20 March 2008
So, this entry won't be terribly relevant to a lot of you, I know, but Lisa recently asked for my Twin Cities recommendations (sandwiches in particular). I don't think I know of any hidden gems, but I wanted to put together a list of some of my favourite restaurants -- maybe you'll find it helpful! Here's Minneapolis, for reference:
Like I've said before, I'm no foodie in the sense that I'm not really interested in 'gourmet' cuisine -- when I eat out, I want food that I either would make at home (but can't be bothered to for that meal) or that I WISH I could make at home (anything fried, amazing curries, etc, etc). So these are my tops:
The Seward Cafe -- This is the epitome of 'food I would make at home, but I want to eat out.' Beans and rice, tempeh scrambles, vegan biscuits and gravy, great big breakfast plates with hashbrowns, eggs, and veggies. . . I didn't even realize there were several extra pages of menu until the last time I was there. A whole host of sandwiches and lunch meals I never knew about!
Also like. . . Hard Times Cafe, though I've not actually been there yet. They recently reopened after an extended absence, so I'm looking forward to trying THEIR vegan biscuits and gravy.
The Triple Rock Social Club -- Okay, I've only had food here once (it's a bar/restaurant/venue), but I dream about going back. S and I shared a (Minneapolis-style) Po' Boy with vegan sausage, vegan nacho cheese, and BBQ (and fried potatoes and onions, on a HUGE white bun), and the one plate was more food than we could split. They also do vegan nachos, vegan mac'n'cheese, and loads of veggie options. The only downside is that there aren't very many tables, and you have to eat your amazing veggie food in a bar. But it's worth it.
Also like... Pizza Luce, which is a more traditional restaurant with several branches in the Twin Cities. I love their hoagies. I love their pizzas too. I've had their mock Muffeleta and mock sausage hoagie, and I'm looking forward to someday trying the pesto turkey and chicken dijon hoagies (vegetarian versions, of course). My pizza of choice is the Lil' Gracie, with either the Rinotta or soy cheese.
Nala Pak -- This is one of my perennial favourites (it used to be Udupi), north of Minneapolis, on Central. I don't like ordering off their menu since they changed ownership, but the buffet (for lunch every day, with BIGGER buffets on the weekends and holidays) is pretty much my idea of heaven. I always eat a painful amount of food, so I don't go very often anymore. Besides all of their fantastic curries and breads, etc, I love (LOVE) their homemade chocolate cherry ice cream. If they happen to be serving that AND gulab jamun, I'll just given in and spend the rest of the day in a food coma.
Other Indian and Nepali favourites... Namaste Cafe -- The best chai in the Twin Cities. I prefer this place for lunch rather than dinner. The Vegetarian -- I always get the Punjabi Thali for dinner. It's sooo much food that is sooo good! Everest on Grand -- A great lunch buffet here. Their steamed veggie momos are delicious.
French Meadow -- This is a good place if I have to go out with somebody who maybe isn't into spicy food (or who wouldn't be into the self-serve atmosphere of The Seward). They have a great menu, full of interesting veggie options. S and I went here late one night, just for cake and wine, and we still talk about it. French Meadow have a big stand at the Lyndale farmers' market in the summer, plus they seem to have taken over the MSP airport, which I find a little bit creepy (and -- wholly crap! -- expensive).
Also like... The Birchwood Cafe has some fun options, including a vegan Caesar salad, and their cakes are tops as well. I think of Both the Birchwood and French Meadow as being good sandwich places, although they obviously have loads of other choices. The Birchwood has a cinnamon/caramel roll which we dubbed 'The Sticky Fist of Sweetness' (if I remember correctly), and it's generally great for tasty breakfasts.
Okay, I could definitely go on and make this list a million miles long, but I'll stop here. Possibly to return in future installments. I really like to eat, after all.
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