Downtown Minneapolis restaurant recommendations

[Beenhere4ever]

Glad someone remembered the Bombay Bistro. I knew it was there but just couldn't recall the name. Hey, I just remembered another place I like. The Brothers Deli, 50 S. 6th Street. It is in the skyway level of M&I Bank I think. When I first came to Minneapolis, there were The Brothers Delis all over town. Big favorite of mine. Then they all closed. Then sometime in the last 20 years, this skyway retro place opened up. I'm not sure there's another source of Jewish deli food in Minneapolis. In fact, now I'm thinking I need to take the train downtown. But I still remember the one in Highland Park. They had a salad bar with the BEST stuff!

[southernsmoke]

Originally Posted by Beenhere4ever

Glad someone remembered the Bombay Bistro. I knew it was there but just couldn't recall the name. Hey, I just remembered another place I like. The Brothers Deli, 50 S. 6th Street. It is in the skyway level of M&I Bank I think. When I first came to Minneapolis, there were The Brothers Delis all over town. Big favorite of mine. Then they all closed. Then sometime in the last 20 years, this skyway retro place opened up. I'm not sure there's another source of Jewish deli food in Minneapolis. In fact, now I'm thinking I need to take the train downtown. But I still remember the one in Highland Park. They had a salad bar with the BEST stuff!

Mort's Deli in Golden Valley is a good Jewish deli option. Huge portions.

[1stpontiac]

This thread has been great, thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to consolidate the list and keep it in my office for when I've got to entertain someone for lunch.

Just looked at the photos for Brits...definitely taking my brother and sister-in-law there if they ever come visit.

[southernsmoke]

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

This thread has been great, thanks for all the suggestions! I'm going to consolidate the list and keep it in my office for when I've got to entertain someone for lunch.

Just looked at the photos for Brits...definitely taking my brother and sister-in-law there if they ever come visit.

When compiling your list, Zelo would be worth adding if you want some good lasagna.

IMO, Brit's is best for the outdoor area (and the "cool" ethos) more than for the food. I found the food to be fine, but not as good as some of the other places mentioned in this thread. I would go back to Brit's, but I would rather go to some of these other places.

Masa is a bit overrated as well, IMO. I love Mexican food, and Masa is good, but I have had better. Masa kind of feels like someone tried to make "sophisticated," $15/plate Mexican for the same crowd that eats at Firelake and Zelo--which is fine, but to me, that kind of takes any of the ethnic experience out of it. I haven't found any really exceptional Mexican restaurants in Minneapolis. (And I guess for that reason, Masa is worth keeping on the list.)

[1stpontiac]

Followup time: We ended up going to the Loon Cafe, mostly because it was the most convenient location for us, and it was delicious. I had the habenero-crusted walleye sandwich and it was amazing. Others had a variety of their soups and chilis and everyone was happy. One person also had the best-looking grilled cheese I've ever seen: about 4 or 5 kinds of cheese, pico de gallo, and BACON all on multi-grain bread.

Taking the Northstar down worked out well, although I wish they had a little earlier return trip, as it got to be a little bit of a long afternoon for our little one.

[Beenhere4ever]

Never heard of the place, but I never spend anytime in that district. Once I went there for places like Cafe Brenda, but it has evolved into the kind of entertainment neighborhood I can skip. Plus, I would guess there's a pretty serious tax loaded on everything. But it does have that one advantage: The Northstar dumps you in the lap of all these places. Very limited walking. So now I'm thinking outstate visitors might go away with impressions of Minneapolis based on where the Northstar ends. I hope they find it a good impression so the satisfaction will rub off on the train line.

[srsmn]

Originally Posted by southernsmoke

Mort's Deli in Golden Valley is a good Jewish deli option. Huge portions.

Not to get us off-topic, but Crossroads in Minnetonka is decent, too.

A lot of friends used to rave about a Jewish Deli on the Northside-- somewhere near where Schuler's Shoes used to be. A google map search is sadly yielding no results for the deli or for Schuler's on the Northside, for that matter

[WendyRLee]

I read a review by Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl in the February issue of Minnesota Monthly, it is also available online, about a new deli in Minneapolis called Rye. It opened last November, it is located at 1930 Hennepin Avenue, it was highly praised. I haven't checked it out yet.