I'm back, Foodie Fans!!

Sorry for the very long absence everyone....but don't worry, I've been doing lots of eating out since I last wrote!

There should be something for everyone in my latest round-up!

La Perla del Pacifico
A casual, and authentic Mexican restaurant in South Minneapolis.  You know the food will be authentic when the servers do not speak very fluent English!  The chicken fajitas are excellent and came with lots of fresh garnish and homemade tortillas. The prices are very modest and the ambience is very laid back.  If you are in the mood for great Mexican, and don't want to wait for a table at Pepitos, this is your place!
Location:  60th and Nicollet
Price:  $-$$

Trattoria Tosca
I dined here on New Year's Eve with about 8 friends, and every one of us raved about the experience and the food for days afterwards!!  Located next to the Turtle Bread Co. on 44th Street and Abbott, this place is a very cozy neighborhood gem specializing in Italian. They use as many locally sourced ingredients as possible, and it definitely shows in the quality and flavor of each dish.  We started with a few shared appetizers-- Caribbean White Shrimp, simmered in a delicate tomato broth with sweet pepper relish, garlic, herbs and lemon; next a Warm Beet Salad (beets never tasted so good!); and finally the vegetable plate, with grilled brussel sprouts, kale, a fried egg, soft polenta, and cherries (wow, this was amazing!).

For my entree, I selected the homemade tagliatelle pasta with pork shoulder ragu, honeycrisp apple slices, and soffrito.  I could have eaten an entire lobster pot full, because it was just so darn good!!  The crisp, sweet apple slices were a perfect complement to the al dente pasta and rich ragu sauce....I also tried some of the others' entree choices and all of them were excellent as well!  At the table we also had: Bucatini Pasta (raw plum tomatoes, garlic, chili flakes, and rosemary (simple in description, but perfection on the palate!); Roasted Barramundi (a delicate, mild whitefish drizzled with a lobster butter jus); and the Ribeye steak (this is no ordinary steak....probably one of the tastiest, most flavorful steaks I've had in the twin cities....made with a porcini mushroom marinade, served with roasted fingerling potatoes, figs, and a balsamic reduction.

My favorite dessert that we shared was the pana cotta with berries....a perfect ending to a perfect meal!

Location:  44th Street and Abbott (Linden Hills neighborhood)
Price:  $$-$$$
Run, don't walk!!


El Loro Mexican
There are several locations peppered throughout the Twin Cities, so hopefully there is one close to you!  Although La Perla del Pacifico is conveniently located just 7 minutes from my house, if I had my druthers, my first pick to get my Mexican fix would be El Loro. Chips and salsa:  Awesome.  Queso Cheese Dip: Awesome.  Guacamole: Awesome. Tilapia and Shrimp Fajitas: Awesome.  Sopapilla dessert:  Awesome. $9 Pitchers of Beer: Awesome!  Seriously if there was an El Loro located within 5 miles of my house, I'm absolutely positive I'd eat there at least once a week.
Location: Various locations including Eagan, and Brooklyn Center
Price:  $-$$


Cave Vin
If I won the lottery and didn't mind blowing up to the size of a small whale, I'd probably eat at Cave Vin at least 2 times a week!!!  This French restaurant is located at 56th and Xerxes, literally within a stone's throw of my house....I had never been before, even though I'd driven by thousands of times....now I am kicking myself it has taken me so long to eat there....
Appetizers:  We started with the baked french feta with red peppers, kalamata olives, capers, and homemade croutons.  We also had the Prince Edward Island Mussels with shallots, white wine and garlic, served with pomme frites (awsome, skinny french fries!) that came with a garlic aioli dipping sauce (fresh breath shouldn't be a priority if you want to order these tasty treats!)

For entrees, the table had: 
Seafood Risotto with calamari, halibut, gigantic prawns with red bell pepper, spinich and chive oil ($18)
Grilled Arctic Char-(white fish) with sauteed asparagus, red bell pepper, and black olive tapenade ($19)
Pistachio Crusted Pork Tenderloin with fingerling potatoes, grilled pears with saba ($17.25)
Chicken Roulade with asparagus, prosciutto and fontina with house-made gnocchi and herb tomato sauce ($17)

For dessert we shared the Bete Noire, a flourless chocolate cake with blueberry coulis and whipped cream ($7.50) and the Tres Leches Cake ($5.50) .  Although the Bete Noire was good, I literally let out an irrepressible squeal after taking my first bite of the Tres Leches Cake.  It was mind-blowingly out of this world.  I almost cried it was so delicious....seriously, if nothing else, you have to go here for the tres leches cake!!!!  I have been dreaming about it ever since, and can't wait to be reunited...next time it won't be a dessert that I'm willing to share!

Location:  56th Street and Xerxes
Price: $$$


Cadao Express
This place is a teeny-tiny hole in the wall, mom & pop place that serves Vietnamese and Chinese. It may look like a complete dump from the outside, but what they create in that tiny kitchen is worthy of the best restaurants!!  Run by a cute Asian couple, they take pride in every dish....
I am a sucker for Vietnames rice vermicelli salads...the one i love the best is the one served with lemon grass beef. Served with a fresh side of mint leaves, cucumbers, carrots, and lettuce, you will devour every bite. I also tried the same salad with barbequed pork and fried spring roll cut up on top.
Their house fried rice is bursting with huge pieces of shrimp, chicken, and roasted pork.  Their Vietnamese spicy chicken dish is excellent (ask for it with steamed rice if you don't want it with the default fried rice). I've also had their hot & spicy soup, and at just $2 you get a huge bowl of flavorful soup full of mushrooms, bamboo shoots and egg. (Great for a cold night!)  Next time I go, I will be trying the Vietnames Pho, which is a hot noodle dish with fresh garnish accoutrements and grilled beef and fresh squeezed lime.  Nothing on the menu is over $7 or $8 dollars, which makes this place not only a great value but also a delicously satisfying meal every time!!

Location:  66th Street and Penn Ave
Price:  $ (maybe even cheaper than that!)