Restaurants
Best of the Twin Cities | Local PicksDirectory List
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NOKOMIS. Hearty southern Italian cuisine comes to South Minneapolis in this cozy restaurant. Yellow-gold paint and whimsical decorative touches create an intimate, welcoming space. Octopus with saffron potato and citronette makes for an unexpected starter, while updated classics like spaghetti with tomato and veal meatballs and gorgonzola-crusted steak with wild mushroom ragu populate the entrees menu. Arrive early on weeknights to sip half-price bottles of wine between 4:30pm and 5:30pm.
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This Bloomington restaurant is the perfect destination for a casual, enjoyable meal. Serving a wide selection of popular Italian favorites, including pizzas, calzones and pasta, Bella Cucina complements its food with a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. To ensure the quality and flavor of every dish, the restaurant makes its own sauces and salad dressings, and bakes its own bread every day. Create your own pizza, choosing from 32 different toppings, or opt for the in-house special. Whatever you choose, you'll appreciate the flavor and quality of your meal.
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This sophisticated downtown Minneapolis restaurant is chic to be sure, but it doesn't put on airs. Although the interior is trendy and stylish, the atmosphere is inviting, making guests feel at ease. The menu contains a variety of fine Italian entrees, including osso buco, lobster ravioli, penne vodka and veal marsala. Save room for one of their fabulous desserts like tiramisu, a chef favorite. Also check out Bellanotte's happy hour, which features a menu of affordable appetizers and drinks. For night owls, the bar is the perfect place to enjoy a late night drink and conversation with friends.
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Known for its affordable food and large portions, Biaggi's is perfect for a casual meal or a special occasion. Committed to serving fresh Italian cuisine, Biaggi's traditional dishes are always expertly prepared and flavorful. Start your meal off with an appetizer like calamari fritti or fried ravioli, then choose from the wide selection of entrees, which includes pizzas and pasta specialties like chicken cannelloni, butternut squash ravioli and the quintessential spaghetti and meatballs. If pasta's not your thing, try the filet mignon, chicken marsala or salmon and shrimp Milanese. Head to Biaggi's for lunch or dinner, and you won't be disappointed.
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SOUTHWEST MINNEAPOLIS. This cozy Italian deli has a few seats in the dining room, but most folks grab a panini or slice of pizza to take back to the office. Other lunch choices include hot dishes like spinach lasagna, manicotti, and an ever-changing daily pasta special. Those eating light can try the arugula salad with asiago cheese and orange-balsamic vinaigrette, or a house salad with pistachios and champagne dressing. Later in the day, the cucina does a brisk dinner business; Broders' Pasta Bar across the street also serves evening eats.
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LORING PARK. If you're in the mood for family-style Italian food, try downtown's Buca di Beppo. Inside, colorful dining areas feature a wide range of eccentric statues and paintings. For dinner, try a Napoli-style Pizza Bianca, or if you're looking for something a little different, sample salmon Siracusa (with olives and capers) or Buca's own chicken Vesuvio. Chocolate lovers will want the spumoni or cannoli, both of which are sinful. Along with family-style offerings, individual-sized portions are available.
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DOWNTOWN. Buca di Beppo has a reputation for being one of the most entertaining Italian eateries in town. Inside, the decor borders on downright amusing, as does the waitstaff's Stooge-like behavior, as they yell across the restaurant and bark orders at patrons. The shtick is not an attempt to cover a weak menu either, because the family-style food comes in delicious heaps. Specialties include homemade pizzas, chicken cacciatore, and veal parmigiana. Southern Italian cuisine at its Twin City best!
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EDEN PRAIRIE. Just a few minutes southwest of Minneapolis, this snazzy Italian restaurant specializes in outstanding pastas, salads, pizzas, and poultry. Catch a glimpse of the chefs at work in the open kitchen as they prepare balsamic-glazed short ribs and spaghetti, braised lamb shank and spit-roasted chicken with risotto. To finish off, make sure you sample the Italian cookie platter or the chocolate truffle cake. The dining area features elaborate, hand-painted, faux-finished walls.
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MACALESTER. One step into the paneled dining room of this restaurant, and you'll know immediately that you're in for a feast of epic proportions. Customers are made to feel like old friends as they sit at simply decorated tables covered with green tablecloths. The menu is "old-style," and Carmelo's specialties include a variety of seafood pasta dishes salmon with angel hair is a favorite. To conclude, your server will ply you with a tempting dessert tray.
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BLOOMINGTON. Sister restaurant of Zelo, Ciao Bella is a trendy, smartly decorated eatery that's quite popular at lunch and dinner with the business crowd. The moody restaurant features sensous curves, exposed brick, wrought iron, and bold design elements, including a funky bar. Pizza is king at lunch, but at dinner you'll want to sample excellent pasta dishes fusilli with grilled chicken is not to be missed. Fresh fish, steaks, and chicken also prove delicious. Reservations are suggested.
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