GusGus is a staple in St.Paul! I try to come here often as I can because the food is just amazing…read more We ordered the Tuna crudo and beef tartare to start off. The tartare had so much flavor to it. It had a nice mussel aoilo that really brought it together. The crudo was great as well. Had a little spice to it but felt fresh to eat. Entree: we ordered the double cheeseburger and Poutine. Have no words to describe how amazing it was and I've tried burgers all over the twin cities. The patty was cooked medium/medium rare, with carmelized onions, pickles and mustard aioli. Every bite was so delicious and flavorful, how a burger should be. The poutine was also amazing! The cheese, gnocchi and ox tail was such a wonderful and unique combo. Dessert: we ordered the dark chocolate mousse cake. It was topped with whip cream and had a piece of chocolate on top. It was amazing! Chocolate wasn't too overly powering and the whip cream balanced it out. The service was great! Checked in how we were doing and asked if there was anything needed. We were seated at the bar, which was a little spacious, but could be cramped if there are others around. The ambience there was good! It is dim but still has enough light to look at the menu. Parking can be tough as well, but honestly the food makes up for it! I would highly recommend GusGus to anyone!

We'd heard the hype, so we had to check it out!! What I'll say off the bat, this restaurant…read moreobviously knows its shortfalls, as they are highlighted on the website, and mostly out of their control! I don't think it should stop you from going, but you should be aware before you go! Parking can be a challenge, but we found street parking about a block away. Give yourself time, have some patience, and maybe skip the high heels...they don't really match the aesthetic of this spot anyways ;) The interior is cozy and inviting: bustling service members catering to a full house of patrons in a color-drenched teal setting with adorable and whimsical wallpaper. It's absolutely a small spot, which they do their best to give you space but it's loud and can easily be overstimulating. Pair that with the warm summer months and it was uncomfortably hot in the space as well. I think I would have enjoyed this spot much more in the Fall or Winter when you're craving the comfy warmth of a crowded space. It was a bit awkward that there's no clear direction on a host stand or welcome area...you walk straight in to the restaurant and it's unclear what you're supposed to do or where you're to go. We aimlessly wandered around the restaurant looking for a host stand until some waitress said we are just supposed to wait by the door...This kinda set the tone for the service aspect of the restaurant. The servers were incredibly friendly, but I found the timing to be a bit off and the rhythm never really landed...we were waiting for our server often. The food was delicious! We started with the hand pie, chips and Speck, and poutine. All were incredibly flavorful, savory, and cooked wonderfully. The hand pie was the star for me...just a perfect package of umami goodness! The gravy on the poutine was delectable and they didn't skimp on the cheese! The fried gnocchi was a fun spin on the classic dish! Might have just been what we ordered, but I thought the whole meal was very salt-forward, which I appreciated but could see where others might not. Lastly, we had the famous Double Cheeseburger. Now, I'm hesitant to agree with others that it's the BEST burger in the Cities, but it is very good. No shortage of classic supporting characters: oozy gooey cheese, caramelized onions, and pickles. Definitely an "eat with fork and knife" style burger! Overall, a great spot for soul-filling comfort food! A few challenges that they can't overcome due to location and space, but a few kinks they can sort out on the service side would elevate this spot to the next level!

Unbelievable. This place is truly magical…read more It has such a perfect mix of a relaxed, chill vibe while still feeling elevated enough to dress up and make a night out of it. The space itself is beautiful with a really cozy ambiance, and the patio is a great option when the weather is nice. The drinks are absolutely the star of the show. You can tell there is so much intention behind both the flavors and the presentation. The cocktail menu is super creative, and the Old Fashioned menu alone is phenomenal with so many unique options. The Beorn Old Fashioned was my favorite. We also tried the Payanello (pineapple, lime, ginger, pickled jalapeño) and it was incredible. Food was fantastic as well. The brussels sprouts were so good and a must order. Service was amazing. Our server was so kind, helpful, and gave great recommendations, which made the whole experience even better. It is on the pricier side, especially for drinks, but honestly worth it for the quality and experience. Reservations are easy to make and I would definitely recommend booking ahead. Parking was manageable when we went, but I could see it getting tricky during busier times. Overall, such a beautiful, thoughtfully done space with incredible drinks, great food, and top tier service. A perfect spot for a night out or just grabbing a cocktail and soaking in the vibe.

