The interior of this place is incredible, such a cute spot with moody lighting, intimate seating,…read moreand vibey music. It's a great place for drinks and appetizers. The drinks were good, and they also have a solid selection of beer on tap. The food portion are a bit small imo but I will say the Mac and cheese was pretty darn tasty!

I'd seen rave reviews about this place, so we decided to go here to celebrate a personal…read moreaccomplishment last weekend! It's a really cozy moody interior, with *no big lights* aka great low lighting and comfy seating options. When we went, there were just a few other parties there so pretty quiet. I liked that we had a whole corner to ourselves with a sectional couch of sorts and some chairs. They close at 10pm on a Friday night, which felt absurdly early for a cocktail bar. But, we were able to order and drink one drink during the ~45 minutes we had. They closed up shop promptly at 10pm. They had a classics and a "rumors" section of the menu. I didn't think the signature drinks were overly unique, with classics like Paper Plane making that menu side. I had a pomegranate mojito which was good! Consensus was that the cocktails were good not exceptional, especially for the $16-17 price point. We ordered churros for the table which were a table favorite! I wouldn't go out of my way to come here again, but we enjoyed our time and could see this being a good option if you lived in the neighborhood and don't mind the early close hours.

I have been here a few time before and definitely thought I had already written a review, but I…read moreguess not. I have been here two times in the last week and lemme tell ya.. this is quite the spot. I do suggest making a reservation because everytime I go here it is popping! What a vibey place, the lights aren't too bright, it gives a hip, fun, light energy and is not too pretentious but has INCREDIBLE FOOD AND DRINKS. Right now, one of their specials is whitefish toast.. if you enjoy fish at all, you need this. The fish is light and fresh, they put fresh dill on top and it is placed on top of some toasted sourdough bread perfectly. The fish is flavorful, a lil earthy and I feel as if there are capers or olives in in the fish mixture, whatever it is is fire! The burrata, beets, and citrus is a nice lovely, fresh, light app, the burrata is perfection with the beets and fresh, juicy citrus, drizzled with some oil and random pieces of garlic mixed in, YUM. I suggest ordering bread on the side with this one! The wings here are a staple and always delish. Crispy, hot, and coated perfectly in a light sweet chili sauce.. they hit the spot everytime. The housemade ranch is a perfect dipper. The other day I tried the chorizo and scallops... oh my goodness gracious.. it was a lil spicy and creamy with the bean puree and the scallops were buttery, light and divine! 10 outta 10 would do again. Finally, got the goat cheesecake, gluten free ginger snap crust with poached pears. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE I want this now and in every lifetime! The cheesecake was light, yet decadent, deep, creamy with a light, unassuming flavor. The crust was delicious and the poached pears added that perfect fruit component. I got Liam as my server both times, he was helpful, attentive, had good suggestions when asked questions and didn't interrupt at all, amazing! This is the spot for any occasion!

LOVE! Beautiful space, kind staff, incredible cocktails!…read more Came to Emerald Lounge for the first time with a friend for a cocktail before dinner. Parking was easy enough to find on the street. We weren't able to find a reservation online, but had no problem walking in on a Saturday evening. We were able to grab a standing spot at the bar. The host asked us a bit later if we'd like to sit down at some bar seats that opened up, which was very kind! I ordered the martini du jour and am obsessed. If you like martinis, this is the spot for sure! Looking forward to retuning!

Incredible experience at Estelle. We sat at the chef's counter, which was such a fun way to…read moreexperience the meal. Watching the kitchen in action added so much to the night. The service was impeccable from start to finish. Everything felt really intentional and well timed. The food was outstanding. The rigatoni was a standout with an incredible sausage that was honestly to die for. We also had the soles de pollo, a chicken ravioli with fresh vegetables in the sauce, and the flavors were amazing. For tapas, we ordered the patatas bravas and rissoles, both were delicious. Such a thoughtful touch when they brought out churro bites at the end as a thank you. Amazing food, top tier service, and a really fun but romantic atmosphere. Definitely a spot worth going out of your way for

