Minneapolis

HAUTE AND COOL: Graves 601 offers 42-inch plasma TVs and a cutting-edge lounge.
photography courtesy of Graves 601

WHERE TO STAY:

If the classic, 18-story façade and rich, traditionally decorated suites don’t say enough about the Grand Hotel Minneapolis, perhaps this will: Last year, it made Travel + Leisure’s 500 Best Hotels in the World list, the first Minnesotan hotel to ever receive the distinction. And why not? With sincere, personalized attention from the staff and lush accommodations, the Grand lives up to its name (615 2nd Avenue S., 866-843-4726, www.grandhotelminneapolis.com). For those who prefer futuristic flare to old-world allure, no place says sleek chic like the Chambers Hotel. Billed as a “luxury art hotel,” the Chambers is just that—guests might feel as though they’ve snuck into a modern art museum for a night’s stay. Stark white walls and furniture act as a blank canvas to showcase more than 200 original paintings, prints, and sculptures. The 60 rooms feature perks like oversized bathrooms with walk-in rain showers and heated floors (901 Hennepin Ave., 877-767-6990, www.chambersminneapolis.com). If you crave more drama than white walls allow, look instead to the Graves 601 Hotel. Paint and wallpaper don’t stand a chance in this cutting edge hotel, as practically every wall has a different treatment—copper paneling; illuminated, shadowed glass; steel design work; and linear wood grain—each as beautiful as the next. Ceilings are sky-high, and even the beds’ headboards are atypical, made not from wood or metal but etched glass. High-tech amenities like 42-inch plasma televisions match the high-fashion feel (601 First Avenue N., 866-523-1100, www.graves601hotel.com).

NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Enjoy cocktails and beef skewers at
View.
photography courtesy of View Restaurant and Lounge

WHERE TO EAT:
A moderately priced business lunch in a sophisticated setting is almost an impossible find. But View Restaurant and Bar, located in the nearby Lake Calhoun area, offers both. Both the food and décor are hip without being overly trendy (2730 W. Lake St., 612-920-5000, www.viewcalhoun.com). If you’re searching for sushi, look no further than Fuji-Ya, a simple Japanese restaurant where the food is the focus. Have a seat (on the floor, in keeping with the traditional Japanese feel) and choose from 50 types of delectable sushi. If you want a lunchtime fix, visit the nearby St. Paul location, as the original Minneapolis restaurant is only open for dinner (600 W. Lake St., 612-871-4055, www. fujiyasushi.com). Heartland’s daily changing menu features fine contemporary Midwestern cuisine. Sound like an oxymoron? Try Chef Lenny Russo’s takes on regional vegetables, meats, and cheeses, and you’ll change your mind. The dining room’s simple furniture and neutral tones set the stage for the surprisingly flavorful menu options like seared au bon canard duck breast with maple syrup-roasted baby sweet potatoes (1806 St. Clair Ave., 651-699-3536, www.heartlandrestaurant.com). Or if your idea of fine dining is limited to crisp, white tablecloths and crystal chandeliers, make a reservation at La Belle Vie. This French favorite was named one of America’s top 50 restaurants of 2006 by Gourmet magazine. Try Chef Tim McKee’s five-course prix fixe tasting menu with a bottle of fine wine from the list of over 300. And don’t skip dessert (510 Groveland Ave., 612-874-6440, www.labellevie.us).

WHAT TO DO:
Are you a lover of nature? There are 450 acres of gorgeous greenery and outdoor activities waiting for you at Como Park, including a zoo, paved trails, the beautiful Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, and the Como Lake and Lakeside Pavilion. Or take a swing at the 18-hole golf course located within the park’s borders (1225 Estabrook Dr., 651-487-8200, www.comozooconservatory.org). Forgot your golf duds? Rest assured that the Mall of America will have all you need and then some. More than 500 stores are packed into four floors—everything from Abercrombie to Zales—and of course, the center court amusement park that’s made it famous (60 E. Broadway, 952-883-8800, www.mallofamerica.com). The Walker Art Center and accompanying Minneapolis Sculpture Garden are an art aficionado’s dream. The Center highlights contemporary visual and performing arts with daring exhibits and programs in a spectacular building designed by Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron. Outside, more than 40 pieces of modern sculpture are on permanent view across 15 acres of garden. The most well-known piece, Spoonbridge and Cherry, has become a Minneapolis landmark of sorts (1750 Hennepin Ave., 612-375-7600, www.walkerart.org). Finally, cap off the evening with drinks at Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant. Renowned as one of the best jazz clubs in the country, Dakota features top acts throughout the event calendar and loyal patrons fill the restaurant for nightly shows and great food to boot (1010 Nicollet, 612-332-1010, www.dakotacooks.com).