking around which makes it a super easy experience.

I am so happy I finally made it out to Moscow on the Hill! They don't have designated parking, but…read moreluckily street parking was easily available at dinner time. The inside is dark and dated but it was a nice day and we grabbed a table on the patio, which was lovely and spacious! The menu is very nostalgic and offers many favorites from the former Soviet Union that I grew up eating. I wanted to try something I don't normally eat at a family gathering. I got the vereniki (filled with potato and onions - more commonly known as peorogi) smothered in a mushroom cream sauce, topped with steak and onion straws. It was delicious and super hearty; not something I could eat very often. I also got a Moscow mule but was a bit bummed at how weak it was and the fact that it wasn't served in the traditional copper cup that helps keep the ice from melting and diluting the drink. I also want to point out that they added a 3.8% credit card charge (which I know is becoming more srandard), and a 20% gratuity, even though we were only a table of 5. Overall, I had a good time and enjoyed myself but not sure there is much there to bring me back anytime soon.

Fun and lively atmosphere with plenty of menu options to choose from! They serve brunch, lunch, and…read moredinner, so it's a great spot no matter the time of day. The chicken pot pie and shepherds pie were so warm a delicious! The staff are super friendly and attentive, and the service is quick -- food and drinks came out fast and fresh. The bar inside has a great vibe with lots of drink options, from classic cocktails to local beers. The space feels warm and inviting, perfect for both casual meetups and weekend outings. Parking nearby was easy to find, especially for being in a busier area. Overall, a fun, comfortable spot with great food, great energy, and great service!

Went specifically for the valentine day drink specials. The lychee and pisco cocktails were…read morefabulous! Fruity and tasty! Ordered most apps from the happy hour menu. Sliders and fries were good.

Incredible experience at Estelle. We sat at the chef's counter, which was such a fun way to…read moreexperience the meal. Watching the kitchen in action added so much to the night. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Everything felt really intentional and well timed. The food was outstanding. The rigatoni was a standout with an incredible sausage that was honestly to die for. We also had the soles de pollo, a chicken ravioli with fresh vegetables in the sauce, and the flavors were amazing. For tapas, we ordered the patatas bravas and rissoles, both were delicious. Such a thoughtful touch when they brought out churro bites at the end as a thank you. Amazing food, top tier service, and a really fun but romantic atmosphere. Definitely a spot worth going out of your way for

Estelle is a cozy spot, with candlelights and flower on each table. It is a perfect spot for a date…read morenight or celebrating a special occasion, and is also just a lovely dinner spot with really good food! It is in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood so there is ample street parking nearby if you turn on any of the side streets. The restaurant does get busy at dinner, so I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. They have many unique options for cocktails and mocktails. I opted for the Slaychel which is a non-alcoholic beverage that I think of as an elevated mimosa. It is fruity, slightly tart, and delicious! The service was great! Our water was frequently refilled and never got empty, and our server asked about any allergies and dietary restrictions before we ordered. They were able to modify menu items to fit the different dietary restrictions! Two people in our party (including myself) are vegetarians and one member is gluten-free and also doesn't consume much dairy or eggs. They were able to serve the patatas bravas with the egg on the side and the grilled asparagus with the egg and cheese on the side so we were able to all share the starters. The patatas bravas were wonderful! The potatoes are perfectly crispy but still fluffy. The tomato sauce was slightly smokey and had a very slight kick (think Minnesota spice) and it balanced out well with the creamy tomato. If you're only going to try one appetizer, this is the one to try! The asparagus was also nice. The salsa verde had a slight kick (a bit more than the tomato sauce from the patatas bravas, but not super spicy. Still Minnesota level of spice). The shallots also added a nice crispy texture to the dish! The egg really stood out in this dish, with its runny yolk and batter coating. There were a lot of nice elements and textures. As for pastas, I split the Spaghetti and Radiatore with a friend. The Radiatore was nutty and tangy, and the serving size was generous. I enjoyed it, but I would order the Spaghetti over it any day! I don't even know how to describe the Spaghetti and do it justice. It was creamy, cheesy, delicious. Our server said it was a staff favorite, and I understand why. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, go with this one!! Even if you aren't a vegetarian, give it a try. It's so classic, and it's done so well. For dessert: they give free churros when you're dining in! They are served warm with a chocolate drizzle. We also ordered the Honey Cake which we enjoyed a lot! The cake itself was light, like a mousse. There was some crunch from the hazelnut praline and honeycomb toffee pieces. It was nutty and sweet but not overly sweet. It was a perfect way to finish off the meal! Estelle was delicious and the service was great! I can't wait to come back!

Turkey burgers don't get a lot of attention in the burger world, but this turkey burger from 620 is…read morephenomenal, dare I say the best turkey burger I've ever had! I added the bacon, which really kicked up the flavors in this burger. The sage onion jam was sublime. Great selection of taps, and an array of specialty cocktails to try as well. The description of "fine diving" is apropos. You'll see the typical dive bar crowd playing pull tabs during brunch with a bloody and beer back, enjoying fine dive bar cuisine.

This place is a neighborhood gem!! The food is some of the best bar food around! The conies are…read morestellar! This is a busy place that always feels welcoming. I wish it was across the street from my house! We love the vibe, the food, the service and the owners, we will be back very soon!

My first visit to The Mudd Room last night for an acoustic gig. After some googling to confirm,…read moreMudd Room is below the Lucky's 13. When you arrive there Mudd Room is painted on the east side of the building above a small four space parking lot. Fear not; you can park on the west side of the building, also an overflow lot right there as well, a few spaces on the street in the front or across the street from there is designated parking. I entered through the west side of the building that noted Lucky's, fear not, when I entered and told the host I was looking for the Mudd Room she gave me precise directions to get downstairs! Once downstairs I came upon the nice single toilet ladies room. I proceeded in to the bar, asked the blonde bartender where the music would be? She pointed to the stage @ the end of the bar and said it could be loud right by the speaker so she'd recommend sitting a few tables away. She said the parties near the stage were tabbing out if I wanted to sit there? I said I would take a seat @ the end until they were through. Shortly after I sat down the very friendly brunette server brought me a glass of ice water... thanks! She remained attentive all night, filling my water three times. Despite not looking over the menu she was very thoughtful when she popped by just to say it was last call for the kitchen, did I want anything? I meant to get the gals names, I did not, sorry. Music wasn't too loud; the acoustics and lighting were great since the speakeasy is already dimly lit. I don't anticipate this was my last visit; very much looking forward to catching another gig here or meeting friends for drinks! The friendly and attentive service are my number one fast and hard rule for a venue... no matter how good or bad the drinks or food are.... they 90% determine if I will return. These two knocked it out of the park... thank you for such a welcoming and attentive inaugural visit, cheers!

I love that I discovered this place. I have been going to Lucky's for years and did not realize…read morethis existed. I came around the holiday period and they offer fun festive holiday drinks. By the time we arrived, they were no longer selling small bites. The entertainment for the night was a live band. I enjoyed a few songs and then ended up night upstairs at lucky 13.