StPaulSiouxFan

I'll second all of what Matt said. We moved to downtown St Pete a little over a year ago. If you have some free time it's way better than Tampa. If you're looking to bar hop there is a block with bars and live music all the way around the block. If you're into good food there are great restaurants. There are also lots of art galleries and museums. All this is in easy walking distance. Let me know if I can help. Berns is a little lost on me. Definitely a great old world steak house but if I only had one night in Tampa I wouldn't spend it there. Ybor city is cool although I prefer St Pete. You'll find people every where down here to be very friendly if you are. Have fun. Jim

I just noticed that the St. Patrick's day parade is on Saturday at noon. If you've never been to one in St. Paul its probably worth checking out. http://www.visitsaintpaul.com/Plan-Your-Stay/Deals-Specials/St.-Patrick-s-Day-in-Saint-Paul

The Coney's at the Gopher bar suck, the staff is old and obnoxious and the place stinks. If it's not a Gopher bar is sure smells like one! Everyone should go there once. It's actually pretty fun. Now if you are looking for a good dog, head east about a mile from the X to Chris and Robs. It's a small train car on the right side of 7th. Great authentic Chicago dogs and sandwiches.

I used to live 6 blocks from The Nook and their Molitor burger is my favorite juicy lucy. Usually the 5-8 and Matt's are the places that get the most publicity. The Blue Door gets pretty good reviews but hasn't been around long enough to compete with the others. BTW, Shamrocks on 7th is a sister to the Nook. It's much bigger and easier to find although die hards claim their grill hasn't seasoned long enough to make good burgers. And I almost forgot, just off 35E at Randolf is a small "gourmet" taco joint owned and operated by a couple of UND alums. Great Place! Rusty's Tacos.

Here are a few other suggestions for food and drink in St Paul. If you are staying at the Embassy Suites and don’t want to hang out with the cops and Bears fans that live at Alary’s, go left (NE) on 7th for a block or two to Sibly and then right for one block to 6th. This area is called lower town. On Sibley you will pass Trattoria da Vinci (or something like that). It’s a great casual Italian place where you go up to the cooks and tell them exactly how you want your pasta. I’m told it’s common to find Wild players in there before games. Lots of pasta at a good price and much better than Cossetta’s. Along 6th (to your left) there’s a fun Tequila bar/restaurant called Barrio and Bulldogs, a good beer and burger joint. There also a wine bar (Bin) and a very upscale restaurant called Heartland. One word of caution, to walk back to Xcel, take 7th. Don’t walk down 5th or 6th after dark. That will take you through an area that’s as close to bad as downtown SP has. If you are staying at Crown Plaza or are in that area, check out Senor Wongs on 4th. It’s a great Asian/Mexican fusion joint that always has good food and great beer. Be aware that for some reason they don’t serve their best food in the bar. Just in the dining room. Go figure. You are also close to American Burger. It doesn’t suck. If you are around Xcel and want to go for a long walk or take a car/cab, I would suggest going up to Selby. It’s the first street past the cathedral. The first place you come to (4 blks?) is Moscow on the Hill. Good food and lots of vodka. It’s a pretty fun place for a group. Make a reservation. A few blocks further is the Happy Gnome. It is the best beer bar in the twin cities. They have something like 140 taps with craft beers from all over the world. One night here and you’ll never drink a bud light again. If you get as far as Dale Street, take a left and go to the Muddy Pig or Sweeny’s. Both great old SP bars. Don’t go any further west on Selby. There’s nothing for a long time. If you’re young and want to check out the local talent, there are more colleges in St Paul than any other city in the county. You won’t find the girls hanging out on 7th though. Check out the bars and little restaurants along Grand Ave. The further west you go the closer you are to Macalester, Saint Cates, Saint Thomas, Hamlin, etc. The good news, probably no Gopher fans! Probably not Sioux fans either though. Have fun!

Yep. Same place.

How Mexican do you want? There is a very Mexican area across the river from downtown with very authentic restaurants. The one we used to go to for lunch didn't have it's menu in English until three or four years ago. I've only been to Boca Chica once and it wasn't great but I know lots of people like it. I think you are better off going a couple more blocks down Cesar Chavez to the

Hey all, I