We came here for restaurant week and had a very good experience!…read more Our server was great. Very personable and present without being overwhelming. The ambiance was very nice too. The place was very busy and had a good energy about it. I had the Jambalaya, which had chicken, sausage, and shrimp. It was pretty good and had a nice spicy kick. A good portion as well. Girlfriend had the shrimp etouffee with grits. It was nicely blackened and on a big bed of grits. Also spicy. Friend had the original lobster roll. He was surprised it came on Texas toast and not a roll. But he really enjoyed it. The dessert was a sinlme but delicious Cookit with ice cream. I recommend for restaurant week. And if you like seafood in the form of things like the lobster roll or shrimp etouffee that you don't get other places. I thought the jambalaya was fine but unremarkable. Not pictured here was the lobster mac and cheese. Which was only a small appetizer and I thought underwhelming (also, I don't like corn).

Smack Shack knows seafood, and the Seafood Paella proves it…read more The Seafood Paella arrives packed with perfectly cooked shrimp, clams, mussels, smoky sausage, and saffron rice that's loaded with flavor. Every bite brings something different, and the fresh seafood really shines without being overshadowed by the seasoning. The portion is generous enough to share, but you probably won't want to. The atmosphere is lively, the seafood tastes fresh, and the kitchen clearly pays attention to presentation as much as flavor. If you're looking for one of the Twin Cities' best seafood dishes, this one belongs on your must-order list. Fresh, colorful, and packed with flavor--Smack Shack delivers every time.

We had great food and great service! We also met and chatted with lots of nice people who were also…read moreenjoying their meal. It's family friendly and will not break the bank!

Captain crab was my first ever seafood boil experience!…read more The staff were great and super helpful in explaining how everything works and the available selections. The restaurant itself has fun oceanic decor and made for a great overall experience! The seasoning / sauces were AMAZING (i could literally drink it) and complimented the shrimp & crab legs so well. Service is fairly quick and they give you a bib and gloves to wear while eating! Overall, the food was delicious and it was a fun experience!!

Amazing oystres!!! and five star service!!!!!!!! Loved the people there and so cutie insideread more

I had two excellent meals at Spoon and Stable while visiting for work. I sat at the bar both times,…read morewhere I was treated to excellent service by Nat (I believe) who really went above and beyond. From my perfectly made martini to the final bites of dessert, the meal was fantastic. My favorite dishes I had were the hamachi crudo, pansotti, and jerk swordfish. They have a great selection of wines by the glass as well, and I really enjoyed trying some wines that I'd never had before. The space is light and airy, and the bar is a great place to sit if you're by yourself. If I'm ever back in Minneapolis, this will be my first stop for dinner!

St Pierre is the sister restaurant to Bar La Grassa and 112 Eatery, and so far we have been…read moreimpressed by this group of restaurants. St Pierre evokes the classic steakhouse ambiance, with a gorgeous bar area and intimate red leather booths. The service was fantastic; our waiter was attentive, cheerful, and knowledgeable. The other staff were friendly and accommodating as well. We observed that they were playing Kendrick Lamar, but it was so quiet so as not to feel out of place at a steakhouse. The food tasted as good as it looks! The gougeres were light, fresh, and soft. The potato pave was decadent and creamy--elevated comfort food. The game hen was a tad too intense for me, but objectively a very good dish. The desserts stole the show, however. Both the pistachio cake and the snack bar donut (basically a creme brulee donut) were well worth the extra money and calories after an already full meal!

Attended & left for across the hall to Bar La Grassa (same ownership, even?) because digesting food…read moreto nerve jangling "music" (high pitch electric guitar tones often found in metal music) ... & some people (me included) break out in hives or break out in week long skin eruptions unique to heavy metal-like tone exposures (dolphns & whales flee from similar tone/pitch dissonance exposure). Mood music helps us (anyone) digest better. Coincidentally, no wait staff appeared cheerful. Was it the music? They were kind enough to oblige a channel change and still I was not confident about their switch but appreciate the well meaning of the wait. Sadly, they lost out on a $250 platting * but Bar La Grassa (if same ownership) had an opening at the bar just across the hall and they had a strong beat for music but just fine to dine, also reflected and evident in a fully packed place versus mostly empty St. Pierre during the early side of dinner hour. No matter how much I wanted seafood... sometimes you make a raincheck for v another day. This was that day. So hungry. I've given Bar La Grassa 5 well earned stars just across the hall. Didn't have to drive, uber, nor re-park... Just literally across the hall. It was actually spectacular there and that is so lucky. Side note, next day at a breakfast place (Bellacore) in the neighborhood had great jazz piping in with the familiar song "straighten up & fly right" & a long line out the door. Life is poetry. Good food deserves good mood music, not nerves of steel music. The food looks appetizing in St. Pierre's pictures. Sorry to miss out on this particular delicious flavor in life experience but atmosphere matters just as much or more to make it a great meal.

