The first skyway appeared in downtown Minneapolis in 1962; how long until the first Subway franchise materialized in a second-floor corridor is perhaps best left to the historians. Say what you will about downtown's giant Habitrail ("Europe has churches and plazas ... Minneapolis has the bridges," IDS Center architect Philip Johnson told the Minneapolis Star in 1969), there's little arguing the system's merit in February, when the business district's 160,000 daytime residents can leave their parkas behind as they weave their way through nearly 70 interconnected city blocks.
Lunchers can stroll to the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant, Mission American Kitchen, Zelo, Bank, Cosmos and other top expense-account lunch spots in climate-controlled comfort, but what about when they're in search of a fast and cheap bite? Dining outside the Starbucks-Potbelly-Taco Bell orbit isn't easy. But it's worth the effort.
CAFE PATTEEN
A pair of battle-scarred Kitchen Aid mixers tell you all you need to know about this rare indie coffee counter, and that's that owner Patteen Leverson is a dedicated baker. How anyone working nearby can stick to a diet is a mystery, given the marvelous scones, the rich quiche and most especially the enormous cookies, their centers collapsed under the weight of so much buttery goodness.
920 2nd Av. S. (International Centre, skyway level), 612-371-0262
ZELINO
One word: Lasagna. A towering slab of pasta layered with ricotta and spicy sausage gets an extra level of TLC by way of a few generous ladles of a zesty, herb-packed red sauce. Oh, and the reason there's a line outside the door on Tuesdays? It's Wild Mushroom Lasagna Day, naturally. Go early, and don't leave without at least one of the super-nutty chocolate chip cookies.
831 Nicollet Mall (Medical Arts Building, street level), 612-333-7000
SALAD DE FUSION
No time for the salad bar at Macy's Skyroom? Then pop by this skyway newbie, which tosses a half-dozen pleasant, generously portioned varieties daily (most in the $5 to $6 range), all prepacked for the grab-and-go crowd.
733 Marquette Av. (Baker Center, skyway level)
MACY'S
The Dayton's and Marshall Field's names may be history, but the store's commitment to first-rate takeout is still going strong. With all due respect to all of downtown's second-story slice shops, Macy's is my go-to for a quick pizza fix. The single-serving, baked-to-order pies ($3.50 to $4.95) boast thick, nicely chewy crusts and don't go overboard in the toppings departments. The best? The spicy barbecue chicken version. Dessert: A cone from the adjacent Izzy's Ice Cream scoop stand.