L2 Tii cup on the top level is one of my fave cocktail lounges. It's a hidden gem one level up from…read morethe cafe on the bottom floor. The cocktails are unlike any others around. One tastes like a cold bowl of pho in a great way. They're rich and smooth. Some are milky and dessert like. The boba balls are a great touch but the drinks themselves are outstanding. A lot of chemistry going on to make those happen. It's a fun atmosphere with music, nice tropical style with a beautiful lil rooftop area. Service is always great. I've almost always find a metered spot directly in front. Side street parking is open.

This is my second time at L2 at Tii Cup and have enjoyed myself both times…read more To start I think this is just such a fun idea. I love boba and a little alcy boba is so fun and unique (in the US at least). I also love that there is an option for food there as well, though I haven't actually tried any of it yet. Just nice to have food option! I went for the Valentine's specials that were donating part of profits to Immigrant Law Center of MN (woohoo go Tii Cup for doing what you can!). We came during trivia so there was a bit of a wait to be seated, but we got in after 30ish minutes. We just waited downstairs, which was nice because same building obviously. I got a cocktail that I cannot actually remember anymore (a good reminder to do reviews ASAP) :( I remember it was fruity (strawberry?), light, and yummy. My friend got the Golden Raspberry Beret which was more whiskey heavy. I liked it though, good amount of raspberry and cream and the popping strawberry boba were sooo good! The place itself is just too cute with its cozy lighting and plants! I can't wait until it's nice out again and we can sit on the balcony.

I have never had a bad meal or dish here. It seems the chef is working from deep knowledge of how…read moremeal ingredients go together in a creative way. When they were open for breakfast they had the best avocado toast in town. Last night the sweet potato dumpling appetizer, the smokehouse chili, the Waterbury salad, and the salted caramel dacquois were all great. The decor is elegant without being stuffy, and the windows look over Lake Bde Maka Ska. I can go there when I am feeling casual or when I want something special. The service has always been top-notch: knowledgeable about the food and drinks, attentive, friendly without being too friendly.

Wow!!! I saw an online recommendation for the breakfast burrito from Waterbury so I picked it up…read morefor brunch before a walk around the lake and immediately texted probably half my contacts list that they need to go get it immediately!! This breakfast burrito is packed full of everything you could ever want including wagyu steak (instead of the traditional bacon or sausage, so it's not greasy at all), avocado, eggs, potatoes, and cheese. It even came with a side salad and salsa to dip it in! For $15-16 it was a large portion and easily was 2 meals. I ordered online for pickup and it was ready quickly at the counter but the restaurant also looked cute inside so I would be interested in stopping in for a meal sometime too! They also have a coffee bar (pistachio latte was good) and free indoor parking for restaurant customers).

This is such a fun vibe. Especially if you can get a seat at the booth. There's usually live music…read morewhich adds to the ambience as well

Such a cool and fun experience! We were in the area for dinner and on a whim decided to check out…read morethe "speakeasy" in the area. We had no idea where to go, but heard to go down an alleyway behind up-down and then saw a random door that we had no idea was the entrance until another group came over! We knocked and they slid the door hole open to speak, it was so fun! Felt like a real speakeasy. Once we were in, we were seated in the back. There was an hour and 1/2 limit, but that was plenty of time for us to have a drink. I ordered the Me Espresso and my husband ordered the special of the day, which was a scotch with a special twist. Both were delicious! Definitely a little pricier, but the atmosphere made up for the cost. Overall I would definitely recommend! Next time we may wait for a booth to be served out of a window in the wall, did not know about that until we got there! Such a fun touch.

