128 Café
128 Cleveland Ave. North
St. Paul, 612-645-4128

A successful free-for-all of flavors and ingredients is taking place at the disarmingly simple 128 Café, found on the street level of an old brick apartment building in St. Paul's Groveland-Macalester neighborhood. The restaurant is a labor of love for two young couples - Brock and Natalie Obee, and Brian and Lisa Bowman - who bring to the table a spirit of adventure and improvisation.

The main dining room, with its dark-stained pine paneling, calls to mind a fifties-era basement rumpus room, but the food is far from the fifties. Chef Brock Obee, the son of career diplomats, acquired his taste for exotic cuisines early, in places like Pakistan and Nepal. Now he roams the world metaphorically by creating dishes like a grilled vegetable platter with lime-cilantro vinaigrette served over saffron couscous, and grilled pork tenderloin rolled in Moroccan spices and finished with honey-mint pesto. There are also quite a few real bargains on the menu; for under ten bucks, you can try grilled chicken and balsamic-marinated red onions with buttermilk mashed potatoes.

Grand Ole Creamery
750 Grand Avenue St. Paul MN, (651) 293-1655

The Grand Ole Creamery is celebrating their 20th Anniversary on the Avenue in 2004. Try one of their 31 flavors of Homemade Ice Cream, Sherbet or Italian Ice while perusing the many "Best Ice Cream" awards that adorn the walls. The ice cream is made on the premises each day, all year long.
While well known for their sweet-smelling home-baked waffle cones, the other treats (malts, shakes, sundaes) are delectable as well! Plenty of seating for large groups. Be sure to check out their Ice Cream Cakes and Pies too. Custom made for your event! Off-Site Catering and Parties in the shop also available.

Source: http://twincities.citysearch.com/