World > U.S. > Minnesota

W. A. Frost and Company

<p>This timeless St. Paul restaurant pays tribute to the city's elegant past, virtually re-creating the early 20th century. Owner John Rupp kept the original tin ceiling intact, salvaged the ornate mirrored bar back from Superior, Wisconsin, and filled the place with historic artwork. The New American cuisine on the menu is just as notable, including organic beef and pan-roasted Norwegian salmon. Save room for dessert, especially the pear and rosemary olive oil cake, served with a tangy cranberry, orange, and buttermilk sorbet. The back patio offers perhaps the best outdoor dining in the region, with terraced tables under a lush canopy of trees. On a warm summer evening, there's no prettier place to sip a chilled glass of Chenin Blanc.</p> <p><strong>Tip:</strong> On crisp fall evenings, arrive at 5 p.m. so you can stake out the few seats surrounding the garden bar's outdoor fireplace.</p>