Heidi's Minneapolis

SoG Score: Food: A- | Ambiance: B+
Type: American, modern
Address: 819 W 50th St
Minneapolis, MN 55419
612.354.3512
Price: $$$

We've been wanting to try Heidi's for some time now but hadn't gotten around to it 'til last weekend. Heidi's is Stewart Woodman's newest moderately priced endeavor- he was named one of the best new chefs by Food and Wine magazine in 2006 and had previously opened some high-end Minneapolis restaurants. He bills it as "familiar foods made extraordinary" which I think is an accurate description. It's a tiny space, redecorated in rich colors with luxurious and artistic accents, including an ornate ceiling and a simple music stand as the welcome desk to create a romantic ancient/modern feel.
For appetizers, I had the foie gras crépe which was your typical melt in your mouth foie gras experience with the added bonus of sweet hibiscus syrup. The texture of the lentils was a little odd against the creaminess of the foie gras but it took on some of the flavor of the foie gras and made it feel like you were getting a bit more foie gras than you paid for. Jeff had the diver scallop on a piece of bread with mustard seeds which had good flavor but the scallop was a touch overcooked.
For our entrées, I had the Australian sea bass with parsley, parsnips, and mussel foam (pictured right). This was prepared beautifully- the first bite was bliss- creamy, milky, buttery. I'm not the biggest fan of butter, so around halfway through I couldn't stomach any more butter, but it was definitely a delicious dish. Jeff had one of the evening specials- a beef tenderloin with a heavenly sauce made of foie gras (pictured left)- pure perfection.
We'll have to stop by again for a cheese plate and dessert as we were too full to even think about it.
the good: I think Stewart Woodman got it right, it really is familiar foods made extraordinary, well-priced: appetizers average around $8 and entrées around $18.
the not so good: we were seated right away with our reservation, but rumor is even with a reservation you should be prepared to wait.
Overall: definitely recommended: don't forget to visit my new favorite store, Patina, right next door.

Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Domaine de la Pepière 2005

Price: $10.99
SoG Score: 90
User Score: --
Region: Loire Valley, France

Muscadet is a musky white wine that comes from the fertile Loire Valley in France. There are several types and Muscadet Sevre et Maine is supposedly the best of the muscadet varietal. It's crisp and refreshing and as it comes from a coastal region it has a sweet seaside saltiness that is comforting as we're stuck in landlocked Minnesota. We had it with sea bass which was good but it really seems like it was made to be eaten with clams, mussels, or crab. The brininess is balanced by a hint of sweet honeysuckle which adds a fragrant touch. One sip takes you to a calming afternoon on the porch of a seaside cottage in France.

the ideal meal: a chilled glass of Muscadet with moules frites.

Pizza Nea

SoG Score: Food: B+ | Ambiance: B+

Type: Pizza
Address: 306 East Hennepin
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Price: $
Twin cities pizza lovers can't seem to ever agree on where to get the best pizza. While I still haven't tried enough Minneapolis pizza shops to give a definitive answer, I can at least comment on the ongoing Punch Pizza and Pizza Nea debate. Punch Pizza all the way! Nevertheless, Pizza Nea was a fun and tasty stop for us. We had the margherita pizza, my personal favorite, and a pizza bianco with porcini mushrooms (both pictured). The cheese and ingredients are fresh, generously proportioned, and absolutely delicious. The crust is crisp and perfectly cooked but a bit thicker than I typically like for Neapolitan style pizza.
The outside patio is relaxing on a sunny day and Hennepin Avenue offers a great way to spend an afternoon with an eclectic mix of shops. Surdyk's Wine and Cheese shop, the largest wine store in the midwest, is right across the street. Be sure to stop by one of my favorite stores, the neighboring Bibelot, after your pizza.
That being said, Punch Pizza is right down the street and offers a spacious beautiful patio, a hip and fun atmosphere, and authentic Neapolitan pizza. Both pizza joints are definitely worth a try.
the good: fresh ingredients, fun neighborhood
the not so good: not much to complain about
Overall: recommended: worth a try, but I still prefer Punch.