Back in the middle of November I had a post about the places I was planning to review in the coming weeks and I have done almost all of those listed including Everest on Grand, Taste of Thaiyai, and Applewood Rustic Grille but there are still a couple that we just haven’t gotten around to yet. Well, in between then and now we have added two additional places to the list (one which has been longstanding but I just didn’t have the right time to go) which we will be hitting up in the next 10 days.
The first is I Nonni in Lilydale. Kim and I have back-to-back birthdays and have friends (Laura and Josh) who also have birthdays around ours. So we’re meeting up with them on Friday for a nice dinner, which has come recommended by local foodie god MSPD himself. I’ve been told that their braised meats are excellent and unless something changes my mind at the last minute, I’ll probably be trying one of those. Being that I Nonni has been awarded Mpls/St Paul Mag’s award for “Best Italian Dining” every single year since 2002, I can only hope that it will not disappoint.
The second is Ansari’s Grill which just opened up in Eagan. They are an offshoot of the Mediterranean Cruise Cafe which is moving to Burnsville’s Heart of the City. I’m meeting a couple of friends there on the 30th and should have something good to report back following that. If you’re interested, there were a couple of coupons available in last week’s Thisweek newspaper including $5 off a $25 order and $10 off a $50 order (one coupon per table).
In other news, Jensen’s Supper Club received water damage due to the sprinkler system freezing and dumping water everywhere. According to that blog post, they hope to be back up and running by Friday. If I hear anything, I’ll keep you posted.
Ronin Sushi Cafe has a coupon out which nets you a free bottle of wine if you show up and have a table of four all order entrees between Monday and Wednesday. The selection of wines is limited but it sounds like a nice night out if you’re looking for something to do. I’m going there with Josh on Saturday and would love it if someone wanted to get together with Kim and I to split that free bottle of wine some other day ;-)
Have you heard any other South Metro restaurant news? Openings, closings, etc? If so, please feel free to post them below. We’re always looking to get to new places to review and update listings of existing locations which may have closed down. So comment on and let us know what’s up!
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January 19th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I have yet to try Ronin. A bottle of wine is a good motivator though.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Since you mentioned closings, E’s Cheese closed both their Mendota Heights and Woodbury locations. Both the cheese and the staff were really great. I’m sorry to see them go.
January 20th, 2009 at 11:44 am
I Nonni is fantastic, I’d be surprised if you don’t enjoy it!
January 20th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
“El Lorito” mexican restaurant will be opening on or about Feb.14th in the building previously occupied by Rockys Grill at 8275-210th St West in Lakeville.Same owners as El Loro in Burnsville will feature a full bar and complete menu…..
March 6th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
Okay, trying El Lorito tonight with family….anyone know of any coupons online for them….Yep, i am that cheap LOL
March 6th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I dont, sorry. I hope you enjoy it, but personally I have always like Teresas in Lakeville and hope this does not take away from that.
March 6th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
Chad,
Must say I completely agree, I am trying it only because my clinical condition to always try the new place and be disappointed 50% of the time! I have also heard a dirty rumor that a Mexican joint may open in the spaces being filled in the cub foods lot…the new building there! Anyone know of its validity? Now, if thats the case i couldn’t see supporting it just because its proximity…thats just rude!
March 6th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Thats interesting. I love mexican food, or probaby better to say the version of mexican food provided at places like Teresas and El Loro, but I honestly dont see much to differentiate the places in terms of food. I enjoy Teresas because its consistently good, the place is usually pretty clean, its always fast, and the people have always been friendly. While I have found El Loro/Toro/Zateca all to have similar food, the service has not always been great.
I just wonder how many nearly identical mexican places can open within a 10 to 15 mile radius and still have decent business.
March 9th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
ok, so 5 of us head on down to “El Lorito” Friday night…
First off, Can we say what an improvement to how the place looks and feels! No longer do you walk into the space and disappear into a vacuum of self loathing and despair. Now you walk into an establishment that offers cheer and some amount of excitement! So, that being said let it be known that apparently they have only been open a couple weeks??? ….so, the service was TERRIBLE!!!!! We sat at the middle table in the whole place for about 20 minutes when i finally waved the owner over and then things started to happen! Our server himself was still quite forgetful and not up to par for a busy dinner rush at all, however we had the big guy on our side HAHA! The food came and must say….although waiting still for my horchata I ordered nearly 20 minutes prior and just laughing about it now instead of ruining mine or anyone else’s night…..the food was super hot extra spicy as ordered and tasted truly wonderful. I ordered the combo special burrito with chicken, beef and shrimp…really good tasting and would say a pleasant experience over all. The owner did comp us $10 dollars off for all the service related issues, but I would have never asked for it seeing as though the company was good, food was good and ambiance that night was terrific there! Will go back for sure!
March 9th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
I choose Teresa’s over any of the El Loro Toro Lorito restaurants. For me, there is nothing unique about the El Toros. Teresa’s does have all of those same standard “Mexican” dishes, but also some really great ones that you can’t get elsewhere and the service is typically excellent. If you go to Teresa’s, try the Burrito Juanito!
March 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Thanks for the update Jermarley.
I love this type of food, and for me, its such a hard thing to screw up. Some beans, some rice, some chicken, chopped up with some cheese and a tortilla. Then you decide if its going to be a taco, a burrito, an enchilada, or a chimichanga. But all in all, pretty standard at all these places.
I will give it a try after a few weeks, but I will probably be back to Teresas, as they just are consistently good imo.
March 10th, 2009 at 11:53 am
I’ve heard Teresa’s is worth it just for the margaritas.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Does anyone have some suggestions for a good prime rib dinner? I am taking the husband out for a little romancing and would like to treat him to prime rib. We haven’t gone out for an expensive dinner in many moons – (6 years of college students). Any ideas would be helpful. I have tentative reservations at Jensen’s.
February 10th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
If you want to stay in the south Metro, Jensen’s is your best bet for prime rib. If you want to go a little further, Kincaid’s in Bloomington does prime rib very well. I wouldn’t go there for anything else, though. Same with Redstone in Eden Prairie. Their prime rib actually had a smoked flavor (they do smoke some of their meats)…it was a little unusual for prime rib, but it worked very well.
February 10th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I like Prime Rib, and have always enjoyed Jensens. We have not been for quite some time, but always thought it was good. The popovers are good, and the cheesy hashbrowns are incredible.
Its also kind of a cool place. Dark wood and leather and usually a lounge singer or piano player at night.