Looking for an AWESOME venue to take a date!

I live in Minneapolis, go to school here, but I just recently moved a couple of months ago. I am sure there are some places that are not known by the mainstream where you can take a girl to impress her.

For example back home there%26#39;s a place not many people know about which is a deck that overlooks the city. It has a full bar/restaurant and a pool. It%26#39;s an awesome place not many people know about because it caters mainly to the people who stay in the building (it%26#39;s a hotel).

Any ideas? Like a restaurant in downtown that overlooks the whole city?

I know Drink in uptown and a couple other places in uptown who have a great view (which are only open during the summer) but I am looking for something which is not mainstream/well known.

Any ideas would help. TIA

Looking for an AWESOME venue to take a date!

when it%26#39;s winter, the options of restaurants with a view shrivel up because you%26#39;re inside. That%26#39;s why in winter I usually look for a cozy spot with nice atmosphere (that few people have heard of).

Still, there are places that can impress and have nice views in winter -- depending on where you are seated in the building.

2021 at the Walker has a gorgeous view, although I%26#39;m not the biggest fan of the interior of the room, although many people are. The view is fantastic, though. And so is the food.

Not far from there is Cafe Lurcat in Loring Park, which offers a nice spot (if weather permits) for a pre-dinner stroll to see the sights. There is a nice window with a view of the park if you%26#39;re seated in the right spot. Food is great but spendy.

For cozy and warm, the Riverview Wine Bar in South Minneapolis fits the bill. Fantastic date spot. Food menu is short but you can split a cheese plate and a pizza and be plenty full and impressed. Italian-style pizza with olive oil and thin crust -- fantastic. Very cozy and warm with fantastic service and a retro budget theater across the street.

Another cozy option (no view) is the bar area of King and I. Don%26#39;t be seated in the dining room -- ask to be seated in the bar and get a reservation. When you walk in, there is a great table to the right in the nearest corner -- a nook of sorts. very private setting and nice lighting.

The best view of all used to be the restaurant Windows at the top of the IDS but I think it%26#39;s mostly catered events and weddings now, though you could probably find out by calling to see if they still do dinners there.

Looking for an AWESOME venue to take a date!

I second 20.21 at the Walker Art Center. Ask for a table by the window. You will see the Loring Park area with views of downtown. Great food, great atmosphere and bring your credit card. Sure to impress.

One more place...Cue at the Guthrie. Both Cue and 20.21 reservations can be made on www.opentable.com where you can view the menus and make special requests all from your computer. Very convenient. Cue is located on the Mississippi Riverfront.

Great call on 2021. FYI, if you go this month, you should also try and catch the British Advertising Awards - they%26#39;re outrageous and a really fun date. Admission is included in the ticket price.

I actually would recommend Bar Lurcat over Cafe Lurcat, only for the ambiance. It%26#39;s darker, more relaxed and have great bar food.

I love the vibe at the Loring Pasta Bar. The gothic interior is mood-setting, a scene out of Moulin Rouge. They often have something entertaining after the supper crowd.

If you can be there during a snowstorm, the lounge at the Marquette Hotel is an awesome place to have a cocktail, enjoy the people watching on Nicollet AND catch the Holidazzle Parade. The Local also has great atmosphere, but gets really crowded and crazy. Their window seats fill up fast, and their awnings partially block the view.

There are a couple restaurants in tall buildings downtown, the IDS and I think the HIlton. But I%26#39;m unfamiliar with them, so you%26#39;d need to do the research or rely on other TripAdvisors.

If I remember correctly the view of downtown from the Nicollet Island Inn is also quite good.

If you%26#39;re adventerous enough to go to the ';dark'; side-- St. Paul-- try this.

While the view from the place itself isn%26#39;t impressive (or existent), eat at (Caspers%26#39;) Cherokee Sirloin Room in West St. Paul. Good old-fashioned steakhouse menu and atmosphere.

http://www.cherokeesirloinroom.com/

Before/after or both, continue on Smith Ave. to take a drive or stop at the overlook site on Cherokee Avenue, which is the last street south before you cross the High Bridge. I just love the view of St. Paul from there (excepting the power plant... but at least it%26#39;s gas-fired rather than coal!)

Thanks for your responses. I will research them closely. If anyone else has any ideas please share them.

I would also like to hear about the restaurants in the IDS or Hilton. Those seem interesting.

Thanks again and cheers!

She%26#39;s probably never been to anyplace like the Ice Chamber at the Chambers Hotel. The bar is made of ice, but not to worry. Even though you are outside, there is a huge fire pit to stand or sit next to while you enjoy your drinks. It%26#39;s open Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to close. If that gets too cold, you can always go upstairs to the RWFB bar on the fifth floor. As soon as you walk in, you%26#39;ll see why they call it RWFB. Cool views of Hennepin Avenue from up there.

http://www.chambersminneapolis.com/

Like a couple of the other posters have said, you can%26#39;t go wrong with Cafe Lurcat.