Unbelievable. This place is truly magical…read more It has such a perfect mix of a relaxed, chill vibe while still feeling elevated enough to dress up and make a night out of it. The space itself is beautiful with a really cozy ambiance, and the patio is a great option when the weather is nice. The drinks are absolutely the star of the show. You can tell there is so much intention behind both the flavors and the presentation. The cocktail menu is super creative, and the Old Fashioned menu alone is phenomenal with so many unique options. The Beorn Old Fashioned was my favorite. We also tried the Payanello (pineapple, lime, ginger, pickled jalapeño) and it was incredible. Food was fantastic as well. The brussels sprouts were so good and a must order. Service was amazing. Our server was so kind, helpful, and gave great recommendations, which made the whole experience even better. It is on the pricier side, especially for drinks, but honestly worth it for the quality and experience. Reservations are easy to make and I would definitely recommend booking ahead. Parking was manageable when we went, but I could see it getting tricky during busier times. Overall, such a beautiful, thoughtfully done space with incredible drinks, great food, and top tier service. A perfect spot for a night out or just grabbing a cocktail and soaking in the vibe.

Visiting stops on the distillery passport and spent an afternoon at O'Shaughnessy. I had been here…read morebefore for a couple of events, but never just a regular experience. Inside is beautiful, with leather and wood everywhere. It's a large space, but still feel cozy. Since they specialize in whiskey, that is the base for many cocktails; I actually think that 90% of the cocktail list is whiskey of some form. We also tried a spice bag, which was phenomenal! One of those things I loved so much, I'll probably get it every time I go now. If you're looking for a great place to try some great cocktails, OS Distillery is the place for you!

Fantastic venue! It's a nice, cozy and inviting spot. I was there for a private event, so I can't…read morespeak to the normal atmosphere. But I thought it was for sure a vibe! The servers and bartenders were so attentive and efficient with the food and drinks. The Nashville chicken bites were a big hit for appetizers. The staff noticed and eventually came out with a huge tray of chicken! I would highly recommend checking out this place! I will definitely be back for a standard night out.

I've heard great things about this themed cocktail lounge and was excited to finally try it. It's…read morecertainly a mood. The menu is really themed, but the bartender was able to help me select a drink based on what I like. We also ordered French fries to nibble on (better than most but not the best fries you'll ever eat). My favorite part was the bathroom. I was a little tipsy and seeing myself be purple in the mirror was a trip This is a cool place everyone needs to have a drink at least once. I would go back to try other options and explore more of their food menu.

Place has a super sexy vibe and low lighting. The perfect darkness level…read more Music the majority of the evening was a ghetto rap- should have been something cool and jazzy. A real mismatch for me but popular with the locals. Acoustics not great- not enough insulation to absorb the noise. Cocktails delicious- really great! Brandon the bartender described them perfectly. Loved the comfy bar stools. Hooks under the bar but a little too spaced out. Could use more. But glad they were there even if the one closest was in the way I started with the Tapaculo which was like a banana smoky Negroni Next was the Calluna which was like a lychee martini. Highly recommend!!

Flora Room is such a cute spot to come have drinks with your friends or on a date. They have a…read morehuge menu of cocktails and they are all so interesting. It was so hard to choose bc everything sounded so good. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. My friend and I sat at the bar and had several drinks before we headed out to our next spot. Was having too much fun so didnt take any photos.

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.

In order of faves…read more Juicy Lucy: name says it all. Cheesy juicy goodness would def get again. Liked the impossible burger more than the bean patty too Strawberry shake: super flavorful will def get again Cauliflower Lemon pepper beer battered wings (crispy, flavorful, would get again) fries with ranch (tasty without sauce, liked the seasoning tasty with the ranch sauce so good. Will get again) Cooler ranch fries: husband and son really liked this. Would get again but I also like having the ranch sauce too Garlic girl burger (tasty and fun would get again) Chips and sour cream: would get again hubby also liked. But I might be able to make this sour cream myself. Cesar salad: tasty, but not my fave. I did really like the croutons Would return and would get all these items again. Highly recommend. No allergy issues. Highly recommend

I have never actually eaten in person at Francis, but I love to get takeout from here!…read more They have a good variety of burger toppings to get. However, my go to is the Rodeo Burger. I love a burger with a little crunch and the fake bacon definitely fulfills that wish for me. The BBQ aioli and jalapeños go together so well! Their fries are good too. A nice little shoestring :) Orders are always ready quickly and food is still warm when you get it home, which is awesome!

Relaxed but nice cocktail lounge; it was a little hard to find at first because it doesn't have a…read moresign, but it's below street level with a window sign that says "cocktails." The service was appropriately lowkey and prompt. Their food might seem a bit expensive, but their portions are generous. The fries were reminiscent of McDonald's fries in the best way, just fresher and crispier! We tried the Parlour burger and the chicken sandwich, both of which were simple but delicious.

Already been here a couple times and it never disappoints! Went mid week this time and it wasn't…read morevery busy so we got seated right away. Don't go often enough to get anything other than the delicious parlor burger and fries, but it seems like they expanded the menu at this location so they have other good options I'd like to try next time! Still got the cool speak easy type vibe that is great for an intimate date night or an outing with a small group of friends or family!

