It's an inherent quality that most Minnesotans' share; we love to inhabit cozy places. The solitude of the cabin or that spot by the fire. Days' end on the lake shore always warms our desire. A pretty cabernet on a large, comfy couch are just a few things our creature comforts are about. Tables dressed in white linen and candles aglow. Shops with knitted sweaters and freshly baked cookies to go. Quiet snowfalls that bring peace to this land, only by living here will you ever understand. Delicious eateries abound in this land of woods and water; quaint hideaways that invite us to stay just a little longer. I've listed just a few; ten yummy places to dine. Take them in, enjoy the view and be sure to relax awhile. It's dining out the way we do it; Minnesota style.
BUONA SERA RESTAURANT 11949 West River Road Champlin, MN 55316 763.421.1814 Hours: (Tues-Thurs) 400-1000 PM, (Fri-Sat) 400-1100 PM, (Sun) 400 PM-1000 PM Located in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis, Champlin is a neat little community comprised of mostly 'neighbors' and home to the area's best kept secret! Buona Sera is a treasure so good, even Donny Osmond made the trek to dine here. Purely Tuscan, Buona Sera (Italian for "good night") is like stepping into an old world Italian café rich with tradition and homey decor. With a mere 20 tables or so, Buona Sera caters to anyone wanting a quiet night out and also does really well with large groups. They boast an impressive wine list and offer very personalized service. Always call ahead as the place is nearly always booked. Buona Sera offers a terrific menu that includes pastas, leg of lamb, salmon and steaks. The bruschetta is out-of-this-world fabulous, as is the spinach artichoke dip. Baked with three cheeses and served with bread, it's one of my favorites. Noteworthy is their sun dried tomato salad dressing. It's a house specialty that is so good, you'll want to dip everything into it!
Estimated cost per person: $30-40
Holiday schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
BLACKS' FORD 743 E. Lake Street Wayzata, MN 55391 952.473.2940 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 800 AM-830 PM, (Fri-Sat) 800 AM-900 PM The ultimate quaint neighborhood café, Blacks is a soup and sandwich place with a limited menu of only fabulous offerings! Located in beautiful downtown Wayzata, it's the perfect setting for a lovely lunch by the lake. I loved the chili and highly recommend that you try Jane's salad. A sumptuous salad with pears, red onion, bleu cheese and balsamic vinegar. Blacks also offers interesting pizzas and pasta to their menu. Best of all, it's run by some really nice folks!
Estimated cost per person: $20-30
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
CHEZ FOLEY 331 Broadway Ave. S. Wayzata, MN 55391 952.476.8120 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 1130 AM-930 PM, (Sun) 1000 AM-900 PM A French bistro' style restaurant, Chez Foley is the perfect place to sit and watch the boats cruise Lake Minnetonka. A waterfront spot in glam downtown Wayzata, Chez Foley is chic and quite trendy. They offer a unique menu including a yummy risotto with lobster or try the scallops with the most incredible Chardonnay butter sauce I've ever tasted! The cool thing about this place is that you can catch live jazz on Wednesday nights. It's rather popular with the locals and a great little place to stop in after a big day of window shopping.
Estimated cost per person: $20-30
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
HARVEST INN 114 E. Chestnut St. Stillwater, MN 55082 651.430.8111 Hours: (Tues-Sat) 530 PM-1000 PM The Harvest Inn is a most romantic place! An old Victorian mansion converted into a Bed and Breakfast, there can be no better location for such a place other than Stillwater. One of Minnesota's most historic towns, Stillwater is an antique shoppers' paradise. The whole town is a treasure unto itself and always worth the drive. A trip to the Harvest Inn will take you back in time; complete with all the trimmings of a Victorian era gone by. The Chefs at the Harvest Inn treat their guests well, providing fruit, cheese and wine in each guests' room. The Harvest Inn restaurant offers fireside dining that includes perfectly prepared steaks, chicken or fish.
Estimated cost per person: $30-50 for dinner; a stay in the hotel runs $100-150 per night.
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
TOBY'S ON THE LAKE 249 Geneva Ave. N. Oakdale, MN 55128 651.739.1600 Beautifully done, Toby's sits on lovely Lake Tanner and is the locals' best kept secret! Toby's on the Lake reminds me of an English Inn with it's dark, rich decor. Toby's does a phenomenal job with their steaks and prime rib. Perfectly prepared and meant to please! Their menu also consists of mostly American fare such as chicken, fish, and pork chops and soups. Toby's is fine dining with a casual feel. I felt very welcome here; comfortable and warm. They also boast an impressive wine list. Call ahead for special wine dinners!
