by Molly Priesmeyer - 262 Reviews - 117 List
Lined with bungalows, unique corner bistros (including the Birchwood Cafe, left), locally owned shops and more, the Longfellow/Seward neighborhood brings the spirit of "community" and "local" to the Twin Cities.
Updated: January 22, 2010
Corazon offers unique gifts, cards, clothes, jewelry, local art and more for the hard-to-please. And for the frugally-minded, there's always a corner dedicated to sale items, where you can get boutique goods--like cardigans, candle holders, table toppers and more--for as much as 60 percent off the original price.
The Longfellow isn't your typical neighborhood grill. No, this family-owned restaurant is an urban diner with all of the twists on the original, including a decor that's more metro than retro and a menu that's more fun than humdrum. And a kids? menu, a colorful vibe and lots of toys make it a family favorite.
This warm and inviting coffee shop and neighborhood cafe features great treats and live music on weekends--much of it folk-inspired. Families, coffee shop regulars, and folks hunkered over their laptop make this Longfellow central.
Offering cheap wine flights and an unusually unstuffy atmosphere and staff, the Riverview Wine Bar is the perfect place to go for unique wine, homemade pizza or a scratch-made dessert after a movie at the Riverview Theater.
Fans of authentic Thai food and sweet and spicy curries find plenty to love at this neighborhood-focused Thai restaurant. Some say it's the best Thai this side of the Mississippi. As an added bonus, most curry dishes are about $9, and come large enough to share. Even big noodle dishes, like Pad Thai, are around $10.
Service, hospitality and an intense dedication to tradition and truly delicious food are of the utmost importance at the Himalayan, truly one of the best little restaurants in town. And because it's still a hidden gem, you can get in on Friday and Saturday nights without a wait.
Known for its commitment to local fare and local farmers, the Birchwood has been a trendsetter in the Twin Cities, forcing other cafes to serve up sustainable fare. Still, Birchwood is the premiere spot, offering up mouthwatering scratch-made treats and entrees for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The bartenders here have won awards for their homemade drinks, like the Green Meany, featuring Bombay Sapphire and absinthe. And even though the Town Talk serves adult malts and grass-fed burgers fit for Andre the giant, the lively space is welcoming to the little tykes, too, offering up a menu of mac `n? cheese and more.