Uptown Lobby is a hidden gem. On nights where they have shows or events, this place is packed…read more However, on other nights I see this place empty often which is a shame because it's so good! I came here a few days ago during their "crabby hour" from 8-10 pm and we all each ordered our set of a truffle fries, a Granada slider, and a mahi mahi taco. The fries were incredible. They were super crispy, cooked perfectly and I love truffle with fries. The best part however was the aioli that came paired with it. It had a citrusy, umami flavor that was just so incredible I would have taken a whole jar home if I was able to. Absolutely perfect and can make any dish. The Granada slider was also awesome. It was bigger than I expected and included that wonderful aioli again, along with some greens, the patty, manchego cheese, and bacon. It was delicious and once again that aioli is just perfect and it was a much larger amount of food than I was expecting. I also had the mahi mahi taco as well which was good, but not my favorite. I'd probably try something instead of this again next time. Also, the staff is super funny and really awesome. We had Cassie (sorry if I got this wrong) and she was super kind, made a lot of jokes, and even gave us a tour of the theatre when we asked if we could take a peak to see what it looks like. Incredible service, we had a really great time with her. We all are definitely going to come back soon, and maybe even come for a show! But the food alone is worth a visit for sure in my opinion. I strongly recommend the Granada Slider and you have to get the truffle fries with the aioli. A side note the menu is a little confusing as they are transitioning menus so be patient as the staff have no control and the food is worth the confusion.

The food was great! We were really impressed by the quality and presentation. I highly recommend…read morethe scotch eggs. The Bikini sandwich and truffle fries were good too. It had a 1920's art deco vibe which I love. We had a reservation but the host seemed to struggle to find it, almost even questioning the validity of it even though I showed her proof they texted confirmation. Thankfully they gave us a table right away anyways. The restaurant is attached to a theatre so it gets really busy prior to showtimes and the service becomes slow or non existent. At one point it even seemed that they forgot about us and the manger noticed so she made sure to get our food to us. The server later apologized and was very kind but I couldn't help but notice she took the time to chit chat with coworkers while we waited. When the theatre performance started it loudly traveled into the restaraunt through the walls. While it didn't bother me I can see how this may bother others. I'm actually glad we went because we learned about the theatre and would like to attend a show sometime. I just wouldn't recommend going to the restaraunt unless you are seeing a show there.

Nightingale always provides a wonderful experience. My spouse and I stopped in on the Friday…read moreevening of Memorial Day weekend, thinking it wouldn't be crowded. Wrong. Nightingale was packed, but fortunately, once two patrons saw my face from the bar, they quickly paid their bill and left. My face often compels people to vacate crowded establishments in Minneapolis, and we often find seats. After grabbing the two seats, we ordered wine and a wonderful Amaro-based cocktail. Jules was our bartender/server, and although he was crazy busy, he found time to be gracious to us. We ordered the meatball appetizer, halibut, and the Nightingale hamburger. My halibut was sublime, cooked perfectly, and it wasn't drowned in sauce. Bravo! The meatballs were tender and delicious, but the hamburger was not memorable. It was good, not great. Despite all the accolades above, when the bill came, I was charged two dollars after requesting a cucumber slice for my Pimms Cup. Perhaps the source of this pettiness came from the kitchen, but it wasn't smart, because the $2.00 charge placed a shroud over my experience. The bill was $125, and because of the petty two-buck charge, I only left a $25 tip. I was going to leave a $30 tip. I will sadly remember those 2 bucks forever. It was a myopic move and a passive-aggressive way to handle my request. In my birthplace home of NYC, a bartender would have said, "Getting a cucumber slice is a pain in the rear, would you mind skipping it?" My response, "Sure, it's not a big deal."

I hadn't been to Nightingale in over 10 years. Went on a Friday evening around 8pm and they had a…read morefull house. We were able to snag a few spots at the bar, otherwise it would've been a 45 minute wait. Highly recommend making a reservation. It is cozy place but can get quite loud. Be prepared to talk a little louder. We started with a few snacks: mussels in a green curry sauce (not the freshest mussels, but that sauce was delicious), ricotta bruschetta (hard pass on this), and the chicken liver pate (I'm not a huge fan but my friend loved it. The bacon marmalade that came with it was tasty). For our main courses we got the vegetable orzo and the halibut. The orzo was creamy, the vegetables were crisp, and I liked the little kick with the horseradish. The he halibut was a bit over salted, but everything tasted well. I would definitely go back and try a few other things.

