The October Hit List: Porzana, La Grolla, Devil’s Advocate, and More

When the Bachelor Farmer and its basement companion Marvel Bar closed in early 2020, one thing was certain: Whoever eventually took over the spaces would have big shoes to fill. After all, both had attained icon status, drawing locals and luminaries alike. Fortunately, the new owner is none other than chef Daniel del Prado, the man behind a string of hits. For the reno, he kept key elements of the 1881 building, such as the wood floors and brick walls. Those are paired with a very del Prado touch: greenery, greenery, and more greenery, adorning the indoor dining room as well as the gorgeous patio out back and the downstairs Flora Room bar. The restaurant is billed as an Argentinian steakhouse, and you’ll find traditional cuts such as entraña (skirt steak) and vacio (from the flank). But there’s so much more: domestic and Japanese wagyu offerings, hanger steaks, splurgy picks such as a bone-in rib eye aged for 100 days, seafood, pork, chicken, lamb, and vegetarian dishes.

Sato is a tale of one kosher restaurant that straddles two cuisines. One part is devoted to sushi — by all accounts, it’s the first certified kosher sushi bar in the Twin Cities — and that section of the menu should look familiar to lovers of the fish and other Japanese bites. We’re talking loads of hot and cold appetizers, sushi, sashimi, and rolls, plus a few platters built for two people or more. (Aim for the Love Boat or Titanic Boat if you’re coming with a group.) The other part is pure bistro food, with globally inspired items such as banh mi, Korean fried chicken, or togarashi-glazed salmon and café standards including pulled beef sandwiches, burgers, fries, and onion rings. The dessert selection is small but decadent; just try to choose between deep-fried Oreos or a trio of tempura ice cream dishes.

Find more info here. No reservations.

When you dine at Raag, you can expect a bit of Bollywood spectacle. Case in point: the Kerala Spice Trail. This bourbon cocktail arrives under a smoke-filled dome that, once lifted, fills the air with the scents of cinnamon and orange. It’s a theatrical touch that makes this drink one of the most popular. Other cocktails bring to mind the bright colors of a Holi festival: the turquoise Neel Gagen, the crimson Red Rose Margarita, the pink Peru Blush. To tide you over while you dive into the extensive menu, order the Jal Tarang under the “Break Your Wait” section. The crispy, hollow semolina shells are stuffed with potatoes, quinoa, and chickpeas. They’re served atop shot glasses of spiced water that you pour into the puffs. Main courses are divided into plated (meant for one) and those that are intended to be shared, such as Delhi butter chicken, palak paneer, and lamb stew. The menu also calls out whether a dish contains nuts or is vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, or dairy free.

2023 marks a milestone for La Grolla, which celebrates 20 years of being one of the city’s go-tos for well-crafted pastas and other Italian fare. The cozy, intimate atmosphere and menu of comforting classics continue to draw people in, especially on the weekends (so make a reservation to avoid disappointment). It’s hard to go wrong with anything on the pasta menu, but the fettuccine Alfredo, penne alla vodka, and gnocchi get high marks from regulars. If you decide to go traditional Italian and order a secondi as well, you can choose from plates like Champagne chicken and veal piccante. And while tiramisu may seem like a rather expected finale, this one — hailed by some as the best in town — is worth the splurge.

The season of entertaining is coming quickly, so it’s nice to have a trick up your sleeve for celebrating out-of-town guests, saying “thank you” to someone special, or simply getting together with friends. Afternoon tea at the Lynhall bakery and restaurant can help you do just that. The tea, with seatings every Saturday and Sunday at 3 and 3:15 p.m., is a fancy break in the day, complete with delicate china, tiered stands stuffed with goodies, and an antique tea cart. The goodies change seasonally, but you can expect sweet and savory items such as scones with clotted cream, mini sandwiches, and desserts aplenty. Pair them with the tea of your choice — black, green, oolong, white, infusions, and more — all of which come from Tea Source. You can also add some bubbly to your order, including a few alcohol-free options, or a tea-infused low-proof cocktail. These weekend events are incredibly popular and fill up quickly, so make sure to plan ahead.

Find more info here.

