St. Paul, like any city, is a series of neighborhoods.
But unlike other cities, neighborhood residents and leaders take real pride in the place where they live and are militant about supporting the businesses that lie within those boundaries.
Want proof? Try writing that a restaurant is in an adjacent neighborhood — or worse yet, use the wrong name for that area.
You will, as we have, hear from loud and proud readers.
We’ve done stories about streets (University, Payne, Grand), but we thought it would be fun to offer some mini dining guides to the distinct neighborhoods in St. Paul.
This week, we’re starting with Mac-Groveland, which was low-hanging fruit as some really exciting eateries have opened there in the past year.
We picked our current favorites — the restaurants we recommend when people are nearby and ask for a place to eat.As always, feel free to tell us who we missed or what your favorites are — in Mac-Groveland or your neighborhood. Tell us the name of the restaurant, why you love it, and your favorite dishes, and send along photos if you have them. We’ll try to check it out for future coverage.
Bap and Chicken
Korean fried chicken, a method in which chicken is twice-fried to create an uber-crisp coating, takes center stage at this locally owned order-at-the-counter spot. Korean fried chicken is highlighted in several ways. One is in the form of an excellent, crispy, tender Korean Fried Chicken Sandwich with a perfectly matched cabbage-cucumber slaw. The Bibimbap with crispy, boneless chicken thigh over rice, kimchi, veggies and a soft poached egg is also a great call. And if you’re with a group, get an order of the Korean fried chicken drumsticks that are available in six or 12 pieces for easy sharing.
1328 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-333-0929; bapandchicken.com
Chip’s Clubhouse
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: If you haven’t gotten to Chip’s for some next-level comfort food, what are you waiting for? The second venture for chef Tara Coleman (who also owns the equally fabulous Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit next door), is a cozy spot that has equally cozy menu offerings, from a bacon butty (read: fancy grilled cheese) to fish and chips to ramen to one of the best burgers in town. And vegans and vegetarians are also well taken care of here with multiple menu items, including a fun cashew-and-herb paté, deep-fried giardiniera, a vegan cheeseburger and, currently, a spring orecchiette pasta.
And whether or not you are a dessert person, we recommend ordering it. Creative, delicious options when we were there included an unforgettable sundae with toast-flavored ice cream, a jammy topping and buttery toast crumbs and an undeniably fun Funfetti cake.
272 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; 651-330-1617; visitchips.com
Colossal Cafe
Every neighborhood needs a consistently awesome breakfast spot, and Colossal Cafe delivers.
Honestly, we would order again every last thing we have tried on the menu. Some favorites include the breakfast burrito, which ups the game on this morning staple with the addition of pickled onions, tender, juicy pork shoulder and queso fresco; the ridiculously delicious biscuits and gravy (there’s a vegetarian wild mushroom version, too!); the knee-weakening-good breakfast sandwiches and the giant, yeasty pancakes.
If you weren’t thinking about breakfast before, we bet you are now.
1340 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-414-0543; colossalcafe.com
Due Focacceria
This quaint, casual Italian eatery and market gives a nod to an Italian piazza, complete with gathering spots indoors and outdoors. They are spaces to enjoy street sandwiches on housemade Italian focaccia bread as well as meat-and-cheese platters, soups, salads and desserts. The Italian-themed cocktails, wine and beer list are draws, too.
We’ve enjoyed everything we’ve tried here. If you’re looking for recommendations, we like to have any newcomer here try an Italian street sandwich, which is their signature item. The Carne sandwich is a great way to go since it’s stuffed with several varieties of meat and cheese from the deli, so it’s a nice sampling of what’s offered. The prosciutto and arugula sandwich as well as the one with house-smoked Pastrami are also great choices. We also can’t order from here without getting some tiramisu.
It’s also worth mentioning that Due Focacceria has pivoted several times during the pandemic, including adding a take-and-make category for those who want to cook a meal for their family at home. Things like lasagna bolognese and cannelloni are among the choices.
Also good to know is that, in addition to placing orders inside the market, there’s a walk-up window if you want to stick to the outdoors.
475 S. Fairview Ave., St. Paul; 651-493-8858; duefocacceria.com
Estelle
This relative newcomer that opened before the pandemic is where we want to go regularly to sip on excellent cocktails, wine or beer and nosh or have a full-on meal of Italian-, Spanish- and Portuguese-inspired dishes, tapas fare included. On a recent visit, some of the dishes that have been on the top of our list remain, while there were some newcomers to the menu. Either way, the menu changes with the seasons, so even several standing menu items were given some spring zest.
For recommendations, we always love the Fideua Pasta with broken vermicelli noodles in a flavorful broth served with a seafood-meat combo of clams, shrimp and ham hocks. It didn’t disappoint on this recent trip, either.
We suspect that longstanding favorites such as the burgers, which are double smashed for a nice juicy-in-the-middle, crisp-on-the-edges results, are just as delicious.