Came for a birthday jazz show, drinks and snacks and had an incredible time. The setting in North…read moreLoop Minneapolis sets you up for a nice time (besides parking). The atmosphere of the place gives a nice relaxed and colorful vibe, and the drinks and food menu had a stunning variety. The music was performed by Javier Hernandez and his band and was beautiful. The music here will change day to day, but on this Friday evening ours was beautiful. It included piano, trumpet, bongos, drums and bass. Staff were all attentive without being overbearing and allowed us to enjoy the music, and the food ended up being fantastic. We got deviled eggs (some of the best I've ever had) and Okonomiyaki which in this case was a variation of fried sweet potato and was delicious. Drink variety ranges from fruity cocktails to wine to N.A. beer and they had something for everyone. My only complaint of the evening was the booth we sat in was not very comfortable and it required a lot of fidgeting. Other than this 5/5 experience.

Beautiful spot! I loved the show, and felt so immersed. The candlit setting was very romantic and…read morecozy, and I felt so into the show! I went on a night where the Berlin donated all proceeds to the Immigrant Defense Network, and I appreciated seeing them stand with their community. The staff explained the cause, and why they participated in the no buy day. This place was worth the hype, I put off going for months, but will be going back! Next time I go, I'll need to try a snack or get a drink! I think it would really elevate the experience.

All of our food was fantastic!! We had the crab artichoke…read moredip to start, and it came out blazing hot. It was very yummy and we practically liked the bowl clean (once it cooled down). I started with the Ramble on Rose cocktail, and while it was very tasty, it was quite small. I moved on to wine with my dinner. For our mains, we had the Rigatoni and the Orecchiette. Again, both came out nice and hot, and we fabulous tasting. We both ate every single bite! I did ask for extra cheese to top my Rigatoni, but I just really like cheese. The flavor of the sauce was deep and rich even without the extra. We had a reservation, but it wasn't crowded, even on a Saturday night. I liked the décor inside, there is a bar for a more casual drink-only spot, and some outside seating.

We live nearby and high hopes since this used to be amazing pasta. It was so so and the service…read morekept coming to our table so often we couldn't even have a conversation. Don't ask how are the first bites three times! Rigatoni was good and the Caesar was good too but the meatball sauce was different than the pasta vodka sauce so my guest said that was a problem. Best dish was the olive tapenade appetizer and the bar was packed.

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!

We always see this place when visiting Hazel's across the street and think we should come back…read moreacross the street at dinner time. So glad we did. We came for an anniversary dinner and chose to be seated at the bar that overlooked the kitchen. I know I've said before, but I love this look into the kitchen, watching everything being cooked, seeing all the orders, it's just so fun. We started with cocktails and the Silesian dumplings. Both were excellent. Hubs got the duck two ways and I got the duck burger for our meals. I told him we couldn't go to a place that specializes in duck and not get duck. Both dishes were perfect. The duck confit sauce was delicious and the burger was out of this world. We couldn't turn down a couple of paczeks for dessert too. Service was great and sitting next to the kitchen, got to talk to some of the cooks as well. Overall, great experience at Black Duck.

American Polish and Mexican fusion. An interesting combination, but actually quite tasty…read more Our waitress was punctual and friendly, even though she was attending to another large group behind us, and the ambience at the chefs counter was very controlled and well expedited on a busy Friday night. The exterior is a little unassuming with the patio kind of looks like a family style restaurant but inside it's upscale dark and gold modern chic. THE FOOD Pierogis - 5/5 so pillowy Doused in a butter sauce, delicious potato goodness. A little steep for $19 for 4 pieces, but definitely a highlight of the night. Silesian pierogis - 5/5 the Parmesan leek sauce was a great compliment to the almost mochi, textured potato dumplings. Definitely different than the normal pierogies, but in my opinion, the sauce really stood out for this dish and was well balanced with the pickled cabbage. Pork dish 4/5 - the pork was cooked PERFECTLY, nice char on the outside with a juicy inside, not dry by any means. The sauerkraut plus the mustard sauce was a perfect bite. However, I do feel the mustard sauce is quite overpowering at times so if you don't like mustard do not get this. It does look like a large portion, but I did eat all of it with a little bit of help. I do wish there was some sort of starch on the plate, but better portioning the most pork chops restaurants that I have had. Flat iron steak 3/5 - I was most looking forward to this one after seeing it on Instagram however, the dish somewhat fell short for $40. The steak was cooked beautifully, and the potato pavee was exciting since this is quite rare where to find in the Twin Cities restaurant scene. There was not much sauce on this dish. The small bit of sauce provided, being quite buttery and did not add much to the flavor. The potato pavees were very crispy and a nice inside texture but for me a little bit oversalted, but there was just nowhere to go in the dish for sauce/punchy flavor. I wish there was an aioli/chimichurri to go with the potato pavee and some other type of seasoning like a Mexican seasoning on the potatoes. It's seems the entrees were not very vegetable forward however I feel like for $40 the pork and the steak could have used maybe a few pieces of brussels sprouts or asparagus to balance out their richness. Overall, a very lovely experience. I feel like anything on their menu is worth a try. The waitress mentioned that they do have rotating seasonal items. You won't be disappointed!