Any decent places to eat in Bloomington?

[markus]

My daughter has a dance competition down there, and I've been sentenced to approx. 60 hours at the Country Inn and Suites West. Attached to the Billabong no less.

Ugh. Is there anything to eat down there? Where can you get good Italian down there? (I'm liable to end up driving to Bucca St. Paul, if only because I know where it is {I work for a financial institution with a large building in some proximity to the St. Paul outlet}).

Replies here or thegreenman AT highstream DOT net appreciated.

[Worst Username Ever]

1. If you are going to go to St. Paul, go to Cossetta's instead.

It's right on the main drag, right by the xcel. As far as bloomington is concerned, you are going to be hard-pressed to find some authentic food. I would just give up and go to the spawn of satan, the MOA.

[trotsky]

2. There are some great restaurants at the Megamall.

Twin City Grill (or is it Twin City Diner?) is very good.

Also, if you want tasty and cheap, go over to the IKEA cafeteria. Their Swedish meatballs are something else, plus then you can go look at the cool furniture.

[dflprincess]

3. Twin City Grill is good

but, if we're talking Saturday or Sunday, my advice is to avoid the both the sprawl and Ikea. However, if you want to brave the Mall, Tucci Benuch (sp) is pretty good and I kind of like Bubba Gump's. There's also the Cheesecake Factory at Southdale.

I have friends that really like Billabong's, but I've never been there so I can't make any recommendation on that.

[markus]

4. I used to be a big fan of Ikea

when I lived in D.C., Mr. Bronstein. I still have a few pieces that have survived the intervening years and moves. But i don't think they have a cafeteria.

I may have to try the Twin City. I've heard good things about it. Thanks, all.

[lojasmo]

5. Highland park is close to Bucca's, and there's lots to eat there.

Lucci's on the corner of cleveland and Randolf. Plums on the corner of snelling and randolf. Pad thai on grand (grand avenue west of snelling) Chipotle on ford parkway and cleveland. Many others as well.

[dpbrown]

6. That's practically in Edina - I wouldn't go to St. Paul to eat

http://maps.yahoo.com/maps_result?zoomin=yes&name=&ed=9JQ0dOp_0TrqI7KehOvTue6Xa3f210Yz7sjgaPnjB.UlfjyPLy1whOQhEiJhPFoPuG_p0.S92jfoZR8hzK4zRMebc4E.CwTISpGzsmpSNkAN457P6oXS&state=MN&csz=Bloomington%2C+MN+55437-1235&ds=n&uzip=55437&mag=2&desc=&country=US&dma=613&cat=dine&resize=l&trf=0&rezoom=1&.intl=us&addrtype=12&compass=&pan_x=0&pan_y=0&panable=1&BFKey=allres

According to Yahoo Maps, there are no fewer than two dozen restaurants within what could be considered walking distance of that motel, including a Kincaid's Steak House and a couple restaurants on a nearby lake that should probably have a very nice atmosphere.

I think it would be silly to drive from Highway 100 all the way up Highway 5 and across the Mississippi just to eat at Buca.

[goodhue]

7. Da Afghan

great place, great food

http://www.daafghan.com/about.html

[suegeo]

8. Cop cars surround this place

There's a restaurant in a strip mall near the LifeTime Fitness Club at the following address:

LifeTime Fitness
5250 West 84th Street
Bloomington, MN 55437

The place's name isn't on the outside of the building, it just says "RESTAURANT"

They have pizza, but I don't know about other Italian food.

Lots of cop cars there, so if you subscribe to the theory that cops know good food, cheap, then this may be a good option for you.

ON EDIT: I haven't been to this place in a while, so I hope it's still open...


Also, there is a BUCA in Eden Prairie, which is closer than St. Paul.

Here's a link to dining in Bloomington.
http://www.bloomingtonmn.org/dining.asp

A mongolian barbeque is near the Mall of America, which is real good. Can't remember the name. Didn't see the name in the bloomington-dining link above. ON FURTHER RESEARCH: It is in Richfield. Here is the name and addy: Khan's Mongolian Barbeque
612-861-7991 500 East 78th Street
78th & Portland
Richfield, MN 55423

There is an Olive Garden (Italian fast food) near where you will be, just south of 494, France exit, first frontage road. Although that is not spectacular food...

There's also a sports bar/restaurant on the same frontage road. I think it's this place: Joe Sensor's Sports Bar & Grill
4217 American Blvd. West
952-835-1191


Steak and Ale 494/Penn Ave-ish is pretty good.
Link is here: http://www.google.com/local?hl=en&lr=&q=steak-and-ale&near=Bloomington,+MN&sa=X&oi=locald&radius=0.0&latlng=44840833,-93298056,14091936263432637120