Where to Eat in January: Chloe by Vincent, Bar Brava, Pau Hana, and More

When Vincent Francoual closed his celebrated, eponymous restaurant on Nicollet Mall in 2015, there was a collective gasp of dismay across the Twin Cities (if not beyond). The beloved chef had spent 14 years wooing diners with a blend of a convivial atmosphere and French-style comfort food. (Cassoulet! Steak frites!) While he’s spent the years since cheffing around town, he hasn’t returned to helm his own place…until now. Just last month, the doors of Chloe by Vincent (named after his daughter) swung open in the Canopy by Hilton hotel near U.S. Bank Stadium. Casual French food has returned, accompanied by a wine list curated with an eye to small producers. Never fear: The short rib-and-Gouda-stuffed Vincent burger is back as well.

Some occasions call for a raucous night out. Others, a more refined celebration. For the latter, Joan’s your gal. The cozy yet upscale dining room, where white tablecloths and soft lighting set the scene, is a 40-seat backdrop for a seasonally focused, four-course meal. The winter prix fixe ($79) offers classy comfort food: a cider-brined pork chop, oxtail and spaetzle, pumpkin tortellini, beef tartare, and more. As much as possible is made from scratch, down to the breads, butter, sauces, and fresh cheeses. Desserts, also made in-house, are an add-on, but you won’t want to miss out on the famous brown butter pudding. You can also opt for the wine pairing, which focuses on American selections. The restaurant doesn’t accept walk-ins, so make sure to reserve a table in advance.

It should come as no surprise that the specialty of the house here is pizza by the slice — specifically, New York style, in all its thin-crust, big-enough-to-fold glory. While there are tried-and-true options (classic cheese, pepperoni, veggie lovers, four meat), things get a little creative, too, with dill pickle ranch, pineapple chicken, Nashville hot, and the slice of the week. If you’re looking for a bigger pie, they offer 16- and 18-inch rounds; pick from menu favorites or design your own. The small Northeast location is the flagship for the business, the first Black-owned pizzeria in the city, but you can also find a stand in Midtown Global Market.

No reservations. Find more info here.

A location in the industrial section of North Washington Avenue means that this bar and restaurant still is sailing a bit under the radar, despite being open since 2019. Embark on a bit of discovery and you’ll be rewarded not just with a new spot but probably some new knowledge as well. Owner Dan Rice has made Bar Brava the place for natural wines in the Twin Cities, offering a hearty by-the-glass list and about five times as many bottle options, which change regularly. On the food side of things, chef Eric Pham of Khue’s Kitchen (and the grandson of the founder of Quang) takes over a regular spot in the kitchen to serve crazy-good Vietnamese cuisine. That means items like five-spice pork belly ssam, Vietnamese fried chicken, and a meatball bánh mì, among other tasty bites.

This all-day south metro charmer is the epitome of a something-for-everyone restaurant. Reserve a table in the sun-soaked dining room — floor-to-ceiling windows, light wood walls and furnishings, and hanging dome lights all add contemporary panache — and start making your way through the plethora of choices. They’ve got you covered with favorites like pancakes, avocado toast, and biscuits and gravy at breakfast, with burgers, sandwiches, and multiple salads showing up at lunch. Come dinnertime, the menu’s shored up with larger plates such as walleye, sirloin steak, and stuffed chicken. At the end of the meal, if it feels like you can’t make another decision, opt for the newish Dessert Charcuterie tray and enjoy a mix of small bites, bars, and fruit.

This New American restaurant across from Rice Park is a fun, casual, and colorful spot to grab a bite before heading to a show at the Ordway or taking in an event at the Xcel Energy Center. Fans of the former occupant of this space, Pazzaluna (same ownership), will be happy to know that the centerpiece wood-fired oven has stayed. Look to it for items such as pizza (margherita, pepperoni, or sausage), salmon, a grilled Caesar salad, and a handful of apps, including wings, tempura cauliflower, and baked brie. Even some of the cocktails get in on the act: The Winter Sangria is accented with wood-fired spice bitters, while demerara wood-fired bitters flavor the old fashioned. Don’t miss Social Hour, 3-6 p.m. weekdays, with special pricing on drinks, appetizers, and pizza.

No reservations. Find more info here.

Watching the game is even better with a choice of 24 taps, a mix of local and regional craft beers that change regularly. Case in point: the perfect-for-the-season Mocha Dolce Stout from Firestone Walker Brewing Company, a rich blend of coffee, vanilla, and cocoa nibs. In the seasonal spirits realm, Jameson Irish whiskey is infused in-house with apples and cinnamon sticks — just try to find a better partner for a spiced cider. The menu features a bounty of bar food: appetizers like nachos, cheese curds, and wings; casual mains including a popular fried chicken sandwich, burgers, tacos, and fish and chips; hand-tossed pizza finished off in the wood-fired oven; and even a selection of main-dish salads.

Feeling a little stir-crazy? Head to Pau Hana, where you can forget winter while lounging on the heated patio and working your way through menus influenced by the tropics. Many of the dishes are inspired by Hawaiian regional cuisine, which blends cultures and ingredients from all over the world. There’s ahi-centric poke, not in a bowl but stacked, layers of fish alternating with guacamole and fried wontons. Loco moco, an island staple, is represented with beef and tuna options, both served with sushi rice and a golden curry sauce, plus coconut shrimp on the side. (At weekend brunch, look for a version with a Portuguese sausage patty.) Peep the cocktail menu and you’ll find more tropical picks, like the Big Moi (aged rums, curacao, pineapple, guava) or the Isla Verde (Tequila, avocado, jalapeño, cilantro, agave).

Chef and owner Andrew Kraft has created a pasta destination at the end of East Lake Street. The handmade rigatoni, maltagliati, pappardelle, bucatini, cannelloni, and other stars of the genre sit in the middle of the three-course prix fixe dinner, bookended by starters and secondi, with a handful of dishes you can add on: oysters, a charcuterie platter, arancini (not to be missed). If you’re just in it for the pastas, hit up the restaurant on Sunday nights, when you can enjoy them à la carte along with the beats of trap music. Wednesday nights are for Burger Club, when the kitchen goes all-out with single or double patties of the protein of your choice (beef, chicken, fish), as well as a vegetarian pick.

Call 612-866-3334 for reservations.

It may have taken more than 40 years, but the family behind Northeast Minneapolis institution Que Viet has launched a cute, bright, flower-bedecked sister spot in St. Paul. Some of the menu items will look familiar, having been pulled from the more-established spot, but there are plenty of new arrivals as well, which run the gamut from traditional Vietnamese to more modern creations. Keep an eye out for the bánh xèo, crispy crepes folded around bean sprouts, onions, shrimp, and bacon (vegetarian ham is offered as an alternative). Wrap a piece in lettuce and dip in the zesty chile-based sauce. There are also eight types of pho, all boasting housemade broth. Of course, they couldn’t omit the foods that made them State Fair famous: egg rolls and the cream cheese wontons.

No reservations. Find more info here.