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Hungry for a top-tier meal? Here's a guide to five top-rated restaurants, according to Star Tribune food critic Rick Nelson. Click on the image to read each full-length review. These spots have all opened in the last 18 months. (Note: Some dishes and personnel might have changed since the original publish dates.)

IN BLOOM

928 W. 7th St., St. Paul, 651-237-9630, inbloomstp.com

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Restaurant of the Year: St. Paul's In Bloom masters lost art of cooking with fire

An old way of cooking — at the hearth — is made anew at the hot new restaurant inside Keg and Case food hall.

POPOL VUH & CENTRO

1414 NE. Quincy St., Mpls. 612-345-5527, popolvuh.com

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MARTINA

4312 Upton Av. S., Mpls., 612-922-9913, martinarestaurant.com

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Martina wows diners with flavors of Argentina and Italy in south Minneapolis

Chef and Buenos Aires native Daniel del Prado conjures a lively world based on his family heritage.

HAI HAI

2121 University Av. NE., Mpls., 612-223-8640, haihaimpls.com

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Hai Hai in NE. Mpls. delights with Asian dishes you 'can't find anywhere else'

Hai Hai brings a taste of southeast Asia to northeast Minneapolis.

OCTO FISHBAR

289 E. 5th St., St. Paul, 651-202-3409, octostp.com

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St. Paul's Octo Fishbar is the perfect seafood restaurant for our times

Twin Cities foodies are fortunate to be living in the Tim McKee era.