Eating Out on the Wild Side

I enjoy "wild" game meats more than beef, pork, chicken, lamb, or seafood. There's nothing better than a gourmet prepared venison steak, duck breast or pheasant dish. Here's a list of my favorite Twin Cities restaurants that boast a menu with game dishes. The Heartland – In my pallet's humble opinion, Lenny Russo is the Top Chef in the Twin Cities. His St.Clair & Fairview establishment always features something on the wild side; from elk to bison, whitefish to sturgeon, and pheasant to quail. Look for his incredible pheasant and cherry sausage; it's out of this world! The Craftsman – Just over the river from Saint Paul's Saint Thomas University neighborhood on Lake Street, The Craftsman boasts a similarly neighborhood feel to The Heartland. Elk and pheasant are staples on the menu, but the leg of rabbit is the standout dish. Red Stag Supperclub – This northeast Minneapolis gem features the best atmosphere of my favorite game restaurants in the Twin Cities. The Red Stag features fantastic woodwork, a beautiful bar, and an open dining room with romantic lighting. The menu's signature dish is a venison or elk stroganoff that melts in your mouth. Minikahda Club - Thanks to the generosity of my wife's grandfather, this private and exclusive restaurant hosted our wedding reception. During our tasting meal, my wife and I sampled two preparations of pheasant and one quail dish. All three were out of this world. We ultimately selected a roasted pheasant breast with apricot marmalade over a bed of wild rice and dried cherries. It was unanimously raved to be the best pheasant dish any of our guests had ever tasted. Unfortunately, not even my wife and I can celebrate an anniversary meal at this private and exclusive club. I'm aware of a few other Twin Cities restaurants that serve game – Afton House Inn, W.A. Frost, etc. – but, I've yet to sample their menus. What's your favorite game dish at a Twin Cities restaurant?