Meals with a view, times three.
When weather dictates an indoor table, nothing beats the airy third-floor terrace at Basil's Restaurant and its sweeping views of the IDS Crystal Court. The Marquette Hotel restaurant features a crowd-pleasing menu and follows a business-friendly schedule: breakfast daily and lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. Ask for the Mary Tyler Moore table (there's a commemorative plaque), a perch made famous from the opening credits of her 1970s Minneapolis-set sitcom.
710 Marquette Av., Mpls., 612-376-7404, basilsminneapolis.com
One of the region's great people-watching spots is the sprawling patio surrounding Bread & Pickle. After all, the warm-weather cafe's backdrop is beautiful Lake Harriet, in all of its sailing, swimming, sunning, biking, dog-walking and promenading glory. Go in the a.m. (the walk-up windows open at 7) for a handful of breakfast options, or make a lunch or dinner of it with well-appointed burgers, hot and cold sandwiches (don't miss the lobster roll) and salads. Snacks, too, including popcorn and first-rate Sonny's Ice Cream.
4135 W. Lake Harriet Pkwy., Mpls., 612-767-9009, www.breadandpickle.com
Road trip! Not every table at Nosh Restaurant and Bar has a direct view of the natural wonder that is Lake Pepin, so be sure to ask for a window seat. Chef/owner Greg Jaworski carefully stocks his pantry with seasonal locally raised ingredients, and his big-city cooking shows them to their best advantage. Dinner only, Wednesday through Sunday, and located roughly 90 minutes from the metro area.
310 1/2 S. Washington St., Lake City, Minn., 651-345-2425, noshrestaurant.com
