WAREHOUSE DISTRICT. Attracting patrons of all ages, this well-appointed addition to the Warehouse District earns its popularity with juicy cuts of meat, knowledgeable servers, and the winning combination of a quiet dining area and a lively bar. Retro relish trays and garlic cheese bread are delicious preludes to a tenderloin filet, T-bone, New York strip, or prime rib prepared to your specifications. A 24-oz. Cajun double pork chop is also a serious contender. Peach cobbler, apple crisp, and strawberry shortcake are simple yet sinfully good dessert choices. NB Sunday brunch is served family-style.

NORTHEAST MINNEAPOLIS. The menu mainstay at this landmark restaurant (since the 1930s) is a mouthwatering selection of steaks. Enjoy the legendary broiled New York sirloin or prime rib. An ultra-long bar has a stained glass window that depicts the seven dwarfs. Call ahead for reservations, and a black matchbook bearing your name will be waiting at your table.

LORING PARK. This two-level restaurant overlooking Loring Park is the most popular of Joe's multiple Minneapolis locations. Joe's menu contains burger dishes that are influenced by cuisines just about everywhere ­ a lamb burger, curried tuna-burger, veggie burger, and Asian pork burger. On Sundays, the trendy crowd tends to flock here for brunch, an all-you-can-eat, family-style affair that includes Cajun pork chops, apple-smoked bacon, and spinach eggs. Brunch reservations suggested.

DINKYTOWN. Greece, Russia, France, and Mexico happily commingle at this eclectic bistro near the U of Minnesota campus. Locals are well-acquainted with Kafe 421 as an always-interesting dinner spot, but a selection of hearty specialty sandwiches makes lunch an equally appealing prospect. Try the pepperjack avocado burger on a toasted focaccia roll or the croque monsieur, made with fontina cheese and caramelized onions. Chicken, turkey, and grilled portobello mushrooms also make appearances.

DOWNTOWN. You'll find enormous portions of down-home breakfast fare served all day at this popular local chain eatery. Pancakes and omelets come dangerously close to falling off the edge of your plate, while eggs and just-greasy-enough roast beef or Italian sausage hash are favorites with regulars. Sweet treats abound for diners who need a little sugar in the a.m., including oversized cinnamon rolls with heavy glaze and a side of creamed butter. The place is known for breakfast, but a satisfying selection of sandwiches and soups is served for lunch and dinner.

BLOOMINGTON. Thanks to its location in an office building, Kincaid's attracts a business crowd who relishes its well-executed, straightforward cuisine. Kincaid's specializes in Nebraska corn-fed beef, chops, fresh seafood, and pastas, and it's known for its mesquite grilling and homemade breads. The large bar is an added attraction, especially when the workday is over. Sunday brunch and incredible service are added draws, as is outdoor dining when the weather's warm. Reservations recommended.

LAKE ELMO. Tell a native that you're planning to dine at Lake Elmo Inn, and you can expect to hear one thing: "Better make sure they've room for you." Indeed, trying to get a table for Sunday brunch is difficult, but it's well worth the effort. The menu usually includes smoked salmon, eggs Benedict, shrimp, vegetable stir-fries, and unforgettable pastries. During warmer months, brunch is served on the patio.

DOWNTOWN. You'll marvel at the Loring Pasta Bar Restaurant in Minneapolis as soon as you walk through the doors. With unique, beautiful artwork and décor throughout, this stunning restaurant is as much a feast for the eyes as the mouth. Offering both traditional Italian dishes, as well as their own signature entrées, Loring offers a little bit of everything. Start off with an order of the pan-fried potstickers or the delicious artichoke ramekin. For a unique Louisiana Creole dish, try the Loring Shrimp Jambalaya or stick with an Italian specialty like spinach and cream cheese raviolis with braised lamb shank. Let your taste buds go crazy at Loring Pasta Bar.

DOWNTOWN. This appealing steakhouse, reminiscent of an old-fashioned men's club, serves USDA-certified, dry-aged beef and does so in portions that are certain to demand a doggie bag. The menu changes daily but often features a mouth-watering porterhouse or New York strip, along with lemon-pepper chicken, shrimp, salmon, tuna, veal, lamb, and pork chops. The typical crowd dresses in everything from rhinestones to blue jeans.

DOWNTOWN. The image of a smiling pig leads the way to this charming downtown barbecue pit. In operation since 1946, Market is just as popular today as it was when the jukebox was new and autographed pictures on the wall were current. Try Market's famous barbecued spareribs ­ sauce comes on the side, because they trust the quality of the meat and the smoking ­ and then chase them down with tasty onion rings and a house brew. That's good eating!