Minneapolis advice

In the summer this is a fun place to enjoy a Surley:

http://seasalteatery.wordpress.com/

Have they chosen a spot for their new digs?

The whole tap room thing has really taken off here. The food trucks park outside so you get a beer and some quality grub. Fun times.

Iron Chet, tell me you had the chilli at The Loon. It is still there. Did you make it over to Gluek's?

 

My brother used to manage Glam Slam... how's mom?

 

Fine.

Not happy about the snow that's currently falling, but fine.

 

Had an amazing meal here last summer (downtown Minneapolis, walking distance from Target Field):

http://www.firelakerestaurant.com/

The food trucks downtown are great, too. This one was the best:

http://www.velleedeli.com/products.html

Nye's is a bar's bar. Recommended by everyone, but it's worth it.

 

Appears I've driven off the thread starter, but what the hell.

I go to Manny's a couple three times a year. Stay at the hotel it is in once a year. I'm older so I've aged out of the bar demos there, but our thread starter is much younger than me. I have my drinks and the youngsters have their fun so it all works out.

As far as the food, the seafood tower is good, enough for four. Sides are good, I end up with the loaded mashed and asparagus usually. Steaks have been all good in my experience. The Bludgeon of Beef is funky, never had it, never will, but have seen some do it. I had the bone-in ribeye last time and it was good. Not much a desert guy but I remember them going over well at the table.

Murray's is another option for steak in downtown, and Butcher and the Boar is also good, but I'd suggest Manny's.

 

@Machine Head, never had the Chili at The Loon but now I wish I had! I may have been to Glueks but the names all sort of run togethe.! There was a club in the basement of a hotel nearby that was the darkest public place I have been inside of in my life.

It is funny hearing mention of Glam Slam. We were walking there and saw a million cop cars at the front entrance dealing with something. I had a can of pepper spray that I blasted in to the general area as we turned away (I know, not smart, was during my younger, dumber days) and much coughing and hilarity ensued.

We ended up at First Avenue hoping for a Prince sighting but instead listening to some real shitty punk band.

Minneapolis is my favorite cold weather city and I would live there in an instant if I could. Great people, awesome outdoor lifestyle, tons of fun.

 

Try the jumbo martini. It's supposed to be their specialty. http://tinyurl.com/Mr-Jones-and-Me

 

Trust me on this, you should go for J.D. Hoyt's on Washington Ave. It's a steaks, chops, seafood place, kind of a sports bar/restaurant, only with GREAT food. Way better value than the Manny's, Morton's, Murray's approach of $50 steaks and ala carte everything.

Get the Buddy Bowl and the pork chops. Go for the 2 chops instead of one and split it with one of your buds for a really great deal.

This place never has disappointed me or my sports journo friends when in town for a game.

About a block away from J.D. Hoyt's is an old school establishment, the Monte Carlo, with a 50s/60s feel and a towering shelf of liquor behind the classic bar.

 

Good call on Hoyt's. Quality establishment.

The adult entertainment joint next door, yeesh.

Maybe we can get Mizzou booked on Sid's Sunday radio show and get him a certificate for a silver butter-knife steak at Murray's.

 

If they had a guy cuffed, face-down on the pavement I'm thinking that may have been Buck.

 

Not sure if they have the spot picked out yet, at least as of the last time I traded some messages with Todd before Xmas. I've seen the plans and they look glorious. Hopefully they make it happen and can expand their distribution. I'd kill to be able to get Furious, Abrasive and especially Bitter Brewer on a regular basis.

 

The new Surley joint should be cool.

A couple of places to check out if you make it to the east side of the river next time you're in town:

http://thehappygnome.com/

http://www.crnook.com/

http://www.mancinis.com/

Outdoor dining:

http://www.wafrost.com/