Downtowner Woodfire Grill
253 7th St W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102
Downtowner Woodfire Grill Menu
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Woodfired Pizza
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Persian Fire Roasted
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Woodfired
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Pasta
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Burgers And Sandwiches
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Desserts
Healthy Meal suggestions for Downtowner Woodfire Grill
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Appetizers
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Salads
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Woodfired Pizza
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Persian Fire Roasted
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Woodfired
-
Pasta
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Burgers And Sandwiches
-
Desserts
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Saint Paul for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
253 7th St W
Saint Paul, MN, 55102 - Phone (651) 228-9500
- Website https://www.downtownerwoodfire.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :7:00 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Breakfast, Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Categories
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Sandy A.
The aroma pulled me in from the street. Ordered the steak salad-asked for dressing on the side and Margarita. Hate table salt on rim of glass-drink was warm with little ice floating on top- ample tequila though and half way through, didn't care. Salad came with no dressing on the side-and since it took 30 min for delivery, I wasn't going to send it back for another 30 min wait. So I ate the oily drenched greens-but the steak strips were awesome and cooked to order. Great ambiance, great friendly service but maybe the cooks need to slow down and read the order and bartender and chefs should try their own food and drinks to keep quality and price balanced.
(3)Julie D.
We made reservations for our anniversary at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill $$$ for our first visit. The food, atmosphere, and service was good. I found a piece of plastic in my mashed potatoes. I didn't make a stink about it, but I informed the server. She was very polite and understanding and said she would talk with her Manager. She returned to say her Manager would only replace my half eaten mashed potatoes. Then the Manager stopped by to say "how is everything going?" I was surprised. What would you expect in this situation?
(3)Karin M.
We have been here several times for breakfast and the experience always seems to leave me feeling meh. The prices seem pretty high, but the portions are on the average to larger side. My issue is that sometimes I don't want a huge portion of breakfast, especially since breakfast leftovers never seem to reheat well. The cajun breakfast with meat is great; however it is way to large for one person to eat and at almost $11 for a regular order and $10 for a half order it just doesn't make sense to me. Service is usually meh also. Overall not a horrible experience; however it does not make it into the regular breakfast rotation.
(2)Kim R.
For New Year's Eve, we made reservations at the Downtowner for dinner. I loved the warm atmosphere of the restaruant with the fireplace in the center of the dining area. And I also really enjoyed the fact that they were still playing Christmas music :) The Downtowner has a variety of woodfired pizzas and meats (including beef, chicken and seafood). I decided to order the Amish chicken breast and loaded baked potato. I thought the chicken was cooked very well and wasn't too dry, but it lacked some flavor. It was good, but there wasn't really a wow factor. The potato was huge! My hubby ordered the pepperoni and sausage pizza and loved it. The pizza is on the smaller side, but definitely big enough for one with some left overs if you aren't a huge eater. I also got to try a bit of my mom's seabass, which was a special for the night. This was probably one of the best dishes at the table. The fish was cooked perfectly. I would stay away from the lobster bisque. It was pretty bland and had a distinct, fishy flavor. It was too sweet for my tastes and need some salt or other spices. For dessert, we ordered the molten chocolate cake. It was OK, but not my favorite. I didn't care of the amaretto flavor of the cake and fudge inside the cake. Other than that, the texture was great, but the cake is on the small side. Service here could be improved a little. A few people at our table got a bad vibe from our waitress, who definitely wasn't too friendly or willing to joke around at all.
(3)Annie P.
Stopped in here late last night for dinner. Beautiful restaurant although the place was pretty dead. Food was average - maybe a little above. We had lamb kabob and Nasseff Salad which was good, but pricey - $21.00 I believe was the price but I did get 4 nice sized shrimp. No complaints but would not rush back anytime soon unless I was at the Xcel Centre for a game or show.
(3)Jennifer L.
