Edina continues to befuddle me. Despite its reputation as a city consumed by white-bread elitism,…read moreEdina has some of the best and most down-to-earth restaurants, shops, and bars in the Twin Cities. The Hilltop, somewhat west of the 50th and France downtown vibe, is the epitome of what a bar and grill should be. There are multiple TVs to watch games, the staff is fun, and the food is fantastic. My Tuna Melt was one of the best, and my wife's chopped salad was great. When I spied pecan pie on the menu, it was pig-out time. That pie was delicious. Everything at the Hilltop is homemade. We sat at the bar, and everyone was friendly. Conversations flowed from us to other patrons to the servers. Wow, that's what a local bar and grill should be about. I loved the Hilltop and will return.

Super great staff ... answering all our questions and always ready to fill our coffee cups. The…read morewalleye sandwich was superb and my partner's Rachael was delicious. The only downside is the parking though we were lucky to have someone leaving just as we pulled in ...limited handicap parking spots as far as I can tell. The dining and bar area are updated yet the building itself is old old...well taken care of . A great space to enjoy any gathering.

Please go here as the food, service, and atmosphere is great…read more FYI there is a lot of parking behind the building but you can also do street parking. I usually recommend a reservation for Pink Ivy as during dinner rush it always seems full. I have had so many great meals here. I am usually a meat and potatoes kind of person but the salmon here is great. Also as much as I dislike vegetables they actually have ones I order. As much as the food is always been great. The staff has also been wonderful. They are knowledgeable and friendly and really make a difference. Atmosphere can change from time to time. As busy restaurants nights are always going to have that buzz but in a good way. As the busy night calms into late evening there is this different nice smooth feeling that comes over the place. Lastly this place introduced me to a new drink. The Carajillo. In my opinion it's a better version of the Espresso Martini as it's a bit sweeter.

This ended up being a really solid stop and definitely a step above your typical casual spot…read more The decor is super cute with a pink and green aesthetic--kind of mint and bubblegum tones--and it gives the whole place a fun but still cozy feel. I somehow showed up wearing green without even planning it, so I accidentally matched the vibe which made it even better. The atmosphere overall feels clean, modern, and relaxed without being over the top. It works really well for a casual lunch or a low-key date where you still want something a little nicer. We tried a few different things, and everything was well done. The burger was juicy with a good melt on the cheese and a soft bun that held together nicely. Simple, but done right. The side salad was fresh and actually had flavor instead of just being there. The meatballs were a standout--really tender and covered in a rich, creamy sauce that made the dish feel more elevated. The mussels were also great, and the broth was flavorful enough that dipping the grilled bread in it was a must. Nothing felt like a miss, and everything had a little extra attention to detail. Also our server was very nice and kind I liked her. Overall, I'd come back. It's not super fancy, but it feels like a step up from your usual spots and is a great option if you want something cute, relaxed, and still really solid.

