Nick and Eddie:

Swell Loring Park address, cool-but-accommodating staff, a What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get menu and long hours all add up to an exceptional new player in the downtown Minneapolis dining scene. For a full review of Nick and Eddie, go here. Be'wiched

The ho-hum sandwich will never be boring again, thanks to the boundlessly creative minds and enviable technical facility of co-owners Matthew Bickford, left, and Michael Ryan. For a full review of Be'wiched, go here.

Bank:

Nothing beats the room, a glorious Art Moderne bank lobby that has been given a new lease on life as a glamorous hotel restaurant. The New American fare fits right in, too, and the bar sure knows how to shake up a memorable cocktail. For a full review, go here Good Day Cafe:

Breakfast in the 'burbs is finally getting the respect it deserves -- lunch isn't too shabby, either -- with dreamy versions of a.m. classics (love that quiche, the soufflé-style omelets, the creative Benedicts and the peerless pecan-studded caramel rolls) and cheery surroundings. For a full review of Good Day Cafe, go here. Little Szechuan:

Honeywell doesn't even crank up the heat like this. The chili pepper reigns supreme at St. Paul's fiery University Avenue hotspot, although the kitchen also focuses on regional dishes that don't get a lot of play in Minnesota. For a full review of Little Szechuan, go here.