What’s For Dinner?
A pop quiz to decide your dining destiny.
BY EMMA GEARY & KATE BROWN
It’s Friday night, and the age-old question looms. What’s for dinner tonight? We’re bringing back the nostalgia of a teen magazine quiz to put a local meal on your plate in style, thanks to the Twin Cities’ award-winning dining scene.
Image via Boludo
1. First and foremost: Who are you spending your night with?
a. One special person
b. A small group of friends
c. Too many of us to count
d. Me, myself, and I
2. What record are you spinning while you get ready for the evening?
a. Bob Dylan
b. Prince
c. Lizzo
d. Hippo Campus
3. What’s your pre-dinner ritual?
a. Doing a luxurious skincare routine and picking out an outfit
b. Crafting an elaborate getting-ready drink to sip on
c. I’m the unofficial group chat coordinator, making sure everyone’s looped in
d. Lighting my favorite candle and putting on a moody playlist
Image via Travail
4. What’s your fit for the night?
a. I’m red-carpet ready
b. A trendy piece that’s fresh off the runway
c. Perfectly worn-in jeans and a vintage tee
d. Fuzzy socks and a cozy pair of pajamas
5. What’s your favorite MN season?
a. Fall: It’s arguably the most romantic season, right?!
b. Summer: It’s time to get outside, travel, and do it all!
c. Spring: Everything is in bloom, and it’s time to socialize!
d. Winter: I’m an expert hibernator, and snowy days are my jam
6. What’s your vibe at the MN State Fair?
a. I’ve mapped out a plan to hit the best of the best
b. Trying every new food on the list
c. Let’s do it all! Food, rides, music, and more!
d.Waiting in line? Large crowds? No thanks!
Image via Porzana
7. What’s your energy level?
a. I’m craving a quiet, thoughtful conversation
b. Let’s get this party started! I’m looking to be mindblown
c. Ready to hang and laugh with my people
d. It’s been a WEEK. I need to be horizontal.
8. What are we celebrating?
a. Love
b. Life
c. Friendship
d. Myself
9. What’s your drink of choice?
a. A perfectly paired glass of wine
b. Something colorful and Instagram-worthy
c. A local brew
d. A fancy sparkling water in a cute can
10. What’s your late-night craving?
a. Decadent dessert
b. If it has a sparkler in it, I’m interested
c. An ice-cream sundae with many spoons to share
d. A fancy chocolate bar in a new-to-me flavor
Mostly A’s: A fancy dinner at Spoon and Stable, Porzana, Demi, or Alma
It’s date night, and you’re ready for a reliably delicious meal in an intimate setting. Whether you’re with your love or your bestie, these date-night spots are the perfect excuse for your favorite outfit and long conversations.
Image via Malcolm Yards
Mostly B’s: Experiential dining at Travail Kitchen and Amusements, Cooks of Crocus Hill, Dong Hae Korean Grill & Sushi, or Taste the Movies
You march to the beat of your own drum, and you’re ready for a meal that does the same. These hotspots emphasize a unique dining experience, offering highly stylized and themed menus, culinary experimentation, and many “you had to be there” moments that make for a memorable night.
Mostly C’s: Hit up a food hall, like Graze, Eat Street Crossing, The Market at Malcolm Yards, or Midtown Global Market
You’re eating family style, and everything is on the menu. You believe wholeheartedly in “the more, the merrier!” and are the one who brings people together. You’re looking for a place that offers something for everyone and makes it easy for your whole crew to gather.
Mostly D’s: It’s takeout time! Try Boludo, Gorkha Palace, Gai Noi, or Aurelia’s
Tonight you’re proudly embracing your introverted side, and an evening with comfort food on the couch is just what you ordered. Whether it’s empanadas and a pizza piled high with parmesan or the spice and rice of Gai Noi’s craveable Laotian dishes, it’s time to press play on your favorite movie and dish up a cozy night in.
Emma Geary
Emma is Collective Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief and LAB’s Brand + Editorial Manager. She loves getting lost in a story and is sharing her own on her Substack, Hot Girl Walk. Find her staring at the sun on her daily lap around Lake of the Isles.
