Forepaugh’s
276 S. Exchange St., St. Paul. (651) 224-5606. www.forepaughs.com .Seats: 220.Cuisine: American with California flavor.Specialties: beef Wellington; pan-seared wall-eye with coconut curry, fingerling potatoes, eggplant and shiitake mushrooms; scallops in garlic-clam broth; slow-roasted salmon served medium rare with spinach, potato-leek fondue and apple beet sauce.Main courses: $21-$38.Chef: Donald Gonzales.Owner: Bruce Taher.
Manny’s Steakhouse
821 S. Marquette Ave., Minneapolis. (612) 339-9900. www.mannyssteakhouse.com .Seats: 300.Cuisine: steak.Specialities: seafood tower containing shrimp, lobster and crab legs; Australian lobster tail; 48-ounce double-cut porterhouse steak; 14-ounce filet mignon; brownie with whipped cream, strawberries and ice cream.Main courses: $30-$100.Executive chef: Garth Thornton.Owner: Phil Roberts.
Restaurant Max
215 S. Fourth St., Minneapolis. (612) 340-2000. www.therestaurantmax.com .Seats: 340.Cuisine: “lifestyle” comfort food.Specialties: pomegranate-marinated rack of lamb with caramelized onions, farro barley, braised pancetta and Brussels sprouts; red-curry ahi with red-beet risotto and orange-braised hazelnut fennel; Japanese egg and shrimp open-faced sandwich with microgreens, tomato, fresh herbs and Dijon mayonnaise.Main courses: $8-$44.Executive chef: Matthew Holmes.Owner: Morrissey Hospitality Co.
Salut Bar Americain
917 Grand Ave., St. Paul. (651) 917-2345. www.salutbaramericain.com .Seats: 200.Cuisine: French-American bistro.Specialties: filet and steak frites with shallot and garlic butter; steak au poivre with brandy green-peppercorn sauce; bouillabaisse; halibut à la Provençal, crusted in fennel pollen; grilled ahi tuna niçoise.Main courses: $12-$26.Chef: Jeff Anderson.Owner: Parasole Restaurant Holdings.
Zahtar by Fhima
615 S. Second Ave., Minneapolis. (612) 752-9595. www.zahtarbyfhima.com .Seats: 200-plus.Cuisine: American with Mediterranean flair.Specialties: Kobe beef burger on house-made challah bun with caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms and rosemary aïoli; ginger chicken tagine with clove, honey and cinnamon; Zahtar couscous with an aromatic-exotic vegetable broth and house-made harissa. Main courses: $18-$26. Chef: David Fhima. Owner: Lifetime Fitness.
