What is the best restaurant in downtown Minneapolis for a formal date?

Question

My girlfriend will be coming up to visit me in mid-May and I would like to take her out on a formal date to a restaurant that is reasonably nice but not likely to completely break the bank. What suggestions do you have for a restaurant with a good atmosphere?

By the way, why in the world does Yahoo! Answers not have a section for Minneapolis-St. Paul like it does for other metros?

Answer 1

Restaurants have changed in the Twin Cities the last 5 years with a nice increase in highly rated NEIGHBORHOOD restaurants instead of the big chains or legacy (heritage) restaurants like Murray's. So check around your neighborhood first!

That being said, the 1st link is for the top restaurants in the cities from Minneapolis St Paul magazine. (Always go with a poll where customers vote!)

1. Kincaid’s

1st special occasion

2nd romantic

3rd (tie) bar menu

3rd seafood

4th (tie) dessert

5th (tie) brunch

2. The Oceanaire Seafood Room

1st seafood

3rd service

4th special occasion

3. La Belle Vie

1st service

2nd French

2nd special occasion

2nd wine list

3rd romantic

5th (tie) new restaurant

4. Lake Elmo Inn ----My 2nd Choice (7th Link)

1st brunch

1st wine list

2nd dessert

2nd (tie) neighborhood restaurant

2nd (tie) service

3rd comfort food,

3rd special occasion

4th salads

5th (tie) bar menu

5th (tie) seafood

5th Twin Cities institution

5. 112 Eatery (tie)

2nd (tie) late-night dining

St. Paul Grill (tie)

4th brunch

4th (tie) service

4th Twin Cities institution

6. Murray’s

1st Twin Cities institution

2nd steak

5th (tie) special occasion

7. Manny’s Steak House

1st steak

2nd (tie) service

3rd (tie) sandwiches

4th wine list

8. Vincent A Restaurant

1st French

9. Palomino

5th (tie) bar menu

10. Jax Cafe-------------------MY Choice (see 4th/5th/6th links)

3rd (tie) brunch

3rd outdoor dining

3rd Twin Cities institution

5th (tie) romantic

5th special

Anther place to look for a restaurant is City Pages guide (2nd link) with a pull-down directory.)

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For the 2 years I've been answering questions, I've asked SEVERAL TIMES that we be added to the list of cities--even if it was as the TWIN CITIES. But we are fly-over country and anyone in California (Yahoo's headquarters) or New York doesn't see our cities as worthy of notice. (Yet, Craigslist does...go figure!)

Hope you have a great evening!

Answer 2

The cut and paste answer from above is ok, but not very helpful.  I would recommend asking at Chowhound.com.  You'll get a lot of local and very detailed answers!

I would choose Solera for a downtown nice but not crazy expensive dinner.  I would also consider some places like Al Vento http://alventorestaurant.com/eat.asp and I really like Broder's http://www.broders.com/pasta-bar/index.h... although the atmosphere is nice, I'm not sure about romantic.

Loring Pasta Bar is a pretty cheap place with a very romantic atmosphere on some nights (check to see if there's entertainment)

Answer 3

Top 10:

A. Nicollet Island Inn - www.nicolletislandinn.com - [phone] -

B. Manny's Steakhouse - www.mannyssteakhouse.com - [phone] -

C. Oceanaire Seafood Room - www.theoceanaire.com - [phone] -

D. Cue At the Guthrie - www.cueatguthrie.com - [phone] - s

E. Solera Restaurant - www.solera-restaurant.com - [phone] -

F. Fugaise - www.fugaise.com - [phone]

G. Murray's Restaurant & Cocktail - www.murraysrestaurant.com - [phone] -

H. Chino Latino - www.chinolatino.com - [phone] -

I. Cosmos Restaurant - www.cosmosrestaurant.com - [phone] -

J. 112 Eatery - www.112eatery.com - [phone]