Cecils is, in our opinion, the most perfect deli on earth. It's more affordable than a New York City deli, tastier and cheaper than a crappy Seattle deli, and it's been around since our parents were kids. Lila's mother's family used to get take out from the deli every Sunday, and Lila's aunts worked there for a short stint in college. Lila went to the University of Minnesota with the heir to the deli, and took Olivia here on many, many dates. If we could only have one thing to eat for the rest of our lives, it would be the Sasha sandwich from Cecils. (PS - their takeout sandwiches are fantastic, so grab a few to keep at your hotel to scratch that late night reuben craving!)
Quang is like the Vietnamese version of Cecils (a Minneapolis reference to a St. Paul reference, wow, we outdid ourselves there). Lila has been coming here with her childhood friend Chris for close to a decade, back when it was a tiny little space with worn floor and sticky tables all the way up until their beautiful remodeled space. If you like pho, crispy egg rolls, vermicelli noodle salads, tapioca pearls or happiness, go to Quang.
Bryant Lake Bowl is the best place to go if you want to go bowling in a dive bar with a Minnesota brewed beer in your hand, and nachos waiting when you finish hitting your strikes. Lila went on many bad dates here before meeting Olivia, and many good dates with Olivia.
Yes, it's a lake. Yes, the activity is to walk around it. Minnesotans really, really like walking around lakes. It's very calm and peaceful, and there are separated paths for bikes and walkers, lots of great dogs, and sometimes in the summer there's a little stand halfway through where you can get a hot dog and some of the best fries you've ever had in your life. Everything in Minneapolis near Uptown is oriented around "the lakes," so it's good to at least know where they are. Lakes of note: Lake Bde Maka Ska (pronounced "Bidet-me-CAWS-ka"), Lake Harriet, and Lake of the Isles (plus 11,000 more statewide).
Black Sea was probably our third or fourth date spot. It's right next to the college Olivia went to, and only a block away from the house where she was living when she met Lila. They somehow survived the stadium build, so pay them a visit if you're craving a falafel or lamb gyro.
It's cool and beautiful. They have the Jenny Holzer benches. And the giant cherry spoon, but that's not even that good.
If you are gay. (The 19 suffered a fire in the last month, and will be rebuilding slowly - if it's not back to working order by September, try another recommendation but cry a tear for our favorite gay bar!)
Little T's is a wonderful neighborhood spot with great cocktails and really good food - we highly recommend the burger and the cauliflower, they're killer. Drinks are great, neon is real neon, and prices are classic Midwest affordable. Come early, it gets busy!
If you can't get a reservation at the famous Owamni, we highly recommend Indigenous Food Labs at the Midtown Global Market. They have the same owner, and the same incredible Indigenous cuisine - we live for the buffalo tacos. Midtown Global Market has tons of stalls with all different types of food, take a walk around if you stop by!