IF MINNESOTA HAD MICHELIN STARS - HERE’S WHO I’D GIVE THEM TO
Minnesota doesn’t have Michelin stars. There’s some debate as to whether we should pay to bring the reviewers to town. With the decline of actual restaurant criticism (no one has budget to go three times, consumers seem more interested in recommendations than reviews) maybe we need an independent perspective like the one Michelin provides more than before. That said, I’ve been a food critic and food editor in Minneapolis and Saint Paul for more than 15 years and I can save you the expense of hiring Michelin.
I used to think you need a tasting menu to get 1 star, and after visiting Miami’s Boia De (which was excellent), I’ve adjusted my view on this as has Michelin. I’ll post another list soon with my DeRUSHA Gourmands, my version of the BIB GOURMAND - the places if you were traveling to Minnesota you’d want to hit to fill out your trip. I think these eleven restaurants are the best of the best when it comes to fine dining in Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
2 DeRusha stars
(excellent, worth flying to minnesota to experience)
Demi - Demi is the textbook definition of 2 stars. Beautiful room. Incredible service. A uniquely Minnesotan look at fine dining technique.
Myriel - Myriel has a casual component as well, so this wouldn’t traditionally make my 2 star list. But the tasting menu here is truly high art, a love letter to farm-to-table, and worth flying to Minnesota to experience.
1 derusha star
(HIGH QUALITY COOKING, SERVICE AND AMBIeNCE)
Bûcheron - A younger generation defining fine dining their way. Technique as high as Demi, service as approachable and friendly as your neighborhood pub.
Kaiseki Furukawa - Kaiseki is a 10 course Japanese experience and Shigeyuki Furukawa is the only kaiseki chef in the Midwest. Truly beautiful, serene, formal and special.
Spoon & Stable - Gavin Kaysen doesn’t define Spoon as a fine dining restaurant, and I don’t think that matters under the current Michelin ranking guidelines. Spoon is our most complete restaurant: gorgeous space, great cocktails and wine, glorious dessert.
Restaurant Alma - It’s hard to believe Alma has been getting it done for 25 years in Minnesota. Still an excellent expression of New American cuisine with warm service and one of the most underrated wine experts in the state.
Manny’s - This will be controversial, but why wouldn’t Manny’s deserve a Michelin DeRUSHA star? Impeccable service, truly one of the best iterations of a steakhouse in the country.
Meritage - The gem of Saint Paul, most American cities have a restaurant like Meritage. It’s a classic French upscale brasserie, with technique and service that rarely disappoints.
Joan’s In The Park - Underrated, 40-seat tasting menu restaurant the surrounds you with skilled and creative food and service that makes you forget you’re surrounded by strip malls.
Travail - The young chefs at Travail have injected new energy and new quality into a place that sometimes leans more amusements than kitchen. Always pushing the envelope, one of the most creative fine dining restaurants in the upper midwest.
Owamni - One of the only fine-dining Native American restaurants in the world, Owamni is a special and rare place. The focus on non-colonized ingredients makes you think while you eat.
READ MORE FROM ME IN MINNESOTA MONTHLY:
Best New Restaurants of 2024
Best New Restaurants of 2023
Best Burgers of Minnesota (with profiles) from 2024
Best Brunches from 2023
Best Bakeries from 2024
Best Cocktail Bars 2024
