Bark and the Bite
Chef Noah Miller's previous location in northeast Minneapolis was destroyed by a fire last fall, and now this new location — it's the former home of Heirloom — gives him what he's always needed. Namely, space. A larger kitchen, and a dining room. The counter-service setup features reasonably priced pulled pork and turkey, in sandwich and platter format, along with baby back pork ribs and chicken wings, all served with a handful of housemade sauces and sides.
2186 Marshall Av., St. Paul, 651-528-7928, barkandthebite.com
Copper Cow
At this great-looking offshoot of Eat Street's Copper Hen Cakery & Kitchen, co-owners Danielle and Chris Bjorling — and chef Kyle Darling — are placing burgers in the spotlight, featuring a dozen creative varieties (on first-rate house-baked buns) plus a design-your-own option. Salads and appetizers, too. The house specialty at the bar is a long list of boozy malts, and fans of neighboring Unmapped Brewing Co. can order from Darling's menu and have food delivered to the taproom.
5445 Eden Prairie Road, Minnetonka, 952-297-8066, coppercowkitchen.com
Giulia
What was once the Hotel Minneapolis is now the Hotel Emery. The handsomely rejuvenated property also has a new street-level restaurant, one that finally takes full advantage of the stately, marble-lined attributes of the former Midland National Bank. Chef Joshua Hedquist is finding inspiration in northern Italy, turning out salads, pastas and fantastic pizzas, and adding a few entrees (veal, pork) at dinner. At the front-and-center bar, choose from four variations on the Negroni.
215 S. 4th St., Mpls., 612-340-0303, dinegiulia.com
