Travail Kitchen and Amusements ⋆⋆⋆⋆
www.facebook.com/travailkitchen • 763-535-1131

Location: 4124 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale

Hours: 5- 9:30 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Bar open later.

Price ranges: Travail serves a 10-course tasting menu (plus many quirky add-ons, and several desserts) designed for two diners. Cost is $90/two Tue.-Wed. and $110/two Thu.-Sat. Diners seated prior to 6 p.m. Tue.-Thu. pay $85/two. The Rookery features nearly two dozen a la carte "micro plates" (average price: $4) along with an 11-course tasting menu for $30 per person.

Wine list: Organized around brevity and affordability (including an eight-pour, $40 wine pairing) and a short list of craft beers. The bar's witty — and delicious — cocktails echo the kitchen's frolic-with-food philosophy.

Recommended dishes: Travail tasting menu changes frequently. At Rookery, scrambled eggs, sunchoke, lobster bisque, risotto, hot dog, burger, parsnip cake.

Special menus: Dietary restrictions accommodated.

Sound level: Loud but not unreasonably so when full.

If you go: No reservations (although 20 seats per night are reserved at $125 per person, which includes wine, beer and one cocktail). Arrive early and expect a wait, particularly on Friday and Saturday.