The Sample Room. Photo by Tom WallaceThe Sample Room
- American
- $$
Hailed as bold and "nobrow" when it opened in 2002, the Sample Room has weathered the ever-changing local trends quite nicely. By serving up small plates with an emphasis on meat and cheese, the Sample Room resembles a heartland-focused tapas joint -- the food's generally balanced, unpretentious and satisfying, and pairs well with drinks (there's a wide variety of those also available, so fret not). The Sample Room rebooted its menu this year, and the results have been strong overall -- sophisticated ingredients like nettle purees and wild mushrooms are brought back to Earth with soulful favorites like seared scallops and local cheeses. In short, while it may be something of a warhorse on the Northeast restaurant scene, the Sample Room is still learning new tricks. --James Norton
Modern Cafe. Photo by Chandra AkkariModern Cafe
- American
- $$
Because he labors in such modest surroundings, chef Phillip Becht doesn't have the high profile that he might enjoy elsewhere, an oversight for one of the city's culinary luminaries. Under Becht's nearly seven-year tutelage, the Modern has never been better. Becht subtly nudges the boundaries of his tightly focused menu in engaging new directions without putting a dent in the Modern's likable aversion to formality or its hugely appealing blue-collar diner roots. The kitchen has no pretense when it comes to its limited technical prowess. Instead, the cooking avoids obvious razzle-dazzle in favor of a visceral integrity. --Rick Nelson
The Anchor Fish & Chips. Photo by Becca Dilley / Heavy TableThe Anchor Fish & Chips
- British/Irish
- $
A low-key late-nighter where folks can enjoy a cold beer, a plate of well-prepared bar fare and a dose of genuine hospitality, all at blue-collar prices. The namesake dish is a generous slab of wild Alaskan cod, dipped in a delicate water-based batter and fried until an outer shell -- light, golden, gently crunchy and relatively grease-free -- forms a protective seal around the moist, succulent fish. The fish pairs perfectly with fabulous thick-cut, Minnesota-raised fried potatoes -- barely crisp on the outside, hot and tender on the inside. Order them with a side of the tangy, slightly sweet curry sauce, and you'll know what it is to encounter bar-food brilliance. Weekend breakfast means plentiful, South Beach Diet-style plates of eggs and sausages. Then there's the superb burger, a thick, well-seasoned and perfectly grilled monster that pops with a bold, beefy flavor. There's also a wonderfully satisfying shepherd's pie. --Rick Nelson
Crescent Moon Bakery. Photo by Joey McLeisterCrescent Moon Bakery
- Afghani
- $
This is not only the best Afghani restaurant in the Twin Cities, but they also have the best pizza I've ever had. It's a bit spicy, so let them know if you don't like it spicy. Prices are reasonable. The atmosphere is comfortable and informal. Great for lunch or dinner. --ikhlas247
Emily's Lebanese Delicatessen
- Middle Eastern
- $
There is no better tabouli in Minnesota. Believe me, I've tried it all. Emily's is a great neighborhood dive where you'll eat for 10 bucks in 30 minutes (if you want to) and go home smelling like garlic and onions (I think that's hot). I've been eating Emily's since I graduated to solid food and now that I live Northeast again, I make a point of going there at least once a month. If you're feeling particularly daring (or want to gross out your dining partner), try the raw kibbi. --michellejolie
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Wilde Roast. Photo by Judy Griesedieck
- Bulldog Restaurant - Northeast.: American. Grade-A ingredients, strong technique and creative thinking meet traditional neighborhood pub genre. Although the results are far from fancy, the next-generation bar food exudes obvious smarts and attention to detail. Oh, yeah -- it tastes good, too.
- ChinDian Cafe: Asian. The name reflects the co-owners' collective heritages: Nina Wong was born in Vietnam to Chinese parents, and spouse Thomas Gnanapragasam is third-generation Malaysian with Indian roots. It also mirrors what's going on the kitchen, where a blending of their families' cooking collective heritages -- and sprinkling in a few Western touches -- make for deliciously appealing food.
- Ginger Hop: Asian. This new-ish Northeaster fashions a menu of familiar-sounding dishes without making them sound dull, liberally mixing across borders and, occasionally, hemispheres. Sure, there are a few curries, a handful of single-spear satays, spring rolls filled with shrimp and herbs, smoked duck pot stickers, chicken lettuce wraps and fried rice, but there are also dishes with beer undertones, plus many playful quirks.
- Holy Land Restaurant & Deli: Middle Eastern. Top-shelf falafel, hummus and gyros.
- Kramarczuk East European Deli: European. Eastern European specialties including sausages, varenyky, cabbage rolls and piroshki.
