Over the years I've always spoke about making a list of suggested places for food or drinks In the twincities and surround areas to place on my blog for visitors.  

One of my favorites is the Brauhaus Brew Lab.  Love the beer as well as the nostalgia of the old steel fabrication shop. Two things bring it to the top of the list . First had worked there years ago so had some memories and then also went there as part of one of my best and most memorable hobby encounters.
See  now they have expanded menu with a BBQ food truck

Jax's, in NE mpls
Great patio, Great food and service
St.Paul Grill, inside the St.Paul Hotel
Nice bourbon selection, great food and service.
uptowner cafe on grand ave
Great breakfast.
Murry's in DT mpls  
Silver butter knife steak for two.
paigesavage
Best tasting shaved pussy.

… is Standish Cafe. As for hidden speak easies, I love sitting on my patio on a warm, sultry day sipping a cold one or three, gazing out over the trees and pond.  You’re welcome to join me anytime, Rain. ☺️

Gianni's and Benihana.

Pittsburg Blue great steaks , nice patio good staff and service, only thing missing is the gorgeous rain. Also Benehana.

I pulled these from Minneapolis Date Guide on my website

The Storm King barbecue just west of Target Field is closer to a Texas pit style (brisket!) versus the St Louis style we usually find here in MN. And there are some nice drinking options as well. It’s a bright and cheery atmosphere, and it’s near a few other local breweries and a cider place to meander to. It has nice outdoor tables for those 12 days of decent weather we have here each year.

… is Martina. Every cocktail they serve is amazing and their potato churros are the single best bite of food in the Twin Cities.

The St Paul Hotel does have a nice weekend breakfast

Drinks and food

Manny's Steakhouse on Marquette Ave or Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse on Hennepin Ave.

The problem with the twin cities area is there are so many great places to choose from that by the time I make a decision I’ve run out of time or everything is closed so I just end up getting Chipotle.  

* Baldamar - Steak and Seafood

I was amazed to find out how many steak houses we had  

I LOVED meritage ,  

http://www.quevietmn.com/

Love this list

Which location is your favorite? I vote BC!

Johnson St.

*Ipho - they bake their own bread for their banh mi (confirmed because I had them make me a party banh mi)

I like Milton’s in Crystal,  I’m also a big fan of Nongs Thai.

She/Milton's has the best jerk chicken and rum cake for starters. Nong's is the best Thai on the west side.

I agree with Good Day cafe; been going there since its opening. Plus, the dried fruit scones in their bakery.

I cannot find mouth watering, amazing, delicious Chicken Pad Thai with glass (rice) noodles and actual tasty chicken and not dried out bites either.  

I don’t know a place but I definitely can make it for you 😎

I don’t eat chicken so I can’t comment on the Pad Thai,   but everything I’ve had at Nongs Thai has been great.

This question might be challenging for a few reasons. I asked a Thai friend a few years ago about where are the excellent Thai restaurants because a lot of them fail here in the US. She said, "where there are no white people in the restaurant" The one that she recommended at that time, I was the only white person there every time I went there...it's now closed.