The June Hit List: Macanda, Gai Noi, Nico’s Tacos, and More

Last summer, the patio at this Wayzata venture from chef Daniel del Prado, with its view of Lake Minnetonka, was a prime spot for dinner. As of April, you can get your brunch on here as well. Saturdays and Sundays offer up a mix of sweet and savory fare (with a heavy lean on savory), frequently with a Latin touch, such as chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and chicken enchiladas (although there’s a lovely French toast, too). Three unique cocktails show up during the day, including the Verde Bloody, which is graced with tomatillos, Tequila, and cilantro. Dinner on the patio still reigns supreme, but music lovers will want to duck into Macanda HiFi Wednesday through Saturday, a bar where the talent of the DJ’s spinning vinyl is matched by the creativity of the bartenders mixing drinks like the Banana Whey Sour, Cilantro Highball, and Plum Manhattan.

Three years after the closing of 4 Bells, one of the best rooftop patios in Minneapolis is filled with life again, thanks to the opening of this love letter to Laos from star chef Ann Ahmed. The casual, no-reservations restaurant is perched on the edge of Loring Park and offers multiple levels of indoor dining (including private event spaces), plus the room-with-a-view area up top. For food? Expect well-researched takes on dishes inspired by Ahmed’s family, which hails from Laos, and her travels throughout Southeast Asia: a Luang Prabang-style papaya salad; laab available with beef, chicken, or tofu; fish wrapped in a banana leaf. And expect it to be hot. “Our food will be spicy and that’s how it should be enjoyed,” Ahmed announced via Instagram. All the more reason to order one of the batched cocktails, dreamed up by local bar heroes Nick Kosevich and Earl Giles. Mark your calendar: On June 25, Gai Noi is hosting the party of parties to celebrate not just the opening but Twin Cities Pride as well.

Find more info here.

As soon as the weather turns warm, Twin Citians are walking the lakes in shorts, standing in line for ice cream at Sebastian Joe’s, and filling the patio at this duplex-turned-restaurant on Hennepin Avenue. A major draw is the tacos, almost 20 different kinds. And the Tequila- and mezcal-based cocktails in a vibrant array of colors. (They took home gold for “best margarita” in the most recent Star Tribune Minnesota’s Best Reader’s Choice awards.) You can taste it yourself during the daily drinks happy hour, when you can order that margarita for $8 or get $2 off specialty margaritas and cocktails. Pair your bevvies with the chips and a salsa trio, one of the guacamoles, or the Queso Gringo Dip.

For outdoor dining, Meritage is a perennial favorite. French food on a charming terrace bedecked with plants and strings of lights — what’s not to love? And while a seat outside means having to make the Sophie’s choice between there and the atmospheric oyster bar, it only makes sense to take advantage of outside seating while you can. (You can still slurp down as many bivalves as you want and perhaps pop into the bar for a little bubbly nightcap.) The rest of the menu is your playground as well: escargot Bourguignon, foie gras, steak tartare, Magret duck breast, moules frites, steak frites, frites all on their own (or with a little béarnaise sauce). This summer, sommelier Stéphane Vattepain is in from France for a residency. Look for him on Thursdays and Saturdays and take advantage of his depth of knowledge (and decades of experience) to help select the perfect wines for your meal.

This St. Paul supper club is dressed to the nines, perfect for those who’ve been aching for a little glamour. After all, it’s hard to feel anything but swank while sipping a grapefruit Negroni or White Russian (on tap!) in The Lex’s venerable Martini Bar; dining on steak Diane in a moss green velvet booth, crystal chandeliers glinting overhead, in the main dining room; or listening to jazz on the weekend in the Williamsburg Room. But for something a bit more casual, head up to the rooftop bar, where you can enjoy the same menu items as downstairs — including the Fork & Knife Lobster Sandwich, the walleye cakes, or the famous smoked chicken pot pie — alfresco, along with the pretty in pink frosé or a boozy ice cream drink.

Call 651-289-4990 for reservations.

