Bored with going to the same old restaurants? From Formica to four-star, here's a foodie checklist. Book now. 1. Alma (528 University Ave. S.E., Minneapolis, 612-379-4909)
The name derives from alma del tierra (soul of the earth). Chef/owner Alex Roberts reflects his commitment to regional organic fare on his New American menu.
2. Abu Nader (2095 Como Ave., St. Paul; 651-647-5391)
This small neighborhood Middle Eastern deli makes an amazing falafel sandwich - and it's all from scratch, even the pocket bread.
3. Babani's (544 St. Peter St., St. Paul; 651-602-9964)
This is America's first Kurdish restaurant (and is still just one of a handful nationwide). For a good sampling of the cuisine, try the chicken soup, sheik Babani (stuffed eggplant) and lemon chicken.
4. Bank Restaurant (Westin Hotel, 88 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis; 612-333-4006)
A former bank has become one of Minnesota's most elegant hotel restaurants, replete with gorgeous chandeliers, a huge bar and cushy seats. Go for dinner and stay for the nightlife.
5. Chambers Kitchen (901 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-767-6999)
There's world-class art on the walls and a world-class chef (Jean-Georges Vongerichten) heading the kitchen. But it's the bars - first floor and rooftop - that make this a superhip destination.
6. Common Roots Cafe (2558 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-871-2360)
The dense and chewy hand-formed bagels at this new,
7. Cosmos (601 First Ave. N.; Minneapolis; 612-312-1168)
Stephen Trojahn was the former chef at New York's legendary 21 Club before he took over the kitchen at the classy Graves Hotel. His straightforward and sophisticated food - confit of halibut, Grand Marnier-glazed Berkshire pork, vanilla-butter-poached lobster - could easily become habit forming.
8. Evergreen (2424 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis; 612-871-6801)
This basement restaurant offers the usual Chinese standards, but the interesting dishes are the Taiwanese specialties - peanuts boiled in star anise, lamb noodle soup, chicken simmered in wine and ginseng.
9. Hell's Kitchen (89 S. 10th St., Minneapolis; 612-332-4700)
Stretching beyond bacon and eggs, this downtown spot has all sorts of interesting breakfast dishes. Anyone for huevos rancheros with rosti potatoes, lemon ricotta hotcakes or a bowl of fruit and nutty wild-rice porridge with maple syrup and cream?
10. Izzy's Ice Cream Cafe (2034 Marshall Ave., St. Paul; 651-603-1458)
This ice cream spot is a neighborhood gem. Even the vanilla is better than everyone else's.
11. Krua Thailand (432 W. University Ave., St. Paul; 651-224-4053)
A cut above other Thai kitchens in town, this small storefront will satisfy your cravings for spice and heat. Try the crab cakes, laab and the seafood mousse.
12. La Belle Vie (510 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis; 612-874-6440)
A place for the rich and the food reverent. Come as much for the fare - rabbit tart, grilled poussin with cured foie gras, sautéed Arctic char with squid-ink ravioli - as to show that you care and can afford it.
13. Lucia's (1432 W. 31st St., Minne-apolis; 612-825-1572)
A seasonal cooking pioneer, Lucia Watson has been providing diners with amazing food for 22 years - and her restaurant keeps getting better and better.
14. Matt's Bar (3500 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis; 612-722-7072)
This bar may not look like much, but wait until you taste the Juicy Lucy, the cheeseburger with the cheese in the middle instead of on top. It's hard to believe something that costs only $4.50 can bring such happiness.
15. Maverick's (1746 N. Lexington Ave., Roseville; 651-488-1788)
Remember how good Arby's was way back when? Relive those days at this neighborhood joint, where the roast beef sandwiches have a cultlike following.
16. Mysore Cafe (2819 Hennepin Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-871-1110)
Since most Indian restaurants focus on the food of the north, it's easy to get in a samosa and tandoori chicken rut. This vegetarian spot offers food of the south, the best of which are the saucerlike steamed rice cakes called idli and the stuffed crepes known as dosai.
17. 112 Eatery (112 N. Third St., Minneapolis; 612-343-7696)
A hip little boite where you can get a good meal quickly and without unbalancing the budget. Sweet-and-sour crab salad; bacon, egg and harrisa sandwich; lamb scottadito - it's so tough to choose.
18. Peninsula (608 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-871-8282)
Malaysia without a passport. Feast on coconut curries, spicy ribs and tortillalike pancakes and enjoy nice ambience and smart service.
19. Pho Quan (815 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis; 612-872-1693)
It's tiny, grubby and all you'll want to get is pho, the Vietnamese noodle soup. But Pho Quan has the best in town. Choose from four flavors - vegetable, beef, chicken or shrimp - and dig in.
20. Punch Pizza (704 S. Cleveland Ave., St. Paul; 651-696-1066)
The authentic Naples-style pizzas at this original spot are fantastic. The salads are swell, too. But as Punch branches out, there's one pressing question: Is chain mentality going to ruin a neighborhood gem?
21. Rotisseria (1530 E. Lake St., Minneapolis; 612-722-7300)
This little hole-in-the-wall has amazing crisp-skinned rotisserie chicken. It comes with beans, rice and the best hot sauce in town - a spectacular meal for $6.95.
22. Saffron (123 N. Third St., Minneapolis; 612-746-5533)
In a world of overhyped restaurants, this cozy Middle Eastern/Moroccan spot is a sleeper. Chef/owner Sameh Wadi quietly turns out food that's full of flavor and pretty on the plate.
23. Sea Salt Eatery (4801 Minnehaha Ave., Minneapolis; 612-721-8990)
Part oyster bar/part fast-food restaurant, the menu changes according to the catch, but there's usually fried clam strips, crispy calamari, fish and chips and oyster po' boys. Prices are reasonable, and the Minnehaha Falls Park setting is right.
24. Tea House (1676 Suburban Ave., St. Paul; 651-771-1790)
Most Chinese restaurants have token Szechuan dishes on the menu, but this is the real deal, featuring many dishes for grazers (dumplings, noodles, scallion pancake) as well as the old standards like double-cooked pork. The tea-smoked duck is the best in town.
25. 20.21 (Walker Art Center, 1750 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis; 612-253-3410)
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck gives his Franco-Asian fare a Minnesota accent - and serves it family style. Be sure to try the towering Spoon, Cube and Cherry dessert inspired by the popular sculpture "Spoonbridge and Cherry" in the nearby Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
Pioneer Press restaurant critic Kathie Jenkins can be reached at 651-228-5585 or kjenkins@pioneerpress.com.
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