Twin Cities' Best Family-Friendly Dining 2008

This tight-knit neighborhood Italian restaurant serves 21 freshly made pastas and risottos.

Reviews:

• “FABULOUS FOOD but lacking in service”
• “A Proven Winner”
• “Fabulous and Unique”
• “Great Pasta Bar!”
• “The End”

Tips: You can’t make reservations for parties smaller than six, and it’s often crowded. Instead, call about an hour in advance and get your name on the list.

Broders Southside Pasta Bar

A bustling Italian eatery that’s been serving home-style delicacies since 1911.

Reviews:

• “Cossetta’s is the place to go in St. Paul for Italian foods.”
• “A St. Paul institution. Real, traditional, no-joking-around Italian-American food.”
• “CHE TROIARIA”
• “A truly hilarious degree of incompetence "
• “Pure and simple a great place to go. "

Tips: Parking is a breeze, since Cossetta’s has its own lot.

Cossetta’s Italian Market & Pizzeria

This neighborhood institution has been offering a popular brunch, remarkable steaks and a romantic patio since 1933.

Reviews:

• “Heaven on Earth”
• “sophomorics & weak apologies, and at the same price you’d pay at a REAL premium steak house”
• “Excellent brunch, cozy atmosphere”
• “Let’s face it, picking your own fish to cook up is still cool”
• “Jax Cafe”

Tips: When calling for reservations, spell out your name for the reservationist. When you arrive at your table, you’ll find matchbooks with your name printed on them.

Jax Cafe

A devoted clientele lines up to devour big burritos and enormous enchiladas at this family-run joint.

Reviews:

• “Quality and reasonably priced.”
• “Love it, always have always will!!”
• “Never going back”
• “great food!”
• “About average food – but fun!”

Tips: Pepito’s has a serious following and doesn’t take reservations, so get there early and be prepared for a wait.

Pepito’s Tex-Mex Bar and Grill

Find homespun cuisine with a 21st-century touch.

Reviews:

• “Great people watching and breakfast!”
• “Service was slow and insulting”
• “Quite tasty!”
• “Best breakfast around”
• “Good but not a Kid Place”

Tips: This company also owns the Longfellow Grill and the Highland Grill.

Edina Grill

American menu with Southwestern flavors. Build-your-own-pizza stations, rotisserie and steaks. Fresh margaritas, daily drink and dinner specials.

Reviews:

• “Great ambiance and service…. so-so food”
• “THE PLACE for pretentious people and overpriced fair”
• “Overpriced”
• “BEST FOOD AND SERVICE!!”
• “Will not return, Do not recommend”

Tips: Fresh mango margaritas and pepper-spiked bloody marys are the specialties here.

Axel’s Bonfire

Chinese and Vietnamese eatery in the Asian Commercial Center known for authentic dishes at a good value.

Reviews:

• “LOVE THIS PLACE!”
• “Not so good these days”
• “Authentic Chinese does not include Sesame Chicken and Lo Mein”
• “Best Chinese in the Twin Cities.. if not, EVER!”
• “Don’t just order lo-mein!”

Tips: The dishes marked on the menu as hot aren’t exceptionally spicy, so don’t be timid.

Rainbow Chinese Restaurant

Minneapolis chain serving lumberjack platters of home-style Midwestern food since 1973.

Reviews:

• “Plentiful homemade fare”
• “BAD Service”
• “Good old Small Town Breakfast”
• “Throw away the Keys”
• “price, food, service rip off”

Tips: Find all metro Keys Cafe locations.

Keys Cafe

Cool cocktails, a chic vibe and tasty Thai cookery make this a happening Uptown hangout.

Reviews:

• “Perfect for those who like to be treated like garbage.”
• “Absolutely delicious!”
• “Some of the best Thai food in town, great food and drink options, good decor and friendly staff.”
• “Best Thai in town”
• “One of the best meals in Minneapolis”

Tips: The drink list offers an assortment of fruity delights: Try a Phuket Sunset or a lemongrass martini.

Chiang Mai Thai

This spot in the old Linden Hills firehouse is casual enough to bring the kids, yet cool enough for couples.

Reviews:

• “Very Good Latin Dish”
• “Warm & cozy near Lake Harriet”
• “wierd, just wierd”
• “Russian Roulett”
• “Tonya and Thorsten’s Favorite Restaurant”

Tips: The wine list features reasonably priced choices, while an unusual beer selection includes some Belgian picks. Because of the liquor license, you must order food with your wine or beer.

Cafe Twenty-Eight

This neighbrhood restaurant puts a modern spin on the old-school diner concept.

Reviews:

• “Disappointed on menu change and bad customer service.”
• “LOoong Wait on food. Too Crowded. Bad service for average food.”

Longfellow Grill

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