Dropped by O'Shaughnessy Distilling Co. for a quick drink and snack with the girls. The restaurant…read moreand bar are absolutely stunning with rich chocolate-toned accents that create a luxurious yet cozy atmosphere. The service was also friendly and attentive. Since I don't drink alcohol, I opted for one of their zero-proof cocktails, the St. Agrestis Phony Negroni. It had a subtle hint of pineapple, but the drink itself was a bit too strong for my taste. We also tried their new Irish Spice Bag, but unfortunately it wasn't a favorite. The dish was a little bland, and the curry sauce could have used more seasoning. Overall, this place just wasn't the right fit for my personal tastes, but I can definitely see it appealing to those who appreciate sophisticated cocktails and an upscale, stylish atmosphere.

Great food, Friendly staff…read more Waygu burger Tender loose juicy patty. There was some almost pulled pork like stuff on it. I think it's from the bacon jam? but it was like pulled pork. I could do with out that part, it was tender though. Truffle Fries Crispy outside, much like McD, but no limpness after 20 mins, truffle flavor was still there after 2 hours. Didn't even need the sauce. Staff were welcoming and friendly.

It was a mix of an experience. Awesome service that does not rush you. The location is downtown and…read moreparking is plenty. The steaks were good but a little overly cooked. The add ons are what made the steaks. The bread is Crack.. so good! The Mac & cheese was boring. I did like that they had tawny port ... 20 year to finish off the dinner.

We had a perfect meal here during a business dinner with 4 of us. We sat outside, which was really…read morenice - although inside seemed to be just as good. The ambiance is high energy and quieter outside. It never got too hot outside, plenty of shade and a breeze between the buildings. The food is spectacular. We had amazing appetizers, especially the salmon and tuna. Our steaks were perfect, order a variety at your table and share. The sides were well made, especially the fingerling potatoes and broccoli. Listen to your waitstaff, they know what they are talking about and talked us out of a couple dishes and into better ones. Overall, it wasn't inexpensive but it was well worth it for those who appreciate unique and flavorful meals. We would definitely eat here again.

TLDR; Porzana is amazing, go ready to eat. Food and service are spectacular! You MUST get the…read moreAsparagus, sweet corn agnolotto, and the entrana. Skip the olive oil cake and vanilla sorbet. Porzana was an absolutely AMAZING experience! The food was delicious and the service was incredible as well. More than that, the vibes were great! This spot is truly the whole package. The restaurant was much bigger than I expected which was also nice. It was too hot when we were there, but they also had a cute patio on the side of the restaurant. We got a TON of dishes as we were treating ourselves and here is what we thought of each... Empanadas - Perfect size, crispy dough, and FULL of meat. The sauce, mango salsa, and the aoli on the side were the perfect editions. Sweet Corn Agnolotto - Literally NO notes. There is a reason why this is all over theirs and visitors social media. It is fresh and bright, yet has an amazing depth of flavor. Asparagus - These were perfectly charred and bright. They didn't feel heavy at all which was awesome. Entrana - The main event and so dang good. Perfectly cooked, tender, and the flavor was excellent. We love steak and honestly do a pretty good job cooking it ourselves, but this is somewhere we would go for a good steak. This was my top meat choice. The chimichurri and Lla Jua sauces were a perfect pairing with this as well. Ribeye - This ribeye was also delicious! It was tender and juicy, and had good flavor. My fiance preffered this to the Entrana though we both loved them both. Papas Aplastadas - These were fried potatoes with bacon, cheese, and beurre blanc. They were good, but not great. Honestly, I think we just loved the other dishes so much that these didn't even get a fair chance. Though these had the most ingredients, I would say they were the least flavorful to me. Olive Oil Cake - Moist, but still dense and didn't really impress us much. I wished instead of the marscapone there was something lighter on top as it all felt heavy after a big meal. Sorbet - skip the vanilla. The honey lavendar was an absolute show stopper. Cocktails were also top teir and they had mocktail options as well!