Estimated cost per person: $30-40
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
AL AND ALMA'S 5201 Piper Road Mound, MN 952.472.3098 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 500 PM-1000 PM, (Fri-Sat) 500 PM-1030 PM, (Sun) 400 PM-1030 PM Located along a winding road, Al and Alma's is tucked away within the confines of the many bays of Lake Minnetonka. Made famous with their charter boat service on the lake, Al and Alma's offer dinner cruises aboard their 50 foot yachts. Such fare offered onboard the cruise includes BBQ'd ribs, chicken and walleye in addition to fruit, salad, rolls and a desert. During the cooler months, go inside the restaurant for a warm, cozy dining experience. Spectacular windows face out over the lake and the fireplace with a floor to ceiling hearth give it a comfy, Minnesota feel. The menu offers standard fare such as burgers, steak and chicken but also some Minnesota favorites as Walleye and potato soup. The salads are quite good and the portions hearty.
Estimated cost per person: $20-30
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
HARRY SINGH’S ORIGINAL CARIBBEAN RESTAURANT 2653 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 612.729.6181 Hours: (Mon) 530 PM-900 PM (Tues-Sat) Noon-900 PM
Harry Singh’s Original Caribbean Restaurant specializes in Caribbean comfort foods. Harry serves long-roasted foods that spend all day being cooked on the stove. These Caribbean comfort foods definitely have an island flavor to them, but won’t scare away Minnesotans who aren’t looking to be too adventurous. The signature Curry Chicken Roti with caramelized, stewed chicken and succulent carrots and cabbage, complimented with okra are spread with Callaloo sauce. This little-known Caribbean restaurant is a pocketful of flavor and ambiance that everyone should try.
Holiday schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
KOZLAK'S ROYAL OAK 4785 Hodgson Rd Shoreview, MN 55126 651.484.8484 Hours: (Mon-Thurs) 1130 AM-930 PM, (Fri-Sat) 1100 AM-1030 PM, (Sun) 1000 AM-830 PM A classic American supper club, Kozlak's is a frequented spot for the locals of this eastern St. Paul suburb. Simply put, Kozlak's is a romantic dining experience that is meant to fill the patron with classic American fare; steaks, chicken and fish with Salmon Royal Oak being the specialty of the house. Rich and satisfying! I love how the place is aglow with candles and the pretty etched glass windows. There is a beautiful outdoor garden that, in the summer, makes for wonderfully peaceful outdoor dining. Sunday brunch at Kozlak's offers strolling musicians!
Estimated cost per person: $15-30
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
LOCANDA DI GIORGIO 4924 France Ave. S. Edina, MN 55410 952.928.0323 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 1100 AM-1000 PM, (Sat) 1100 AM-1100 PM, (Sun) 1100 AM-1000 PM Locanda is a cozy little place located within the confines of illustrious Edina. Edina is home to a great many specialty shops and Locanda di Giorgio seems to fit right in. Charming and very Italian, they offer delightful pastas and a great Anti Pasto platters. The flour-less chocolate cake is literally to die for! Other menu items include leg of lamb and pork loin. While they have a somewhat limited menu, it's worth the trip. A perfect place to sit and relax; cozy and small with fine indulgences!
Estimated cost person: $15-30
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
SOBA'S 2558 Lyndale Ave. S. Mpls, MN 55405 612.871.6631 Hours: (Tues-Thurs) 700 AM-930 PM, (Fri) 700 AM-1000 PM, (Sat-Sun) 800 AM-1000 PM An undiscovered jewel, I really love this place! Located near trendy uptown, Soba's offers an all around international menu. While their somewhat limited menu varies from time to time, it's truly eclectic in it's tastes. They offer up choices that range from Italian to Caribbean. Some of my faves are the Blackened Jerk Chicken and the Artichoke and Olive Pizza. The cheese was just everywhere! So good! The chefs seem to have a wild imagination and that makes Soba's even more of a delight to take in. After dinner, linger a bit for coffee. The longer you stay, the more smitten you become.
Estimated cost per person: $15-20
Holiday Schedule: New Years' Day-open, Valentines Day-open, Easter-closed, Thanksgiving-closed, Christmas Eve-open, Christmas Day-closed, New Years' Eve - open
The Top List of Delicious Hideaways - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN