Casual, yet refined Minneapolis American eatery

I was lucky enough to dine with my friend, Julie, whom I do not have the opportunity to see very often so it was a treat to be able to catch up, especially since her field of work is similar to mine. She chose Restaurant Alma in Minneapolis and I was eager to try this restaurant since I am already a fan of Brasa - the restaurant Chef Roberts opened eight years after opening Restaurant Alma.

Chef Alexander Roberts is well known in the culinary circle in the Twin Cities and there is good reason he receives such respect. Every detail in this restaurant was carefully thought out and executed flawlessly. From the hostess who took my coat to the server who was quiet, yet professional, the details did not go unnoticed.

The selection of wines included a wide range which easily complemented the food. The server was very knowledgeable about the wine (and that knowledge was confirmed when I heard her speak to another table who were asking for some specific details).

The bread basket featured fresh, warm bread that was hearty while still soft. The butter even featured coarse salt sprinkled on top.

The menu consists of three categories, of which you choose one from each for the tasting menu. I would highly recommend this as it gives a nice variety of flavors as well as textures and presentations. The first course is comprised of starters/salads. I enjoyed the Snap Pea & Mushroom Salad even though I typically don't eat mushrooms. This starter was detailed in textures as well as colors and the flavors blended well for this spring dish. Julie enjoyed a dish that included tempura fried mushrooms with lentils.

Our next course consisted of grains and pastas. I tried the Masa Corn & Black Bean Cake which included braised lamb, pickled carrot and avocado. Again, this is not a dish to which I would typically gravitate, but I was pleasantly surprised by the mix of textures between the corn cake and the braised lamb. Julie ordered the Tumeric Roasted Halibut. There was a small piece of halibut on top of rice noodles with a variety of spices and cashews. The blend of flavors along with the substance of the noodles created a dish worth savoring.

Our entree course consisted of meat and seafood. I opted for the crispy trout which was accompanied with a few grilled fingerling potatoes and topped with an anchovy-almond sauce. Julie had the scallops which was paired with a refreshing side.

Although we were very satisfied with our three courses, I knew I couldn't leave without trying dessert. I opted for the Manchego Cheesecake and Julie tried the Honey Chocolate Pot du Creme. I would highly recommend both. The cheesecake had just the right amount of sweetness but creamier than a typical cheesecake. The roasted strawberries were especially exquisite and a delightful departure from the typical strawberry accompaniment. Julie's Pot du Creme was paired with honeycomb candy and chocolate angel food cake.

If you are looking for a refined dinner while in a relaxed atmosphere, this is the place for you. You could go for a special occasion as easily as you could for a weekday night dinner with a friend. You will not be disappointed.

www.restaurantalma.com

Popular Neighborhood Pub

On a Thursday evening in April, I met a friend at the Blue Door Longfellow. As soon as I walked up to the bright blue door, I knew the vibe would be lively (door not withstanding). Inside, it was standing room only (for which I was not surprised considering the St. Paul location is also popular - and half the size of its Minneapolis counterpart). The crowd was a myriad of people which included twenty-somethings, middle-aged couples and a few families. The bar was crowded as was the small bar rail area by the front window as people waited to be seated. The hostess was extremely friendly considering how many people were waiting for a table and how loud it was on this evening. Even after she told me it could be a bit of a wait, she mentioned how she hoped I would stick around. It was only about five minutes before she offered me a table at the Longfellow table (a long communal table in the center of the restaurant). Unfortunately, since it was so loud and we would have been in between two larger groups, I was afraid I wouldn't even be able to hear my friend so I opted to wait for a table for two. About three minutes later, I was ushered to a table towards the back near the kitchen. During my wait, I was definitely feeling the vibe, between the crowd and the music (IZ version of "What a Wonderful World" followed by "Sweet Home Alabama").

My friend joined me just a few minutes after being seated and he ordered a stout while I ordered a glass of wine. Our server seemed rushed and somewhat annoyed that we were even there. However, it was loud and very busy so perhaps it was just a long day for her. We ordered cheese curds right away (from Ellsworth creamery, of course) and they were delicious - just the right amount of grease, cheese and light batter.

After our cheese curds had been sufficiently eaten, our burgers arrived. Although I am trying desperately to branch out in this culinary tour, I still cannot commit to any kind of cheese on or in a burger so I opted for a typical burger. The burger I had was somewhat dry and nothing worth remembering. The hand cut fries were very delicious with just the right amount of saltiness. My friend ordered a burger "cowboy" style which consisted of bbq sauce, some extra cheese with an onion ring on top. He mentioned right away that there was very little sauce and would have preferred a bit more.

I am willing to try this place again since it's a vibrant scene and I am hoping for a server with a bit more interaction (especially since my initial interaction with the hostess was positive) along with a burger that did not taste as though it was rushed along (I did not indicate how I wanted the burger prepared and it came out medium well to almost well done).

www.thebluedoorpubmn.com