The food, the food, is fantastic. I never really knew what umami was about, but the Asian Hangover…read moreis the Bomb! We've created a Znee Yelp List for this establishment. "We're Coming Back! Tara's service was excellent! Ambiance makes me want to move to Tangletown

Went for dinner before 5pm. Wasnt too busy. Loved that there was someone to seat me once walking…read morein. On awkward waiting wondering if this is one of those places where you can just seat yourself. The place is clean and the ambiance has some very nice touches to bring intrigue. The subtle candle-like light fixture was corky and added to the charm. Prices are very reasonable! I had a good idea what I wanted prior to stopping in. Food came out quickly. Less than 10 mins. Lupia was hot and delicious. My first time having one so wilk not compare it to an egg roll. The braised beef rib was tender and juicy. I pulled out the knife but only a fork is necessary. I do wish the meat was a tad saltier but just a personal preference there. Service was pleasant, attentive, and quick. The gentleman who greeted me also thanked me on my way out. It was rather pleasant experience overall and am planning on coming back to try more of the menu!

Great neighborhood butcher shop that packs a lot into the space! Friendly staff and tons of fresh…read moreand frozen meats. Keep an eye out for the specialty made items that they make in house!

I love everything about this place. Great service, great products, freshly baked buns. It's a…read moreneighborhood dream come true. Plus, great holiday specials. I am happy every time I go on and hooray for Lilly!

Wow. Happy hour here is amazing. A great deal and a great restaurant…read more Here is the rundown: Bacon & Egg Teaser - so great my husband ate 2 East Fried Pride - excellent pork belly Shroomin - it was just okay and I love mushrooms Fried Chicken Buns - very good Yellowfin Tuna Tostada - very good (me), excellent (husband) Smash Burger - EXCELLENT, we both agree that this ranked #1 or #2 EVER Dome Dessert - really good but the buttermilk is a contrast John's Candy NA drink - Excellent Riley was a great server and we had so much fun. Street parking and casual. HIGHLY recommended!

Two reviews Vegasm -…read morekimchi potato cakes. $16.00 this is a special that may not stay on the menu. I eat what I want and this just stuck me as something to try. They were good. The whole menu was interesting. The surf and turf was octopus and beef tongue. $13. My wife liked it very much. Meals were about $12 to $20 dollars. Mixed drinks about $10. They have a very interesting flight of mixed drinks for $20. You get to try 5 items. About an ounce and a half each. The deserts were the surprise. About $7 to $9 and very good. Not too large but enough. We are looking forward to going again. ************ Always good food and fun drinks Red headed stranger $15 very good Two people got cocktail flights $6 per shot and each in a different style glass. Ron Swanson, Mother of Dragons, why not, palapa no más, cross eyed, 2 had Pork belly ramen $24. Very nice broth and good sized bowl. Took a good portion home for lunch and it was good then also. 2 had grouper. $30 Said it was cooked perfectly Some had brandy Alexander $24 and said were very good Expresso martini $14 good comments Server was Katie R but she had good support for others including one owner. We had a good time and our friends had not been before and said they would be back. As of course will we.

Fogao Gaucho has a bit of charm that you don't find in the large Brazilian steakhouse chains. Love…read morethe rustic and homey interior and the service was top notch even with a bigger group. The salad bar was slightly less impressive than the big chains, but the delicious meat made up for any minor shortcomings. They also had an awesome table side after dinner drink which was fun to try!

