THE HOT FIVE Add a meal to the movie plan with the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Film Festival (mspfilmfest.org, through May 3). Most screenings take place at St. Anthony Main Cinemas and Oak Street Cinema in Minneapolis.
ASTER CAFE
A cozy counter-service spot serving simple, affordable and delicious salads and sandwiches. Swell patio, too. For matinees only: The kitchen closes at 3 p.m. daily.
121 SE. Main St., Mpls., 612-379-3138
BEN & JERRY'S
Sugar hounds have two options for a post-screening sweet in the Oak Street Cinema neighborhood. There's the Buster Bar-Blizzard route at the nearby DQ (716 Washington Av. SE.) or this B&J scoop shop, which features several dozen tempting varieties of the brand's ice creams, sorbets and frozen yogurts.
702 Washington Av. SE., 612-378-9099, benjerry.com
PICOSA
In his big (and salsa dancing-friendly) spot, chef/owner Lindell Mendoza emphasizes Central and South American flavors: empanadas filled with braised pork, shrimp in a mango-chile salsa, sea bass with a caramelized garlic-orange sauce, pineapple braised in sugar, rum and mint.
65 SE. Main St., 612-746-3970, picosarestaurant.com
VIC'S
The menu is all about classic American fare (Caesar salad, Cajun-style ribeyes, walleye fish and chips), the dining room and patio boast romantic skyline views. Live music Friday and Saturday nights.