We have been here twice now. Once for Breakfast and once for Dinner. The Breakfast was pretty darn good. I had the Eggs Benedict and my hubby had an omelet. My eggs were disappointing until my husband handed me the lemon wedge from his water glass - All the Hollandaise needed was a little lemon and suddenly it was awesome. The speed that they got our food to us was amazing. They constantly filled our water glasses. The hash browns were crisp and delicious. The dinner was on a freezing Friday Night. We got in at 7:00 on a Friday without reservations - although I heard people had to wait not long after we got through - so reservations are probably a good idea. The place was VERY noisy - we had a hard time hearing each other. On Beth and Jack's recommendation I got the beef fire roasted kabob which was over the moon good. Best beef I have had in a restaurant in a very long time. The rice was also amazing - buttery an flavorful. I almost always leave my rice and this time I just kept eating and eating. So good! My husband had the Chicken sun-dried tomato salad and a bowl of chicken vegetable soup. He loved them both. I was also very pleased with the wine I had. I had a glass of Cavit Pinot Grigio and they poured a generous glass. We passed on desert but our neighbors had a slab of chocolate cake delivered to their table that made me regret that. It looked amazing! Maybe for a treat on my next Birthday... This place has pleased us twice in a row and will be going into our Go-To restaurants.
(4)Barbara J.
Fireplace, bar and great food, oh my! The food is great and it doesn't matter breakfast, lunch or dinner. YUM. I never feel out of place no matter what I wear. Once I wandered in for breakfast hiding my hair under a ballcap and other times, we've gone in for dinner wearing skirt and heels and blended right in. When friends come to town, I recommend the Downtowner. The pizzas are yummy and the breakfast superb!
(4)Thanasis T.
Perfect food! Try the grilled chicken! Very cozy environment!
(5)Brad C.
Tried them for lunch before a show at the Ordway. They were doing a pretty nice brunch business and had a key boardist but he stopped at 12:30. Too bad as it was nice and the room was quiet after he left. The booths could have been redone with new padding about 5 years ago but other areas have been updated but still an old feel to the restaurant. For lunch we had the burger (served too rare when we ordered medium to medium well but they were switching from breakfast to lunch so probably a transition item.) The mussels were large, very clean and nice. The broth was well done. The crab cakes were large and a bit dry and could have used more sauce and seemed over processed. Some larger pieces of crab would have been better. Service was attentive and the dinning room was fairly quiet so easy conversations. Overall, it was OK if you go in with middle of the roads expectations.
(2)Alana Z.
Currently on a mini vacay in St. Paul, MN to visit a bestie and decided to try out this steakhouse! I love steak, but today I felt like a nice pasta and some shrimp. I tried the fettucini alfredo with shrimp and it was delicious on many levels and not so good in a few aspects. As for the positives, the cheesy-ness of the pasta was perfect for me! I love a richer fettucini and this really hit the spot for me. The shrimp was also cooked very well and the quality of the shrimp was great as they were large, juicy, and succulent. The negatives include the portion of the pasta. This is a $18.95 dish and honestly for that price, I would've expected at least twice the serving size. Maybe it's a Minnesota thing that the portion size is smaller, but I'm used to St. Louis pasta serving size at a place like Zia's on the Hill. Another thing that I would've changed was the amount of time the actual noodles were cooked. I love the perfect "al dente" cooking and they did not leave the noodles cooking for long enough. My cousin who I was with did not think that her noodles were cooked enough either. So overall, I would definitely go back to try this place even though I'm not from around here! The service was great and it was definitely a nice atmosphere to eat in.
(4)Victor M.
I rated this place 4 stars because the service was amazing. went to lunch for a work lunch and the service was good. The food was nothing special but it was only lunch. I will go back again for dinner to re evaluate the place. I went to the downtowner 2 months ago
(4)Julian P.
This is the place to be for happy hour. Love it. The atmosphere is great, very relaxing after a stressful day. Three dollar martinis, half off call drinks and tap beer, and half off appetizers. Basically you're livin the schwanky life at half price. The service is always good. The woman bartender is classic. She's a bit surly, but she's been in the industry forever and can make a $3 martini taste pretty damn good. Just be nice to her and she'll warm up. I returned my Stella twice the last time I was there because it was flat. Most bartenders would behead you for something like that. However, she kindly went to check the keg and sure enough it was near the bottom. Very nice. Hands down, you must must try the Buffalo Shrimp. Quality jumbo shrimp smothered in a crazy good sauce. It's not the buffalo sauce that you'd think, but rather a homemade chutney/pesto/hot sauce. It's to die. I could eat it every day. It comes with extra sauce and ranch and is served on a bed of fresh greens. The tempura veggies are also delish. Breakfast is superb. I order the Greek scramble and a cup of their great coffee which is never less than half full. I frequent the Downtowner about once a month. Sometimes I go with a group that personally knows the owner and other times I go with friends and family. In both cases, I am given great service. I appreciate the consistency. Num, now I totally want some of those shrimp...
(4)Jessica W.
