3 Things to Eat Thanksgiving Week

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is a day for drinking, so belly up to these three Twin Cities bars, as per food critic Joy Summers


Courtesy of Martina

This Wednesday is the biggest bar night of the year. Impress your friends and out-of-town family members by taking them to one of these spots the night before Thanksgiving.

Lobster Spaghetti at Martina: This gorgeous new restaurant mixes Italian and Argentinian dishes from chef Daniel del Prado. The longtime chef at Isaac Becker’s Burch Steak has branched out with his own with delicious results. This spaghetti is toothsome without being crunchy in a dreamy, creamy sauce with massive hunks of tender lobster. Pair with one of the expertly poured drinks from Marco Zappia and his incredible staff. This new Linden Hills restaurant (where Upton 43 used to be) stuns at first glance.

Old Fashioned at Brunson’s Pub: This Payne Avenue bar is the kind of historic neighborhood mainstay I love. The old wooden bar and comfortable seats are exactly where I can dig in for a nice, long drink. But the bar menu is updated for a new age. Owner Tom LaFleche spent time working at Saint Dinette to brush up on his craft-cocktail chops, and the skill shows in what this staff is pouring. Wednesday also happens to have a host of whiskey specials, so belly up and order $4 shots of 2 Gingers and Jim Beam, $5 shots of Knob Creek, and Maker’s or $6 Basil Hayden’s.

Fried Chicken at Bull’s Horn Bar & Food: Doug Flicker and Amy Greeley have built another revamped neighborhood bar in proper dive-bar format in South Minneapolis. On the menu are things like fried bologna and a beguiling fried chicken that’s dill-pickle brined and runs as a special only on Wednesday night. It’s served with sausage gravy, a biscuit, and collard greens.