Recent content from Rick Nelson
6 Twin Cities chefs dish on their favorite State Fair foods
Sameh Wadi of World Street Kitchen goes for the smoked turkey leg, but it's what he smuggles in to enjoy with it that's noteworthy: "Every year when I walk in I think, 'Is this going to be the year that they bust me?' "
Where are there more great pizza farms near the Twin Cities?
Want to find even more great pizza farms near the Twin Cities? Restaurant critic Rick Nelson offers his picks as he answers readers' questions.
In Wayzata, a four-star French bistro from star chef Gavin Kaysen
REVIEW: At Bellecour, Gavin Kaysen pays homage to his mentors, to the benefit of diners.
3 Twin Cities chefs share tips on how to make the most of summer's tomatoes
How many ways can you prepare a summer tomato? We find out from three Twin Cities chefs.
10 reasons why Lynhall in Minneapolis is casual dining's new role model
REVIEW: Innovative, flavor-conscious and surprisingly affordable, the stylish Lynhall pushes all the right fast-casual buttons.
How innovative restaurants revitalize neglected Twin Cities neighborhoods
Restaurants as catalysts for both urban and suburban revitalization is a national trend linked, in part, to the internet.
What's new at Twin Cities farmers markets? Try these 5 food products
Looking for new and innovative food products? They're at the farmers market.
Legendary Lexington returns with well-rendered classics from a top-shelf chef
The old-but-new supper club is back after sitting dormant since mid-2013.
Why pizza farms are a summer sensation – and 5 you must try near Twin Cities
No, slices of pepperoni are not being cultivated in rural Minnesota and Wisconsin. Instead, farmers are building showy pizza ovens, making dough and hanging a "welcome" sign.
Saying goodbye: 6 months of Twin Cities restaurant closings
Meanwhile, on the closings front, it has been a tough six months. Just shy of their 70th birthdays, the Oak Grill and Skyroom restaurants…
Road trip: 24 food-and-drink spots along the Mississippi in Wisconsin
From rooftops to ice cream shops, pie bakers to beer makers, here are two dozen ideas for eating and drinking in southwestern Wisconsin.
Three top restaurants for the hungry on Wisconsin's western edge
Ready for a road trip? From Chef Shack Bay City to Lovechild and the Driftless Cafe, there's good food for travelers in our neighboring state.
With St. Paul's restaurant boom, there's no way you will go hungry
With an unprecedented number of dining venues openings over the past six months, here are 13 to try.
Dine outside! 11 new Twin Cities patios to enjoy a summertime meal
From rooftops to decks, there are plenty of new outdoor spaces to grab a bite to eat in the Twin Cities restaurant scene.
Minnesota State Fair reveals 31 new foods including pizza burritos, cookie dough
Deep-fried avocados and sweet corn-blueberry eclairs also are among the many new delights that will make their debut when the Great Minnesota Get-Together opens Aug. 24.
St. Paul's Pajarito takes a fresh approach to Mexican food
REVIEW: A pair of Uptown chefs have fired up a wood-burning grill to create a St. Paul hot spot.
Surly to close Brewer's Table; chef Jorge Guzman is leaving
The critically acclaimed venture, a trendsetter in food-and-beer pairings, is another stark measure of fine dining's decline in the Twin Cities.
Immense globe that put Star Tribune lobby on the map is back
Out of sight for more than three decades, a fascinating and beloved Cold War-era relic is being returned to the public eye by the Star Tribune.
With new chef, new owner, Lucia's in Uptown Minneapolis still impresses
REVIEW: New owner Jason Jenny and his group of investors clearly maintain a healthy respect for Lucia's illustrious prairie-to-plate past, and seem dedicated to preserving as much of the status quo as possible.
Summer Fun 2017: Twin Cities ice cream makers' favorite scoops
Restaurant critic Rick Nelson gets the inside story from a half-dozen local ice cream pros, and shares his own flavor favorites.
Red Rabbit draws a crowd in North Loop, for good reason
REVIEW: A skilled chef — and a terrific bar — are the secret weapons at casual, affordable Red Rabbit.
Cookbook author Amy Thielen remembers her 'hopeful' Minnesota homecoming
"The New Midwestern Table" author tells what happens when you "Give a Girl a Knife" in her new memoir.
15 influential immigrant-run Twin Cities restaurants past and present
These 15 immigrant-run restaurants had — or continue to have — an impact on the Twin Cities dining scene.
'Thrilling, and unexpected': Minnesota chefs recall James Beard award wins
James Beard award-winning chefs share what it's like to win the food world's Oscar.
