THE HOT FIVE Enjoy a meal before or after a stroll through the tulips at "Spring is in the Air," the annual Macy's-Bachman's flower show. The free, fragrant display runs through April 11 (closed Easter Sunday) at Macy's, 700 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.; call 612-375-2200 or go to www.macys.com for hours.

THE BROTHERS DELI

Just a block from the store via skyway, the Burstein family's breakfast-and-lunch joint is the place for overstuffed sandwiches -- if it involves corned beef or pastrami, order it -- at affordable prices. Open weekdays only.

50 S. 6th St., 612-341-8007, www.thebrothersdeli.com

FIRELAKE GRILL HOUSE AND COCKTAIL BAR

At the Radisson Hotel's handsome ground-floor restaurant and bar, chef Paul Lynch focuses on locally raised ingredients and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Make a plan for the restaurant's six-course slider-Crispin Cider tasting menu (April 8 at 6:30 p.m.); cost is $50 per person, with $5 donated to Second Harvest Heartland.

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

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S

There are lots of bargains at this always busy seafood chain, including 10 weekday lunch entrees under $10, a three-course Sunday dinner for $19.95 and an ever-changing roster of happy hour deals (4 to 6:30 p.m. daily, 9 to 10 p.m. Friday and 10 to 11 p.m. Saturday) that range from $1.95 to $4.95.

800 Nicollet Mall, 612-338-3300, www.mccormickandschmicks.com

MISSION AMERICAN KITCHEN

It's all about contemporary comfort food -- love those deviled eggs -- at downtown's hottest business lunch destination (dinner is an easier impromptu walk-in). The bar puts out a swell -- and popular -- happy hour, served 4 to 6 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m. Closed Sundays.

77 S. 7th St., 612-339-1000, www.missionamericankitchen.com

OAK GRILL

Macy's old-school, 12th-floor dining refuge is the place for classic American department store fare (chicken pot pie, wild rice soup, meatloaf, almond-crusted walleye), served with a smile and a popover. Purchase an entree and get a free, single-serving flourless chocolate cake, served with raspberries and vanilla ice cream. During the flower show, the restaurant is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

700 Nicollet Mall, 612-375-2938, www.macys.com

RICK NELSON