Bardo
Chef Remy Pettus has revived the former Rachel's (and, before that, Bobino), surely one of the Twin Cities' most charming dining venues, cooking dishes that range from chimichurri-dressed flat iron steak to gnocchi with smoked tomatoes and shiitake mushrooms. Many dishes are sold in two portion sizes. Full bar. Dinner Wednesday through Monday.
222 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., 612-886-8404, bardompls.com
Gray Duck Tavern
The long-dormant Lowry Hotel has a new main-floor tenant, hurrah. The folks behind the nearby Public Kitchen + Bar and the Handsome Hog have recruited chef Donald Gonzalez (formerly of Forepaugh's) to take a global approach to comfort-food fare, including duck schnitzel, jerk shrimp and prime rib in three sizes. Lunch and dinner daily. Full bar.
345 Wabasha St., St. Paul, 651-340-9022, grayduckstpaul.com
Hazelwood Food & Drink
Yes, a neighborhood gathering spot near the Mall of America that isn't an Applebee's or a Chili's. The company behind restaurants in the Twin Cities and Rochester has created an easygoing, all-American hangout (think wood-fired pizza, well-stocked rice bowls and rotisserie chicken), with a full bar. Lunch and dinner daily.
8150 26th Av. S., Bloomington, 952-222-4000, hazelwoodfoodanddrink.com
