At Rosa Mexicano, the surroundings are glamorous, the cocktails are colorful and potent and the menu is a lengthy list of lively south-of-the-border favorites served in easily-shared portions. The tableside guacamole is a must. Weekend matinee? The restaurant serves brunch Saturday and Sunday.

609 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. • 612-656-7144 • www.rosamexicano.com

Put yourself in the more than capable hands of Solera chef Jorge Guzman and make a meal from a dizzying variety of imaginative, beautifully presented tapas. The bar shakes up a ton of sangrias and pours a wide range of Spanish wines and sherries. Dinner only.

900 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. • 612-338-0062 • www.solera-restaurant.com

Get a first crack at Union Fish Market, the (dinner-only) seafood-focused restaurant that quietly opened last week on the first floor at Union. Or reserve a table upstairs at one of the city's most dramatic eating-and-drinking venues, the glass-covered Union rooftop, which serves a crowd-pleasing lunch weekdays and dinner daily.

731 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. • 612-455-6690 • www.unionmpls.com

RICK NELSON