Fun stuff I like to do
Photography
Older cars
Hiking and travel
Good eats (Thanks
Alton Brown)
You can generally find references to some of these restaurants in Citysearch, Citypages, Chowhound, Startribune, or Mpls and St Paul Magazine. However, I
generally like spicier food then most and like to make my own decisions.
Restaurants in
& around the Twin Cities
- Nepali (I was born and grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal.
When my wife and I first came here from the Bay Area in 1990 there was one
Indian restaurant and it was horrible. So, now seeing 6 places I can get
Nepali food is just amazing.)
- Gorkha Palace
(coming soon)(not sure if is going to be called Yak & Yeti or Gorkha
Palace)
Run by Rashmi Bhattachan. Rashmi runs
the Cafe Nepal / Curry Lane cart at Mill city farmers market and sells
momos. Momo's are like dumplings or potsticker but not quite. Think of
them as turbo charged dumplings.
- Everest on Grand (Grand Ave)(Nepali -
Finally!!!!)
The food is great. One of the more authentic Nepali places in the US.
(Opposite Kawalski's) 1278 Grand Ave St Paul (651) 696-1666
- Himalayan Restaurant (2401 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis) (Nepali food)
The food is good. Ask for it to be
spicy. Try the Wo and Choyala.
- Cat
Man Do
Near St Kate's in St. Paul. (1659 Grand Avenue, St Paul, MN 55105, 651-528-7575)
- Namaste Cafe (Nepali
restaurant in uptown)
Great location but I would not go
here for authentic Nepali food. The spices have been toned down a little
too much for local consumption.
- Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi
- South Asian Foods (Best Biryani in
town)(closed)
This is a grocery store with a small restaurant.
- Chinese
- Szechuan (Now vying for the best
Sichuan food in town. The other is Grand Szechuan)
Still amazes me that for so many years there was not decent Szechuan food
in town now we have such a large selection. I have not eaten better
Szechuan anywhere. Oh, the noodles in Guilin was real good but then it is
not in Szechuan is it
- Grand Szechuan (Now vying for the
best Sichuan food in town)
Make sure you get the Sichuan menu. The dan dan mein is some the best I
have eaten here here. The mapu dofu is sometimes better than Szechuan.
Don't miss the kung pao potato - a little greasy but oh so good. Chef Luo
was previously at Tea House in Plymouth, then moved to Little Szechuan
and has his own at Grand Szechuan.
- Little Szechuan (Used to be the best
Sichuan food in town)
This is not your usual "sweet-and-sour chicken" place. Many of
the things here are quite different. Make sure to ask for the Sichuan menu.
I think this place is better than most places even in California. It used
to be one of my absolute favorite places to eat. (22 University Ave W St.
Paul, MN 55103, (651) 222-1333)
- Thai
- On’s Kitchen (Now the best Thai in
town)
- Karta Thai (My wife’s favourite)
- Bangkok Thai Deli &
Market (2nd Best Thai in town)
Probably the most divy place of the lot. Don't forget to try the sum
tam, the tamrind fish. (315 University Ave W, Saint Paul, MN 55103,
651-224-4300)
- Taste of Thailand (St. Paul, 2nd Best
Thai in Town)
Good food but can be extremely slow. You would not go there for the decor
either. I always do takeout. They have the best clear Tum Yum soup. (1669
Selby Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104, 651-644-3997)
- Royal Orchid (Near Roseville Mall.
Another great Thai place)
A number of their noodle soups are excellent. Their basil fried rice is
fantastic. I particularly like the mock duck version and "thai
hot". (2401 Fairview Ave N, St. Paul, MN 55113, 651-639-9999). (they
are moving to central and 694).
- True Thai (Franklin/University
area, Another great Thai place.)(closed)
A great neighborhood restaurant that has good food. (2627 E. Franklin
Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55406, 612-375-9942)
- Vietnamese
- Rice Paper (Now
moved to 50th and France. Vietnamese Fusion)
Not spicy either but another one of my favorites. I think Citypages
called them 'Vietnamese Va-Voom'. That is just the perfect description.
