Minneapolis/St. Paul Dopers: I need your help!

In My Humble Opinion
1

Mr. Athena and I are thinking we need to get out of the Frozen Northern Wastes to someplace, well, not warmer, but at least less rural. We’re thinking of heading over to the twin cities for a long weekend sometime in the next month. I know, Florida or Mexico or someplace warm would be nicer, but we don’t want to spend the time/money so Minnesota it is. What a great winter vacation! :smiley:

I went to U of MN, so I’m not completely unfamiliar with the cities, but it’s been 10+ years since I really spent any time there. So can someone answer some questions?

  • What’s downtown Minneapolis like nowadays? I was thinking we would get a hotel downtown, and take advantage of the skyways and such to do some shopping/eating/drinking and get the city experience. When I left the cities, the downtown was in the process of becoming more vibrant - restaurants were moving in, and there was some nightlife to be had. Is it like that now? Or has it turned into a ho-hum kind of place and we should look elsewhere?

  • Any suggestions on a hotel? We don’t want to spend gobs of money, but someplace kinda nice and right downtown would be good. I know some places cater primarily to business people, and have better rates on the weekends.

  • What other neighborhoods should we visit? I seem to remember there was a part of St. Paul that was a good place to spend an afternoon drifting from bookstore to neat little shop to restaurant. Grand Ave, maybe? And what’s Uptown like these days?

  • Any suggestions on restaurants? I’m thinking at least one high end place, then some inexpensive ethnic places. Is the Ethiopian place over on the west bank, close to the university, still open? What about good Mexican? Is there a good Mexican place in the cities?

  • Any suggestions on museums or art galleries? An afternoon indulging in culture could be fun.

  • What else should we absolutely not miss?

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I think downtown Mpls is absolutely vibrant. There are a ton of eating choices, both upscale and not, which means that the restaurant rebirth you started to witness was successful. They’ve added a new “entertainment block,” called Block E, right across from the Target Center where there’s lots to do - there’s movies, an arcade, a coupla bars, an ice cream joing, and various eating establishments. I believe one of the bars there does “Dueling Pianos,” which SpouseO saw in Rochester, MN and really liked. If that’s your thing, there you are. It’s also near the new Hard Rock that opened recently.

There’s a ton of theaters in the area - whether they’re playing anything, however, is anyone’s guess. There’s the State, the Orpheum, and the Pantages. I believe they’re all run by the same company, so if you search for the Orpheum, you might get listings for what’s playing for all three. Not sure on this, tho’. They’re all close together on the same block (not far from the aforementioned Block E). In addition, there’s another theater in that block that was routinely playing audience participation things like Tony and Tina’s wedding - not sure what they’ve got going now, but it’s a possibility. I can’t remember its name, however.

As for eats, if you like tapas (Spanish for “little plates”), there’s a really good tapas place called Solera in the theater block. They’ve got a ton of choices, so if you’re feeling adventurous, you can’t go wrong here. Good stuff. If you head further west towards the warehouse district, there’s a latin-inspired place called Babalu (kinda spendy, tho’) that’s good and has live music on the weekends, and also Sapor good bistro with excellent food (again, spendy). Down that way there’s also a really nice wine bar with a limited appetizer menu, but I forget its name. Closer to downtown, you also have your TGI Friday’s, Applebees, and Olive Garden for less expensive eats. I don’t know about mexican - there is a Tex-Mex place, but it’s just okay (IMO).

On the way back to downtown, you could stop by the three level Sex World for a laugh - you can’t miss its neon.

Nicollet mall is a good place for shopping - there’s some boutiques, a really nice art gallery, and your Barnes and Noble that’s always a guaranteed time sink.

There’s also a lot of areas downtown Mpls that you can get live music - the Fine Line and 1st Avenue spring immediately to mind, but there’s a bunch more. 1st Ave is more of the small venue concert type place, while the Fine Line is more of a bar that has bands. There’s also a couple of jazz clubs towards downtown’s southern end, and you can get Salsa on Saturday if you head to the Minnepolis Cafe in that area. There’s also a Buca di Peppo (family-style Italian restaurant in the sicilian mode - mostly tomato/meat, not a lot of cream-style dishes) down there that’s excellent and Tiburon, a seafood place (spendy) that I’ve enjoyed.

The Grand Avenue area in St. Paul is a really nice and easy place to spend some time wandering and shopping. I haven’t been (I’ve only driven through), but I’m certain you could find something there that interests you.

If you like blues, I definitely recommend the Famous Dave’s in Uptown - it’s a huge establishment with live music every weekend. It’s a fun night. I haven’t explored it much, but the rest of Uptown seems like fun too.

If you’re inclined, I’d take a walk around St. Paul to see as many of the Peanuts statues as possible - while most have moved to other homes, there’s still a bunch around, especially in Rice Park across from the Ordway Theater, which might be playing something nice. While you’re in St. Paul, check out the Science Museum if you’re so inclined - its IMAX is playing something about Mt. Kilomanjaro, which my Mom-in-law pretty rabidly wants to see. Keep in mind, however, that while St. Paul is really nice, it’s generally pretty dead on weekends.

