Got a question for Rick? Send your queries to rick.nelson@startribune.com.
Q: I know I’m going to sound like an old person when I ask this, but where are the restaurants where grown-ups can actually conduct a conversation?
A: Trust me, I hear you, and apologies for that lame wordplay. Consider fun-loving Nightingale (2551 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-7060, nightingalempls.com), which earns bonus points for its late-night (full menu to 1 a.m.) hours. Or genteel P.S. Steak (510 Groveland Av., Mpls., 612-886-1620, psmpls.com). Or the aptly named Sanctuary (903 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-339-5058, sanctuaryminneapolis.com), a great pre-Guthrie destination. Or the well-tailored chic of Bellecour (739 Lake St. E., Wayzata, 952-444-5200, bellecourrestaurant.com).
Q: Have you been to Potluck? What did you think?
A: I was impressed by Rosedale’s remade food hall (1595 Hwy. 36 W., Roseville, potluckmn.com), which wisely taps savvy local operators and showcases from-scratch fare, two characteristics rarely seen in places where Auntie Annie’s and Orange Julius also reside under the same roof. Three newcomers — Betty & Earl’s Biscuit Kitchen, Obochan Noodles & Chicken and Chickpea will recalibrate expectations of shopping mall fare, and it’s great to see that Minnesota State Fair favorite Nordic Waffles has a permanent brick-and-mortar home. Creating quick-service counter renditions of Burger Dive and Smack Shack is a total someone-should-have-thought-of-this-before idea, and what shopping expedition isn’t improved with a double scoop of Black Hills Gold from Grand Ole Creamery?
A few quibbles: Too bad the doors open at 11, because morning mall walkers would make a habit of Betty & Earl’s Biscuit Kitchen and Nordic Waffles. The previous tenant, Revolution Hall, had a roomy second floor, but Potluck closed it off (phase two, perhaps?), cutting into the seating inventory. And prices can be a bit eyebrow-raising, at least at first. But that fantastic lobster roll at Smack Shack really is worth $19 on both quality and quantity matrices, and $9.50 isn’t asking too much for a cheeseburger, at least when it’s Burger Dive’s trendsetting double-patty iteration.
Q: We’re looking for a good Sunday brunch buffet. Do you have any suggestions?
A: You should check out the great-looking Baldamar (1642 County Road B2 W., Roseville, 651-796-0040, baldamar.com), another Rosedale newcomer; technically, it’s in the mall’s parking lot, in between the AMC Rosedale 14 cineplex and Von Maur. The spread covers a lot of ground, from peel-and-eat shrimp to carved-to-order prime rib, with salads, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy, a long list of side dishes, and plenty of freshly baked sweets. Cost is $24.95 adults, $9.95 for ages 5-12, and it’s served 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations are accepted. Of course, the be-all/end-all of Sunday brunch buffets is probably at the Lake Elmo Inn (3442 Lake Elmo Av. N., Lake Elmo, 651-777-8495, lakeelmoinn.com), which runs $29 for adults and $14.50 for ages 3-11.