You take Vietnamese food and add finesse. (2426 W 43rd St, Minneapolis,
MN 55410, 612-926-8650)
- East African/African
- Fasika (Midway.Best Ethiopian
in town)
Near the crossing of University and Snelling. This is by far the best
Ethiopian in town. I have had better in Washington DC but not anywhere
else. Not the best digs but then when the food is good who cares.
- Afro Deli & Catering (Good lunch
place on the west bank)
- T's Place (2713 E. Lake St,
Minnepolis, MN 55406)
Great Ethiopian. One of the cab drivers told us about this place.
- Mediterranean/French/Spanish
- Saffron (Haute cuisine from
the Mediterranean)
One of my most favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities. Also it does not
hurt that Saed Wadi (Chef's brother and manager) is a former student of
Prof. Kia Bazargan. Named as one of the Top Restaurants of 2009 by
Zagat.
- Fugaise (French and French
inspired fine dining)(308 E Hennepin Ave Minneapolis, MN 55414, 612-436-0777)(closed)
- Solera (Tapas done right)
A little spendy but quite good. A fairly hip place (900 Hennepin Ave
South, Minneapolis, MN 55403, 612-338-0062)
- South American
- Machu Picchu (corner of Lake and
Lyndale)(Peruvian) (closed)
The best spicy food in town. Don't forget to try their Saltado.
(612) 822-2125
- La Chaya Bistro (4537 Nicollet Ave
South, Minneapolis, MN 55419 612-827-2254)
Latin fusion food. A little bit of the new Mexico City adventure with
food in town. If you watch Rick Bayless you know what I am talking about.
Also, the ambience is very cozy. I good place to take out of town guests.
- Other Asian
- Peninsula (Malaysian)(2608
Nicollet Av. S., Minneapolis, 612-871-8282)
Don't miss the roti canai. I had the Pandan Chicken. Very
different and good flavors but if you like spicy make sure you tell them
that you like more than extra spicy. They have toned the food down.
- Chindian Cafe (Indian / Malay /
Chinese food)
This is not Indian Chinese. This is the Chinese, Indian and
Malay food blend from Malaysia and Singapore.
- America Bistro
- Restaurant Alma (University area, One
of my absolute favorites.)
The food here is fresh, simple and elegant. Everything tastes great.
Never had a bad meal but always ended up spending a lot. A good place to
take outside visitors. (528 University Ave SE,
Minneapolis, MN 55414, (612) 379-4909)
- La Belle Vie (Minneapolis, Elegant
dining done well)
These guys also own Solera. This is an expensive but elegant dinner
place. One of my students introduced me to this place. Loved it ever since.
They were in Stillwater and have since moved to downtown. I have
not been to the downtown location but assume it is still good. (510
Groveland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403, (612) 874-6440)
- Cafe Latte (Grand/Victoria, open
late)
Good hearty soups, great deserts and good pizza as well. If you have not
been there you must. (651-224-5687)
- Others I have not classified but have eaten at. Use
Yelp or Urbanspoon to guide you till I have time to fix this.
- Bar La Grassa
- 112 Eatary
- Piccolo
- Masa
- Zelo
- Alma
- Punch Pizza
- Darbar India
- Little Szchewan
- Schewan
- Grand Schewan
- Green Mill
- Shuang Cheng
- Bodi Dinner place
- Hudson Pizza Place
- Lola Pizza
- India Palace
- Caspian Bistro
- Hiedi's
- Hells Kitchen
- Salsa Ala Salsa
- Sonora Grill
- Truck tacos with Sachin
- Bun Mi
- Davani's
- Meritage
- Fasika
- Dalli (Ethopian)
- Chiang Mai Thai
- Royal Orchid
- Jasmine Delli
- Tejas
- Big Bowl
- PF Changs
- Tucci Benucchi
- Sunny's Icecream
- Sebastian Joes
- French Meadow Bakery
- Noodles
- Hmung Village food
court
- Holly Land
- Gardens of Solinica
- Emilies
- Vento (Italian Place on
Highway 55 (with student))
- Cafe Enja
- Patessiri 46
- Damico & Sons
- Lotus
Restaurants
elsewhere
- Bay Area, California
- Jing-Jing (Palo Alto, CA)
This used to be my favorite spicy Chinese place of all time (Good
Szechuan and Hunan). Ate there a lot when I worked at Mentor in the Bay
Area and also when Bermai was headquartered there. (443 Emerson Street,
Palo Alto, CA 94301, (650) 328-6885)
- Buena Vista (Skyline boulevard,
Bay Area)
Absolutely the best pepper steak I have ever had. Very romantic but hard
to get reservations.