Estelle is a cozy spot, with candlelights and flower on each table. It is a perfect spot for a date…read morenight or celebrating a special occasion, and is also just a lovely dinner spot with really good food! It is in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood so there is ample street parking nearby if you turn on any of the side streets. The restaurant does get busy at dinner, so I recommend making a reservation ahead of time. They have many unique options for cocktails and mocktails. I opted for the Slaychel which is a non-alcoholic beverage that I think of as an elevated mimosa. It is fruity, slightly tart, and delicious! The service was great! Our water was frequently refilled and never got empty, and our server asked about any allergies and dietary restrictions before we ordered. They were able to modify menu items to fit the different dietary restrictions! Two people in our party (including myself) are vegetarians and one member is gluten-free and also doesn't consume much dairy or eggs. They were able to serve the patatas bravas with the egg on the side and the grilled asparagus with the egg and cheese on the side so we were able to all share the starters. The patatas bravas were wonderful! The potatoes are perfectly crispy but still fluffy. The tomato sauce was slightly smokey and had a very slight kick (think Minnesota spice) and it balanced out well with the creamy tomato. If you're only going to try one appetizer, this is the one to try! The asparagus was also nice. The salsa verde had a slight kick (a bit more than the tomato sauce from the patatas bravas, but not super spicy. Still Minnesota level of spice). The shallots also added a nice crispy texture to the dish! The egg really stood out in this dish, with its runny yolk and batter coating. There were a lot of nice elements and textures. As for pastas, I split the Spaghetti and Radiatore with a friend. The Radiatore was nutty and tangy, and the serving size was generous. I enjoyed it, but I would order the Spaghetti over it any day! I don't even know how to describe the Spaghetti and do it justice. It was creamy, cheesy, delicious. Our server said it was a staff favorite, and I understand why. If you're looking for a vegetarian option, go with this one!! Even if you aren't a vegetarian, give it a try. It's so classic, and it's done so well. For dessert: they give free churros when you're dining in! They are served warm with a chocolate drizzle. We also ordered the Honey Cake which we enjoyed a lot! The cake itself was light, like a mousse. There was some crunch from the hazelnut praline and honeycomb toffee pieces. It was nutty and sweet but not overly sweet. It was a perfect way to finish off the meal! Estelle was delicious and the service was great! I can't wait to come back!

The White Squirrel Bar was just okay to me. There was live music going on, which was a nice touch…read moreand probably the highlight of the visit. The inside of the bar is pretty small and felt a bit cramped, especially with how busy it was on a Sunday. They do have a back patio that is fairly large, which I appreciated, but during the day it did not feel very inviting. Without lighting or much going on, it came off a bit plain. As for drinks, I tried a non alcoholic half and half with lemonade and iced tea, which I actually really liked. I also had a mojito style cocktail that was not my favorite and tasted a bit too strong for me. The overall vibe just was not really my thing, but I could see it being more fun at night or with a bigger group.

Cute bar! Feels like a fun, slightly elevated dive bar. Definitely a local place, lots of friend…read moregroups and people hanging out in the booths/ at the bar, I went on a Monday during the holidays and they had live music, a comedy show, and a lively crowd until I left around midnight. Fun cocktail options, and a good beer selection as well. The bartenders were great, it was busy but they were helpful and quick to get drinks, water etc. The bartender was also willing to keep my drinks behind the bar when I used the restroom (I was alone and unwilling to leave my drink unattended) which was extremely nice. Check this place out if you're looking for a fun, bright dive bar vibe!

Fantastic venue! It's a nice, cozy and inviting spot. I was there for a private event, so I can't…read morespeak to the normal atmosphere. But I thought it was for sure a vibe! The servers and bartenders were so attentive and efficient with the food and drinks. The Nashville chicken bites were a big hit for appetizers. The staff noticed and eventually came out with a huge tray of chicken! I would highly recommend checking out this place! I will definitely be back for a standard night out.

I've heard great things about this themed cocktail lounge and was excited to finally try it. It's…read morecertainly a mood. The menu is really themed, but the bartender was able to help me select a drink based on what I like. We also ordered French fries to nibble on (better than most but not the best fries you'll ever eat). My favorite part was the bathroom. I was a little tipsy and seeing myself be purple in the mirror was a trip This is a cool place everyone needs to have a drink at least once. I would go back to try other options and explore more of their food menu.

