Minneapolis
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The Minneapolis food scene has really come alive in recent years - the city has some of the Midwest's most creative and talented chefs, yet prices here remain consistently lower than in Chicago or other big cities. One chef currently earning major kudos for his beautifully executed cuisine is Tim McKee, whose La Belle Vie has become a foodie favorite. In the main dining room, sample such artful fare as seared foie gras with caramelized turnips, dried apricots, and a gewurztraminer drizzle. La Belle Vie's more low-keyed lounge is helmed by locally renowned bartender Johnny Michaels - this is a fun spot to bring a date and sample colorful cocktails.

Right beside the Guthrie Theater, the bright and cheery Spoonriver focuses chiefly on organic and regional ingredients in its healthful, creative American fare. It's a lively option for brunch, or for dinner before a play. The same owner, Brenda Langton, also operates the superb Cafe Brenda in the nearby Warehouse District - it specializes in vegetarian and seafood dishes, such as soba-noodle salad with a ginger-tahini dressing.

Try Solera for memorable noshing on a wide range of artfully presented, Spanish-inspired tapas, from soft-shell crab with sweet peppers and mint aioli to grilled beef short ribs with harissa sauce and grilled scallions. The see-and-be-seen crowd is as pretty as the food. In the gay-trendy Uptown neighborhood, Lucia's is a lovely wine bar and bistro that's a short walk from Lake Calhoun and Lake of the Isles, two of the city's nicest areas for an after-dinner stroll. Overlooking Loring Park, Cafe Lurcat has a strong gay following and serves first-rate contemporary American fare. Head to Nicollet Avenue to check out its loads of great ethnic restaurants and cafes, including the tres gay Azia Restaurant and Caterpillar Lounge.

In the Northeast neighborhood, the Latin-Caribbean restaurant Babalu features top-notch live jazz and serves delicious food and cocktails. Enjoy a light breakfast at hipster-infested Vera's Cafe, a sunny coffee bar and teahouse known for its hearty egg dishes and fresh-baked scones. Uncommon Grounds is another gay-popular coffeehouse in a city with many of them.

There are just a handful of gay bars in town, but they're quite fun and consistently crowded. Popular spots include the low-keyed but cruisy Brass Rail, and the often jam-packed Saloon, which draws a yuppie-ish mixed-gender crowd. A longtime favorite that has seen better days, the Gay 90's is a rambling entertainment complex with several lounges and dance areas, plus a wildly popular show bar.

In the city's Warehouse District, consider dropping by the intimate Jetset lounge, a sleek slice of big-city sophistication that's entirely smoke-free. The clean air complements the clean lines and minimalist aesthetic. Catering to a different sort of a dress-conscious crowd, the nearby Minneapolis Eagle strongly encourages either a uniform or leather/rubber attire after 9 on Saturdays - and even at other times, the guys here definitely butch it up. Next door, Minneapolis Bolt draws a still-cruisy, rugged bunch, but you can dress as you wish. There's a small but lively dance area in the back, called the Bolt Underground.
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