Program a new restaurant into your dining-out agenda.
Diner's Journal: Eastside and two other new Twin Cities area restaurants to try
At restaurateur Ryan Burnet's great-looking Eastside, chef Remy Pettus is preparing dishes such as tuna poke accented with tart grapefruit and mild Fresno chiles, fried chicken on a pretzel roll and slow-braised pork shoulder with apples and sage. Among its many libation-making skills, the bar produces a trio of sherry cocktails. Dinner daily, happy hour 4 to 6 p.m. weekdays. Weekend brunch begins Nov. 7.
305 Washington Av. S., Mpls., 612-208-1638, eastsidempls.com
Rock Elm Tavern is open for business in the space most recently home to Digby's (and, before that, Eat Shop Kitchen & Bar). Owner Troy Reding, a Blue Plate Restaurant Co. veteran, is focusing on burgers (a half-dozen varieties), steaks and chops, salads and a half-dozen beer-friendly snacks to match the bar's impressive craft brew roster. Lunch and dinner daily.
16605 County Road 24, Plymouth, 763-208-4451,
rockelmtavern.com
Ten busy years after debuting Yum! Kitchen and Bakery in St. Louis Park, owner Patti Soskin has launched a second location of her popular counter-service setup. The former Pairings Food & Wine Market in Minnetonka now boasts sparkling surroundings and channels Soskin's made-from-scratch philosophy into fresh, flavorful, $15-and-under fare. Don't miss the tarragon chicken salad sandwich (on house-baked challah) or the spectacular coconut layer cake. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
6001 Shady Oak Road, Minnetonka, 952-933-6001,
yumkitchen.com
RICK NELSON
about the writer
Deep-fried puffy tacos, dough ‘knots’ and s’mores ice cream sandwiches scored high on our list.