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    Tongue In Cheek

    4.5 (779 reviews)
    ModerateNew American
    Closed • Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

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    TONGUE IN CHEEK ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Tongue In Cheek

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    Mikey A.

    A foodies dream restaurant!!!!!!! Our group bought every small bite on the menu and loved all of them! The star of the show might've been the pho infused cocktail though. The chef is having a fun time creating such innovative but comforting dishes and the servers were all so friendly and clearly foodies as well! I can't wait to be back,

    Tracie B.

    This place has great prix fixe menus. Creative, pair with excellent libations, fresh and so flavorful. Anytime we get a chance to go we have. Just such a chill vibe with high end culinary products that are outstanding this was our prix fixe that I loved. The amuse to the prawns to the meat course and desserts and matching drinks were just steallar. Great service - just a fabulous experience every time!

    Melissa C.

    It had been a while since I'd made my way back to Tongue In Cheek and I am so sorry I waited so long! Honestly one of the best dining experiences my husband and I have had (and we got out to eat often)! The service was top notch and the food is incredible! I recommend all of the teasers!! They offer unique flavor profiles and are just fun! We were so happy to get a table by the window but they offer plenty of seating in the intimate setting. There is free off street parking or a small lot in the back. I still need to come back for that cocktail flight!

    Jason O.

    Tasty food, well made drinks, attentive service and some style too! Loved the way everything was plated and served. The food tasted as good as it looked. Plenty of small bites, aka "Teasers" to get started with and great shareable options or "small plates" too. Nice choice of entrees as well. Started with a Teaser called East Fried Pride, the pork belly in this bite was perfect. The Chicken and Waffle was next and my favorite. Perfect balance of sweet and savory. Also ordered the Daikon Pad Thai Salad and loved every bite. I had a bite or two of my son's Smash Burger with fries. Solid burger, cooked well and not over salted like most burgers in the Twin Cities. Great drink menu and like the food menu the items are all cleverly named. Make a trip to the Payne Phalen neighborhood of St. Paul and see for yourself! P.S. I love the style of their bar!

    Weekend at Benny's (Salmon eggs bendict)
    Jennifer B.

    I had not been to Tongue In Cheek in years, and am pleased to report that it was just as delicious as I remembered! And still full of eclectic art. They are open for brunch, lunch and dinner! I went for brunch and ordered a creamy espresso martini (which they kindly doctored for me since I prefer mine with milk/cream/baileys). Servers are friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. They asked about allergies as soon as we sat down. How We Brunch is one of my favorite options- you get a drink, a coffee, 2 small bites (teasers) and one brunch entree. We ordered the Jerk Roasted Cauliflower to share, and it does have a little kick. Then we got the Weekend at Bennies and Chicken and Waffles. Both exactly as described. I love how consistent and filling the food is here. Parking can still be a little dicey, so leave early to find a spot close by.

    Daniel E.

    Loved this place, a fantastic recommendation from a fellow Yelper! Everything about this visit rocked, a great dining experience. It's a cozy storefront on Payne Avenue, and they have succeeded in making it a comfortable setting with all kinds of ambiance. Server Johnathan was sensational, guiding us throughout our meal. Street parking. Casual attire. Oh my, the sourdough bread! Squash was great. Buns chicken was tasty. Pepper teaser so good. Ramen was excellent! They add 3% to totals if using a credit card. This place is truly outstanding!

    Interior
    Jessica H.

