BIRDHOUSE ON HENNEPIN
American • $$ • 2516 Hennepin Av. S. • 612-377-2213
At Birdhouse, Stewart and Heidi Woodman, the couple behind the nearby Heidi's, serve healthful, sustainable grub all day long in a bright and modestly appointed Hennepin Avenue duplex (formerly the restaurant known as Duplex). Birdhouse offers thoughtful cooking that celebrates the natural beauty of its components. Vegetarian options in particular showcase the splendid results that can be achieved through skillful technique and deep respect for one's ingredients. Sweet pea pâté is verdant and smooth, with tangy goat cheese and mint accents, a snowy crème fraiche cap and pink sea salt sprinkle served with crisp sunflower rye toasts. The recently expanded portion of mushroom terrine is an umami-licious satin pâté of mushroom essence. Soups, salads and desserts all sing with a balanced suite of discernible flavors. The lemon curd dessert is all plush and tang, accompanied by the ripest of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and crumbly hazelnut cookies to sprinkle on top. Even the avian-themed cocktail menu is ingredient-driven: The Starling tastes as multifaceted and iridescent as a Hildebrandt's plumage, with organic rum, blueberries, cardamom, falernum and cava. Check the calendar for events like NFL football on Sundays and Mondays, with $2 taps and free firecracker popcorn at the upstairs bar. Yes, even diehard football fans can enjoy the ethereal pleasures of eating like a bird. Because contrary to popular belief, birds eat really well.KAT KLUEGEL
American • $$ • 2115 W. 21st St. • 612-377-6876
The new Kenwood Cafe is the work of Don Saunders (of In Season fame), who is best known for his seasonally inspired culinary wizardry. Kenwood promises to provide everything the neighborhood desires -- including Dogwood coffee and pastries from Patisserie 46 in the morning, as well as daily brunch, lunch and dinner. Service is swift and informed, and the wine list provides a variety of excellent options. Duck offal cigars are the perfect opening act: cigar-shaped, sweet and tender duck confit, heart and liver encased in crisp Moroccan brick pastry sheaths and laid on a plate-lickin' port reduction and fresh white figs. Sweet corn soup is thick and smoky-sweet, with savory and earthy accents of bacon and chanterelles. The beef tataki is a stunner: square slices of Peterson Family Farm-sourced beef with piquant pickled cauliflower and squash on top of lush smears of satisfying soy paint, dotted with kicky spice of Japanese mayo and nori and black sesame accents. A sensual deconstructed buttery carrot cake came with cinnamon ice cream, black walnut and raisin. Things were so delightful that we fantasized about finding a place to hide for an impromptu slumber party, because we wanted to see what kind of enchantments might await us for breakfast in the morning. K.K.
Asian • $$ • 2919 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. • 612-824-6300
Social House is the perfect place to bring your stiletto-heeled date after watching a foreign film and nearly making out in one of the balcony loveseats at the newly renovated Uptown Theater. This sleek mixology bar and Asian fusion lounge provide all the necessary elements to seal the deal: fruity and potent cocktails, gorgeous tricked-out maki rolls and sexy, red-lit ambience. Both cocktails and food veer toward the sweet -- lots of muddled fruit and sweet glazes. Small plates like the Bacon Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, made with flavorful Kobe beef, bacon and cheddar and a mango habanero ketchup, are oddly, gluttonously good. Multi-component signature maki ($16) are visual stunners. The Firecracker appears to explode with spicy diced octopus, jalapeño, tempura shrimp, scallion and eel sauce; and the Cardinal Sin's rose-carved strawberries added pretty freshness to the tempura shrimp and basil mayo. The closing act of this seduction would be best served by sharing a creamy dessert drink or the espresso-charged martini potion known as the 40 Weight Hustle, which packs the libational potency necessary to last all night long. K.K.
American • $$ • 2112 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. • 612-341-2112
Oysters, whiskey and eggs, cute and genuinely nice servers dressed in black and white, good beer and a kitchen that cares. The Lowry is the bar/bistro everyone wants -- no, needs -- in their 'hood. The menu has something for everyone without being insipid, and since the kitchen is scratch, you can expect inventive specials like a recent duck confit burger with marsala sauce and golden raisins, along with a standard but excellent burger and solid standbys like the best fish tacos in town or a sturdy grilled cheese with tomato soup shooter. Some of the best bar food around lives here, like buffalo chicken served nacho-style with blue cheese sauce over kettle potato chips (can I get a "hell, yes"?). Or if you want something less decadent but just as good, try the tuna tartare (they call it poke here): sparkling little cubes of raw fish dressed in sesame and scallion that you can scoop up with fried wonton chips. The Lowry is a neighborhood pub equally appropriate for you, your buddies, your grandma, the baby and your booze-quaffing self.MECCA BOS
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Common Roots Cafe: American. Ecofriendly cafe with deliciously chewy bagels, zippy salads, sandwiches and a few great dinner entrees. Emphasis on locally grown ingredients. (2558 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-871-2360.)
Falafel King - Uptown: Middle Eastern. Falafel and gyros served cafeteria-style. (701 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-824-7887.)
The Herkimer Pub & Brewery: American. Brewpub serving sandwiches and burgers. A spicy Cuban pork sandwich is the specialty. There's also a shuffleboard court. (2922 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-821-0101.)
Isles Bun & Coffee Co.: Bakery/Coffee. Caramel and cinnamon rolls, sweet breads, cookies, brownies, cakes and other goodies to make you salivate. (1422 W. 28th St., Mpls., 612-870-4466.)
