(The first in what will likely be a long series…)
Since eating out in the Twin Cities seems to be our full-time job (five lunches a week and six to seven dinners when we’re not traveling—no, I’m not exaggerating), it’s probably appropriate to create a list dedicated to some of our current and long-term favorites.
- The quiche at Rose Street Patisserie and Patisserie 46. If you think you’ve had quiche, but haven’t had John Kraus’, you have not had quiche.
- The Edwards Dessert Kitchen squash loaf. There are many great desserts on this menu (go with people and share), but take this $5 treasure home without question.
- The Sazarac. We’re probably personally responsible for honing the skills of every bartender in town on the Sazarac, but the one perfect one remains at Parlour Bar (thanks, Jesse Held).
- The large #1, as-is, from Black Sheep Pizza. Yes, the other pies sound sexier, but the true test of a good pizza place is always the basic cheese pizza (a chef told us that). This one is amazing.
- The Korean BBQ beef short-rib Bangkok Burrito at World Street Kitchen. It was—and is—a cult food-truck favorite for a reason. It’s highly addictive.
- At Brasa, order either the pulled chicken or the pork and a few masa corn cakes. Then proceed to make it a sandwich. My favorite is to add in black beans over the protein. Heaven.
- Centro’s Guava Goddess cocktail. The mezcal is smoky, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced.
- The house buttermilk bread with lavender honey butter at Bardo. (Side note: It is all about the carbs here. The desserts at this joint are some of the best in a highly competitive town.)
- Meritage fries with bernaise sauce. There are a lot of good fries in town; these are singlehandedly the best.
- The empanadas at Martina. This hyper-busy restaurant doesn’t need any kudos, especially from us, but they deserve them.