Came here and got bottomless mimosas! First thing I entered the guy who created me was so so…read morefriendly and explained that the paintings on the wall were Luna and Bear the owner's dogs, so cute!! $17 for bottomless is pretty worth it and our server was attentive and kept filling our glass even before we finished. I got the farmers hash and expected to need to add some salt and pepper but was flavorful enough without! The patio is also a great vibe for Minnesota summers. I'll definitely be back!

I came here with a friend a couple weeks ago and had a great time! The patio vibe is really chill…read moreand welcoming, as well as all the staff. We tried the jam and rum drinks and they were delicious. I ordered a lemon first and then the pear. The lemon was much more flavorful, but both were really good. We tried the elote dish, which was really unique flavors but I enjoyed it! The burgers had a mix up and we received the wrong one at first, but our server was quick to correct the problem and very kind about the whole interaction. Normally, it would be worth knocking a star, but her kindness went really far that night! And I didn't mind waiting. I don't make my way out to this area very often, but I wouldn't be opposed to trying again another time!

Wonderful, intimate spot in Minneapolis. On our last night before returning home, Flora Room seemed…read moreas if it would fit the bill for our cocktail fix. Relatively easy to find, though you do have to hunt a little bit, Flora Room sits behind a nondescript metal door leading down a short hallway to the entrance. Take a long moment to allow your eyes to adjust if you're coming before sunset; this space is DARK. It's also perfect. Once your "night vision" kicks in you're surrounded by a nice bar, numerous bistro-style tables and booths. Candles adorn the tables creating a nice, cozy place to settle in for drinks. Once seated in comfortable chairs at a table, we were quickly greeted and provided with menus. The cocktail selection is relatively "small" but really nicely varied. Prices seemed a tad steep but frankly, given the quality of the drinks I'd say quite worth it. I started out with the Evita, a nice flavorful gin-base cocktail topped with a nice egg white foam. Very tasty. My wife opted for the Tapaculo, with gin, mezcal, pineapple, banana and bitters over ice. Also quite good. There are also bites available from the associated restaurant I can't recall the name of mine but I can say it was delicious. Bread-like bites with a really tasty dipping sauce. To close out the visit I selected Palo, a smoked aged rum cocktail that was really nice and rich. My wife chose the Nahualito with rum, walnut, amontillado and white chocolate. All should be on your radar. Flora Room really fit the bill for a nice, intimate speakeasy-style spot to spend time. Dark and cozy. Savory cocktails and friendly service will stand out and make you want to return. I know we'll seek it out if we return to Minneapolis again. I hope so.

Flora Room is a gorgeous cocktail bar located behind and beneath Chef Del Prado's steakhouse…read morePorzana. Fortunately, I arrived at 5:30 PM on a Saturday, which was early enough to avoid a line and a velvet rope. I don't wait in line for anything unless I'm at a pharmacy, bakery, post office, or airport. Lines at restaurants and bars strike me as pretentious or bad management, and I don't tolerate either. However, I'm old, and at my age, nothing is worth waiting for unless it's a necessity. I found a seat at the beautiful and expansive bar and looked around at the Del Prado design. The colors might be different, but Flora was reminiscent of Minari and Noma. All three add to the Twin Cities' cachet. However, I was taken aback by the attire I saw around me. People were dressed in shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers. It's friggen Saturday night Minneapolis. Have some class! Flora Room was a lovely cocktail lounge, perfect for wooing, but don't expect to strike up a conversation with any of the bartenders. At these Del Prado joints, the staff must be trained not to engage. I'm out alone and enjoy talking. Bartenders used to be part of a lounge's attraction when I grew up in NYC. They learned your name, knew what you did, and gave you a hearty welcome. That, I guess, is not part of the culture in Minneapolis. Well, at least not at the Del Prado restaurants and bars. Chef Del Prado is from Argentina, and certainly, Argentina is one of the warmest and friendliest countries in the world, so I don't get it. I now live up the block from the Flora Room. I'm a neighbor and would like to be treated like one. Neighborly and the Flora Room are distant concepts.

