Curated City Guides by Your Favorite Designers and Tastemakers.
Minneapolis:
Aaron Melander
of Target
Bars & Restaurants
Al's Breakfast
I love breakfast. I mean really love breakfast. Al's Breakfast is that quintessential hole-in-the-wall breakfast joint that sets the standard for this meal. A Minneapolis institution. They consistently serve up delicious plates of eggs & hash, blueberry walnut pancakes, and tasty omelets. But there are rules. When waiting in line for one of the 14 seats, always move to the left and hold until called before you nab that open stool. Elbows up so they can clean the counter. Ordering off the menu in short hand is always appreciated, for example - if you want two of those yummy blueberry walnut pancakes, order a "short wally blues". Doors close at 1pm. 413 14th Ave SE
Broders Pasta Bar
This place is my sneaky treat. Belly up to the bar for the pasta bar special which happens early evenings in the summer and late in the winter. Everything is awesome. 5000 Penn Avenue S
Patisserie 46
Famed bakery chef John Kraus moved to Minneapolis from Chicago about a year ago to open this french-style bakery sweet spot. The only problem is that it's on my block and I have a Swedish weakness for all things pastry. I love this place because they offer the full range of treats, from everyday croissants to artfully constructed luxury desserts. 4552 Grand Ave S
Muddy Waters
A late-night mecca with charm to spare. I get sucked into the vibe of this place every time I go. Great eats, beer selection for miles and a patio smartly tucked away from the street. 2933 Lyndale Ave South
Dandelion Kitchen
Best food-truck in Minneapolis. This place has become my obsession for lunch this summer. Their eats are sourced from local and organic ingredients and owners Natalie and Alex always serve it up with a smile. Roast chicken sandwich all the way. IDS Plaza btw 7th and 8th
Tilia
Tilia just feels like home to me. The food is great, but what really draws me to this place is the bar. It feels absolutely like what a neighborhood bar should feel like. 2726 West 43rd Street
Lucias To Go
You can't beat this place for a quick lunch if you are in uptown. These guys take food seriously and honestly, everything delivers. The millet fax they bake daily is best bread in the city. 1432 West 31st St
Barbette
This place is my go-to afterhours stop for delicious french eats and wine cravings. Super laid back. 1600 West Lake St
112 Eatry
Chef Isaac Becker won the 2011 Best Chef Midwest award and puts eats on your plate that let you know why he deserves that accolade. Cauliflower fritters, tagliatelle, and the bacon egg & harrisa sandwich are my recommends. 112 North 3rd St
A Baker's Wife
Stop here for donuts. Seriously. 4200 28th Ave So
Isles Bun & Coffee
You can smell the sweet in the air the minute you walk into this tiny spot. The Cinnamon buns and puppy dog tails are outrageously good. All I can say is brace yourself for that sugar high. 1424 West 28th St
The Red Dragon
Dive bar with a fantastic jukebox. The Wondrous Punch is legendary. 2116 Lyndale Ave S
Cafe Levain
A lot of people will debate on where you can find the best burger in the city. This place has the best burger in the city and I will fight you if you say otherwise. 4762 Chicago Ave
Punch Pizza
I believe that the founders John Soranno and John Puckett made a deal with the devil to get their hands on the recipe for the perfect pizza. I crave punch's neapolitan style wood fired pizzas almost daily. It makes the winters so much more bearable. 3226 West Lake Street
Shops
Black Blue
Apparel for men looking for classic style. 614 Selby Ave, St. Paul
Magers and Quinn
Minneapolis is chock-full of great book shops, but I find myself preferring to get lost in the cozy stacks at M&Q. They've got an expansive selection and it is a great place if you have an affinity for rare and out of print editions. 3038 Hennepin Ave South
Angry Catfish
Amazing coffee. Amazing bicycles. A shop for people who appreciate the craft of both. 4208 28th Ave S
Hunt and Gather
A drool-inducing boutique for designers who love eclectic antiques. 4944 Xerxes S
Danish Teak Classics
Prepare to feel bad about the furniture you have in your house. The showroom has the best selection of restored mid-century modern beauties. 1500 Jackson St NE
Midwest Mountaineering
Get your gear here and then go outside and play. 309 Cedar Ave S
Russell + Hazel
Really pretty things. If you're into that. 4388 France Ave S
Galleries & Art Spaces
Weinstein Gallery
Martin Weinstein curates shows of some of the most influential photographers and artists of our time and I still can't believe that this gallery is right in our own backyard. 908 W 46th St
CO Exhibitions
Both gallery and project space, these guys (Permanent and Burleseque) put on some compelling shows, often allowing designers to elevate to artist status. 1101 Stinson Blvd NE #2