2005 Annual Meeting: HSS and SHOT Food and Music Guide
By Douglas Allchin, University of Minnesota
Coffee:
Caribou – The local Starbucks. 1 1/2 blocks north, on left. Thu. 6-9; Fri. 6-10; Sat. 6:30-10; Sun. 7-8. B6.
Starbucks – 2 blocks north, then left on 11th. M-F 6-6; Sat.-Sun. 7-5. B6.
Dunn Bros. – Breathe the onsite roasting! Jole’s favorite. 3 1/2 blocks north. C5.
Triple Espresso, Etc. – for afternoon/evening espresso. South 2 1/2 blocks. C7.
Quick Bites & Breakfast:
Lotus To Go Go – Quality Vietnamese. 1/2 block south, then west 1 block. Grant St. Mall. B7.
Chipotle – The national Mexican chain. Expect long lines on weekday lunches. 2 1/2 blocks N. B6.
Triple Espresso, Etc. – Sandwiches, wraps & salads. South 2 1/2 blocks. C7.
Ping’s – Chinese lunch buffet $7. South 2 blocks. C7.
Bruegger’s Bagels — Chewy sandwiches. A 7-block walk up the Mall: C4.
The News Room – Hearty breakfasts. 3 blocks north. B5.
Pub Guide:
Brit’s – Nearby, very British (even snobbish), many imports on tap. Fish & chips and British menu uncommonly decent. B6.
The Local – Only one block further, same fine British/Irish beers, a bit more congenial. Better food options, including notable fish & chips and interesting salads. C5.
Kieran’s – For bustling Irish spirit. Irish music. Try the daily pub pie. C3.
Gleuk’s – Brewing before the brewpub fad. Try the dark. 2nd Ave & 4th St. B4.
Joe’s Garage – Happy with crowds. Down the Greenway to Loring Park: A7.
Rockbottom Brewery – For noise and underaged beer: Not recommended for the discerning. B5.
Pracna’s – dark, low & cozy (not for groups>4). Slightly further afield: across river. E1.
The Kitty Kat Club – Where the Natives herd after HST colloquia. Decidedly funky. Music. Further afield: 313 14th Ave SE, “Dinkytown”. Take #6 bus north from Hennepin Ave. (15 mins.). For trendy dining, try their cousin, the Loring Pasta Bar, on the corner.
For Wine:
Solera – Over 3 dozen wines by the glass; all Spanish. (see below). Until 2am on weekends.
Triple Espresso Etc. – 1/2 price bottles on Thursday nights. South 2 1/2 blocks. C7.
Further afield:
Bobino – It glows. 14+ wines by the glass. 222 E. Hennepin Ave, just north of the river.
Napa Valley Grille – “Progrssive wine list.” >30 wines by the glass. Mall of America – 36 mins. via light rail.
California C afe — 4 doz. wines by the glass, all Californian. Mall of America – 36 mins. via light rail.
Music:
The Dakota – Top quality jazz. Excellent food. Cover. B5 [www.dakotacooks.com].
The Times – No cover, but pricey drinks. Hennepin Ave., north of river. Long walk, short taxi ride. Just off map: [www.timesbarandcafe.com]
The Artists Quarters. For afficionadoes. Further afield: St. Paul. Approx. $20 taxi. [www.mnjazz.com].
Recommended Dining
$ – under $10
$$ – $10-$20
$$$ – $20-30
$$$$ – over $30
Within 6 blocks:
Manny’s ($$$$) – For beef, really good beef. Right here at the Hyatt(!).
Oceanaire Seafood Room ($$$$) – “High price and very good.” Also in Hyatt.
Jerusalem’s ($) – Middle Eastern, with dancing weekends at 7:30 & 9. 1518 Nicollet. C7.
The King and I ($$) – Thai. Pleasant mood, good food. South 1 block, then west 1 block. B7.
New Delhi ($$) – Indian, with Indian customers. 1400 Nicollet, C7.
The Market Barbecue ($$) – “Middle price classic ribs.” 1414 Nicollet, C7.
Tiburon ($$$) – Pan-Carribean. Ya, maan! Over 30 rums to sample. Harmon Pl. at 12th, B6.
Solera ($$$) – Spanish. 3-5 tapas make a dinner. North 4 blocks to 9th, then west 2 blocks. B5.
Café Lurçat ($$$) – “High end and fun.” Down Greenway to Loring Park: A7. Phone: 486-5500.
Vincent ($$$$) – “High end but not stuffy.” 1100 Nicollet, B6. Phone: 630-1189.
Zelo ($$$$) – Italian. Splashy, sexy, service. North 4 blocks. C5. Phone: 333-7000
McCormick & Schmick’s ($$$$) – “Best Seafood.” 4 blocks north. Phone: 338-3300.
Check also under Pubs & Music: The Local; Brits; The Dakota.
Groups of 6 or more:
Buca di Beppo ($$) – Italian. Family style. Harmon Place @ 12th: B6.
Sawatdee ($-$$) – Thai. Slightly further afield: 6O7 Washington Ave. E3.
Figlios – Fine Italian. Further afield: In fashionable Uptown. 3001 Hennepin S. Take the #17 bus south approx. 15 mins. (Call ahead for group. Phone: 822-1688.)
Also: Joe’s Garage or Gluek’s (see Pubs)
Recommended Dining By Price:
$ – under $10
Pizza Luce – Gourmet pizza: goat cheese, roasted red pepper, artichoke hearts. 114 4th St. W. B3.
$$ – $10-$20
Cafe Brenda – High-quality vegetarian to satisfy even the skeptic. B3.
Cafe Havana – Cuban. B3.
Pop – Eclectic & fun. 2859 NE Johnson St. Further afield: Approx. $13 taxi, or #4 bus north on Hennepin, 25 minutes.
$$$ – $20-30
Auriga – Delightful palate. 1930 Hennepin Ave., just off map – A9. Phone: 871-0777.
Sapor – “American Posh,” eclectic. A2. Phone: 375.1971.
Kikugawa – Traditional Japanese. Slightly further afield: north of the river. 43 Main St SE. D1.
Babalu – Carribean, wow! 800 Washington Ave. N. Just off map A2.
$$$$ – over $30
Palomino – Ideal pre-symphony fare. 825 Hennepin Ave. B5. Phone: 339-3800.
Nicollet Island Inn – Charming, placid venue. (Just too far to walk comfortably.) C1. Phone: 331-1800.
Wolfgang Puck’s – Cuisine-as-Art. Pacific tastes. All the rage. Walker Art Center. A8. Phone: 253-3410.
Miscellaneous Adventures:
Izzy’s Ice Cream – Worth skipping a session for. Intense flavors. In the skyway, Medical Arts Bldg, Nicollet & 9th: C5. 11:30-4:30.
Safari – Somali, with local Somali customers. 3 blocks south, 1424 Nicollet. C7.
Singapore – Thai-Ethiopian fusion. There it is. Spicy. Further afield: 5554 34th Ave. S. Approx. $21 taxi.
Shop & Dine: Mall of America available by light rail from downtown. Notable restaurants include Rainforest Cafe, Famous Dave’s BBQ, California Cafe, Napa Valley Grille.