If you're looking for an elegant dining establishment with high quality choices of meats, excellent…read morecocktails and a great experience....this is the perfect spot! If you haven't been to a Brazilian steakhouse before this is an experience worth trying out! Servers with different cuts of amazing meats will come around to your table to serve you. They are all very quick and friendly. Special requests for something specific is welcomed as well. They also have a large buffet for salads and sides. In addition, there servers will come around providing an assortment of appetizers. Here's what to expect: - You are given a card to place on your table. One side of the card is green and the other side is red. The green card lets the servers know that you are still dining and waiting for the different cuts if meat to come to your table. The red card means you see taking a break or are done dining. You get to flip the card whenever you are ready. - You can make special requests for your choice of meats to be served to your table. You can also make special requests for any appetizers you would like: plantains, mashed potatoes, fried corn bread. - If you're celebrating a birthday, mention this to your server and you can get a complementary dessert! This is one of the best Brazilian steakhouse we've been to and would definitely come back again! What a great experience!! Highly recommended!

My wife and I had never been to--or even heard of--Baldamar, so when our friends invited us to…read moreRestaurant Week there, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to give it a try. From the hostess who graciously held the doors open for us in the 95° heat to our incredible server, David, everything was outstanding. We started with cocktails. I had what may have been the best bourbon Old Fashioned I've ever tasted, and my wife enjoyed a wonderfully refreshing cocktail (whose name I, unfortunately, can't remember). We began our meal with the roasted Brussels sprouts. Normally, I'm not much of a Brussels sprouts fan, but I happily cleaned the plate. My wife and I shared the 12-ounce filet mignon, cooked medium rare, and it was absolute perfection. Chef's kiss. David recommended a bottle of wine to pair with our steak. It wasn't inexpensive, but it was worth every penny. But wait... there's more. As incredible as that wine was with the filet, it somehow paired even better (yes, I know that sounds impossible) with the slice of heaven they call chocolate cake. I'm sure it has a much fancier name on the menu, but "slice of heaven" seems more accurate. If you've read my other reviews, you know I have a tendency toward hyperbole. If there were ever a time to lean into it, this is it. THIS MEAL WAS FANTASTIC. THE AMBIANCE WAS PERFECT. THE FOOD WAS EXCEPTIONAL. AND THE COMPANY WAS DIVINE. We will absolutely be back--and when we do, we'll be asking for a table in David's section. (He works Tuesday through Friday.)

Stopped into Baldamar and had a great experience sitting at the bar. Ashley took such attentive…read morecare of me from the moment I arrived and was incredibly welcoming throughout my visit. I started with the tequila and mezcal Old Fashioned, and it was fantastic. It was well-balanced, beautifully presented, and garnished perfectly. The food was equally impressive. The wings were delicious--crispy, well-seasoned, and cooked perfectly. My only small note would be that the celery was a little limp. The Caesar salad has officially been added to my regular rotation. The jammy egg was cooked perfectly with a rich, yolky center that was still easy to slice. The Parmesan crisps were thoughtfully sized, adding great texture without being so large they scraped the roof of your mouth. The salad was evenly dressed, making every bite flavorful. Overall, excellent food, outstanding cocktails, and warm, attentive service. I'll definitely be back.

This lovely bistro has delicious food, great service and a quieter atmosphere than most…read morerestaurants. It has become our number one "go to" to converse with friends and savor freshly made food. Try the tasty crepes added to the menu this summer. Yum!!

FoodSmith does an amazing Tuesday Take and Heat that I've been on the email list forever on and…read morehave never taken advantage. This all changed today when I ordered the Cinco de Mayo special which consisted of a beef taco casserole, southwest chopped salad and house chips and salad. The meal was advertised for 2 people and we definitely had leftovers! We baked the main dish at 350 degrees for 20 minutes as the instructions provided and it was a chef's kiss!! My husband and I look forward to visiting next time to sit down. The menu looks robust and the interior was very clean. Thank you!!!