- Marche (Menlo Park, CA) (closed)
Got taken there by a VC friend. Expensive but great food.
- Hangan (Mountain View,
CA)
- Z&Y (San Francisco,
CA)
- Le Colonial (San Francisco,
CA)
- Ana Mandara?
(Vietemince in SFO)
- Roti (Burlingame, CA)
- Amber (Santana Roe, San
Jose, CA)
- Sweett Mango
(Burmese)(Willow Glen, San Jose, CA)
- Dosa (San Francisco,
CA)
- Korean Pastry stop (San
Jose, CA)
- Ciceros Pizzz
(Cupertino, CA)
- Viks (Berkeley, CA)
- Betel Nut (fusion
asian)
- Washington DC
- Lalibela (Washington DC)
Been many years but this the best Ethiopian I have had. I don't even
remember the exact coordinates any more.
- Oyamel (Washington, DC)(Tapas
from Mexico)
Owned by Jose Andre who has a TV show on PBS called "Made in
Spain". I absolutely love this place.
- Zaytinya (Washington, DC)(Great
Mezze)
Also owned by Jose Andres.
- Rasika (Indian fusion)
- Jelleo (Spanish)
- Cafe Atlantico
(Spanish)
- Joe's Noodle sack
- Noodle place close to
ARL
- Lebenese Taverna
- Portland, Oregon
- Iorio (Portland, OR)
A little Italian hidden downtown Portland. Excellent appetizers. The main
meal was a little less impressive.
- Pok Pok (Portland OR)
My new favorite place to get Thai food.
- Le Pegion
Need to go back.
- Andina (Pearl district)
Latin american tapas style food. Not quite as good as Oyamel in DC but
not bad.
- New York City
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Columbus, Ohio
- Marcella's (Short North
Arts District, Columbus, OH)
Tapas style Italian food. Some of best Italian I have had. Not
fancy but friendly and great flavors.
- Chicago
- Boston
- Pizza place in little
italy
- Legal seafood
- Savi Lobter place
- Austin, Texas
- Fonda San Migel (Austin, Texas)
Not true Mexican food but who cares. It tasted real good and the
atmosphere is great. Thanks AJ/Kevin
- Broken Spoke (Austin, Texas)
A Texas honky-tonk with character. The only thing that is supposed to have
changed in the last 30 years is the price of beer. Thanks AJ/Kevin.
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Chautara (Madison, WI)
Best Nepali fusion food. Always find an excuse to stop there on the way
to Chicago etc. Madison is one of my favorite towns. Chautara is one of the
reasons.
- Vancouver, Canada
- Vij's (Vancouver, Canada)
Still my most favorite Indian place in the world.
- Toronto,
Canada
- Maroli (Kerala cuisine)
- Dasa Paradise
- Lohori Tikka Place
- Shangrila (Nepali food)
- Brampton Flee market
(Afghani Kebob)
- Tandoori Flame
- Rio ,
Brazil
- India
- Nirula's
- Pandara road
- Bukhara
- Hauz Khas village
- Nepal
- Dwarika's
- Tukche
- Bhancha Ghar
- Nanglo
- Bonnie took us to
dinner Thamel
- Rooftop resturant
Thamel
- Fire & Ice
- Roadhouse
- Barcelona, Spain
- Inopia (nice neighborhood place)(closed)
Introduced to us by some dear friends of ours. The best tapas in
Barcelona. Inopia is owned by Albert Adria. Albert Adria is the brother
of Feran Adria of
El Bulli fame. El Bulli is where Jose Andres got his training. Enough
said. (C/ Tamarit, 104 08015 Barcelona, España 934 245 231)
- Kampala, Uganda
- Khana
Khazana, (absolutely the best Indian food in Kampala)
- Tamarai (Great
Thai food in Kampala. Actually, it is more pan-asian but… You have to try
the crispy mushroom appetizer)