Place has a super sexy vibe and low lighting. The perfect darkness level…read more Music the majority of the evening was a ghetto rap- should have been something cool and jazzy. A real mismatch for me but popular with the locals. Acoustics not great- not enough insulation to absorb the noise. Cocktails delicious- really great! Brandon the bartender described them perfectly. Loved the comfy bar stools. Hooks under the bar but a little too spaced out. Could use more. But glad they were there even if the one closest was in the way I started with the Tapaculo which was like a banana smoky Negroni Next was the Calluna which was like a lychee martini. Highly recommend!!

Flora Room is such a cute spot to come have drinks with your friends or on a date. They have a…read morehuge menu of cocktails and they are all so interesting. It was so hard to choose bc everything sounded so good. The bartenders were friendly and helpful. My friend and I sat at the bar and had several drinks before we headed out to our next spot. Was having too much fun so didnt take any photos.

For the "west side" of St. Paul (I don't know why it is called that, for it is truly south and not…read moreat all west!), this is a very cool, chic and original concept for a foodie establishment. I went here with my twin sister, her husband, her husbands 2 brothers and one of his brother's fiance who were in town. All are foodies. All wanted to experience a good night out to titillate the tastebuds. For I try to impress upon out of town guests that not everyone in MN is of Scandinavian origin! But I digress... The food is just...awesome! Presentation is completely unique, including flaming drinks, an assortment of vessels for the dishes to accommodate the dish with an interesting flare without compromising ease of consuming or taste. Patatas bravas, tequenos, and rompe colchon were excellent. I mean mouth wateringly amazing. Shrimp in the rompe colchon was cooked PERFECTLY and the balance of the sour leche de tigre and mango made the dish interesting for the palate. Broccolini side dish was also cooked perfectly and the cheese foam gave a unique twist to the side dish. I ordered the bollitos pelones and OH MY GOODNESS. Think huge fried (but not greasy) ball of corn dough (like tamale but grains not so fine) stuffed with braised lamb and swimming in a dark, curry and spiced sauce. It was SOOOO GOOD and nothing like I'd ever had before. I also tried the pasta with rabbit and UMAMI! it was tasty. Also unique flavor that I cannot quite identify and the sauce to meat to pasta ratio was perfect. LOVED this experience and will 10000000% go back!

Crasqui isn't a traditional Venezuelan restaurant--it's a love letter. A tribute to memory,…read moretradition, and the flavors that shaped Chef-Owner Soleil's story. A political refugee from Venezuela, Chef Soleil translates pieces of her upbringing into elevated dishes that feel deeply personal. Each plate draws from the people, places, and moments that formed her, quietly transporting you to Crasqui--the tiny island off Venezuela's coast with sandy beaches and clear blue waters that inspired the name. Our Christmas Eve dinner was special not just for what was on the table, but for how it felt: warm, unhurried service, thoughtful pacing, and an atmosphere that invited you to stay awhile. Our table had the pleasure to indulge in: - Seafood Empanadas: calamari, shrimp, white fish & squid ink. - Rompe Colchón: shrimp ceviche in pineapple-habanero leche de tigre with house-made cassava chips. - Croquetas de Chorizo: potato fritters stuffed with leeks, garlic & chistorra chorizo. - Venezuelan Christmas Dinner: *Hallaca (corn dough filled with pork, beef & chicken wrapped in smoked plantain leaves); *Pernil (slow-cooked pork leg in malta & red wine); *Pan de Jamón (bread with raisins, smoked ham, green olives & cane sugar syrup); *Ensalada de Gallina (chicken salad). - Mochima: Mahi-Mahi stuffed with crab, parmesan & herb crust, sambuca beurre blanc, cilantro oil. Luxurious in texture and deeply satisfying, with each element clearly considered and working in quiet harmony. This dish was memorable for all the right reasons. - Dulce de Lechoza: Green Papaya dessert served with Vanilla Ice Cream. - Christmas Hug: their version of a Holiday old-fashioned. - Mulled Christmas wine What truly sets Crasqui apart: it is the only Venezuelan fine-dining restaurant in Minnesota, one of just three in the U.S., the only Venezuelan rum bar in the Midwest, and proudly 100% Latina & female-owned! Definitely a restaurant worth adding to your dinner rotation!

