Critic Rick Nelson doesn't take his stars lightly. Here are the restaurants he's deemed four-star-worthy:

Bar La Grassa, 800 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 612-333-3837, www.barlagrassa.com

Cosmos, 601 1st Av. N., Mpls., 612-312-1168, www.cosmosrestaurant.com

Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, 289 E. 5th St., St. Paul, 651-699-3536, www.heartlandrestaurant.com

La Belle Vie, 510 Groveland Av., Mpls., 612-874-6440, www.labellevie.us

Piccolo, 4300 Bryant Av. S., Mpls., 612-827-8111, www.piccolompls.com

Restaurant Alma, 528 University Av. SE., Mpls., 612-379-4909, www.restaurantalma.com

Rustica, 3220 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-822-1119, www.rusticabakery.com

Salty Tart, 920 E. Lake St., Mpls., 612-874-9206, www.saltytart.com