Dinner for 8 - need restaurant suggestions..

I%26#39;m hosting a small meeting at the Marquette and need dinner suggestions.

The first night we%26#39;re eating at Basil%26#39;s since we%26#39;re already there. The second night, after the meeting concludes, I%26#39;d like to take the group to a nice place to chill. Looking for good food and wine, nice ambience, reasonable pricing (entrees around $18-24). Our business meeting will be over, so we don%26#39;t need a private room.

The folks are from UK, Germany, Norway, Australia...and I want them to have a memorable last night in Minneapolis!

Thoughts on Lucia%26#39;s? Restaurant Alma? I heard Cue at the Guthrie would be interesting... but is closing/closed.

Thanks in advance.

Dinner for 8 - need restaurant suggestions..

Maybe Manhattan%26#39;s on Hennepin? They have a private room that could be used, or not.

Hell%26#39;s Kitchen? That would be very unique.

Buca for family style dining?

Nicollet Island Inn?

I haven%26#39;t heard about Cue closing. Hadn%26#39;t eaten there, but have eaten next door at SpoonRiver.

Maybe Spill the Wine, or hibachi dining at Wasabi? Both are on Washington.

http://www.manhattansmpls.com/

hellskitcheninc.com/HellsKitchenWelcome.html

www.bucadibeppo.com/locations/default.aspx…

http://www.nicolletislandinn.com/dining.html

http://www.spoonriverrestaurant.com/

http://www.spillthewinerestaurant.com/

http://www.wasabimn.com/chef.html

Dinner for 8 - need restaurant suggestions..

I think your price range of $18 - $24 does limit your choices. Many of the really good places right downtown are fairly costly. With your range in mind I%26#39;d check Ikes, Rock Bottom Brewery, and Conga Latin Bistro downtown. In Uptown Amore Victoria and Moto-i (the only sake brewery in the US). On Eat Street I love Azia. All of the above restaurants can be booked on www.opentable.com they have the menus, directions and phone numbers etc...

Restaurant Alma is nice but perhaps a little outside your price range -- the one listed.

112 Eatery fits your price range. You%26#39;ll want to call now to make reservations, though.

It%26#39;s a small place witha nice, cozy ambience. Very good wine list (and pours). Food is fantastic.

You didn%26#39;t mention your number in the group. Make sure to call ahead and see if they can fit your group. As I said -- small place.

I like Ike%26#39;s quite a bit for occasions like yours. But your mention of food and wine (though they of course have wine) sugegsted to me you want maybe a finer dining evening.

But maybe look at Ike%26#39;s web site to see if it fits.

$18 - $24 price range limits your choices but it can be done, fairly close anyway. Here is what I would suggest:

Murray%26#39;s Restaurant

Early dinner menu Mon-Fri for $19.95

www.murraysrestaurant.com/

Palomino

Dine early 3 course meal for $25

www.palomino.com

You may also want to check out Chino Latino

Indian/Asian/Everything fusion!

It is on south Hennepin Avenue, not too far from downtown

www.chinolatino.com

You should know that there is a place right near the Marquette with a decent atmosphere and a very good wine list. Called Zelo. Not one of my favorites but good for convenience. After dinner you could walk down to Brit%26#39;s Pub and sit on the rooftop area. Very good place to relax and unwind and watch people and lawn bowling. The best outdoor seating area downtown by far.

Chino Latino has very good food, but it is extremely loud. You can%26#39;t hear yourself speak. If that is the cuisine you are interested in try Conga Latin Bistro, the food is similiar and very reasonably priced. A good atmosphere for carrying on a conversation. And, you would actually be in the price range of your budget.

I second the above suggestion for Brit%26#39;s Pub for a great place to unwind downtown, wonderful for outdoor seating.

I think the 112 Eatery would fit your needs to a tee. Call them immediately and see if they can accommodate your group. They have two levels of seating; the upstairs is usually a little more quiet if you%26#39;re looking to wind down after your business endeavors.

http://112eatery.com/

The 112 is a pleasant walk from the Marquette, probably about ten or fifteen comfortable minutes.

If that doesn%26#39;t work, you may want to consider Saffron, a wonderful Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurant that happens to be right across the street from 112 Eatery! They have many small plates as well as standard entrees, so I think it would be great for a group.

http://saffronmpls.com/index.html

Hope this helps.

Cafe Lurcat is nice and their wine list is pretty extensive. You could call there and have them create a menu with 5 or so options in your price range. It is a nice place.

Thanks so much for all the great suggestions!

I left a message with 112 to call me back about reservations. Since I might not be able to get a table, I made reservations at Saffron first. From their website, that looks like a good place. Are these 2 restaurants in a neighborhood that would be nice to walk around before or after dinner?

Since I%26#39;ll be in town for a meeting for several days before this one, I%26#39;ll definitely check out a few of your other suggestions! Cafe Lurcat and Ike%26#39;s sound like good options.