Dinner and a Show

Photo by GEORGE HEINRICH

Downtown Minneapolis

– State Theatre
– Orpheum Theatre
– Pantages Theatre
– Hennepin Stages
– Illusion Theater

Manhattans (800 LaSalle Plaza, 612-339-3600) is the latest addition to Hennepin Avenue’s restaurant row, serving an upscale menu—seared scallops, pasta à la vodka, New York strip—and a long list of classic and contemporary cocktails.

Photo By ANN MARSDEN

Downtown St. Paul

– Ordway Center
– Park Square Theatre

Find the flavor of Paris at À Rebours (410 St. Peter St., 651-665-0656), with its historic, window-lined dining room and bistro menu. Or sip sake and scarf down sushi at the St. Paul outpost of the festive Fuji Ya (465 Wabasha St., 651-310-0111). We dare you to
try the Sakérito, Fuji Ya’s sake-and-tequila
margarita.

© 2005 REGENTS OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

U of M, Mpls.

– Northrop Auditorium
– Ted Mann Hall
– Mixed Blood Theatre
– Cedar Cultural Center
– Theatre in the Round
– Southern Theater

The tiny-but-tasteful Chai’s Thai (414 1/2 Cedar Ave. S., 612-339-9385) is the West Bank’s best bet. In Dinkytown, try the global menu at Kafé 421, (421 14th Ave. SE, 612-623-4900) or the bohemian Loring Pasta Bar, (327 14th Ave. SE, 612-378-4849).

Warehouse District, Mpls.

– Theatre de la Jeune Lune

Grab a seat at one of the metro’s best sushi bars, Origami (30 N. First St., 612-333-8430), authentic enough to serve raw sea urchin, considered a Japanese delicacy. Then wind down the evening with a nightcap at Jet Set (115 N. First St., 612-339-3933), a hip, upscale gay bar where DJs spin beats into the wee hours.

COURTESY OF THE
JUNGLE THEATER

Lyn-Lake, Mpls.

– Jungle Theater
– Theatre Garage

For casual-yet-elegant American bistro fare, JP (2937 Lyndale Ave. S., 612-824-9300) is the neighborhood fave for its formal dining room and laid-back bar. La Bodega (3005 Lyndale Ave. S., 612-823-2661) and its neighboring lounge, Liola, serve Spanish and Italian fare, respectively. All three spots offer bustling sidewalk dining.

REDSHIRTS,
ANN MARSDEN, 2007

Selby-Dale, St. Paul

– Penumbra Theatre

Zander Café (525 Selby Ave., 651-222-5224) is one of the area’s original chef-driven restaurants, with its seasonal, new-American menu and comfortable dining room. Be sure to try the bison burger. La Grolla, (452 Selby Ave., 651-221-1061) serves authentic Italian fare and has a romantic bar for a late-night dessert or glass of wine.