East Metro

Food and events in East Metro – St. Paul to Hudson

Lakes Tavern and Grill | Woodbury Lakes, Minnesota

Woodbury Lakes Tavern and Grill Food
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Because of boyfriend’s work schedule, I’ve been spending a lot of time over on his end of town, which means a lot of my weekends have been spent on the East side, more specifically in Woodbury. I’ve made it my mission for us to try out all the different Woodbury brunch options there are. We had actually been to Lakes Tavern and Grill previously for a lunch and found it satisfactory (nothing bad, but nothing that blew us away) so when my friend said that it is his go-to brunch spot I was willing to try it out.

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Osaka Sushi + Hibachi | Woodbury Minnesota

Osaka Seafood and Steakhouse Woodbury Hibachi Restaurant
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I have this unexplained anxiety about hibachi restaurants. I think it’s mostly due to the performance pressure of having food thrown into the air that you’re supposed to catch in your mouth and the social pressure of participating in having sake squirted directly into your mouth WITHOUT letting it stain your clothes…my refusal to go to hibachi has not gone over well with boyfriend so after a year of stubborn refusal I finally agreed, much to boyfriend’s outward jubilation, to visit Osaka Seafood & Steakhouse for date night.

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Keys Cafe & Bakery | Woodbury, Minnesota

Keys Cafe Woodbury MN
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While anyone who follows me on Instagram has probably figured out that I’ve become a regular at Not Justa Cafe’s Sunday Brunch, we were on a bit of a time crunch and trying to stay near boyfriend’s house. With the demise/closing of the Perkins a couple months ago we were at a loss until we remembered Key’s Cafe & Bakery and how everytime we drive by it we say, “we should go there.” Well, mission finally completed.

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Not Justa Cafe and Bar | Bayport, Minnesota

Not Justa Cafe Not Just Bar Bayport
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The “Not Justa” family has been growing over the years. Starting with Not Justa Cafe in Bayport almost 20 years ago, NJ’s has been a staple for weekend brunch with lines out the door. They’ve since expanded with locations in Somerset, New Richmond, and opened up “Not Justa Bar” next to the original NJ Cafe in Bayport…naturally this location is my favorite, because they serve liquor and I live for a brunch cocktail!

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Tamarack Tap Room | Woodbury, Minnesota

Tamarack Tap Room Woodbury
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Tamarack Tap Room used to be one of the defunct Champps Americana locations when I was growing up well into my adulthood. My family used to frequent this location pretty often and when I got older I used to go with friends to play “Bucks” and hang with CA the DJ. When they closed, I wasn’t surprised, because let’s be honest, they weren’t exactly “impressive” (although I still daydream about that club sandwich), but I am so glad that Tamarack Tap Room opened in it’s place a few years ago. This was the restaurant that Woodbury needed: good food, innovative food that takes risks yet not TOO risky for the ‘burbs, and has an AMAZING beer list.

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