Ask the Critic: Which Twin Cities restaurants are worth 4-star reviews?
You recently gave Restaurant Alma and Cafe Alma a four-star review. What other Twin Cities restaurants merit such a rating?
Butchering 101: Lowry Hill Meats in Minneapolis really goes whole hog
At a monthly class, butcher Erik Sather provides an inside look at a rarely seen process.
Wisconsin's Cosmic Wheel Creamery churns out beautiful small-batch cheeses
As with so many farming enterprises, a hobby blossomed into a business, one a Wisconsin couple dubbed Cosmic Wheel Creamery.
1960s Burnsville townhouse development is still stylish today
The metro area's original suburban townhouse developments — including this south suburban treasure — yield design lessons for their contemporary counterparts.
Hits and misses: Our critic taste-tests the new foods at Target Field
Another baseball season, another round of ballpark fare to enjoy. And judge. Time to step up to the plate at Target Field.
Four stars for the remade Restaurant Alma in Minneapolis
REVIEW: The 17-year-old landmark restaurant, recently expanded and refreshed, is a paragon of Midwestern greatness.
Steak, steak and steak: Manny's restaurant stays in top form over decades
The downtown steakhouse is pushing 30 and going strong. Co-founder Phil Roberts reflects on the restaurant's roots and legacy.
Grab the tartar sauce! Check out these 14 Twin Cities fish fries
The meaning of the term "fish fry" is more than a bit malleable. The permutations are endless. So we've compiled a list of Twin Cities fish fries that cater to all kinds of tastes.
It's (almost) spring, and new Twin Cities restaurants are set to bloom
Food trucks tend to congregate on key downtown Minneapolis streets. Now they're following the same pattern when they go the brick-and-mortar route.O'Cheeze (ocheeze.com), the…
Young Joni in Minneapolis serves up restaurant of the future
Review: ⋆⋆⋆½ Inspired by the past yet simultaneously forging ahead, Young Joni will no doubt shape the dining scene for years to come.
St. Louis Park's Punch Bowl Social is 'adult's Chuck E. Cheese's' with better food
At fun-loving Punch Bowl Social, the emphasis is on good times and vaguely Southern fare.
Downtown East's McKinney Roe serves up a showy room, familiar menu
REVIEW: At McKinney Roe in downtown Minneapolis, a crowd-pleasing menu is served in a splashy setting. But when there's a stab at a signature dish, the results don't quite jell. | ★★ out of 4 stars
Dumpling serves up 'funky and interesting' Asian fare in south Minneapolis
Co-owners got start selling banh mi to coffee shops.
Barnes & Noble's new Edina restaurant has the makings of a bestseller
REVIEW: Go figure. The most impressive chain restaurant to land in the Twin Cities in — well, we can't remember when — is located inside a bookstore. | ★★½ out of 4 stars
From Piccolo to pizza, the best restaurants for date night in the Twin Cities
Restaurant critic Rick Nelson dishes on where to celebrate an anniversary, sip a glass of Italian wine and enjoy brunch.
Favorite Twin Cities burgers of the past year? Our food critic dishes on the best
Here's a taste of the greatest hits from the past year of sampling many versions of one of our favorite dishes.
Downtown Minneapolis' new hangout: Mercury Dining Room and Rail
Blue Plate helps fill downtown's widening gap between Chipotle and expense-account steakhouses.
Twin Cities bodybuilder chef cooks up Performance Meals
What happens when a bodybuilder starts cooking for his gym buddies? A health-focused meal service built on flavor, nutrition and convenience.
What were the top 10 Twin Cities restaurant dishes of 2016?
Critic Rick Nelson looks back at the year's most impressive fare, one dish at a time.
New ownership brings new morning at Al's Breakfast
A change in ownership pledges to continue the traditions at Dinkytown's tiny a.m. institution.
Look back at the Twin Cities' biggest restaurant openings of 2016
Yes, there were a lot of closings, but the restaurant scene saw a massive amount of openings, too.
In stellar year for restaurant design, these Twin Cities hot spots stood out
From the Hewing Hotel's Tullibee to Hi-Lo Diner, many new restaurants served up delicious design (as well as food).
Work up an appetite for the Twin Cities' most anticipated restaurants of 2017
Looking ahead to next year: Gavin Kaysen heads to Wayzata, Don Saunders takes on 510 Groveland and the Revival crew opens in St. Paul.
Was this the worst year ever for Twin Cities restaurant closings?
