Best Casual Restaurants in Grand Ave

We were lucky enough to book a table for six for my husband's birthday celebration at short notice. We had wanted to visit The Lex for a while, so we felt fortunate that there was an availability. Our group was treated so well by each and every member of the staff, from beginning to end. It went from a birthday dinner to a truly special event, and it was due to the outstanding care taken by everyone who interacted with us. The history of The Lexington is enough to bring diners in, and the staff share their knowledge of the restaurant as a St. Paul icon in a way that makes you want to return. Our server, Matt, was incredibly knowledgeable, upbeat, and thoroughly professional. He had excellent suggestions for drink pairings and took time to converse and answer questions without being invasive. The food was delicious and approachable. The burrata starter was like a deconstructed caprese, and the tomato jam and garlicky grilled bread put it over the top. The scallops were perfectly cooked, and the salmon was outstanding. Two at the table had the classic chicken pot pie and were happy with that choice. Our cocktails were fabulous, with the grapefruit negroni being a standout. My husband was treated with a complimentary birthday sundae, and my creme brulee was delicious with fresh whipped cream and berries served on the side. The topper to the evening came when an official birthday portrait of all of us was taken at tableside, printed out for us, and presented in a Lexington-branded card to commemorate the event. So special and such a classy way to top it all off! The restaurant was a bit loud in our section, but once it cleared out a little, it was much more subdued and intimate. We will absolutely return, and we recomment it highly for special events.

We have dined at Holman's Table many times and have always had good to exceptional experiences with food, service, or both. This was our first visit for brunch prior to going to a Minnesota Frost afternoon game. All we can say is WOW! As with the regular dinner menu, the offering is narrow, but with enough variety to meet everyone's pallet. The service we received was spot on with a great knowledge of the menu displayed by our server as we asked questions about different items. This was only topped by the food which was spectacular with a variety of flavors coming together. I am not a generally a go to benedict person, but the mixture of flavors of the crab cake benedict certainly put me in the very clean plate club. My wife had mushroom toast. Mushroom toast was a known flavor to us which we've enjoyed from the dinner menu, but the breakfast version when combined with eggs and greens expanded the pallet and were very tasteful. We can't wait for another opportunity to come in and try other items on the brunch menu.

What can you say about a restaurant that really has nothing to be compared to? When you are rocking original, creative, Venezuelan cuisine, in Saint Paul, the comps are hard to come by… That said, this very-chef-based small cocina is pushing out creativity and quality that belongs in downtown Minneapolis next to the best of the best. This was a place I’d been promising myself a visit for about six months and finally got there. The menu is eclectic, inspired and wholly-original. Crasqui delivers and Ms. Ramirez is a true chef. Her vision of bringing the cuisine of Venezuela to has been realized and we are lucky that she decided to grace us with her art. The pulpo (octopus) appetizer is a great treatment and fun. If the idea of it throws you; just try it. The entrees, the Conejo (rabbit) and Lomito (tenderloin) were excellent to the point of licking the plates and demanding more. To add to drama, Soleil (Ms. Ramirez) has created a cocktail program that also delivers creativity, novelty and with a serious nod to the powers far-south of the border with citrus, liqueurs and exotics that are unique and well-crafted. Her wine list is also unique and exciting, featuring wines that are uniquely sourced and well-suited to the menu. Ms. Ramirez has relationships with the importers that provide unique bottles that are worth the trip. If you go: enjoy a few of the tapas and the secondi (shareables) knowing that the mains are just what they are. Mains are clean and unadorned with sides, and as such you either fill in with the before or add-on with sides for the entree. In other words; like the rest of the culinary world, you construct your evening and eats, you don’t get an entree with meat/veg/starch. So don’t expect that. In terms of postres (after dinner/dessert) the menu offers unique pieces as well. Lots of fruit-centric yums and as decadent as you like. A companion menu of bevvies for that is also presented including very nice Cherry Wine (think heavy tawny port)

It’s a great institution! Great food, drinks and service. If you want a really nice steak in a casual atmosphere this is the place to be!

Our server Sam was amazing! I know it can be loud esp before a hockey game, but we started early at 4pm, and had fabulous food and drink. Favorite: wild rice chix POT PIE. I do wish the restaurant would post on website which days the Happy Hour is canceled due to Xcell event days.