Bar La Grassa
The place for pasta (the cavatelli with braised rabbit is not to be missed) is also home to one of the city's great bruschetta rosters, with combinations such as scrambled eggs with lobster, or white anchovies with avocado. During Super Bowl season (Jan. 22. through Feb. 5), the dinner-only North Loop restaurant will be open for lunch, hurrah.
800 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 612-333-3837, barlagrassa.com
Heyday
The good news? Chef Jim Christiansen's luminous, risk-taking cooking is packaged as a four-course, design-your-own tasting menu, at $64 a pop (a la carte is an option, too). The bad news? Sunday brunch is history. Dang.
2700 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-200-9369, heydayeats.com
Meritage
Russell and Desta Klein's hospitable, French-accented culinary destination is the place for all kinds of fun, whether it's sharp business lunches, romantic dinners, lively brunches or an impromptu evening of cocktails and oysters. Heads up: The Kleins are taking a post-New Year's Eve break, returning with dinner on Jan. 4.
410 St. Peter St., St. Paul, 651-222-5670, meritage-stp.com