You can’t go wrong with a seat inside Christina Nguyen’s Southeast Asian street food restaurant. Anchored by design elements like bright turquoise walls, ocean blue booths, sandy-colored wood accents, and greenery aplenty, the dining room gives off that tropical vacay vibe. Head outside to the wraparound bar and deck, and you’ll almost feel like you’re beachside. Grab a stool, order one of the many taste-of-the-tropics cocktails (we’ve got our eye on the Window Seat slushie: rum, house-made falernum, mangosteen, elderflower, and grapefruit), and dive into one of the seasonal dishes. New arrivals include pan-fried chive cakes, squid kinilaw (aka Philippine ceviche), a Thai banana blossom salad, shrimp green curry, and Son-In-Law Eggs (Thai fried boiled eggs served with a tamarind-palm sugar dressing and green papaya slaw).

If your style is less “dinner and movie” and more “dinner and a museum,” you’ll want to check out Cardamom at the Walker Art Center. This Mediterranean-focused restaurant throws open its doors daily, even on Monday and Tuesday when the museum is closed. If dining indoors isn’t your thing either, you’ll love the patio, which overlooks the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden (perfect for an after-meal wander). Among other artfully plated dishes on the newly refreshed menu, look for the spring green mushroom lahmacun, a Turkish flatbread showered with oyster mushrooms, pea salad, and Parmesan cheese, and the grilled hanger steak, which sits atop a gorgeous base of celery root puree brightened (and spiced) up with a swirl of hot sauce. Also newish: brunch seven days a week (think items like falafel egg and cheese, baklava French toast, and a green shakshuka). Cocktails here are gorgeous, too, and include several non-alcoholic options.

When you need a fix of contemporary Southern cooking on a pretty patio, make a reservation at the Handsome Hog. This meat-centric restaurant from “Top Chef” alum and “Fast Foodies” co-host Justin Sutherland is open for brunch (on the weekend), lunch, and dinner, plus midday and late-night happy hours. The hot browns, available on the morning menu, have a big following, as do the chicken and waffles. For many people, though, the real draw is the barbecue, which covers items like smoked beef brisket, spareribs, and pulled pork. Get a little taste of all of those, plus fried chicken, smoked chicken, and sides, by ordering the Combo #5. While it’s always fun to stay Southern by pairing your meal with a sweet tea, those searching for something stronger will find plenty to please, including unique craft cocktails like the #DOPE, crafted with whiskey, vermouth, amaretto, and bitters; a bourbon flight; and a solid range of wine and bottled and tap beers.

There’s so much to explore at this brewpub that just celebrated its one-year anniversary. It’s a pour-your-own place (you’ll get a wristband when you enter that’s then connected to your credit card), and just try to choose among the 52 possibilities on tap, which include brewed-in-house beer (gluten-free selections are usually available), cider, wine, and cocktails. Pick your draught and then settle into a seat on one of the three levels, the four-seasons porch, or the rooftop patio (dog-friendly, FYI). If the choices overwhelm, a tap tender can help you narrow things down. The food menu is split into two savory categories: pizza and not pizza (meatballs, a shrimp roll, salads, etc.), with 25% off select items during happy hour. For special events, like beer dinners or brewing classes, keep an eye on their website.

No reservations. Find more info here.

Sometimes it’s not about us — it’s about those we love, like our furry sidekicks. And when they’re along for the ride (and dinner), The Block is your place to stop. Dog-friendly patios are something the owners, Craft & Crew Hospitality, are known for. (And yes, they call it a paw-tio.) Keep in mind that just as human patrons are expected to follow certain rules of behavior, so is Buster. Among others: Stay on your leash, avoid excessive barking, and don’t eat off your owner’s plate; there are special dishes just for you. There are also canine-specific menu items to enjoy while your human digs into an eight-piece chicken dinner, a brisket grilled cheese, sweet corn fritters, or other elevated bar fare at brunch, lunch, or dinner. The Block-tail (they love their puns), wine, and beer lists are generous enough to say there’s truly something for everyone — including Buster, who can lap up a beef-flavored Tail Chaser Dog Brew.

Call 952-767-1117 for reservations.