Anne Eats Out

If you like ethnic food, good ingredients prepared with a flair, and if you value good food over decor or trendiness, here's where to eat in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. Click on the restaurant name for the address and phone number. Or see my list 'o details. (For more good eating, see my list of bakeries.)

• Izzy's Ice Cream Cafe
  This is the best ice cream in the Twin Cities. Some stodgy diners might argue that ice cream isn't a meal, but they've never tried the Carmelized Parsnip, Grapefruit Sorbet, or Dark Chocolate-with-Wine ice cream at Izzy's. Others will rave over the Oreo, Cherries Jubilee, or Fresh Grind Coffee ice cream. Best of all, each cone is topped with a mini-scoop (an izzy), so you always get two of the delicious and ever-changing homemade selections.
• Vincent
  Oh, swoon! This gorgeous restaurant features some of the very best cooking in the Twin Cities, but at surprisingly reasonable prices. The roast game hen with potatoes and turnips is a marvel, but everything I've tried has been wonderful. And the wine list just might be the best in town. It's not cheap, but this downtown gem wins "best value for your money." (And it's not a secret, so call for reservations.)
• Birchwood Cafe
  Cozy cafeteria in the Seward neighborhood; freshly made, mostly vegetarian food with gourmet-progressive flair. Selections change daily; desserts are superb.
• U Garden
  Neighborhood spot with superior cuisine. The lunch buffet is way above average for both selection and quality. For dinner, my favorite dish is Orange Chicken, but the fresh seafood is even better. Ask about off-the-menu seafood selections – the Steamed Walleye with Cambodian-style noodles is fabulous!
• Bona
  Great Vietnamese cuisine – both authentic and the more common Chinese-style – plus the best egg rolls in town. Everything on the "Vietnamese Selections" portion of the menu is wonderful. Recognized by City Pages as Best Vietnamese Restaurant of 1999.
• Russian Tea House
  Tiny restaurant serving borsht, cabbage rolls, and piroshki (meat-filled buns) with fast-food speed and slow-food quality. Open for lunch only, Tuesday-Friday. I predict that the newly reopened RTH will be mobbed by faithful regulars who have been pining for their delicious food during their two-year hiatus.
• Ted Cook's 19th Hole BBQ
  Best barbecue in town; take-out only. Recent lines have been caused by a "best" award from the City Pages newspaper; but don't worry, they rarely run out of ribs. (If they do, have the sliced beef!)
• Beirut (formerly the Port of Beirut)
  Best "restaurant style" Lebanese food; the chicken kabobs with garlic sauce are amazing! Adventurous diners should try the raw kibbe appetizer; it's delicious.
• Restaurant Alma
  An expensive restaurant with amazing food. This romantic neighborhood bistro focuses on organic ingredients and flavors of the Mediterranean. Alma's could hold its own with the best bistros in Paris. When you need a splurge, this is the place to go.
• Tanpopo
  A graceful, inexpensive Japanese restaurant in the warehouse district of lowertown St. Paul. The small menu features noodle soups and home-style meals (teishoku), with many vegetarian choices. In my opinion, this is the best Japanese food in town.
• Emily's Lebanese Deli
  Best "home style" Lebanese food; the taboulli salad can't be beat. Now that it's all non-smoking, it's a great place to dine in or take out!
• Puerta Azul
  Yet another charming neighborhood bistro – this one serves great Puerto Rican food. My husband swears by the roast pork, and I always order something that comes with black beans and rice (like Chicken with Guava Sauce).
• Kramarczyk's Eastern European Deli
  Polish-Ukrainian deli with hearty and delicious food. My favorite is the Szegedy Goulasz (served with potato dumplings); my friends adore the Nalesyky (meat-filled crepes baked with cheese on top).
• India Palace
  My current vote for the best Indian food in town. I'm addicted to their pappadams and chutney. The lunch buffet is fresh and well prepared, but order from the menu for a real treat.
• Chiapas
  A casual, formica-booth, Mexican restaurant with possibly the best Carnitas in town. The rice and beans are nothing to write home about, but the guisados are uniformly delicious and you can often hear the cooks singing in the kitchen.
• Shuang Cheng
  Authentic Hong-Kong style cuisine, specializing in fresh, inexpensive seafood and shellfish. Very popular with the university crowd; expect a line out the door at mealtimes.
• Khyber Pass
  The REAL first Afghani restaurant in town, and still the best. Most menu items are available with or without meat; both versions are great.
• Cossetta's
  Italian deli and cafeteria serving delicious food of much higher quality than the other "Italian-American" restaurants around town. Try the Cossetta's salad: romaine, blue cheese, croutons, and prosciutto in a spicy Italian dressing
• Caspian Bistro
  Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine; specializes in kabobs and rice. Huge portions, moderate prices. Very popular with the University community. Try the grilled chicken with basmati rice and barberries. And, if you're with a group, ask if the rice-crust appetizer is available.
• Sole Cafe
  A "hidden" treasure that serves the most divine Korean food ever! Those new to Korean food will love the Bul Go Ki; devotees will swoon over the soups and fish dishes. (My favorite is the rice and seaweed rolls.) Each entree comes with a wide assortment of home-made pickles and spiced vegetables.
• Sakura
  A very nice, casual Japanese restaurant; good sushi and other authentic dishes. Ask for a translation of the items on the "daily specials" board; they're unusual and very good. (My favorite is the steamed salted soybeans.)
• Punch
  I shouldn't mention this place - it's far too crowded on weekends, and tables can be hard to find even on weeknights. So I'm not telling where it is, but if you want delicious salads and authentic Italian pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven, you'll figure it out.