The July Hit List: Owamni, Maison Margaux, Blondette, and More

To say that Owamni has gotten a lot of press would be the understatement of all understatements. It’s garnered raves for its approach to Native cuisine in national and international outlets like the New Yorker, the Guardian, Vogue, and Time magazine — which included co-founder Sean Sherman on its 2023 list of 100 most influential people, under innovators, back in April. So if you’re wondering why it’s still a major feat to nab a reservation, that might have something to do with it.

Fortunately, the patio plays by the first come, first served rule — and includes gorgeous views of the river. The menu is an exploration of Indigenous dishes that avoid ingredients introduced during colonialism, such as wheat flour, cane sugar, beef, chicken, and pork. Instead, you’ll see items like wild mushrooms, corn, tepary beans, elk, duck, bison, and crawfish. Drinks follow the same ethos: You’ll find made-in-house birch beer; zero-proof cocktails boasting fruits, herbs, and flowers; tea (hot and iced); and coffee sourced from Indigenous roasters.

Wings, glorious wings! While there’s so much more to explore at this downtown Minneapolis icon, you’ll kick yourself if you leave without tasting these meaty, spice-crusted, fried-until-crispy brown beauties. While they might not be life-changing, they will change the way you look at every other wing you encounter. It might seem incongruous to tear into finger food in a retro glam dining room, but there’s no judgement here.

Speaking of: As welcoming as the indoor supper club setting is, now’s the time to take advantage of one of the best patios in the city (walk-ins only). There are bistro tables shaded by large sun umbrellas. There’s greenery. There are strings of lights for a romantic accent. Best of all, they offer the same menu outdoors, so you can still choose from classics like the shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, grilled Reuben, fish and chips, or liver and onions. Don’t forget to tack on a blood orange martini, the house specialty.

Call 612-333-5900 for reservations.

Since opening in 2021, this dining room has been known for its New Orleans fare and good time vibe. Every restaurant has a personality, and Mr. Paul’s is big. Even no occasion becomes a special occasion when you walk through the doors, thanks to the welcoming and upbeat staff. Plus, the menu itself has a few indulgences — a giant double-cut pork chop, a rib eye paired with lobster tail, a jumbo shrimp cocktail — that scream “celebration.” You’ll also find crawfish, crabcakes, gumbo, beignets, mushrooms stuffed with tasso ham, and more.

For drinks, a Hurricane or vieux carré will keep the party rolling. The frozen Irish coffee on its own is super popular, but even better is having it blended with a minty Grasshopper, turning it into the Frozen Supper Club Vice. If you like this spot for dinner, you should try it for brunch, which runs every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. That menu follows the same guide as its nighttime brother, focusing on dishes rich in the spirit of NOLA: shrimp and grits with red gravy, bananas Foster French toast, shrimp or crawfish po’boy, chicken and beignets.

Baker Marc Heu has made a name for himself in the Twin Cities in only three short years — pandemic years, nonetheless. So much so, recent move of the bakery he owns with his wife, Gaosong, from Frogtown to Cathedral Hill was Big News. One bonus of the relo is the potential for an outdoor patio (coming soon, fingers crossed) where you can sip on a coconut cream cold-brew latte while delicately nibbling (for those with self-control)/making quick work of (the rest of us) perfectly flaky croissants, fresh fruit tarts, baba au rum, the croissant doughnut of the month, and many more well-crafted treats. (There’s also a limited number of indoor seats.) On the weekends, keep an eye out for savory items, as well. The goods here tend to sell out quickly, so if you have your heart set on something specific, call the shop and order ahead so that it’s waiting for you when you arrive.

Find more info here.

Margie’s gets a lot of kudos for being a from-scratch restaurant in an area where chains rule. But even if it were located among others of its ilk, it would still stand out thanks to thoughtful touches. One of the most talked about? The warm cookies served at the end of the meal (save room). Another is the assortment of homemade dipping sauces for fries, fried yuca wedges, or chicken wings that go beyond the basic: tomatillo cream, Calabrian aioli, molasses barbecue, and a handful of others. The 10-inch, brick oven pizzas are another popular draw — shoutout to whoever named the Better Than a Bagel (topped with lox), Cluckin’ Awesome (grilled chicken, roasted red peppers), and Am I Umami? (caramelized onions and mushrooms) — with options for a regular crust, gluten-free cauliflower, or a vegan gluten-free version. Burgers, sandwiches, salads, pastas, steaks, and other protein-forward mains (chicken, salmon, walleye) round out the menu.