We were in the area and finished with work sooner than planned. My daughter asked for oysters and I…read morefound this restaurant, plus they have oysters on their happy hour menu! Located in the area by the private colleges, they have a small parking lot on the right. Inside of the restaurant is colorful and dimly lit. I see the restaurant is known for craft cocktails and was excited to try. We sat in the front room since we didn't have reservations, I would recommend for party of 4 people or more.

Such a fun cocktail bar! Deliciously curated and unique drinks, and the food is actually very good…read moreas well, great spot for date night! We tried a couple dishes and drinks, both for the Halloween pop up and on their main menu, and loved everything. The only issue we had is that there was some miscommunication/ aggression regarding last call and closing time - I think those things could be better communicated by servers early on, as many parties were kicked out of the dining room with food and drink still remaining. But besides that, we had a great time and will be back!

From out of State to visit Family & friends. Not one to pop into a bar alone being a female to…read morehave a beverage. Brandy, the bartender was so welcoming and within 5 mins he made me feel comfortable and welcome sitting at the bar. He engaged in conversation with me and checked on me to make sure I was ok. My french 75 cocktail was THE BEST and I stayed and had two. The two men at the door were SO kind and deserve a shout out as well. Thank you Brandy & staff for making my time in Minnesota even better. I will be back.

My friends and I went to visit here for our monthly restaurant night and it just happened to be a…read morevery snowy night. There was only one guy waiting tables and working the bar and he did such a great job on such a snowy night. We started with some apps; the French onion dip with homemade chips, loaded fries and Brussel sprouts. Those were all tasty and I enjoyed the homemade cheese dip that was on the fries and wanted to eat it with a spoon. We then each got a burger; funny is that we all chose a different one. We like to stay and chat and catch up about what has happened since last month so we decided to order dessert. My two friends each got a slice of pie and I only wanted a bite of my sisters pie and made a joke that I only wanted a bite and the waiter over heard me and he actually brought me a small slice on the house; he was so nice and I wasn't expecting that at all. It was such a nice booth that we were in and the restaurant wasn't very busy so we pretty much had the whole place to ourselves. I could sit there for hours and just chat and relax. I can't wait to go back and try more food next time.

In order of faves…read more Juicy Lucy: name says it all. Cheesy juicy goodness would def get again. Liked the impossible burger more than the bean patty too Strawberry shake: super flavorful will def get again Cauliflower Lemon pepper beer battered wings (crispy, flavorful, would get again) fries with ranch (tasty without sauce, liked the seasoning tasty with the ranch sauce so good. Will get again) Cooler ranch fries: husband and son really liked this. Would get again but I also like having the ranch sauce too Garlic girl burger (tasty and fun would get again) Chips and sour cream: would get again hubby also liked. But I might be able to make this sour cream myself. Cesar salad: tasty, but not my fave. I did really like the croutons Would return and would get all these items again. Highly recommend. No allergy issues. Highly recommend

Francis Burger Joint is a fully plant-based (vegan) restaurant which also has plenty of gluten free…read moreoptions! It is a casual spot with ample seating. They have QR codes on each table so you can order on your phone, and they have WiFi available. Alternatively, someone can take your order if you'd prefer! For the burgers, you can choose between the impossible patty or the black bean patty. For the chicken sandwiches, you can choose grilled or fried vegan chicken. For beverages, they have cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer, THC drinks, milkshakes, pop, lemonade, and more! There are so many options which is great! The fries are crispy! One of my friends went with the ranch fries which were good, but in my opinion it was not worth the $2 upcharge for the amount of seasoning that comes on them. I would recommend sticking with the regular fries and ordering a side of ranch as a dipping sauce instead! This is the only place that I'm aware of where you can get a vegan juicy lucy! It is very cheesy, and it's fun that there's a meatless version of a MN classic! It was messy to eat though so make sure to have a napkin nearby! I really enjoyed the atmosphere, and would go back! I think it's be a great place for hanging out with friends, especially if there are any vegans or vegetarians in the group!