New Year's Eve is five days away. Have you made your reservations?
First Course chef Travis Metzger is serving his regular menu, "because a lot of people don't want to spend a lot of money on a fancy dinner," but for those interested in the latter, he's putting together a doozy at his south Minneapolis charmer: Five courses for $50 (with an optional $30 wine pairing for each course), with dishes that range from a white-bean parsnip soup with venison sausage to roasted rabbit loin (or chicken) with dates, cognac and mushrooms. Dessert is a spicy pear-ginger cake finished with caramel and candied ginger.
5607 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., 612-825-6900, www.firstcoursebistro.com
Downtown Minneapolis' gastropub newbie, the Inn, is sticking with its regular menu and skipping the whole tasting-menu routine. "We're keeping it easy," said co-owner Tim Niver. "People like us for what we are." Instead, chef Tyge Nelson is cooking his standard menu (potato dumplings, pickled herring, beer-battered whitefish sandwiches, roast chicken with root vegetables) and tossing in a few specials "on the luxury side to celebrate the season," said Niver.
89 S. 10th St., Mpls., 612-886-2377, www.inneats.com
Spend the evening on a culinary journey to the Middle East at Saffron Restaurant & Lounge, where chef Sameh Wadi will work his magic with a five-course celebration ($65, with a $25 wine pairing) that will include crispy oysters in phyllo, foie gras with date-almond pastries and sea bass in a white curry sauce; a vegetarian option is also available.
123 N. 3rd St., Mpls., 612-746-5533, www.saffronmpls.com
RICK NELSON