George & The Dragon is a super cool restaurant that my hubby and I tried for a double date night…read morewith our friends. We came on a Monday night at 6:15pm. This place does get busy so definitely keep that in mind. Luckily I made reservations ahead of time so we had a table waiting for us, otherwise we would have been put on a waiting list since it's a small space. They put us in a corner booth which was nice and spacious enough for 4 people so I'd definitely recommend asking for a booth verse a table if you're planning to come with a larger group. The servers are all very friendly and helpful. I appreciated their attentiveness and sharing what they like best, especially for what's in season based on the time of year. The menu has quite a bit of variety too which is sometimes unexpected when you come to a pub-style location. For appetizers we got Onion Ring and Fried Pickles. They were both really good and served with dipping sauces. Definitely both shareable items so if you're in a group they'd be great options! My entree I chose the Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon served with lemon soy marinade, creamy cucumbers, and jasmine rice -- it was SO good!! I loved the creaminess of the cucumbers especially with the rice and than the lemon soy marinade was just a unique touch to the salmon. Toned the flavors down without overpowering acidity. And the salmon was so dreamy, a beautiful pink color that you just knew it wasn't a farm raised salmon. Plus the portion was very generous!! I'd definitely recommend the Alaskan Sockeye Salmon to anyone interested in visiting here. #eatwildsavewild The only negatives (which are more so just knowledge bombs for you): * Restaurant is VERY loud. It's hard to hear because it is one small room that everyone plus the bar is in. I wished I would have took a picture to show what I mean. Just know that if it's an intimate setting you're looking for this is not the place. So be prepared to talk loudly over the loudness and ask "excuse me?" or "repeat that" many times throughout your visit because you're not going to hear everything. * Timed eating. Because this place is a hit with limited seating, once you get a table and complete your meal/payment you'll kindly be asked to leave so that they can clean up and open the table to next in line. Totally get that and am not put off by this at all, but I could see how it could catch some folks off guard especially if you are out for a meal with folks you may not see frequently-- so just keep that in mind. This is not the place to sit and talk post meal. * Parking is limited. Be prepared to walk a few blocks as the road parking in front of the business is pretty limited especially with the other stores and restaurants in the area. Regardless of those few bullets I highly recommend folks visit George & The Dragon. It's a really cool spot and the food was great! Plus theirs a malt shop right next door that looks yummy too, so definitely worth visiting and getting malts after for dessert.

It's been 7 years since Ive been back - service is still great, food delicious. It felt smaller…read morethan I remember ‍. Ambiance is perfect I feel for a family place, not over the top but comfortable? Like your visiting at a friend's house? I don't know- What we especially liked was the smaller amount of "chips" just enough not too much not too little! Portions just right.

Food was amazing. We had the burger, fries and spicy pasta. We sat at the bar and our…read moreserver/bartender was very rude. When other staff approached us they were more kind, smiling, friendly. Would be 5/5 if service was better.

Came here for the holiday pop-up, which was a fun change of pace since the regular decor is pretty…read morebasic and leans more sports bar. The food is where this place shines. The elote burger is so good and such a unique find. Definitely a standout. Overall, it's a classic burger spot that's consistently solid. They also have a ton of great appetizer options, and the happy hour prices are really good, which makes it an easy place to come back to. Service is very friendly and good recommendations which is always a great touch for a more casual place.

It's Taco Tuesday and I was craving Mexican food, but I didn't just wanna go to the type of place…read moreyou think of when "Mexican" is brought up... I'm fancy, so I wanted something a bit more upscale. I did a little bit of research and wouldn't you know it... Colita came up. So here's how it went! Atmosphere/Appearance: Set south of downtown and a bit west of The Mall of America on Penn Avenue is this gem. There is no private parking lot, but plenty of street parking to leave your fly ride. But once you walk up to the restaurant you can immediately understand the message they're trying to send. Everything looks so modern, straightforward with straight lines, grey colors and light woods. There is a small outdoor section where you can dine if you get lucky enough to land a spot there. Inside carries a very similar style with a little nod to the pueblos and architecture of the southwest. The decor is minimalistic and the "loudest" thing in the room is the live plant wall seated directly behind the bar, which was super cool. Service: I can't remember who took care of us, but we had no issues whatsoever. Food/Drink: I was able to try so many different dishes and drinks here and the list is below... : Xochitl In Love : La Clandestina : Tuna Tostada : Chicken Tinga Tostada : Seared Scallops : Tlayuda : Colita Old Fashioned : Lamb Barbacoa Tacos : Duck Tamal However, my favorite things were the Lamb Barbacoa Tacos, Duck Tamal and Seared Scallops, in that order. The food here is phenomenal, the drinks are excellently crafted and things are served tapas style so you don't get too full off of just one thing! Order a whole bunch of stuff and share with the table! Value: As I mentioned earlier, I wanted upscale and the priced dddooo reflect that. Lol. This is a nice place so be prepared to spend... Like you're downtown somewhere. In conclusion, I loved this place and I will come back over and over. Check this place out the next time you're in the area!

