Spoon and Stable
Minneapolis
The cuisine is American in thought and French in technique, with a foundation of classical sauces, bases, and cooking preparations.
Opened ∕ November 2014
Average Check ∕ $55
Chef/Owner ∕ Gavin Kaysen
112 Eatery
Minneapolis
Renowned for its tasty late-night dining (the restaurant is open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays), its chef won James Beard Best Chef: Midwest in 2011 and was a semifinalist for James Beard: Outstanding Chef in 2014.
Opened ∕ January 2005
Average Check ∕ $45 (estimate)
Chef/Owner ∕ Isaac Becker
Restaurant Alma
Minneapolis
Chef Roberts won James Beard Best Chef: Midwest in 2010, and the restaurant’s three-course tasting menu features ingredients from artisanal producers of wine, cheese, and honey, with signature dishes such as Grilled Quail and Orecchiette Pasta.
Opened ∕ 1999
Average Check ∕ $52
Chef/Owner ∕ Alexander Roberts
The Bachelor Farmer
Minneapolis
The building that houses the restaurant was built in 1881 as a brick-and-timber warehouse, the restaurant grows its own produce in a garden on the roof, and the Nordic-influenced menu is updated weekly.
Opened ∕ August 2011
Average Check ∕ $25–$40 (estimate)
Owner ∕ Eric and Andrew Dayton
Chef ∕ Paul Berglund
La Belle Vie
Minneapolis
Elegant and sophisticated, this French-Mediterranean restaurant is one of the Twin Cities’ most renowned eateries, with three tasting menus that radiate complexity and care. Chef McKee won James Beard Best Chef: Midwest in 2009.
Opened ∕ March 1998
Average Check ∕ $150 (estimate)
Chef/Owner ∕ Tim McKee
Heyday
Minneapolis
Chef Jim Christiansen’s exploratory menu—a maze of colors, flavors, and imaginative small plates—includes proteins such as duck breast and spiced lamb. This is the newcomer that may be less well known, but other chefs say to check out.
Opened ∕ April 2014
Average Check ∕ $35–$55 (estimate)
Owner ∕ Michael Prickett
Borough & Parlour
Minneapolis
Playful and artistic define both the food and ambiance at this dynamic duo, which opened at the onset of the fast-growing North Loop neighborhood’s revival. The upscale Borough features an open kitchen with a bright, airy dining experience while the complementary Parlour, where guests often start and end their evening, is a low-lit, cozy setting that’s all about the cocktail, albeit with upscale bar snacks.
Opened ∕ January 2013
Annual Sales ∕ $3–$4 million
Average Check ∕ $65–$70
Owners ∕ Brent Frederick and Jacob Toledo, founders of Jester Concepts
Lucia’s
Minneapolis
Chef Lucia Watson opened Lucia’s as one of the first true farm-to-table restaurants with a menu that changes weekly and a focus on seasonal, local foods; she was the owner/operator for 30 years until selling the restaurant to Jason Jenny in December.
Opened ∕ February 1985
Annual Sales ∕ $3–$4 million
Average Check ∕ $25
Owner ∕ Jason Jenny
Roma Café
Detroit
The same family has owned and operated this landmark Italian restaurant since 1928, and—testament to the fact that its hospitality knows virtually no bounds—guests are welcomed with complimentary valet parking and shuttle service is provided to area sports and entertainment events.
Opened ∕ 1890
Annual Sales ∕ $2 million
Average Check ∕ $36 dinner, $18 lunch
Owners ∕ Janet Sossi Belcoure
Slurping Turtle
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Attracting newbies and Asian food lovers alike with its homemade noodles, Slurping Turtle epitomizes the best of the noodle shops of Japan and, on a personal level, of Chef Yagihashi’s childhood experiences. Before opening Slurping Turtle, he won James Beard Best Chef: Midwest in 2003.
Opened ∕ April 2014
Annual Sales ∕ $2 million
Average Check ∕ $24
Chef/Owner ∕ Takashi Yagihashi
Grove
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Selected as Business Insider‘s Best Restaurant in Michigan in 2015, Grove highlights New American cuisine with a focus on local and seasonal ingredients.
Opened ∕ September 2011
Annual Sales ∕ $2–$3 million
Average Check ∕ $53
Owners ∕ James Berg, managing partner; Jeff Gietzen, partner; Brad Teachout, director of operations; and Patrick Wise, executive chef
Café Benelux
Milwaukee
In this beer-focused European café—the bier menu has 50 pages, including three exclusives direct from the Lowlands Brewing Company in Ertvelde, Belgium—Chef Justin Fuhrman celebrates the culture and food of Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, with signature favorites like pannenkoeken, a thick Belgian crepe.
Opened ∕ June 2011
Annual Sales ∕ $5–$8 million
Average Check ∕ $18–$20
Owners ∕ Mike Eitel and Eric Wagner
Ardent
Milwaukee
A finalist for James Beard Best Chef: Midwest this year, Chef Justin Carlisle puts a creative spin on Ardent operations. In the intimate 23-seat space, chefs serve, servers cook, and on weekend nights after two seatings of an upscale prix fixe menu, the restaurant converts to a Ramen shop, which serves 120 diners in 90 minutes.
Opened ∕ October 2013
Annual Sales ∕ $460,00–$500,000
Average Check ∕ $100
Chef/Owner ∕ Justin Carlisle