Brasserie Zentral, Nye's, Ichiban, Beek's Pizza and many, many more: Here's a blow-by-blow account of a distressing year for Twin Cities eateries.
Uptown restaurant changing colors: Green Mill out, Red Cow in
Green Mill has been there for 38 years; new site will be Red Cow's fourth in the Twin Cities.
Plenty of new Twin Cities restaurant options filling void left by closings
In a year marked by endings, the Twin Cities dining scene has also recently witnessed a flood of newcomers. Here's a preview.
Diner alert: 7 new restaurants and a bakery to try
In a year marked by endings, the Twin Cities dining scene has also recently witnessed a flood of newcomers. Here's a preview.
These 3 Twin Cities area restaurants make holiday season sparkle
Make merry this month at these three holiday-centric restaurants.
Ready to bake a winner? Here are the top treats from our Holiday Cookie Contest
Since 2003, the Taste Holiday Cookie Contest has been shining a spotlight on wonderful recipes. This year's top winner is a doozy, and it involves that beloved made-in-Minnesota candy bar, the Nut Goodie.
Yes, grocery shopping on Thanksgiving Day is possible — here's what's open
Ran out of green beans? Your pie crust is a flop? It's not too late.
Now open: Tullibee, in the Hewing Hotel
Surprise! A stylish new hotel is home to a stylish new restaurant.
'Barefoot Contessa' talks turkey (and Paris and mayonnaise) in Mpls.
Here's what TV's "Barefoot Contessa" had to say when she brought her famously approachable brand of home cooking to Minnesota.
Much-loved Minneapolis restaurant bids farewell
Saffron Restaurant & Lounge, a much-lauded staple of the downtown dining scene for a decade, will shutter its doors next month. Chef and owner Sameh…
Town Talk Diner again the talk of Minneapolis
REVIEW: New ownership at the Lake Street landmark is ushering in a new (and tasty) era.
Check out the Savory Bake House for its pot pies, sandwiches and sweets
At Savory Bake House, go for the hand pies, but don't overlook the sweets.
Big winners at the Charlie Awards are Joan's in the Park, chef J.D. Fratzke, Lynne Rossetto Kasper
Top honors at the sixth annual celebration go to Joan's in the Park, chef J.D. Fratzke of the Strip Club and public radio's Lynne Rossetto Kasper.
In Linden Hills, Rose Street Patisserie shines
Baker John Kraus has expanded upon his Patisserie 46, and the results are impressive.
Bachelor Farmer spreads happiness with new daytime bakery/cafe
A casual daytime cafe at the Bachelor Farmer is a standard-setter for the genre.
Best and worst foods at U.S. Bank Stadium, ranked by our food critic
Critic Rick Nelson picks the good catches – and the fumbles – of the food at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Watch: A peek inside our holiday cookie contest
You'll have to wait until Dec. 1 for the big reveal. But this video offers clues of what's to come.
Wedge and Linden Hills co-ops to merge; Eastside says no
The two south Minneapolis natural foods co-ops have been around since the mid-1970s and have a combined 25,000 members. The vote in favor of consolidating operations was 80 percent.
Lynne Rossetto Kasper's go-to soup for winter
This easy Moroccan recipe is the one that "The Splendid Table" host relies upon when the weather turns cold.
La Belle Vie space gets new tenant — chef of nearby Kenwood
Chef Don Saunders says his new 510 Lounge will focus on dinner and private events.
Brooklyn Park finally gets a landmark library
With its gorgeous new library, Brooklyn Park has the civic landmark that it has long deserved.
Last call for cookie recipes for annual holiday baking contest
Enter your recipe in our annual holiday cookie contest.
Mpls. pastry chef is first American to join 'secret order' of world's baking elite
John Kraus of Patisserie 46 and Rose Street Patisserie practiced his baking — and his French — to become a member of Relais Desserts.
Get baking: It's time for the annual Taste Holiday Cookie Contest
Enter your recipe in our annual holiday cookie contest.
Chef Lenny Russo dishes on closing of Heartland restaurant in St. Paul
Asked what's going to happen Jan. 1 when his landmark farm-to-table restaurant is closed, Russo says: "What I'll be doing in the short term, I don't know."
Get baking: It's time for the annual Taste Holiday Cookie Contest
Enter your recipe in our annual holiday cookie contest.
Heartland, Twin Cities' farm-to-table pioneer, to close Dec. 31
"The restaurant is closing because we're done, and we want to do other things," said chef Lenny Russo. "I'm 58. I don't have any peers my age. They're all much younger than me. It's time."
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