If mornings are your jam, this new spot from former W.A. Frost & Co. general manager Michael Noyes should be on your list to check out. Currently open from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., with a focus on breakfast, the café offers all the important elements: stacks of fluffy pancakes, including a blue corn variety and diminutive silver dollar ones for the kids; omelets; French toast; Benedicts; ooey, gooey, skillet caramel-pecan rolls (definitely don’t miss out on those); and espresso drinks to help kick-start your day. Noyes is a drummer (hence the restaurant’s name, which refers to the two cymbals that are part of most drum kits), and his passion for music is evident, not just in the turntable and art that grace the dining room but in the names of some of the menu items, which are allusions to songs or local bands. (Swifties will want to try the Lavender Haze latte.) Rumor has it that lunch and dinner are on the horizon, so keep an eye on their Instagram account.

Fans of the recently shuttered Red Sauce Rebellion won’t have to go too far to find a like-minded restaurant. Just down the block lies this laid-back spot from the same owners, chef Eli Wollenzien and Deacon Eells.

At dinner, starters like fried goat cheese and Korean tacos (don’t miss them) pave the way for a selection of classic main dishes, including shrimp scampi, smoked pork chops, Parmesan-crusted walleye, a New York strip steak, and a crispy chicken sandwich. Regionally sourced spirits light up the cocktail section of the drinks list — bourbon from Iowa’s Cedar Ridge Distillery, gin from Waconia’s J. Carver Distillery, bitters from Milwaukee-based Bittercube.

If you need an afternoon break, stop in for social hour (2-5 p.m. daily), when you can fill your tab with $5 glasses of beer or wine and a burger or a handful of other snacky foods for $8 or less.

With its laid-back atmosphere, quality drinks, and Italian-inspired bites, this restaurant on Nicollet Mall has become a natural pick for a post-work libation, pre-orchestra meal, or late-night hang. The food menu is casual — lots of appetizers, pizzas, pastas, and handhelds (including the fan favorite meatball sandwich and the double-stack Black n’ Blue Burger), with a pair of steaks from Naked Beef Company thrown in for good measure. The drinks list is where the real fun comes in, with dressed-to-impress bevvies like the lavender-hued, gin-based Alchemist, which is concocted tableside, or — just in time for Halloween — the Black Cauldron, a dessert sipper made with coffee liqueur, chocolate bitters, and cold-brew espresso. Both come with smoky special effects; you’ll want to have your camera ready.

Like its namesake volcano in Ethiopia, which draws adventurers keen to view its lava lakes, this new, cozy, family run spot in St. Paul is sure to become a destination for those looking for something out of the Minnesota ordinary. The menu shows off the vibrant flavors of the East African nation, acting as a best-of selection of dishes. That means favorites like sambusas, fit-fit — a typical breakfast offering of shredded flatbread cooked with spices and butter — tibs (stir-fried meat like lamb or beef), wot (aka stew), and the steak tartare-like kitfo …plus plenty of injera to scoop it all up. With a vast slate of options available, neither meat-eaters nor vegetarians should have a problem finding something to fit their tastes, as well as their spice tolerance. Don’t duck out without trying one of the highlights of any meal: the traditional coffee ceremony, which is served in a distinctive jebena (pot).

Find more info here.

Tucked away in Minneapolis’ hot North Loop neighborhood, buzzy Snack Bar is the perfect launching pad for a night out. While the lively vibe might not scream “date night,” the dim lighting and charming booths built for two offer a way to enjoy the mood without losing focus on dining companions. The menu highlights unique shareable bites like fried eggplant drizzled with rosemary honey, tender garlic fried octopus, and the famed schupfnudeln, potato dumplings coated with a Gorgonzola cream sauce and tossed with walnuts. A lot of love is reserved for the pizzas, featuring crusts that are crisp yet chewy. You can choose one of the chef’s pies or put together your own creation — both slices and whole pizzas — selecting from toppings such as chicken confit, marinated octopus, charred bell pepper, Calabrian chile, prosciutto di Parma, and more. Gin lovers, take note: There’s a mix-and-match section, a “gin parade,” waiting for you. Pick from about two dozen brands, select a mixer, sit back, and sip.