Small, but mighty. Cozy, but not necessarily comfortable. Great wine, good food…read more The concept is great! A fabulous wine menu and knowledgeable staff. We wanted a recommendation and the wine picked for us was excellent. Went with the Plavac Milos. The food is honestly incredible! The carrots were my favorite. Someday I'll get enough courage to try the tinned fish. I wish seating was a little more comfortable for the whole "drink a bottle and stay awhile" vibe. It also can get pretty loud when it's busy in the tight quarters.

We came because of the concept -- music and wine at the forefront. Seemed like a nice spot for our…read moredate night. We pivoted to just a glass and a starter and went some place else after experiencing the place. Though there are 3 staff working the front area, we had to order at the counter. That really pulls us from our date setting. Also, deciding when to join the line to pay at the end? At one point I said, should I pause this story so you can pay or finish the story? Not the date vibe we were going for. It felt like the staff were watching us. The seating was uninviting -- add some pillows to the bench and the stools would be very unpleasant. The music was very loud coming from the front speakers and it felt like we had to talk loud to be heard (and so did the table a couple over from us, which we could hear every word). I'd love to write about the food (great) and wine (seems like a well curated selection) or even the music selection, but overall it was not worth the ambiance. To steal a line from another review (KS, spot on): "[Their] menu invites questions. It invites curiosity and conversation." -- not something you can have in a line at a counter. If we are supposed to order a bottle of wine and stay awhile, I want to feel like we are welcomed. Some warmth and table service would go a long way. We left and had the fantastic intimate dining experience and date night within walking distance.

I have driven by this restaurant many times because it's near the office that I work at and finally…read moregot to check it out this past Sunday. A group of us had lunch here for my friend's Baby Sprinkle because she loves Cajun seafood. We got two large platters to share - one spicy and non-spicy since a few of us can't eat spicy food. I thought the food was delicious. However, I think it's a little pricey at $17.99/lb for shrimp. The service was pretty fast overall. The Hush Puppies took longer than expected to arrive after our group ordered it. Would recommend checking out this restaurant for Cajun-style seafood.

We had such a great experience at Crafty Crab! Everything was fresh, flavorful, and cooked…read moreperfectly. The lobster tail was absolutely delicious, tender, buttery, and worth every bite. We also added king crab, and it did NOT disappoint. So good! You truly can't go wrong with the Boom Mix. We ordered it medium spice and it was the perfect blend of flavor with just the right amount of heat without overpowering the seafood. Great food, great seasoning, and overall a super fun dining experience, especially for a group! We'll definitely be back!

Jax Cafe is a must if you're in the NE Minneapolis area! We came as part of a big group and they…read moreaccommodated us perfectly! Do yourself a favor and start with one of their popovers; easily one of the best baked goods I've had in a long time. They serve it with a whipped honey butter and it's absolutely to die for. I also ordered their Polish breakfast (scrambled eggs, Polish sausage, and a few pierogi) and I was very impressed. Everything was delicious and perfectly balanced in flavor. The food isn't the only thing to enjoy about Jax, their covered patio is absolutely gorgeous. They have a big garden with lovely flowers and little paths throughout. Truly beautiful. We will be back!

A group of eight of us recently celebrated a birthday dinner at Jax. The patio was full so we were…read moreseated in a far corner of the main dining room. I was seated at the end of the table and was bumped into constantly by the servers working the crowded nearby tables. Our server was a bit annoying, taking selfies with a friend's camera and trying to be witty. We ordered cocktails and wine and they took awhile to come to the table. Once our food was brought to the table (by other servers) he never checked to see if we liked our dishes or wanted more cocktails. The food was no better than the waitstaff. I ordered the walleye pike, which was accompanied by wild rice pilaf. The walleye came lukewarm with a strange lemony sauce on it. The rice pilaf was dry and tasteless. And I paid $39 for this plate of blandness. Another in my party ordered scallops at $56, there were 5 in a tasteless sauce with a few soggy greens in the middle. I believe the friends that ordered steak fared better. I was really looking forward to finally having dinner here, unfortunately my mediocre experience left me with no desire to ever come back, especially at the prices Jax charges.

I was on the hunt for a good lobster roll, and this spot did not disappoint! We visited and spent…read moresome time walking through the market, checking out all the cool things available before heading over to the café, which is located toward the left side of the market. The ordering process was quick and easy since there wasn't a long wait. I ordered the Connecticut Style Lobster Roll (around $36 before tax), and it was delicious! The portion was generous, the lobster was fresh and flavorful, and I definitely ate it way too fast because it was that good. My husband ordered The Coastal Burger and added bacon. It looked good, and he enjoyed it. We also shared some fries (which are ordered separately) and grabbed sodas from Northern Soda Company. Overall, we had a great experience. If you're looking for a satisfying lobster roll, I'd definitely recommend giving this place a try. I'd love to come back again and enjoy the patio space, and get fresh seafood. There was also seating available inside the café.

