Group dining in Minneapolis

[rcianci]

A group of 15 of us are coming to Minneapolis in late July. The persons organizing our get together have compiled a list of places for us to dine as a group. We've got a week to research the suggestions and vote for the place we would most like to eat. Since this is my first visit to the Twin Cities, I turn to you, my fellow Gulleteers to guide me in my choice. Here's the list:

Charley's Restaurant at the Depot

225 3rd Ave S

Minneapolis, MN 55401-2524

(612) 758-7826

Sawatdee

607 Washington Ave S

Minneapolis, MN 55415

(612) 338-6451

The Old Spaghetti Factory

233 Park Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55415-1148

(612) 341-0949

Basil's Restaurant

710 Marquette Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(612) 376-7404

Nye's Polonaise Room

112 E Hennepin Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55414-1012

(612) 379-2021

Bombay Bistro

820 Marquette Ave

Minneapolis, MN 55402

(612) 312-2800

Keegan’s Irish Pub

16 University Ave NE

Minneapolis, MN 55413

(612) 252-0880

Gardens of Salonica

19 5th St NE

Minneapolis, MN 55413-2225

(612) 378-0611

Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Monte Carlo Bar & Cafe

219 3RD Ave N

Minneapolis, MN 55401-1401

(612) 333-5900

[snowangel]

So, how did this person come up with this list? What are the criteria? I guess if I were to give a group of 15 suggestions for a dinner in Minneapolis, none of the restaurants on this list would make my list.

[rcianci]

They were looking for moderately priced restaurants that would take a group and were close to our hotel. A fair number of people in our group are not foodies. Not being familiar with this board, they used City Search as a source of reviews.

Edited June 10, 2006 by rcianci (log)

[kiliki]

Well, I'm not a local and not the expert on Minneapolis restauarants, but on a recent visit I loved Nye's. They have a website with their menu, and the site gives a pretty accurate representation of what the place is like, so be sure and look at that first. It's, ahh, old fashioned is I guess how I'd describe it, not for everyone maybe, but if you want cocktails and that kind of supper club food it's great. They have free valet parking which is nice.

You probably know this, but just in case-Old Spaghetti Factory is a nationwide chain of very low quality. I loved it as a kid-it's primarily a family place-but it's hard to imagine a group of adults, even non-foodies, enjoying it.

Edited June 10, 2006 by kiliki (log)

[ronnie_suburban]

In lieu of fresh replies here, I'd check this thread:

Minneapolis recs?

=R=

[ulterior epicure]

... for a moment there, I thought Jamie Oliver might be opening in Minneapolis!!

I preface this comment without knowing what style of restaurant/cooking you are in search of. I'm also going to assume that your hotel is downtown - if not the Marquette.

I know that Mary Tyler Moore was filmed eating at Basil's in the opening sequence to her eponymous show... but IMO, I'm sure you'd find better eating at the Mission Kitchen just below on the ground floor (in the original Aquavit space). Unless it is out of sheer convenience, as it was for me when I was put up at the Marquette Hotel during a business trip meeting, I think you'd have a more enjoyable dinner in many other establishments around town. The food was okay, but the atmosphere is rather meh, the balcony overlooks a shopping mall courtyard.

For a fun (but loud and often crowded) spot, try Solera, if it's still there - it's tapas. I loved the Cosmos, but that's running up their in price, as is Auriga. There's always McCormick and Scmick's or Oceanaire nearby which is usually a safe bet with large crowds - but there again, prices can get steep.

Good luck. I admit, I need to get back to Minneapolis. Especially with Five, La Belle Vie, and Lucia left unvisited.

Incidentally, if you have a night to break away from the group - do try to get to Levain. I had an excellent meal there two years ago, and I've heard it's only gotten better. It's out in the burbs, so you'd have to have a car or call a taxi... but I think it's worth a visit.

Best of luck!

u.e.

[edited to enable link]

Edited June 10, 2006 by ulterior epicure (log)

[sumac]

I totally agree with snowangel.....none of those restaurants would be on my list. Admitedly, 15 is not always easy. However, I would suggest:

Peninsula

Restaurant Alma

Krua Thailand

Broders Pasta Bar

Vincents

Solera

Fugaise

Town Talk Diner

[rcianci]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Our group's choice is likely to be Nye's which looks like a good place for a party. But my wife and I will have plenty of chances to dine on our own and we'll be usings your recs as our guide. I'll post my impressions of our trip when we return. Thanks again!

[snowangel]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. Our group's choice is likely to be Nye's which looks like a good place for a party. But my wife and I will have plenty of chances to dine on our own and we'll be usings your recs as our guide. I'll post my impressions of our trip when we return. Thanks again!

←

Yes, if they are not food people, Nye's is probably a very safe bet.

Let us know if you and your wife need any suggestions on where to go. Both the high-end and ethnic eateries in Minneapolis offer lots of variety!

[rcianci]

Yes, if they are not food people, Nye's is probably a very safe bet.

Let us know if you and your wife need any suggestions on where to go.  Both the high-end and ethnic eateries in Minneapolis offer lots of variety!

←

Let me take you up on your offer with two questions.

First, how hard is it to get into 112 Eatery? If I make reservations two weeks or more in advance would that be likely to secure us a table?

Second, can you reccomend any places that serve Hmong food? My wife and I both like Vietnamese and we're curious as to how Hmong cooking may be different.

[Brad Ballinger]

A number of responses to the original question and the recent one.

Nye's will be a good choice both for dinner and for after dinner. Other than staying at Nye's, after dinner you can walk to The Times. I'd also be okay with Gardens of Salinica for a group if they want to have Greek food. And the Monte Carlo is always fun in an old school supper club/chop house kind of way.

For the two of you on your own, if you know your travel dates, go ahead and reserve at 112 Eatery now. You should still be okay two weeks out, but you may not have your first choice of seating time. The closest thing I can think of from Hmong food off the top of my head is Cheng Heng, which is Cambodian. You'll need to drive there.

[snowangel]

I recall a review of Foodsmart in the Strib a couple (maybe three) years ago in which they said that not only did they have a grocery store, but that the "restaurant" in the back was very good. No idea if this is still the case. I'll ask around.

Edited to add: Strib link here.