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Minneapolis Dining

Preconceptions of Midwestern blandness are swiftly put to rest by an almost bewildering array of restaurants in the Twin Cities. In Minneapolis, head for the downtown warehouse district, the southerly Nicollet neighborhood, the funky Uptown and Lyn-Lake areas, or the university's Dinkytown. In St Paul, try Galtier Plaza downtown, the Asian restaurants on University Avenue, or the horde of ethnic options all along Grand Avenue. Of local chains, Lotus serves budget Vietnamese meals, LeeAnn Chin has adequate Chinese cuisine, while Keys offers great breakfasts and fresh lunches. Be sure to sample wild rice, a Minnesota specialty.

Broder's Cucina Italiana 2308 W 50th St, tel 612/925-3113. Terrific deli for eat-in or takeout. There's a full-service restaurant across the street.

Buc 1204 Harmon Place tel 612/638-2225. This irresistibly festive Italian restaurant dishes out massive portions. There's another branch in St Paul.

Café Brenda 300 1st Ave N tel 612/342-9230, www.cafebrenda.com. Excellent, moderately priced nouvelle vegetarian cuisine in arty downtown warehouse district.

Chez Bananas 129 N 4th St tel 612/340-0032. Spicy, Caribbean-influenced food, and toys on the tables.

Café Havana 1119 N Washington Ave tel 612/338-8484. A Cuban newcomer in the trendy warehouse district offers classy decor, music, and excellent - though pricey - food.

Emily's Lebanese Deli 641 University Ave NE tel 612/379-4069. Warm, low-cost local place.

Goodfellows 40 S 7th St tel 612/332-4800. Award-winning and expensive American cuisine comes in a posh setting.

Modern Café 337 13th Ave NE tel 612/378-9882. Check out the eclectic, cheap, flavorsome food in a former neighborhood diner gone hip.

Monte Carlo 219 N 3rd Ave tel 612/333-5900. Locals swear by this century-old steakhouse. Pricey.

Odaa 408 Cedar Ave S tel 612/338-4459. Tasty all-you-can-eat Ethiopian finger food for $10 or less.

Palomino 825 Hennepin Ave tel 612/339-3800. The stylish, popular downtown Euro-bistro specializes in Mediterranean fare.

Pizza Luce 119 N 4th Street tel 612/333-7359. No frills decor, hip urban staff, and excellent pizza.

Peter's Grill 114 S 8th St tel 612/333-1981. This downtown lunch/early dinner institution is old-style, uncomplicated and quintessentially American. Past diners include President Clinton.

Sawatdee 607 Washington Ave S tel 612/338-6451. The toothsome Thai food is always well prepared; main courses are $8-15. There are several branches in the Twin Cities, and a new Sawatdee sushi restaurant next door. They have excellent late-night discounts on all sushi.