- Marina Grill & Deli: Middle Eastern. Greek-American cafe specializing in affordable, brightly seasoned fare. The Mediterranean basics include gyros and falafel sandwiches, kofta, kebabs and grilled and rotisserie chicken; Yankee favorites include burgers, Reubens, catfish, walleye and barbecue chicken.
- Mayslack's: American. "Nobody beats Mayslack's meat" is the motto at this restaurant, which doubles (triples?) as a neighborhood bar and music venue. Mayslack's legendary 1-pound garlic-drenched roast beef sandwiches are as good as ever. Other options include hoagies, sandwiches, broasted chicken and pork chops.
- Wilde Roast Cafe: American. A counter-service menu, with breakfasts including a deliriously decadent French toast. Sweets are where the kitchen really sparkles.
$$
The 14" Johnson from Amici Pizza and Bistro. Photo by Chandra Akkari
- Amici Pizza and Bistro: Pizza/Italian. Selling pizzas that boast a crisp, chewy thin crust and Italian favorites such as cavatappi, antipasti and Caesar salads, Amici has staked out a valuable patch of ground: familiar food executed with passion. As Northeast continues to go upmarket, restaurants like Amici that combine sophistication with accessibility and affordability should do well. --James Norton
- The Butcher Block: Italian. Casual, midpriced neighborhood trattoria with an emphasis on house-butchered meats.
- Chimborazo: South American. If you don't yet know Ecuadorean cuisine, head here to find out. This little gem of a place cooks from the soul, offering the cheese-stuffed patties known as llapingachos, a coconut shrimp dish called camarones encocado, and some of the area's best fried plantains. Also: an unassuming atmosphere and warm, friendly service. --James Norton
- Erte: Steakhouse. Contemporary American steakhouse and supper-club atmosphere. Menu may include crab cakes, brisket, roast chicken and sweet-potato fries.
- Gardens Of Salonica New Greek Cafe & Deli: Greek. Soups, salads, fish and lamb, plus a big variety of boughatsas, filo pastries with sweet or savory fillings, all in a very stylish setting.
- Gorkha Palace: Indian. A short survey of Nepali, Tibetan and Indian fare including fantastic handmade dumplings; blistered, buttery naan; and paapaddum, the long, delicate lentil crackers. There are several fragrant biryanis and a handful of chicken and lamb items prepared in the kitchen's tandoor oven.
- Keegan's Irish Pub: Irish. Serving corned beef sandwiches, corned beef dinner, shepherd's pie, poached salmon and a grilled onion, mushroom and tomato boxty (potato pancake) as well as some less Gaelic specialties such as lobster-stuffed chicken and walleye almondine. The bar offers a selection of Irish whiskies, plus Harp and Guinness on tap.
- Mill City Cafe: American. Daytime comfort food in the heart of the Northeast arts district.
Northeast Social: American. Go for the congenial surroundings, stay for the engaging, uncomplicated and value-conscious menu. Along with an exceptional roast chicken, other don't-miss items include snappy house-made lamb sausages, as well as the pair of seared scallops served over a heaven-sent combination of crunchy sweet corn, smoky bacon and drops of a pert limoncello syrup. There's a mean burger, too. - Pizza Nea: Pizza. Popular Neapolitan-style pizza.
- Red Stag Supperclub: American. Owner Kim Bartmann, she of Bryant-Lake Bowl and Barbette, reinvents the supper club. The stroganoff, for example, features medium-rare venison with egg noodles and mushrooms. Other highlights: fried smelt in a gossamer-light batter, grilled sardines and pepper-crusted mahi-mahi. A Friday-night fish fry is deservedly popular. Weekend brunch shines, and lunch is another strong suit.
- Sample Room: American. Unique neighborhood spot offering mix and match sampler plates and entrees featuring an eclectic array of beer-steamed sausages, meatloaf, shrimp, walleye, warm cheeses, breads and more.
- Sen Yai Sen Lek: Thai. Joe Hatch-Surisook's tightly focused and affordable menu is unlike anything else available in the Twin Cities. It's unthinkable to visit the restaurant (its name translates to "Big Noodle Little Noodle") and not order a noodle dish. But don't skip the fabulous lettuce wraps, the marvelous spring rolls or the piping-hot fish cakes.
- Victory 44: American. Victory 44 would stand out anywhere, but the fact that it's located on the restaurant-starved North Side of Minneapolis makes it all that more remarkable. It's worthy of a crosstown drive.
- Whitey's World Famous Saloon: American. A more ambitious menu than the usual saloon. The meatloaf dinner is a tasty rendition of the classic. A smoker on the premises gives barbecued ribs and smoked chicken a definite flavor edge.
$$$
- Nye's Polonaise Room: American/European. Old-style supper club serving American and Polish specialties.
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