Dining out: The Hot Five

Macy's Spring Flower show (700 Nicollet Mall, eighth-floor auditorium, Minneapolis, macys.com) opens Sunday and runs through April 19. Enjoy all those free Bachman's blooms -- and April-fresh scents -- then a meal.

THE BROTHERS DELI

Skip the line outside the neighboring Chipotle and join the line at owner Jeff Burstein's busy skyway hot spot for superb sandwiches (get the soulful pastrami, the juicy roast turkey, the swell chopped liver, served with all-you-can-eat fixings), hearty soups and awesome cookies. Fast service, reasonable prices. Weekday breakfast and lunch only.

50 S. 6th St. (skyway level), 612-341-8007, www.thebrothersdeli.com

FIRELAKE GRILL HOUSE & COCKTAIL BAR

In his handsome Radisson Plaza Hotel restaurant, chef Paul Lynch focuses on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, and all month he's showcasing spring lamb, including cherry wood-smoked lamb ribs, a shaved rotisserie lamb sandwich and a salad tossed with asparagus, fingerling potatoes, blue cheese and roast lamb.

31 S. 7th St., 612-216-3473, www.firelakerestaurant.com

OAK GRILL

Macy's clubby 12th-floor dining destination, a Minneapolis staple since 1947, is the place for affordable, all-American fare, served with a smile and a popover. There's a special flower show formal tea (weekdays, 2 to 5 p.m., $18.50 per couple), and the restaurant will be expanding its hours through April 19, serving lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and lunch Sunday.

700 Nicollet Mall, 612-375-2938, www.macys.com

PETER'S GRILL

Whether it's a hot roast turkey sandwich, liver and hash browns, chicken Caesar salad or chow mein with steamed rice, there's always a stick-to-your-ribs daily special on the menu at this downtown institution. Don't skip the legendary green apple pie. Closed Sundays.

114 S. 8th St., 612-333-1981, www.petersgrill.com

VINCENT

Chef/owner Vincent Francoual's urbane dining room just looks expensive. Check out the two-course weekday lunch ($12.50, menu changes weekly) or the cassoulet dinner (salad, cassoulet, dessert) for two for $38.

1100 Nicollet Mall, 612-630-1189, www.vincentarestaurant.com

RICK NELSON