From the east coast and I finally found you! Beautiful selection of fresh and frozen seafood and…read morethe store is clean and well organized. The bairdi crab we chose were x-large if not colossal in size and tasted amazing!!! The service is second to none. Thank you to the entire staff working on Saturday, April 11 around 3pm for a perfect first experience. We WILL be back! Petersen Family Rochester, MN

Minari ticks all the boxes: a beautiful environment, excellent service, and absolutely delicious…read morefood. Across the board is a perfect blend of classic and modern that makes for the perfect place to enjoy your evening. The space is gorgeous and combines original details with modern touches (we particularly admired the fun sconces). It's elegant and inviting. In addition to the beauty, plenty of soft surfaces keep it comfortable and keep it easy to hear your companions, even as the restaurant fills up. This restaurant makes me want to convert a room in my house into a lounge so that I can borrow the vibe and host chic gatherings. The service was absolutely great. Our server Kelsea, along with other staff members who stopped by, made for a wonderful experience. Kelsea was highly knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. I really appreciated how communicative she was, especially about the vegetarian options. All the gold stars! The food was fantastic. In addition to a solid set of classic dishes (don't miss the japche!), Minari offers fusion-y goodness and modern twists on old favorites. For instance, a crushed cucumber banchan got its heat from horseradish. Our meal began with a welcome cup of roasted corn tea, which was quite lovely and whetted our appetite. We got the potato salad, japche, and tempura for our starters. It's hard to pick a favorite, it truly is. The japche was spot on: the flavors and textures were just what I remember from my time teaching in Seoul, and I liked that the noodles were extra-thick. The tempura was exceptional--the batter is light, the veggies tender, and the off-the-chart crunch memorable. The sesame sauce? Sublime. The potato salad was unique in a wonderful way: kewpie mayo (of course!) with miso, crunchy celery, chervil, and negi green onions. Don't miss that one, either. For my main, I got the Dan Dan madalfine: an extra-long noodle with a ruffle edge that came with sesame sauce, chili crisp, king oyster mushrooms, and baby bok choy. It was extra-delicious: I highly recommend it. The portions are quite generous, so you'll have tomorrow's dinner all ready. Dessert was another highlight. My friend ordered the Yam Roulade (I might possibly have applied a bit of peer pressure because I wanted to try it). It was very, very good: it will remind you a bit of a pumpkin spice cake, but it has a slightly firmer crumb and doesn't have the squash undertones that pumpkin desserts sometimes have. Poached pear, honeycomb, and vanilla gelato stacked on additional flavors and textures. It was really very delicious. You may be wondering why I didn't order it myself. Well, I was highly intrigued by what I did order: the dalgona miso caramel tart. (You had me at dalgona, but add miso and caramel? I could probably be lured into an unmarked van with that.) It was very delicious: balanced, unique, and rich (I had to tap out on the few bites, so I guess I have dessert handled as well). The tart itself was not too sweet, with saltiness and bitterness adding balance. The creamy whipped mascarpone helped cut the richness, and the sesame crisps added another layer of texture and flavor. The strawberry compote was absolutely joy-inducing. A final shout-out for the non-alcoholic beverage options: they were great! I got to try two of them, the chosun and the wangja. The former is a perfect summer drink: sweet-tart and refreshing, it has just a touch of heat from the gochijang honey. Think paloma's sister who went off to study art overseas and came back full of stories. The wangja was more on the bittersweet end of things and went very well as a meal-end digestif. All in all, very pleasing! Bonus points for the convenient parking lot right across the street !

Food came out really quickly! The servers were really nice and attentive, and we ordered the Crab…read moreRamyeon and Buldak Gnocchi. I also loved the open-space kitchen concept, it made the restaurant feel spacious and inviting. Overall, the food was good, but I do think some of the dish names are a little misleading compared to what you actually receive. The Buldak Gnocchi wasn't spicy, and the Crab Ramyeon didn't actually use ramyeon noodles. Still, we enjoyed our experience overall!

Came for my bday dinner date. Very nice place with a great patio. Service was excellent. Food was…read moreoutstanding. I appreciate the variety of American and Argentine steaks and prices. There is no bad option. I enjoyed the Argentine cut Entraña, one of the most tender according to our waiter. It was perfect, paired with the papas al horno. Very fulfilling. Great flavors. The potatoes are a generous portion made for sharing. The cocktails were awesome. They treated us to a lil champagne and ice cream as a bday treat.

We had such a great experience at Porzana! We ordered the Mafaldini Estofado and the Smoked…read moreMushroom Tortellini. Everything was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. The Smoked Mushroom Tortellini was a little too salty for my taste, but aside from that, I really enjoyed it! The mango pico and avocado creme on the beef empanadas was definitely a highlight--the sweetness and freshness paired so well with the savory beef. Such a delicious combination! The service was also amazing! Everyone was friendly, attentive, and made us feel very welcome. And the ambiance was such a vibe--beautiful, cozy, and perfect for a nice night out. Overall, we really enjoyed our experience and would definitely come back to try more of the menu!