Diner's Journal: Dining near Target Field

The boys are back at Target Field, which opens up all kinds of dining opportunities outside the ballpark.

A recent renovation at FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar has grafted the same great-looking Modern Swedish vibe shared by the restaurant's Mall of America sibling. Chef Jim Kyndberg emphasizes seasonal, local and approachable fare, including a whopper of a burger, a blend of Wisconsin-raised chuck, brisket and short rib that's stuffed, Juicy Lucy-style, with a cave-aged blue cheese mixed with fresh cheese curds and cooked on the kitchen's mesquite- and hickory-burning grill. Fries, too, served with a house-made smoked paprika ketchup. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.

31 S. 7th St., Mpls., 612-216-3473, www.firelake.com

At Sapor Cafe and Bar, chef/co-owner Tanya Siebenaler has been delving deep into barbecue, with sterling results: beef brisket with hush puppies, smoked pulled chicken with maple-glazed yams, a superb pulled-pork sandwich on a brioche bun, pimento cheese fries coated in crayfish gravy and served with house-made smoked andouille sausage. Bartender Toph Heubach's native habitat is one of the city's under-the-radar finds. Dinner only, Monday through Saturday.

428 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 612-375-1971, www.saporcafe.com

Boisterous, lobster-centric Smack Shack is the place for by-the-book lobster rolls, as well as a wicked-good lobster guacamole, a lobster-licious spin on the corn dog, several variations on traditional lobster boils, and more. Weekend brunch includes scrambled eggs with lobster and a lobster Cobb. Lunch and dinner daily, weekend brunch.