TwinCitiesBreakfast.com - New Customer Reviews

Downtowner Woodfire Grill

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600

I thought about this rating for a long time: it is in the high three to low four neighborhood and when the smoke cleared, it stands solidly as a honest, legitimate 3.

The upsides: the place is beautiful, the waitstaff attentive and engaging and the food was very good. Furthermore, the menu was broad, the people-watching entertaining and the whole experience was chock full of interesting sites and sounds.

The downsides: the place borders on the fancy-schmanzy with a full bar looming and keyboard player entertaining the early morning eaters (may have been prepping for the Republican Convention)but the over-the-top stuff felt odd.

In regards to the food, the steak and eggs were solid still below downtown Mpls Keys and Jays (the gold standards) and the cajun selections were nicely done but the coffee was slightly above meh.

I may be spoiled due to so much time in dive breakfast joints but the DWG might be too nice of a place for the low end Sunday morning fare.

Band Box Diner

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600

Brad is an excellant chef. Fun place to go and watch people and get fed great.

Uptowner Cafe on Grand

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600

A solid breakfast choice for folks wanting the St. Paul experience but in need of something different. The Uptowner enjoys the standard "crappy on the outside, retro cute on the inside" vibe of a nice breakfast spot. Littered with poor-postured Law Schoolers from nearby Billy Mitchell, the cafe presents an above average menu with a nice mix of standard and traditional choices including excellent hashbrowns, very good coffee and distinctive pancakes. A solid menu and well meaning servers should easily push it into 4 huevos but it doesn't.

The nits keep the Uptowner out of the rarified 4 huevo category with a combination of nice but SLOW service and order accuracy issues sunk it to 3: a solid/strong 3 huevo with ALMOST getting to 4 but not there yet.

The verdict: we will go back and will not be surprised with they do better on a second visit but one has to call them as one sees them. Next time you are thinking about the Grandview or Highland Cafe, give it a try with no fears.

Egg and I Restaurant

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600

Yay for breakfast outdoors. We were able to score one of the 3 tables warmed by sunlight on the pkg lot/patio. Service was a bit slow but hey there were a lot of customers wantin their eggs! Portions are heart attack sized so bring your appetite. Their salsa (homemade?) is fantastic and super spicy. Good job lil egg...this girl is satisfecha!

Birchwood Cafe

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600

I heart the Birchwood! If you love Peace Coffee and wild rice sausage this is the place for you. Fans of cold press coffee search no longer for the perfect cold brew! The desserts are AWESOME...not that I recco for breakfast but hey if you have a sweet tooth that early they have pastries to choose from as well. Awesome local fare and a wonderful neighborhood environment.

Bad Waitress

Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:00:00 -0600

Bad Waitress! So no surprise the food took a very, very long time to arrive and was half cold when it did. Bad Waitress, get it? So you can't complain, but why return there? NEVER!