Where to Eat in February: Bar + Cart, Slurp, Rosalia Pizza, and More

This new kid on the block, which has taken over the former Khyber Pass location, is already packing them in. The big draw is the bar at the back of the space, not surprising since the owners, Ralena Young and Brian Riess, both come from Eyes Wide Hospitality Group, responsible for Tequila Butcher, Volstead House, Whiskey Inferno, and other cocktail-forward restaurants. Among the several dozen boozy craft sips, you’ll find low- and no-alcohol options as well. If you want a real scene stealer, order the Hot Toddy Infusion. The made-for-two beverage arrives in a vessel that looks as if it could have been swiped from a laboratory, a sizeable hourglass-like, Bunsen burner-powered infuser that brings the drink to life at your table. Plentiful menu items to balance the drinks include a roasted garlic appetizer, smashburger, lobster roll, and a selection of spreads. Oysters show up as well and are only $1.49 each during the 3-6 p.m. happy hour.

While Twin Citians patiently await the opening of Yia Vang’s Vinai, there’s another endeavor from the celebrated chef to tide them over: Slurp, a pop-up noodle shop taking over the former Mucci’s space on Lake Street for the next few months. Drop in and choose between two types of dishes, brothy noodles and saucy noodles. Within those categories, you’ll find rice noodles paired with a curried chicken broth, chicken, and vegetables; crispy fried noodles in a curry gravy, served with braised pork, fermented greens, and chile paste; a mushroom miso ramen (the stock takes 24 hours to prepare; and three other options. Try them for lunch Wednesday through Sunday (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or dinner on Friday and Saturday, when the crew cooks until 8 p.m.

No reservations. Find more info here.

In a truly Minnesota touch, Rosalia’s ice bar is back for the season (barring any unexpected thaws). For guests, that means the opportunity to quaff a special cocktail while sitting by a fire pit or taking your best Insta shot in front of the gorgeous frozen flower- and fruit-filled centerpiece. Beer, wine, and chilled cocktails are available, but why not opt for a seasonal hottie, such as the Vin Brule, Italian Hot Chocolate, or Amaro Caldo? Any of those go well pre- or post-pizza, of which there are more than a dozen types. The thin-crust, wood-fired creations (gluten-free crusts are available) range from simple (margherita, pepperoni) to more unique pies, such as the Isaac Becker (named after the owner of Bar La Grassa fame) — tomato, raw tuna, cilantro, and endive — or the Cavolo Nero: kale, smoked mozzarella, Fresno chiles, bacon, and hot honey.

For those who can’t get enough of the holidays, National Pizza Day shows up on calendars February 9. Why not celebrate with a slice (lunch only) or pie from Mario’s? Opened by the team behind Estelle, this casual joint specializes in Italian American fare, including a variety of rectangular Sicilian pan pizzas and hero sandwiches boasting made-from-scratch sesame seed Italian rolls. Pizza picks range from a simple sausage or pepperoni to artichoke with a garlic cream sauce or a cacio e pepe version. Garlic Cheese Bread Donuts are one of the handful of standout starters, and if that’s not enough donut for you, order the Oreo ones for dessert. On tap, you’ll find not just Summit and PBR but prosecco (plus a decent selection of other drinks by the can, bottle, or glass). If you have a few extra minutes, check out the vintage arcade game — none other than Super Mario Bros.

No reservations. Find more info here.

Up for a night of dinner and dancing? Check out Salsa Saturdays at this lively spot in the south metro. The dinner menu is as vast as the space itself. A bountiful selection of dips and small plates kicks things off, while column after column of sandwiches, kebabs, steak, seafood, rice bowls, lamb specialties, and more offer main dishes for almost any taste. Family style and “for two” dinners allow you to try a little bit of this and that, including dessert. Dance lessons kick off at 10 p.m., with a live Latin band hitting the stage at 10:30. During the day, the restaurant offers a lunch buffet and a happy hour, where you can nab items like coconut shrimp for $7, a gyro for $8, Mediterranean flatbread for $9, plus discounted prices on beer, wine, and cocktails.

