Fun / romantic restaurants?

Hi guys,

We%26#39;ve a fairly similar question to some recent posts: we%26#39;ll be staying 2 nights at the Marquette, midweek at the end of June. We like fun or romantic restaurants, and we eat anything - do you have some recommendations?

Thanks!

Fun / romantic restaurants?

Two romantic places spring to mind.

first is the Nicollet Island Inn. Nicollet Island is in the middle of the Missippi River, which cuts through Minneapolis on the edge of downtown.

I would get drinks at Pracna on Main and have a stroll down to cross over on the Meeriam Street bridge. You get a nice view of the river and downtown from here. And it%26#39;s something pretty unique to our part of the US, with some regional dishes.

Another place is a Thai place at the end of Nicollet Mall and down a block (Lasalle and Grant). It%26#39;s called King and I. The secret of it is to get a table in the bar area, not the dining area. The lighting is nice in there and there are little tables tucked away into nooks here and there. Maybe ask if you can wait for a table you pick out when you get there.

I used to never have trouble getting a table in there but now I do, so you might see if they%26#39;ll reserve a table in there, preferably a private corner table. If you tell them you%26#39;re from Dublin they might go the extra mile. Er, kilometer.

For fun, I%26#39;d eat at Nye%26#39;s and stick around for the polka and some of Lou at the Piano bar side. You%26#39;ll see what I mean. It%26#39;s Polish food and the place is a riot. Entertainment is better than the food, for sure. And being that it%26#39;s close to Nicollet island Inn (walking distance) maybe you hit that for beers after dinner.

Fun / romantic restaurants?

top shelf spelling on my part. That%26#39;s the Mississippi River and the Merriam Street bridge.

By the way, somethinig quite cozy and I%26#39;d say the best restaurant in town at the moment (not that I%26#39;m some famous restaurant critic but the feeling is pretty universal about this place) is 112 Eatery, which is downtown on 3rd Street between 1st and Second Ave. North.

Reservations are required about a month out. But if you called now you should be fine.

You could also PM me and I can make the call for you to save you international charges.

You know, if you%26#39;re looking for fun AND romantic, Solera it a great destination, with a rooftop patio if you can snare a seat.

Here are a few suggestions if you%26#39;re willing to cab or bus it.

At some point, I take all my out-of-town visitors to the Loring Pasta Bar. It%26#39;s a true Twin Cities institution, eclectic and fun. While the food doesn%26#39;t get rave reviews, I%26#39;ve NEVER had a bad meal there. The atmosphere is just amazing and they often have special events after the supper crowd is finished. Very laid back, down-to-earth crowd.

Our personal favorite is Azia on Eat St - great sushi and all kinds of Asian food, killer cocktails and dark and romantic. Pretty happening after dark.

The Craftsman is right off West River Road parkway, which is a romantic drive in itself and not to far from Minnehaha Park (also has a great little seafood restaurant). It%26#39;s got a beautiful patio and is sheltered from the elements. It%26#39;s a locally sustainable restaurant and another current favorite. They also have a respectable wine bar down the street called Riverview Wine Cafe, we%26#39;ve been meaning to try it forever.

creason, Riverview is 5 blocks from my house. The place is fantastic. I%26#39;ve probably been there two dozen times and love the owners and their dedication to service. I ordered a glass of Bordeaux and he poured me the last of the bottle, which came up maybe 2 ounces short of a full glass (they have big pours). He let me have it for free because it wasn%26#39;t full and he didn%26#39;t have another bottle. Just a sample of what kind of people run the place.

Yes, Riverview is a great spot for a romantic dinner. You can go order a plate of excellent cheeses and sample wines or get a bottle. They have beer too. And the pizza, specifically the Corleone, is my favorite thin-crust pizza. Hand made and just excellent.

I didn%26#39;t mention Riverview for this thread because it isn%26#39;t downtown. But if the original poster is ok with a light rail ride down to 38th Street station and an 11-block walk (pretty far but not out of the realm of possibility) it can be done. Or it%26#39;s about a $15 taxi ride to 38th Street and 42nd Avenue.

Another option is light rail to the Minnehaha Park station, enjoy a romantic stroll by the falls and head down to follow the creek a bit downstream from the falls, then walk the 9-10 blocks (nice neighborhood walk) up 42nd Avenue to Riverview.

There is patio seating and outdoor live music when the weather is nice. But inside has its own charm as well.

Broadens Mind, if you have any initerest in Riverview and Minnehaha Park, PM me or ask on this thread and I can get you more detailed directions. I assure you it sounds more daunting than it really is.

There I go again, talking up Minnehaha Park and my neighborhood again.

Many thanks guys. I%26#39;d better book something!

Incidentally, living in Dublin, Ireland we%26#39;re used to walking home from restaurants at all hours of the night. Is this the sort of thing one does in downtown Minneapolis? Grateful for your thoughts.

Thanks...

I guess I would try to get where you%26#39;re going shortly after bar time at the latest - which of course is amateur hour. And it also depends where you%26#39;re walking. There are usually lots of police and ';normal'; people around then, along with the usual drunkards and trouble-makers. Just use your wits and follow your gut, you should be fine.

PS - I would recommend across the river in Northeast or St Anthony Main, much more down to earth crowd, fewer incidents.

Yes, it is a fairly safe city (one of the safest in the US for large cities) but use your wits and avoid excessively long walks. If you%26#39;re staying at the Marquette and want to go across to Nye%26#39;s for example, you%26#39;ll need a cab. Too far on foot, and only a $5 cab.

Walking along Nicollet Mall (which is the area of the Marquette) is a safe bet. Well lit and populated.

I would not be afraid of a taxi just for peace of mind and ease. Though at 2 a.m., they can be tough to find.