    I grabbed brunch with a friend today and suggested we go to Tongue in Cheek--one of my longtime favorites. She'd only been there for dinner once (and loved it), so she was excited to see what their brunch was about. We both went for the brunch special, which is honestly the best value on the menu. For $38 you get bottomless coffee, an "eye-opener" cocktail, a full brunch entrée, and two teasers. You can upgrade to a non-brunch entrée for a small charge, but we stuck with brunch items this time. We started with the Steamed Pork Buns from the "To Share or Not" section--my usual must-order. They're consistently great, and today was no exception. My friend ended up saying they were her favorite part of the meal. My personal go-to entrée is the Heeeere's Johnny, which is still the best Benedict I've ever had. Their pork is always incredibly flavorful, and the extra sauces on the plate--unmentioned on the menu--really elevate the dish. On days I don't get that, I usually go for the ramen, which is also excellent and served all day. Both are consistently strong choices. Today, though, we tried something new: the Market Omelette. The ingredients rotate, so the version we got had mushrooms, goat cheese, and hollandaise. They offered bacon as an add-on, which I skipped but probably should've taken, because the goat cheese ended up a little overpowering. The eggs were impressively fluffy, but overall it didn't beat my usual Benedict. For teasers, I chose The Blues and the Shroomin'. Both are favorites of mine. The Blues is tiny (probably the smallest teaser they offer), but tastes like a bite of blueberry pie, and the Shroomin' is a creamy mushroom custard topped with fried enoki--really well done. My friend tried the Shroomin' and loved it. She ordered SGT. Peppers and Bacon & Egg. I didn't try her Bacon & Egg since it's truly one bite, but she said it was very good. The SGT. Peppers was generous and had a great house-made jerk sauce that they apparently sell by the bottle. I've tried almost all their teasers at this point, and SGT. Peppers, East Fried Pride, and Shroomin' are my top picks. If you're curious, I've heard you can ask for a full flight. I ordered my usual cocktail, When Doves Cry, and my friend liked it enough to get one herself. We also tried the mimosa trio. The Raspberry Tarragon was our favorite, followed by the Ginger Basil. The Citrus/Jalapeño Pistachio wasn't for me, but it was interesting to try. I probably wouldn't order the flight again, but I'm glad we gave it a shot. They also have three separate drink menus--general cocktails, brunch cocktails, and a dessert drink menu that comes out later--which is a fun touch if you like options. Service today was excellent. Multiple staff members checked in on us, dishes were cleared quickly, and despite it being a busy Saturday, everything felt smooth and attentive. The space itself has a lot of personality and fun decor. There's a parking lot behind the restaurant that a lot of people miss, and street parking nearby if it's full. Tongue in Cheek continues to be one of my favorite places for brunch. It's great for a meal with friends, an easy date spot, or even a solo visit. I've never had a bad experience here, and I'll keep coming back.

    Exspresso martini
    Eileen A.

    Sunday in St. Paul. My new favorite place. Great service. Lively artwork. You can see people love this retro space. Food was excellent. People watching was a bonus. I will be back soon to try the Banh Mi It was being served all around us. Next time!! Unfortunately it was so loud in the dining room we had to shout to speak to each other.

    Dessert
    Morgan S.

    This was one of the best brunch experiences I've had in a while! Our Server, Riley, was incredible. She detailed everything, attentive, fun and excited and really made the experience that much better. The food was to die for! We got the brunch special which was a coffee, cocktail, main dish and 2 teasers. The teasers are one of the coolest ideas as it's a small bite/app that has beautiful presentation and various different flavors and felt like a really cool way for the chef and staff to show off some fun and unique dishes. I had the Sgt Peppers which was lightly breaded and fried shishito peppers in this vinegar sauce almost like a Carolina gold BBQ sauce and the bubba gumps which was a delicious tempura shrimp with a tasty creamy wasabi sauce. For my cocktail I had the Irish coffee which for a coffee lover like me was a great start to the morning and tasted great. My main dish was the chicken and waffles and it was well done, I feel like chicken and waffles often can underdeliver but this one far exceeded that. It was nicely seasoned crispy chicken strips on a fluffy waffle and a perfect pairing of flavors, salty/sweet, and amazing texture on both. We had a few desserts as well, one that was like a deconstructed s'mores and was super tasty as well as a panna cotta which was fresh and filled with delicious berries. Could not recommend this spot more!

    @Market Omelette
    Jon P.

    White-glove service and an absolutely splendid meal--all at a surprisingly nice price. Parking was a breeze, the layout was a tad puzzling figuring out who to check in with for seating. Minor quirk aside, the whole experience was downright marvelous. Do yourself a favor - pop in here!

    Pork Belly, Tiger Prawn
    Neil S.

    We came here on a whim and it was overall a very enjoyable dinner! We had the pork belly and the tiger prawn starters, and both were good but the pork belly really stood out. They change their menu up regularly so unfortunately what we had for entrees might not be available to you, but I'll say I enjoyed the vegan bowl a lot and my partner's ramen bowl was likewise delicious. We got a pineapple mocktail, and that was tasty; the booze and cocktail menu seems pretty well developed, so I'd say this could be a good place for those.

    Front
    Aneesa K.

    Super cool! Great staff my hubby! I tells ya KNOWS the best places in town can't wait to show you our food order the staff ALL work together, you're never without someone coming to check on you. Im in love tip well, it's entertainment! What ARE YOU WAITING FOR??? Get over here ciao for now.

    Blues teaser
    Lindsay R.

    Great place and good food. Stopped here when we're in the area and got a couple of their teasers ($4 each) and ramen to share. The shroomin teaser was amazing!!! If you like the flavor of mushrooms get this!!! So...good and my husband and I were each able to get 2-3 small bites from it. The Blues teaser was amuse-bouche style and good but definitely only one bite. The bacon dash ramen (added in pork) was honestly the best ramen I've ever had. It was loaded with fresh flavorful toppings and the pork was to die for! Get the pork!!! You will not regret it. So tender, juicy and yummy with the caramelized crunch on the outside of every bite. The server said they braise it for 4 hours. I'd honestly go back just for a plate of that but the other food is worth it too. The ambience was nice and the service great. Give them a try!