For now it’s takeout and patio seating only. With Estelle’s first official patio season underway, revelers will be happy to know there are both sidewalk tables as well as a wooden deck patio in the back for dining al fresco.
From there, the eatery will reopen for dining indoors May 25, according to the restaurant website.
1806 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul; 651-330-9648; estellestp.com
French Meadow
The first certified organic bakery in the United States opened our eyes to healthy eating in which flavor didn’t have to be compromised. These days, the 36-year-old eatery that started in Minneapolis and now has a location in St. Paul continues to keep diners on their toes with contemporary spins on breakfast items, soups, salads, sandwiches, entrees and, last but not least, reliable baked goods and decadent desserts. If you’re looking for something to order from here on a first try, we have some go-tos that might become yours, too. They include the Zone Omelette of egg whites, organic greens and seeded sourdough toast. Post-breakfast, we especially love the Wild Acres Turkey Burger when wanting something casual, or the miso salmon with mashed potatoes and greens when feeling more like a knife-and-fork entree.
1662 Grand Avenue, St. Paul; 651-789-8870; frenchmeadowcafe.com
Grand Catch
Fancy seafood boil in a funky, casual atmosphere with killer drinks. Sounds good? We think so, too. Since chef Sameh Wadi’s version of the classic boil showed up in St. Paul, we think of as many excuses as possible to get there and get dirty. (If you weren’t aware, wearing white while eating here is a big mistake.)
We love getting a cluster of crab legs boiled in the restaurant’s signature sauce and slurping the meat out of the shells while washing it down with any one of the spot’s creative cocktails. But if you’re not in the mood for the mess, can we suggest one of the best chicken sandwiches in town? Seriously, it’s great.
1672 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-348-8541; grandcatchmn.com
Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit
Comfort food here that includes pot pies, biscuits, pastries and dessert pies are in a league of their own, thanks to careful attention to detail and cheffy touches that make for winning combinations. The Chicken Pot Pie — 6-inch individual serving-sized gems that have a buttery, flaky crust, not to mention juicy, brined chicken, fresh-cut veggies and a savory gravy — is executed wonderfully and one of the best around.
As big of a draw at this casual spot are the airy and flaky biscuits, which can be ordered individually or as breakfast or chicken sandwiches
Sweet pies are also not to be missed, including the Toasted Vanilla pie on a Nilla wafer crust and topped with mascarpone cream pie that is a staff favorite. Get some quality coffee sourced from a local roaster to go with your order.
We also love that during the pandemic, Hot Hands started a program in which you can pay it forward. In other words, you can purchase a slice of pie for a stranger for $5 when placing your order in person or online.
272 Snelling Ave. S., St. Paul; 651-300-1503; hothandspie.com
Nashville Coop
The block just off the corner of St. Clair and Snelling avenues has seen a giant boom in awesome restaurants in the past year, and Nashville Coop is among them.
The restaurant keeps things simple by offering just a few variations on one well-executed item: Nashville Hot Chicken. You can get it in sandwich or tender form, and if you like uber-crispy, spicy chicken, you should definitely go get it. (If you’re spice-averse, there’s a non-spicy version, too.) Hot tip: Ask for extra sauce for your fries. You won’t regret it.
300 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul; nashvillecoop.com
Shish
There’s a reason this St. Paul spot near Macalester college has been around for 14 years. The casual eatery has been consistent in serving up tasty Mediterranean fare, from omelets to burgers and gyros to curries. And let’s not forget the kebabs, one of our favorite menu items. The spot is also great for those wanting delicious non-meat options. The Tabouli, Lentil Soup, Falafel Pita and the Shish Maza Mix, a vegetarian mixed plate of starters and sides that includes hummus, babaganoush, falafel, tabbouli, olives and pita bread, are also some top picks here, vegetarian or not.
1668 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-690-2212; shishongrand.com
Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks
Another newbie to the area, this pizza and cheesesteak joint has quickly become one of our favorite takeout destinations.
Located in the former St. Clair Broiler space (just across the street from Hot Hands Pie & Biscuit and Chip’s Clubhouse), this modern, efficient counter-service space is churning out some seriously good wood-fired pies and cheesesteaks. The sandwiches are among the best of their kind in the Twin Cities, so it’s no wonder there’s already a cult following. We’re fans of the Supreme, piled with steak, grilled onions and peppers (sweet and hot) and slathered with Cheez Whiz (and, yes, they have other cheese options if you’re bright-yellow-goo averse).
As for the pizzas, choose your favorite toppings, they’re all awesome. We are spice lovers, so the Spicy Tono, with pepperoni cups, hot honey and chili oil is our current addiction.
1580 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul; 651-243-1978; tonomn.com
"eat" - Google News
May 06, 2021 at 05:32PM
https://ift.tt/3nVEkG2
11 favorite places to eat in Mac-Groveland - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press
"eat" - Google News
https://ift.tt/33WjFpI
https://ift.tt/2VWmZ3q
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "11 favorite places to eat in Mac-Groveland - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press"
Post a Comment