I've had a couple of great lunches recently.
First up is Pop!. Pop is in an odd unassuming location in northeast Minneapolis. It has quite a nice menu with great fresh soups, super competent salads and interesting entrees. It's not the fastest place for lunch but the food has been really good both times I've been there. It's a really nice switch from the chain restaurants found in nearby Roseville. Maybe I like it best of all since it's such an unexpected gem and it's a nice place for a conversation -- the great food is just a bonus. (I love the little coffee shop across the street too.)
POP! A Neighborhood Restaurant 2859 Johnson St. NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418 612.788.0455Next up, Cosetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria located in downtown St. Paul a short walk from the Science Museum and not far from the Excel Energy Center. They have a really impressive selection of salads, pastas with a fabulous sauce, and pizzas. The prices are good and the deli style ordering ensures a quick service for the famished. It's what casual dining should look like in my opinion. When you are done eating they have a great little specialty market where you can pick up some great deli items like specialty sausages or fresh mozzarella cheeses. I love their red sauces on the lasagna. If you haven't been there do yourself a favor and go there next time you are near downtown St. Paul.
Cossetta's Italian Market & Pizzeria 211 7TH St W St Paul, MN 55102-2520 View Map (651) 222-3476Last up, the hamburger chain Red Robin. When I went to D.C. this co-worker of mine (you know who you are) kept talking about her love of and desire for "greasy hamburgers". When I got home I had to have one myself. So I thought, "Hey what about this new place I keep driving past, Red Robin? It seems like a nice place." So I went there. The hamburger tasted fine, the service was really good, and the fries were very bland. Perhaps it was the portion size, I really don't know, all I know for sure is that I thought about looking for the Syrup of Ipecac when I got home. I felt bloated and greasy and I dreamed of relief. I'm not saying don't go there, I'm just saying it's not high on my list of places to go. You might like it for all I know. If you want a great burger I think Gordy's Hi Hat is the best place to go.
You wrote ... "Pop is in an odd unassuming location in northeast Minneapolis".
An odd neighborhood? I take offense - that's my old hangout. I used to live just a few blocks east of there. 'Nordeast' is nice, not odd. Sorry, non-nordeasters are odd.