As for hotels, there’s a Radisson, a Hyatt, and a Mariott right there in the downtown area (the Hyatt is south), and there’s a Holiday Inn I believe that’s closer to the U/Metrodome area (while you’re there, you could eat at Grandma’s, if you were so inclined). I know there’s a bunch more, but I can’t think of them.

Whew! So, maybe I’ll give someone else a chance, hey?

3

I don’t live in the Twin Cities but we use it as a getaway quite often. From personal experience, the Mariott and Millennium Hotel in downtown Minneapolis are quite nice and are right in the middle of the action in downtown.

The Guthrie Theater is great. They’re doing Pericles from now until March 6 and As You Like It beginning March 12. The Guthrie is connected to the Walker Art Center and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is right there too. We’ve enjoyed going for the afternoon and visiting the sculpture garden and museum and then seeing a show in the evening.

Have a great trip!

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I hate to even mention this because I despise the place, but if you stay in down MPLS, you can take the new train to the Mall of America. There is a ton of shopping there as well as the amusement park and the aquarium (this place is pretty pathetic, but the underwater tunnel through the tank is kind of neat).

Try Grand Ave and St. Paul and Nicollet Mall and Hennepin in MPLS. You won’t go wrong with those.

CJ

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A contrarian idea is to maybe stay at a hotel close to the Mall of America, and take the train into downtown–it might be cheaper, although it will certainly be less cosmopolitan than staying in the center of the action.

Both Grand & Victoria and Uptown would be good places to visit. Grand & Victoria in St. Paul during the day for shopping, and Uptown at night for shopping, dining and entertainment.

I lived on West Bank 10+ years ago for grad school, and remember Odaa very well. It’s still there, to my knowledge. There are great mexican places in St. Paul on the west side off of Roberts Street. Definitely give Boca Chica a try.

The Walker is still undergoing renovations, but there is always the Minneapolis Institute of Art, which is south of downtown on Nicollet.

Look here before you visit for bands/entertainment/happenings. Also, the restaurant reviews by Dara Moskowictz are generally spot on, and great reading, too.

Have fun!

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I have very little interest in the Mall of America, so I doubt we’ll be heading there unless someone can convince me that a giant mall is something I want to see. Similiarly, I’m more looking for local restaurants - I’ve been to Olive Gardens and such, and although they have their place, I’m not driving for 7 hours to go to a chain restaurant that I can go to anywhere.

That said, thanks for the recomendations! This all looks great. Mmmmm… Mexican.

Forgot to ask in my original post - can anyone recommend a good Sushi place? We’d definitely be looking for some Sushi.

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Oh, and I forgot.

  • How 'bout a good liquor store? I’d be interested in a BIG store that carries everything (Is Serdyk’s (sp?) still around?) and a really good wine store.

  • What’s the best bookstore in town? Once again I’m thinking BIG - we have cute lil’ used places here, I want someplace where I can browse for an afternoon and find just about anything.

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The Ethiopian place you’re talking about is closed. (I can’t remember the name, but know which one you mean.) A different one opened up about six blocks away, near Riverside Hospital. (Addis Ababa - 2431 Riverside Ave, Mpls - Good stuff, I just ate there yesterday.)

Grand Avenue can be fun. A place I’ve always had good luck for food is Everest on Grand, just west of the Ayd Mill Road bridge, or south of Kowalski’s grocery store. Nepalese food. (Where else can you get Yak stew?) Up the road a few blocks, going east where there is more shopping, is a small bakery/coffee shop called Bread and Chocolate. They have chocolate croissants that are as good as you find in Paris.

Snickers covered Minneapolis very well. I’d second the Uptown area. It has improved a lot in the past 10 years. Lots of food choices, unusual stores, and Magers and Quinn, a good used bookstore.

A few additions for downtown Minneapolis - Along Nicollet Mall is Orchestra Hall which is a good experience, lots of food places and some used bookstores (James & Mary Laurie at 921 Nicollet and Lien’s Bookshop at 507 Hennepin, just a block off Nicollet.)

In Minneapolis along the river is the new Mill City Museum which I haven’t been to yet, but plan to. Nearby is the Stone Arch Bridge which has been converted to a bike/pedestrian path. You get a great view of the river and neat views of downtown.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts is always a good trip. Their web site should indicate if they have any special exhibit going on. The Walker Art Center is closed for now due to construction/expansion but the sculpture garden across the road should be OK to see even in winter. I Don’t know if that was there when you went to the U of M.

Speaking of the U, they have the Weisman Art Museum. I think it’s modern art, which isn’t my style, but it’s been well praised.

The best Mexican food (rated by a friend of mine from Mexico) is Boca Chica just off Robert Street south of downtown in St. Paul, the one on Concord Street.

Have fun.
On preview - I see usar_jag covered soem of my points, and remembered Odaa’s name as well.