Quality and quantity make this Excelsior sushi bar a popular pick. Its reputation began with Myoung Kim, aka Yumi, who launched the restaurant in the late ’90s. When she decided to retire a few years ago, two regulars jumped in to carry on the legacy. They continue to offer generous portions of well-sourced seafood, which shows up in nigiri, sashimi, and rolls. While there are plenty of traditional options, fans tend to gravitate toward the Yumi rolls, such as the Titanic — a trio of fish surrounded by spicy tuna and topped with an avocado salad — or the Marianne: soy paper-wrapped shrimp tempura and snow crab, with jalapeño, cilantro, avocado, and tempura flakes. Of course, there are other usual suspects as well, including noodle dishes, fried rice, and tempura.

Come for the mini golf, stay for the karaoke…or (professional) live music…or trivia…or theater. Oh, there’s also a restaurant and speakeasy, making this color-filled, 22,000-square-foot entertainment center in Seven Points (Calhoun Square for old-timers) a fun new destination in an area that’s seen its share of challenges. The mini golf isn’t your run-of-the-mill Putt-Putt course. Each hole was designed by local artisans and reflects the feel of the Cities. One is set up in a sauna, another in a record store. The fare is casual — chili cheese fries, a hot Italian sandwich, grilled brussels sprouts, a BLT salad — and drinks call on regional makers, such as Tattersall, Du Nord, and Gamle Ode, for inspiration. One Saturday a month, there’s a Power Drag Brunch highlighting non-binary and trans talent and performers of color.

Call (612) 354-2958 for reservations.

If your only experience with mead has been at the annual Renaissance fair, it’s time to get thee to this meadery. The alcoholic beverage is made by fermenting honey and water with yeast; additional natural flavorings (fruit, spices) can be added for zip. This intimate family-run spot — with about two dozen seats — uses Minnesota honey in its drinks and locally sources as many other ingredients as possible. A Viking theme runs through the tasting room (think history, not sports), where you can pick from among 20 or so regular and seasonal offerings: Valhalla (wildflower honey), Skål (buckwheat honey + hops), Dragon’s Breath (basswood honey + chipotle chiles), and Brun Bjørn (buckwheat honey + root beer) are just a few of the regular features. If you’re feeling peckish, they’ll fire up a panini or Heggies pizza for you, or you can snack on cheese curds or pretzels.

No reservations. Find more info here.

While this wine bar is good for a date night any time of year, the ample number of tables for two and romantic atmosphere make it especially appealing during this month of woo. While you can certainly order à la carte, opting for the three-course prix-fixe menu shaves a little bit off the price for the combination of an antipasti, primi, and secondi. Of course, if you’re looking to try one of the restaurant’s famous porchetta sandwiches, you’ll need to order that separately. There are four varieties, built around slow-roasted Italian pork: a “just porchetta” option, one with truffled mushrooms, another sporting rapini, and a final one accented with a fennel-radicchio slaw and a Calabrian aioli. In keeping with its focus on all things Italian, Terzo’s wine list is dedicated to the country, with more than 300 vinos by the bottle, many from independent producers, and a by-the-glass list that changes regularly.

Whether you’re catching the Big Game or looking for a place to watch another matchup in the company of a drink and bite to eat, Tiffany Sports Lounge will make you feel at home. Numerous TVs (more than 37 of them) fill the space, almost ensuring a view from any seat. The menu is filled with the greatest hits of pub food — chicken wings, nachos, fried cheese curds, beer pretzels, burgers — but you can also fill up on somewhat unexpected items, like meal-worthy salads, amped-up macaroni and cheese, chicken tinga tacos, and a short rib cheesesteak. And how can you resist “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (technically brunch as it’s served until 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday), when you can dig into day-starters including Cinnamon Toast Crunch pancakes, biscuits and gravy, and loaded cheesy hash browns? Burger fans won’t want to miss Tuesday nights; you can get either the double-patty Tiff’s or Cajun-seasoned Tommie smashburger for half price with the purchase of a beverage.