Raphael Brion
Critic
RestaurantsRaphael Brion is the Minnesota Star Tribune's restaurant critic. He previously wrote about and led restaurant coverage for Food & Wine, Bonappetit.com and Eater National.
Latest from Raphael Brion
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Thai and West African cuisine, Eat Street and sweet treats capped off a delicious week.
February 6, 2026
Our favorite chicken wings of the moment, just in time for the Super Bowl
Here are more than 30 of our favorite places serving up wings of all types and spice levels in the Twin Cities area — separated into categories for your snacking convenience.
February 5, 2026
What it’s like to dine inside Eat Street restaurants right now
You’ll find the food and hospitality one would expect from the Nicollet Avenue restaurants we know and love, with one caveat: Everyone is hurting.
February 2, 2026
12 great things our food writers ate on Nicollet Avenue this week
From Jamaican curries and Szechuan wontons to generous-sized margaritas and destination-worthy doughnuts, it’s called Eat Street for a reason.
January 30, 2026
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Our best bites included matcha tea cakes, birria stew, Jerusalem bagels, “potachos” and shaved ice treats we never knew we needed until now.
January 23, 2026
Nostalgia meets innovation at St. Pierre Steak & Seafood
Familiar favorites from Burch and Snack Bar join daring new plates as chef Isaac Becker keeps diners on their toes.
January 22, 2026
Restaurants are reeling; here’s how diners can help right now
Owners across Minnesota describe staffing shortages, closures and fear — and tell us what actually makes a difference.
January 21, 2026
The 5 best things our food writers ate around the Twin Cities this week
Pupusas Benedict, pho-style French dip and more at neighborhood eateries. Plus, a new place for dumplings.
January 16, 2026
At Bull’s Horn, bar food gets the attention it deserves
A former fine-dining chef turns casual American dive bar fare into something quietly extraordinary in south Minneapolis.
January 15, 2026
The 5 best things our food writers ate around the Twin Cities this week
Comforting soup, saucy fried chicken sandwiches, paint-your-own cookies, a twist on a sashimi wrap and small-town barbecue are among our favorite bites.
January 9, 2026
A new restaurant critic, a new meaning for star ratings
Here’s what to expect from Star Tribune restaurant reviews, including what the stars mean and how they’re earned. And yes, you should go to a 1-star restaurant.
January 8, 2026
The 5 best things our food writers ate in 2025
Popovers from the North Woods, a last meal at Lurcat, vegan ribs, chile cheese fries and seasonal salads make up this year’s favorite dishes.
December 26, 2025