Surdyk’s is what you’re thinking of. Yeah, they have a great selection and close to downtown Minneapolis, just across the river on Hennepin. Wide selection of wines and other liquors and good prices. The Liquor Depot near teh Mill City Museum is pretty good too, but I thinks Suydyk’s prices and selection is better.

A great bookstore in Midway at University and Lexington in St. Paul. I think they have the biggest inventory in the Cities.

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Athena,

I’m totally with you about not staying anywhere near the MOA–I provided that as a money-saving alternative.

As for sushi places, check the City Pages link I provided you for capsule reviews. I’m partial to Origami in Minneapolis (DT) and Saji-Ya (Grand & Victoria area, St. Paul), but there may be other places that suit you better.

Boca Chica is off of Roberts Street on (the formerly Concord, now renamed) Cesar Chavez Street. If the street name is any indication to you, the small restaurants you’ll find there are pretty authentic. There is a grocery store a few blocks away on CC Street, with a great lunch counter, too. I’m going to have to visit there now, dammit!

Midway Books that was mentioned by Mycroft H is huge, with a lot of used stuff to get lost in… There is also an ecclectic, independently owned bookstore called “Bound To Be Read” in the Grand/Victoria area that I love to browse–you couldn’t go wrong with either, or both.

As for liquor stores, Surdyk’s is probably the best all-around store, but there is also Haskell’s which is right downtown in Minneapolis that has a great wine selection in it’s own right.

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If this is the case, you’d probably do well to avoid the previously mentioned ‘Block E’ as well. Also, the adjacent Warehouse District is an absolute madhouse on weekend nights.

The Hyatt on Nicollet Mall might be a good hotel choice. If you wanted to do one high end night out, they have two excellent restaurants at the Hyatt. Manny’s and The Oceanaire. Manny’s is a steakhouse and The Oceanaire is seafood. Also, if you like Thai food, my favorite Thai place, King and I Thai, is just around the corner from the Hyatt.

Actually, Nicollet Ave is awash with ethnic restaurants. From the Hyatt pretty much all the way to Lake St is known as ‘Eat Street’. Lotsa good choices there.

Add my name to the list the suggests Boca Chica for Mexican food.

As for Sushi…either Origami in downtown Mpls or Fuji-ya at Lake & Lyndale.

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For non-chain restaurants, I’d second “Eat Street”. Nicollet Ave from about 28th Street north. If you like spicy/hot caribbean food, stop by Harry Singh’s between 27th and 28th. The place it small, but the food is great. Also in the area are a couple of Asian food markets (stock up on some interesting sauces), Black Forest Inn (German), Christos (Greek), a number of Asian restaurants I haven’t been to and I’m sure more I’m missing. Find a parking spot and walk until you find down Nicollet until you find something that looks good.

The Science Museum in St Paul (over looking the river) is a fun way to spend an afternoon (go find the musical stairs). The Minnesota History Center is also good, if you’re into that.

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A couple stops on the nerdy side of the cities…

If you like SF, then Uncle Hugo’s is a must-visit. If you like mysteries, then Uncle Edgar’s (which is in the back of Hugo’s) is as well.

http://www.unclehugo.com/prod/

If you play games or like to read comics, then The Source is for you.

Please note that neither of these places is done any kind of justice by their web sites. I only provide the links so you can find the places if you so desire.

On the restaurant side of things…

**Babani’s ** (First Kurdish Restaurant in USA! proudly proclaim the menus) has excellent food. I assume it’s authentically Kurdish, but have no basis for this other than blind faith.

My favorite Thai place is **Taste of Thailand III ** in St. Paul, at I-94 and White Bear. The cream cheese puffs haunted my dreams for days after I went there the first time. I am not making this up – ask Dangerosa.

Speaking of my lovely and talented wife, we had our Valentine’s Day dinner at the Zander Cafe, which was excellent. One of the best steaks I have had in the Twin Cities, and I’m a steak guy.

And while I can’t really recommend the Fall of America, if you do find yourself there doing some shoe shopping at Nordstrom or something, the **California Cafe ** is very good as well.

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For sushi try the restaurant in the Minneapolis Athletic Club. They converted the old boy grill into a pretty good sushi bar. You could also stay there. The hotel is expensive but pretty nice.

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I live a couple blocks south of downtown (near Loring Park) and spend a lot of time in downtown proper. It’s quite vibrant on weekend nights, but a lot of things are closed on Sundays.

Restaurants–I second Solera, and King & I. In Uptown, I really like Figlio. My favorite pizza place is Pizza Luce–they have locations Uptown, downtown, and in the Seward neighborhood. Bookstores: Bound to be Read is probably your best bet as far as big and local goes. As far as liquor stores–Haskells has a big wine sale in April. You buy one bottle at full price and the second of the same kind for a nickel. Yes, they jack up the regular prices a bit, but you can still get good deals.

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And virtually nothing is open downtown on Sunday until 11:00 or noon. Stay out late Saturday and plan to sleep in Sunday morning. I stayed at the Radisson a few months ago and it was good. Friends stayed across the street at the Marriott and they said it was real nice.