"Opened in 1985 as a St. Paul restaurant with a jazz club inside, the Dakota moved to Nicollet Mall in 2003. One of the first in town to hop on the “farm-to-table” movement, it’s worked for over 25 years to partner with both world-class musicians and chefs. Current executive chef Asher Larson’s resume includes Fika, Meyvn, and Red Wagon Pizza Co. — his menu features southern flavors like pimento cheese, peach pie, shrimp and grits, and blue crab and crawfish gumbo. Other hearty meat and fish dishes include harissa-spiced wagyu steak, poached catfish, and herby, juniper-crusted duck breast. The Dakota serves a great burger, too." - Natalia Mendez