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!

Bad Julia. I was so busy enjoying myself that I failed to take pictures. Anyway, this is an awesome…read moreplace. I came in to enjoy some live music with a couple of amazing local bands, and I am absolutely sold. Highlights include: tons of street parking nearby, superior selection of drinks (more on this later), and awesome people. Everyone, from the folks behind the bar to the other patrons, was ultra welcoming. I'm pretty sure this is the neighborhood Cheers. Seriously--amazing vibes, and it's great for solo people. (I realize that might be ambiguous, so what I mean by "great for solo people" is that you won't feel uncomfortable coming here alone. It's easy to chat with people if you want to; it's easy to just enjoy the music if you want to.) Okay, I know you want to hear about the drinks. They have a great selection of beer on tap. They have tons of cocktails, including a selection of barrel-finished cocktails. Not drinking tonight? They have plenty of THC and even a CBD-only option (winning!), along with some non-altering choices that include switchel(!). There's a huge outdoor patio with fire pits that I will probably check out next time. Anyway, this is a great spot!

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.

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!

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!

For the "west side" of St. Paul (I don't know why it is called that, for it is truly south and not…read moreat all west!), this is a very cool, chic and original concept for a foodie establishment. I went here with my twin sister, her husband, her husbands 2 brothers and one of his brother's fiance who were in town. All are foodies. All wanted to experience a good night out to titillate the tastebuds. For I try to impress upon out of town guests that not everyone in MN is of Scandinavian origin! But I digress... The food is just...awesome! Presentation is completely unique, including flaming drinks, an assortment of vessels for the dishes to accommodate the dish with an interesting flare without compromising ease of consuming or taste. Patatas bravas, tequenos, and rompe colchon were excellent. I mean mouth wateringly amazing. Shrimp in the rompe colchon was cooked PERFECTLY and the balance of the sour leche de tigre and mango made the dish interesting for the palate. Broccolini side dish was also cooked perfectly and the cheese foam gave a unique twist to the side dish. I ordered the bollitos pelones and OH MY GOODNESS. Think huge fried (but not greasy) ball of corn dough (like tamale but grains not so fine) stuffed with braised lamb and swimming in a dark, curry and spiced sauce. It was SOOOO GOOD and nothing like I'd ever had before. I also tried the pasta with rabbit and UMAMI! it was tasty. Also unique flavor that I cannot quite identify and the sauce to meat to pasta ratio was perfect. LOVED this experience and will 10000000% go back!

Crasqui isn't a traditional Venezuelan restaurant--it's a love letter. A tribute to memory,…read moretradition, and the flavors that shaped Chef-Owner Soleil's story. A political refugee from Venezuela, Chef Soleil translates pieces of her upbringing into elevated dishes that feel deeply personal. Each plate draws from the people, places, and moments that formed her, quietly transporting you to Crasqui--the tiny island off Venezuela's coast with sandy beaches and clear blue waters that inspired the name. Our Christmas Eve dinner was special not just for what was on the table, but for how it felt: warm, unhurried service, thoughtful pacing, and an atmosphere that invited you to stay awhile. Our table had the pleasure to indulge in: - Seafood Empanadas: calamari, shrimp, white fish & squid ink. - Rompe Colchón: shrimp ceviche in pineapple-habanero leche de tigre with house-made cassava chips. - Croquetas de Chorizo: potato fritters stuffed with leeks, garlic & chistorra chorizo. - Venezuelan Christmas Dinner: *Hallaca (corn dough filled with pork, beef & chicken wrapped in smoked plantain leaves); *Pernil (slow-cooked pork leg in malta & red wine); *Pan de Jamón (bread with raisins, smoked ham, green olives & cane sugar syrup); *Ensalada de Gallina (chicken salad). - Mochima: Mahi-Mahi stuffed with crab, parmesan & herb crust, sambuca beurre blanc, cilantro oil. Luxurious in texture and deeply satisfying, with each element clearly considered and working in quiet harmony. This dish was memorable for all the right reasons. - Dulce de Lechoza: Green Papaya dessert served with Vanilla Ice Cream. - Christmas Hug: their version of a Holiday old-fashioned. - Mulled Christmas wine What truly sets Crasqui apart: it is the only Venezuelan fine-dining restaurant in Minnesota, one of just three in the U.S., the only Venezuelan rum bar in the Midwest, and proudly 100% Latina & female-owned! Definitely a restaurant worth adding to your dinner rotation!