    Ode to the Dome

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    21 days ago

    This place is fabulous! Food, drinks, and service are top-notch. A must visit if you're in St Paul!

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    5 months ago

    Fish of the day was grouper and it, the potatoes and the sauce were excellent. Flight of cocktails was fun and we loved them all.

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    2 months ago

    Terrible service. And the food is awful. You can try it for yourself. Worst food in town.

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    2 months ago

    Amazing cocktails, great specials! A must try if you can! Get the special, and chocolate dessert!

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    Page 1 of 20

    Ask the Community - Tongue In Cheek

    Going on Saturday with friends, reservations were already made. The "cheeseburger" entree....does it come with a potato side like fries, mashed, baked? Can I omit ingredients…

    They are pretty accommodating for dietary restrictions

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    I'd like to start by complimenting the dessert. It was absolutely delicious…read more My date and I stopped by for a cognac and something sweet after dinner. We chose to sit at the bar, but it took nearly 10 minutes before the bartender acknowledged us or brought us water. Because the bar appeared moderately busy and only one bartender seemed to be making drinks, we went ahead and ordered dessert. We also asked about the brandy and cognac selection. Unfortunately, the bartender seemed unfamiliar with what was available. When we asked to see the only cognac she mentioned, she presented the bottle with what appeared to be obvious annoyance. Since it was the only cognac available, we ordered it, but only after another lengthy wait. A few minutes later, we asked whether our dessert order had been entered. The bartender told us it had been, but we then watched her walk to the POS system and enter the order immediately afterward. That was very disappointing and made us feel as though we had been misled. During this time, four additional guests sat at the bar, yet no one came over to assist or help expedite drink service. Our dessert arrived about 10 minutes later. Throughout our entire visit, the bartender never smiled, engaged with us, or made any effort to create a welcoming experience. My date did not care for the cognac and asked to see the brandy selection. When the bartender retrieved a step stool to reach the bottle, she set both the stool and the bottle down roughly. The interaction again felt irritated and unprofessional. More broadly, it seemed as though the bar was overwhelmed, and no one was stepping in to help. One server stood nearby rolling silverware while guests waited for service. I understand that staffing challenges have affected the hospitality industry since COVID, but given the prices charged at this establishment, I expected a much higher standard of professionalism. I was also surprised to see a server dressed in faded jeans and a crop top that exposed a navel piercing, which did not align with the upscale atmosphere I anticipated. I had always heard wonderful things about this restaurant and was genuinely excited to visit. Unfortunately, my experience did not reflect the reputation I had heard so much about. If this level of service is typical, I do not see myself returning. The dessert was excellent, but the service left a lasting negative impression. An inexperienced bartender, a lack of hospitality, and being given inaccurate information made what should have been an enjoyable visit disappointing.

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    We moved to a magnificent 1900's old renovated building 1/26 in Lowertown and are EXTREMELY happy…read morewith all elements of this location. We both grew up in NYC's suburbs/ worked in manhattan until 2000 and then moved to VA MN FL and back to MN. The well discussed homeless situation we find in outstanding meticulous control by the very attentive St Paul Police who know the community on a first name basis. (Weekends you don't see them, and during the week only spotted. They never approach us.). I have worked with the impoverished communities in Harlem, Boston, Richmond, Va and Mn as a volunteer and a few full time positions in Boston. Catholic charities has done a REMARKABLE job supporting/effectively aiding the entire homeless community in the Twin Cities! As a result, we are very comfortable walking anywhere during the day and early evening. So with great joy we joined hundreds of others on St Paul's famous " Train Days" with family and grandson. Then we went to 1881 for a light lunch for the first time. They were happily packed, and all the diners were voraciously downing their meals for a considerable time. I saw a beautiful " fish and chips platter" and will definitely come back to try it for dinner. The setting, ambiance are stellar! The main majestic thrilling lobby of this venerable giant ELEGANT old train station-- more beautiful than NYC and Boston's but similar to those in the Canadian Rockies ( took the Canadian Pacific northern route in 1970 w 70 lb backpack fr Vancouver to Detroit... unforgettable). This majestic rare location....makes the dining experience unique and wonderous! We both had excellent martinis expertly prepared and their famous French onion soup and salads. Our family ate croissant sandwiches and a wonderful egg dish. Beautiful exhilarating awe inspiring places like this have almost completely disappeared all across the USA. Old world cooking and meticulous good delicious seasoning is also FAST disappearing. Places like this desperately NEED us to survive. HIGHLY recommend!!! Enjoy!

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    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.

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