How about planning a foodie vacation at one of the great hotels in downtown Minneapolis? The W at the Foshay (821 Marquette Ave., 612-215-3700) recently open after an extensive remodel by local hotelier Ralph Burnet, and now boasts Manny’s, my all-time favorite restaurant, which relocated from the Hyatt and now serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Hotel Ivy (201 S. 11th St., 612-746-4600) created a buzz from the day it opened in February with its gorgeous lobby, elegant day spa, and its delightful restaurant, Porter & Frye, helmed by executive chef Steven Brown. The Chambers (901 Hennepin Ave., 612-767-6900) is always a treat with their ongoing art exhibits (docent tours of the art galleries are available upon request), and fabulous Chambers Kitchen. At the Graves 601 Hotel (601 First Ave. N., 612-677-1100), you must have a meal at Cosmos, where executive chef Stephen Trojahn offers amazing fare in a chic dining room. The Hotel Minneapolis (215 Fourth St. S., 612-340-2000), in the former Midland Bank building, features a vast bar and lounge. And make sure your lunch order at its Restaurant Max includes the ahi tuna with soy mirin sauce and wilted spinach. You can indulge in a weekend feeding frenzy at Oceanaire Seafood Room inside the Hyatt Regency (1300 Nicollet Mall, 612-370-1234). And we can’t forget the Radisson Plaza (35 Seventh St. S., 612-339-4900), which features FireLake restaurant, with executive chef Paul Lynch’s award-winning, Minnesota-themed menu.
Sue Zelickson is host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.
