Where to Eat in August: Macanda, Tongue in Cheek, Devil’s Advocate, and More

By now, it’s pretty clear that chef Daniel del Prado can work magic. His newest trick? Turning a former brewery into this jaw-droppingly gorgeous restaurant on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The inside dining room and bar are casually artsy: basket-weave globe lights, funky chairs, succulents. And while you can get a good view of the water from there, the four-season patio is where you can really enjoy the lakeside feel. The menu trends Mexican — snacks like a guacamole made with fresh and grilled avocado, a hearty selection of soft tacos, tostadas — with other global influences popping in for cameos. As for the cocktails, just try not to be pulled in by showstoppers like the Illeana. Resembling frozen pink cotton candy, this slushie unites tequila with a trio of tropical fruit: lychees, guavas, and dragonfruit.

If you thought the chicken renaissance in the Twin Cities was over, think again: Official Fried Chicken is one of a new batch of places that have popped up in the past few months. What makes this joint stand out? Style and ease. “Style” in that the chicken is broasted — basically, pressure-fried so that the meat comes out nice and juicy. “Ease” refers to the limited options that eliminate decision-making fatigue: three flavorings of bird (Original, Mighty Buffalo, and Master BBQ) and one side, crispy, thin-cut fries. Ordering is a snap as well. Make your selections via the website, then pick up your meal at the shop via a contactless system that resembles a wall of lockers. There’s no seating, but picnic-friendly Minnehaha Falls is right down the street.

Whatever the time of day — dinner, lunch, weekend brunch, and both late-afternoon and late-evening happy hours — Handsome Hog is ready to welcome you with contemporary Southern fare. We’re talking true comfort food like chicken and waffles; barbecue faves like spareribs and smoked beef brisket; grandmother-approved sides like mac ‘n’ cheese, braised greens, and hushpuppies; and a slate of “munchies” during cocktail time. The patio is lovely — and reservable. Note: For those who may not have heard, chef/owner Justin Sutherland was in a boating accident over the July 4th weekend. If you’d like to support him beyond dining at one of his restaurants, visit his website to contribute to the GoFundMe campaign.

What better backdrop for the latest from super chef Gavin Kaysen than the swish new Four Seasons hotel? The setting is comfortable but classy, with a touch of design glam thanks to elements like the sparkling green globe lights overhead. The menu features Kaysen’s take on Mediterranean fare, with highlights such as a cauliflower-based labneh starter, lamb tartare with North African spices, bucatini that hugs chunks of lobster, and a summery brioche-crusted halibut served over green garbanzo beans, sweet corn, and chorizo. And that’s just for dinner; the kitchen also serves breakfast daily and brunch on the weekend. If you haven’t hit the reservation jackpot, try arriving early and sliding into a spot in the bar — you can dive into many of the main dining room offerings plus a selection of special bar bites while sipping on one of the artful cocktails.

Call 612-895-5709 for reservations.

For a fun time, call on this East Side Saint Paul favorite. Ingredient pairings intrigue and wow, whether you’re perusing the dinner or brunch menu: chunks of watermelon play with heirloom tomatoes, basil, feta, and a soy caramel in a seasonally perfect salad. Pan-roasted pork belly pops against a backdrop of creamed corn, with bok choy tempura on the side and ancho chile. In a perfect touch for indecisive diners, drinks are available in a flight ($24), whether you’re curious about the Mother of Dragons (“spicyish”), Erroneous Negronious (“bitteresque”), or the Cross Eyed Mary (“umami”). That flight plummets to $16 during happy hour, 3-5 p.m. daily, when you can also get teasers of some of their most popular cocktails for $3 each.

Mochi doughnuts — ring-shaped pastries made with rice flour and tapioca starch — are one of the latest trends that Minnesotans didn’t know they needed but have embraced wholeheartedly. This spot on the U of M’s East Bank campus is one of the newest to offer the crunchy on the outside/chewy on the inside treats, available plain or in a variety of rotating flavors like matcha latte or strawberry green tea. There’s also a ginormous list of drinks, including a whole series of brown sugar teas, cream cheese-topped tea, fruit tea, milk tea, lattes, and Vietnamese iced coffees. A pic in front of the pink angel wings, in the pink hot air balloon, or holding one of the pink to-go boxes completes the experience.

Find more info here.

The Devil is back on Nicollet! Closed since the onset of the pandemic, this happy hour favorite reopened in early June, showing off a roster of summer-friendly drinks and casual Italian dishes. Case in point: the margarita pizza, a pie graced with red sauce, grape tomatoes, slabs of mozzarella, and a scattering of fresh basil. Or the pesto-rich bowl of fettuccine sporting snap peas, roasted garlic, and Parmesan cheese. The cocktails continue to be a draw, with simple yet tasty items like the sunset-hued New York Sour (bourbon, cabernet sauvignon, lemon juice, and simple syrup) and the Bathtub Gin, a refreshing blend of Jackelope gin, grapefruit, lime, cucumber, and basil.

For almost 100 years, this clubhouse facing Loring Park has served as a gathering place for members. Now, non-members can take advantage of one of its impressive amenities as well: the rooftop café. The sun umbrella-bedecked space is open Thursday through Saturday evenings, plus during lunch on Fridays. While you might be coming for the views — the Basilica of Saint Mary is on full display — the menu is a fun mix of small and big bites, like pork belly skewers, homemade potato gnocchi, and a club sandwich with made-from-scratch chips, as well as beer, wine, and cocktails.

Call 612-813-5300 for reservations.

Following in the steps of sister locations in Excelsior and St. Paul, Yumi at Southdale Center offers an array of sushi, noodle soups, appetizers, and teriyaki preparations. If you’re feeling adventurous, opt for the chirashi sushi platter, a chef’s choice of fish and vegetables served over rice. Or show off your chopsticks skills by snagging a bite of one of the shareworthy Yumi rolls: the Lollipop boasts six types of fish wrapped around shrimp tempura, while the spicy Tonka vows to take down your taste buds with its combo of jalapeños, wasabi mayo, and chile oil in addition to a quintet of fish. The sake list is vast, with at least eight different categories to sip on, rivaled only by the almost two dozen Japanese whiskies.

Every Thursday night is music night at this popular destination in the north suburbs. That means a rotating roster of performers hitting the stage while you enjoy dishes from the revamped menu, from bar favorites like wings, cheese fries, and burgers (including one crafted from wild rice) to beyond-the-basics pizzas (burrata-prosciutto, jalapeño-bacon) to a range of mains that encompass steak, seafood, and pasta. The best part is that the music is gratis with dinner — you can select a table with a view of the stage when you make your reservation.