After seeing other reviews, I was thinking there would be too much food temptation, but they…read moreactually aren't doing meals now, focusing on drinks and live music. My maple cinnamon sour was delicious and worth the slightly high price. Staff were very helpful about the confusing parking situation in this area too. I was there for the music anyhow. It's a small narrow room, so the acoustics were not great for my rather basic phone to record, but it was fine for my ears. All 4 acts were good, especially FenixDion- this was my first time seeing them as a duo instead of the full band, so it was a bit mellower but still rocked. The $5 cover was definitely a bargain, but I think that deal may have been special because this was also a birthday party. I hope they bring back some eats. I might have considered a 2nd drink if I had some food to soak up the alcohol.

Amazing, cozy joint in one of the old Schmidt buildings. Very expensive, but in this case you…read moredefinitely get what you pay for. They've got a really good 2-for-1 sake on happy hour. We'll probably go back for another special occasion but it's a bit pricey for more than every once in a while. The entire staff seemed to be in a good mood and the service was all around excellent. Seasonal menu that changes fairly often but the burger sticks around. We got a couple things to split: - Grilled celery root was really good. Perfect texture and lots of flavor while not being "earthy". That cashew miso cauliflower puree is one of the best, smoothest dips I've ever had. - Bread & Beets: Basically a really good beet panzanella. Beets were nicely marinated to get rid of any "dirt" flavor. My wife hates beets and liked this one. I'd probably skip it next time just because there is so much other good stuff. - Karaage: Some of the best karaage I've ever had. Super tender chicken, light breading, and really good glaze. Slaw was really good, too.

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!

We really enjoyed this cafe/Eritrean(?) restaurant. The injera was delicious, and the veggie combo…read moreplate is huge and deliciously flavored. The other fare also is great; if you're feeling something more simple but filling, the egg and avocado bowl will get you sorted.

Such a great place, small but efficient and delicious. We stopped for a late lunch and service was…read moreexcellent. We enjoyed the lentil dish ades miser, with injira and a spicy chicken dish. We look forward to trying more from the menu.

Great food and atmosphere! The sweet and sour chicken was absolutely amazing! Highly recommend!…read moreTake Out was also quick and easy!

Went here on Mother's Day Sunday, had a reservation for 12:15. We got there a couple minutes early…read moreand were seated right away. The server was very friendly and informative, even joked around with us a little. It didn't look like reservations were needed, except maybe on busy days like Mother's Day. The food was amazing. Potstickers were, of course, super good, but so was everything else. Portions were generous. I got the pork belly fried rice and I think I have enough leftovers for another three or four meals. There is a small parking lot in back, but you have to walk around the building to get to the door. I would say it is not handicapped friendly. If you park in back it would be hard to get to the door unless you are able to make it half way around the block. If you park in front it is just street parking. My dad uses a walker and we were lucky enough to get a spot right in front of the restaurant, anything else would have been a problem. Spacing inside the restaurant is pretty tight as well. Once dad sat down they had to take his walker into the back because there was no room in the seating area. We were packed in pretty tightly and very close to the table next to us. Overall, delicious food! We will be back!

We ended up here after our 40th Sibley High School reunion, and it was so fun! It's been about…read morethat long since, and I'd been there only once I believe. My high school friend would rave about this bar that was "split level." Nothing seems to have changed there, and it's conveniently located next to Chet's Liquors. That's cool they have the local popular frozen pizza. The staff was kind to let our group leave late at our leisure closing the joint.

The bartender Dana made the best Bloody Mary that I've ever had. 10/10 it's the perfect amount of…read morespices. I'm blown away. It's astronomical.