Had a great patio experience at Lake & Irving! We stopped in for a quick bite and got exactly what…read morewe needed to start our night. Patio is spacious and the vibes were summery! The food was quick and delicious. We got a hanger steak on our salad; it was cooked med rare as requested and seasoned well. Furikake chicken was a take on kaarage. It like bit sized chicken crunchies-- and also addictive. The mango tuna roll was not half bad either! Drinks were also yum!! Our waitress was friendly and very helpful! Not a single complaint with service. Would definitely come here again

Overall great experience. I've been four times and food is always great…read more I recommend making a reservation, especially near holidays or for weekend dinner. Most recently I went for restaurant week (3 courses for $45). It was lots of food and though it's a limited menu to choose from, great options to choose from. Note - They have a small lot but it's usually pretty full. There is plenty of free street parking available nearby though

This place is AWESOME. I just went to a concert Friday night and couldn't have been more…read moreimpressed. I emailed ahead regarding the need for a spot to sit due to recent spinal surgery. Tanner responded very quickly and assured me it would not be a problem. Upon arriving the staff was fully aware of the situation and very accommodating AND made me feel welcome. The venue itself is beautifully decorated and feels relaxing. The sound was great. Im very much looking forward to coming here again.

hate to say they do not like people dancing or participating in any events. the lovely manager…read morehannah will graciously steal beverages and poor a few on you if you end up coming in! lovely place for anyone not over 21 !! don't let the coked out owner cursed you out !

We started off with 2 appetizers (potato churros and empanadas) both were excellent themselves, BUT…read moreif I could say I would ADD an extra 2 or 3 churros since they only give you 6. I would give them a 8.5/10 The Empanadas were SOOOO good. I'd give them a 9/10 Now to the entrees... dun dun dun So my wife and I ordered the Spaghetti Fra Diavolo it was very very good, it has a little kick but not overly spicy very good balance. I would highly recommend, I can see why it's one of the most ordered items on the menu! I'll add some courtesy bread to go with the pasta 8/10 Overall food experience 9.1/10 The atmosphere was great, lots of windows which lets a lot of light in but at night maybe hard to see inside. Overall atmospheric experience 9/10 Service was good had no complaints and even gave us free desert for my wife's birthday. 9.5/10

Fantastic. We've made Minneapolis our second home and are now looking to compile a list of faves…read morefor when we are here. Martina is an ace with its bold flavored Argentinian cuisine and relaxing atmosphere. We dined on the patio, but whether you are seated inside or out, the ambiance is adorned with green plants, natural wood, and clean lines for a modern aesthetic that pleases today's diner. The food was a pleasure. The secret to the bold flavors is in the sauce. We started with an order of the grilled bread and a dozen oysters. I'll never say no to raw oysters (even on some occasions when I should have), but these were a great experience. The vinegar sauce served with these was a unique version that when paired with a dash of the shredded horseradish and a squeeze of lemon juice, the oysters were a punch of zingy perfection. The salted, vinegar infused butter that came with the bread elevated the dish. I chose the halibut for my entree and it was lovely (halibut is a win in any format). However, I would highly recommend the ribeye. My son got that and I sampled a piece with the accompanying chimichuri sauce and it was heavenly. The oils chosen to create that sauce were very well thought out so it made for not-your-typical ribeye and lent itself to something flavorfully unique. We want to return! Putting this on our list of faves when in Minneapolis/St Paul.