Make Sunday supper special. Reservations suggested.
During the cold-weather months, the Arboretum Restaurant gets cooking on Sunday nights with an ever-changing family-style spread of classic regional comfort foods. Plan ahead: This season's final once-a-month date is April 19, from 4 to 6 p.m. Cost is $17.99 per person, and children under 8 eat free.
3675 Arboretum Dr., Chaska, 612-626-3951, www.arboretum.umn.edu
On Sunday evening, the Bachelor Farmer goes all-out with a changes-weekly family-style supper ($34 per person) that honors the four-star kitchen's Nordic sensibilities. Last week's menu began with a stunning salad of cold-smoked scallops with crunchy kohlrabi. The entree was thin-sliced grilled pork tenderloin over a vinegary bed of wild rice, black beans and wilted Swiss chard. Dessert? Almond cake with lavender and lemon accents. It was, in a word, splendid.
50 N. 2nd Av., Mpls., 612-206-3920, www.thebachelorfarmer.com
At the charming hideaway known as Cafe Levain, chef Adam Vickerman goes the three-course Sunday Supper route, changing the menu weekly. Cost is $30 ($25 for the vegetarian option), and wine pairings are an additional $15.
4762 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., 612-823-7111, www.cafelevain.com
For $20, Marin Restaurant & Bar chef Mike Rakun turns out a different three-course Sunday dinner every week. Last Sunday, Rakun was offering beignets (cheese, or crab) as a starter, gumbo (vegetarian, or traditional) for an entree and banana bread pudding for dessert. The bargains continue at the bar, where a bottle of house wine is $12.
901 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-252-7000, www.marinrestaurant.com
Muffuletta chef Matt Ellison draws in Sunday diners with an appetizer-entree-dessert meal for $24.95, offering several options within each course.
2260 Como Av., St. Paul, 651-644-9116, www.muffuletta.com
Another major deal can be found at tiny Rinata, where $20 buys a four-course Sunday dinner.
2451 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-374-8998, www.rinatarestaurant.com
RICK NELSON
