The September Hit List: Hola Arepa, City House, Animales Barbeque, and More

Sure, the griddled cornmeal cakes — plump with fillings like slow-roasted pork, sweet potatoes, fried chicken, and shredded beef — are the stars here, but don’t underestimate the draw of the well-crisped yuca fries that share the plate. Dunked in an herby chimichurri or tangy aioli verde, they’re the ultimate side. Cocktails are all about Latin American flavors and spirits: the Bayamo brings together two types of rum, mango, lime, mint, and cava, while the Palmera celebrates the pitch-perfect blend of Tequila, mezcal, cucumber, pineapple, and cilantro. Sipping one while tucked under the awning of the covered patio or one of the big aqua umbrellas is an idyllic way to revel in the waning days of summer.

Minneapolis’s newest food hall  is more than just a place to eat, drink, and be merry. It’s also an incubator for culinary talent, offering a lower-stakes way to partake in the Twin Cities food scene. The nine stands, all locally owned, include a vegetable-forward restaurant (Advellum), a sushi bar (BaGu), a pizza joint (Wrecktangle), and spots serving empanadas, cheese, and charcuterie, and so much more. BoxCar Bar has a nifty list of cocktails, including a handful created to honor of the other vendors, and there’s even a tap wall where you can pour yourself beer, wine, cider, or kombucha.

No reservations.

Owner Jorge Guzmán had a hit on his hand the moment this small spot opened in South Minneapolis. That was last October, which meant it was takeout only, but earlier this year the dining room saw its first in-person diners and has been packed ever since. The burger — a double-decker piled with pickles, caramelized onions, and cheese — gets a lot of (justified) love, but the whole menu is a wow. So go ahead and fill your table with the likes of lamb meatballs, roasted beets, a bluefin tuna and avocado tostada, and the flank steak, each item riffed up with ingredients pulled from Guzmán’s Mexican roots.

After seven years, Heather Jansz — who established her bona fides, and her following, running two restaurants earlier in her career — has gone from pop-up to permanent, welcoming guests to sit down to a Sri Lankan dinner every Saturday night in the Cafe Wyrd space. Whether you choose the vegetarian meal or one that caters to meat-lovers, you’ll enjoy a feast of plenty, with rice, lentils, curried vegetables, sambal, and chutney. Add on roti — either coconut or egg — to help scoop up every last wonderful morsel. If you can’t make the weekend work, Jansz is happy to set up a private dinner for you and up to 17 others.

Having been noticed by the big guns — in this case, Food & Wine magazine — it wouldn’t be shocking for a little attitude to sneak into the operations. But owner Jon Wipfli continues to stay true to the food truck that’s parked at Able Seedhouse + Brewery. Although he’s expanded — a burger-centric truck now lives at Bauhaus Brew Labs — he hasn’t given in to frills, serving a limited menu Thursday through Sunday. That lets him focus on keeping the quality high for the smoked meats, tacos, bowls, sometimes sandwiches, and what may be the Cities’ best ribs. Duck into Able for a draft beer to quench your thirst.

No reservations.

For cocktails with a view, you can’t do much better than this under-the-radar hang on the banks of the Mississippi River. Lush ferns and strings of colored lights dangle from the rafters of this former grain elevator, which houses a spacious eat, drink, and play area (think beanbags, Jenga) ringed with glass garage doors that open to the elements, giving the place an indoor/outdoor feel. The money seats, though, are along the outside rail overlooking the river. Bar offerings are plentiful and include a rotating list of taps, canned bevvies (beer, cider, seltzer, soda), wine, and mixed drinks. And if you’re feeling peckish, the onsite Red River Kitchen food truck turns out casual bites like burgers, tacos, and nachos.

No reservations.

For decades, the Cossetta family has been serving Italian American fare from this location on West Seventh Street, although its legacy in the city goes back more than a century. Louis Ristorante is the apex of the empire, taking up the building’s third floor and rooftop. Expect classics like bruschetta, fried calamari, chicken Parmesan, and meatballs, with an impressively hearty list of pastas, many of which are available gluten free. The Taverna (patio) menu is more compact and casual — appetizers, sandwiches — but comes with lovely views of the city and the Cathedral of St. Paul. On your way out, stop at the pasticceria for a sweet finale, such as gelato, biscotti, or cannoli.

While Twin Citians wait for chef Ann Ahmed’s third venture to open (coming soon, fingers crossed), it’s worth revisiting the strip mall space that launched it all. Sixteen years after opening its doors, the restaurant has grown in size and continues to impress with a roster of Thai dishes influenced by Ahmed’s Laotian heritage, her travels, and other things that catch her fancy. In-the-know diners recommend starting with the basil chicken wings before diving into one of the curries, rice dishes, soups, salads, or something from the sushi bar. And save room for the mango sticky rice — it’s definitely worth it.

Call (763) 494-8809 for reservations.

A time-out last winter gave this sister spot to Plymouth’s Rock Elm a chance to recalibrate — and it came out swinging, with an updated menu filled with smoked meats and other from-scratch offerings. Prime examples: the chile-rubbed long rib, the pork chop, and the brisket. They’ll even add smoke to any beer, wine, or cocktail. Not to be missed are the tots, gooey with two types of cheese and served with a craveable bacon ketchup. Order during the twice-daily happy hour and get $5 off. Another good deal? Join the Rock Elm Insider club and they’ll treat you to a welcome pint and a burger on your birthday.

You probably won’t be surprised to find that a place named Tongue in Cheek doesn’t take itself too seriously — even though what comes out of the kitchen is anything but a joke. It’s fine-dining quality served in funky, casual digs, with an eclectic menu that flits from here to there: braised short ribs with a kimchi churri, chicken and waffles, crab and corn beignets, two takes on ramen, plus a meatless dish dubbed the Vegasm. One-bite wonders (aka Teasers), as intricately crafted as their main dish brethren, are a fun way to start off your meal.