Rooftop dining is the name of the game at this spot in the Rand Tower Hotel, where you can enjoy dinner surrounded by the Minneapolis skyline. A retractable glass ceiling means you can still partake in the setting even when the weather isn’t cooperating. The cooking leans French (oysters, Parisian gnocchi, charred leeks, escargot with bone marrow, duck à l’orange) and is supported by a bounty of ingredients from the Pacific Northwest.

As of May, brunch is a new addition, offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Indulge in a decadent croque madame: Country ham cradled between two thick slabs of bread, topped with a fried egg and mornay sauce. The soft eggs with snails and the French toast are equally impressive, while the avocado toast with crab, fried egg, and beurre blanc could win an award for best twist on a trend. Brunch is made for cocktail time, and Blondette provides a roster of winners, from the classic kir royale to the Espresso, made with vodka, espresso, and a coffee liqueur from local distiller Du Nord.

Open for less than two months, the newest experience from longtime Twin Cities restaurateur David Fhima is generating big buzz. The restaurant is billed as a French brasserie: “Paris in the North Loop.” But lest you think that means checkered tablecloths, antique mirrors lining the walls, and art deco décor, Maison Margaux is outfitted to be more reminiscent of the modern light and bright, casual dining rooms in the City of Light.

The menu is where the brasserie style shines through, with classic dishes including bouillabaisse, frog legs, moules frites, short ribs, French onion soup, duck confit, and a warm Niçoise salad. Wine lovers will feel so seen here — the selection is nothing short of amazing. There are 30-plus options by the glass (how many other local restaurants can claim that?) and hundreds by the bottle. While there are plenty of French producers to pick from, you’ll really have an atlas of the wine world at your fingertips. The downstairs bar, with its Moulin Rouge-esque vibe, is sure to be a popular place for date night.

Call 612-900-1800 for reservations.

Dining options abound in this corner of St. Paul, but when you’re jonesing for a perfect margarita, look no further than Barrio. The Trinity, their flagship, makes its mark with (not surprisingly) three ingredients: Tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice. If you’re feeling fruity, order a Mama Cita, in which hibiscus, orange juice, and pineapple juice mingle with cava and Tequila. (Note: Cocktail kits for both those drinks are available to take home.) If you’re more of a straight-up kind of drinker, you’re in luck: The restaurant is known for its Tequila collection, comprising about 100 types — try a trio via a flight. You could make a meal of the small plates alone, dishes such as corn chowder, chicken enchiladas, queso fundido, and an assortment of tacos. Or order the all-in-one meal, a classic burrito, which you can have stuffed with barbacoa chicken, pork carnitas, steak, grilled vegetables, or spiced beef.

This Warehouse District stalwart — chef Isaac Becker’s first restaurant, opened in 2005 — has remained a hot pick, thanks to its tight but tempting fine-dining menu served in a chic yet casual atmosphere. Some may argue about which is better, a seat downstairs near the lively bar or a table upstairs where things are a tiny bit more mellow, but both give you access to the culinary goodness on display at dinner. It may be hard to move past the all-star lineup of appetizers — sweet burrata toast with walnut pesto, a Bibb and pineapple salad — but you’ll be equally dazzled by the pastas and entrees. Seafood lovers: Opt for the halibut. Crusted with prosciutto and pan-fried, it could convert even the fish-averse. Cocktails don’t disappoint, either. For a summer delight, try the Tickled Pink, a bright-red concoction that brings together watermelon, Campari, vanilla vodka, cinnamon, and a touch of basil.

Mall sushi used to have a bad rap. Fortunately, places like Yumi at Southdale have exponentially raised the bar. The aesthetic here is sleek, with blond wood tables and chairs and highback seats around the bar and large windows that allow plenty of light to filter in. While much of the menu is traditional — a variety of sushi and sashimi options, appetizers, noodle soups, fried rice, teriyaki, and tempura — the Yumi rolls allow the sushi team show off its creativity. Take the Lollipop, for example: The chef chooses the six varieties of fish wrapped around shrimp tempura, dynamite mix, and avocado. Another good bet is one of the specials, listed on the “features” board along with the fish of the day. Just in time for summer, the Sunshine Roll has arrived, a behemoth with crab, avocado, cucumber, and tempura shrimp on the inside, with slices of salmon — given a light, lovely sear — on top. It’s all finished off with garlic mayo, eel sauce, and tempura flakes.