Been to Colita a few times, great meal every time. The latest visit was with my best friend, we had…read morea fun dinner catching up over delicious food. The Tostadas (one order of the Tuna and one order of the Charred Eggplant) were on point. The shrimp tacos and corn elote were yummy too. The Churros were amazing! - A great way to cap off a nice meal. Lucky to have such a great restaurant so close to where we live - my best friend and I both walked to the restaurant because of the snow.

highly recommend firelake grill house if you are at/near the mall of america! its upscale yet…read moreinviting. stunning bar and dining room. my friend said she often comes here for family celebrations since they have plenty of seating options! we tried a variety of cocktails and enjoyed them all. apps: i know it sounds silly but get the chips and dip! the smoked bleu dip is soooo good. smoked wings were a crowd pleaser as well! entrees: we loved the salmon. the firelake flatbread was good but not my favorite thing. butcher's melt was flavorful!

First and foremost, thank you Juan for taking very good care of me while I was dining. Very…read moreattentive and pretty good recommendations. This restaurant is stunning. I sat in the corner and ordered up Chilaquiles Rojo with my eggs being over medium. Honestly, one of the best chilaquiles and it's a newly added item. Go me! Coffee was good and I did ask for a few different hot sauces. I have to say the Garlic habanero was nowhere near being hot for my fiery taste. I'm appreciative of the discount that was given due to my company and when I come back again (which most likely I will) I will be dining here again.

What a find! Book Club is an inventive, easy, wonderfully flavorful restaurant that surprised the…read moreheck out of me!

If you're looking for one of the best chicken sandwiches out there - you found it. I've been…read morewanting to try this sammie for many years and kicking myself for waiting so long. I went on a Sunday afternoon for a late lunch and there were only a few other tables. The bartender was friendly and informative of the menu. The sandwich itself wasn't greasy at all. It was a big boy so get ready to unhinge your jaw. The homemade chips were delicious. The fries looked underdone, but they ended up being some of the crunchiest shoe string fries I've had. What a wonderful experience.

Juliette was an amazing server and made the food and experience come to life. The atmosphere and…read moreplace created the vibe.

Lizzie was our server and she was amazing! so sweet and nice! Highly recommend! Amazing food and…read moreservice!

For a hotel restaurant, we were very pleasantly surprised at how nice the place was. We had one…read moredinner and two breakfasts while there. All were very good, tasty, and satisfying. Avacado toast was exceptional. Berry bowls were fresh and nice. Wild rice chicken cream soup was quite nice. Will certainly go again next time we stay at the Sheraton.

Lela is definitely elevated for hotel food. I've ate here probably 50 times and the food is always…read moreon point. I like that they rotate dishes because some of them come out highly innovative and uniquely delicious. Serving sizes are a little small, this is not a budget restaurant by any means, be prepared for it to be more on the spendy side. The staff has remained the same for years which makes for a friendly experience every time I go. Breakfast and dinner are both excellent options here.

I have such a nice time at this park. I go here to study. To relax. To take in the scenery…read more It is a bit crowded but that's because it's such a nice environment. I enjoy finding quiet nooks at the park

Urban Oasis for a Peaceful Stroll! Centennial Lakes is a…read moregreat outing, earning five stars from me. I wanted a nice place to stretch my legs, and this park was just right. The paved paths make for an easy and accessible walk, suitable for a quick escape or a leisurely stroll. What really stood out to me was how quiet it felt. Even with buildings in the background, the park feels remarkably peaceful. The gentle sound of water, the rustling of leaves, and the overall calm let you forget you're in a busy area. It's a fantastic bubble of serenity. The scenery mixes urban sophistication with natural beauty. Modern buildings create a sleek backdrop for the beautifully designed waterways and landscaped grounds. Even without full bloom, you can see a real commitment to diverse plants here. I can't wait for a return visit in the spring! I can only imagine how bright and colorful it gets when everything is in full bloom. If you want a peaceful place to clear your mind, enjoy some fresh air, and take a nice walk, Centennial Lakes is a must-visit. Whether you have 15 minutes or an hour, it's the perfect spot. I left feeling refreshed and energized. I can't wait to see it come to life in the spring!