Hosted a large group here (20 people) for a late lunch and everyone loved their meals! Service was outstanding, beautiful atmosphere and delicious food. I had dinner here as well and loved my meal but have never made it for breakfast. Would definitely come back again!!
(5)Beth F.
No change in stars, but I'm updating this review for a few reasons. Since writing this review originally, I've been back to this restaurant several times. I like the location. It's much better than most of the neighboring competition. And more importantly, I like the food. It's nothing Earth shattering, but it is simple and it tastes good and sometimes that's all I want or need to be satisfied. My husband and I are both fans of the skewer plates, especially the beef tenderloin and lamb. The blend of spices used in the marinades is spectacular. Cumin, rosemary, garlic, olive oil. And probably many more that I haven't been able to identify. YUM! Each plate is served with grilled veggies (tomato, zucchini and onion) and a heaping plate of buttery basmati rice. And if you're in the mood for an app, I'd recommend the artichoke dip. It's cheesy and sinful and everything artichoke dip should be. The major downfall for this restaurant is consistency. It's a bit of an issue for them. Sometimes the meat is so tender you can cut it with your fork. And sometimes? Not so much. But even still, it's the flavor that keeps me coming back. All that being said, it's probably a safe bet to say that we find ourselves here for dinner every 5 or 6 weeks or so. While researching a place to hold our wedding rehearsal dinner, it was pretty evident to us both that this would be one of our top choices for that reason. This restaurant has a private room. It seats approximately 30 (maybe 33??). The room is close to the bar, close to the restrooms (which are lovely, by the way) and has its own fireplace (which is not lit in the summer). The food is slightly different than what is served at most typical restaurants in the area but not so wild and crazy that some of our conservative palate Midwestern (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio) relatives wouldn't be able to enjoy it. The dinner went off without a hitch. The servers were top notch and handled everything with finesse, even when grandma got wasted. On a scale of 1-10, food was a 7 that night, so the husband and I were adequately pleased. The family was also quite impressed. Most of them live in different states or out in the sticks, so none of them had ever been here and we're still getting phone calls. They all want us to bring them here again when they come to visit.
(4)Angie S.
I went here with a friend to catch up on old times. The night we went there was live Jazz being played and so we totally took advantage. The location was good, very quiet especially on the week nights. When we got there we made reservations just in case. When you walk it you get the amazing smell of the Woodfire Grill (which overtakes your senses). We sat centrally and had a great view to the music also. The server was incredible nice and checked in often (but not overly). I had the salmon and adored this meal! It was amazing! The flavors were so rich. The sides that came with it reminded me almost being back home in the winter for a home meal. Who doesn't love that!? The decor and the atmosphere was beautiful in this place. If you like qoodfire grill settings (including the free 'take home fragrance you get from those restaurants') then this should make your 'Try It' list.
(4)Mindy T.
a friend recommended Downtowner Woodfire Grill for their pizza. It was truly amazing. Very nice atmosphere, friendly service. We tried the apple pecan pizza & thai chicken pizza. I love both. Everything about this experience was perfect.
(5)Tracy H.
Ate here for the first time this weekend and was pleasantly surprised. My husband and I were there with another couple. My husband had the New York Strip and said it was good, but not as flavorful as he'd hoped. Our friends each had the salmon and thought both of theirs was a little dry (they order the salmon each time they dine here and have always raved about it, so maybe the chef was just having an off night). But, I told the server that I am vegan and the chef could whip me up anything that he wanted and he did! I was served a deliciously flavorful soup and grilled veggies on the side. I was very happy with my meal. I rated it with three stars because the other three meals were not deserving of four stars. I would definitely eat at Downtowner again.
(3)Cassondra H.
Gorgeous restaurant, love the live Jazz on the weekends and the fireplaces. Food has always been served cold, yet tasty. It's expensive for what it is. Presented well. Table service is professional (bar is a different story for some reason). If you're a bona fide gentleman, bring a date here... it's the perfect date restaurant.
(3)Thaddeus S.
So I finally made it to the downtowner to try the legendary Cajun Breakfast. When one of St. Paul's finest told me it's the best in the Twin cities I figured it was time loosen up the belt buckle and head down to west seventh. I was presently surprised by the warm classy decor. I felt a little under dressed at first, but soon notice the crowd was a nice mix of Sunday best to sweatshirts and ball caps. As for the Cajun Breakfast, I have to say it was one of the most perfectly cooked and well constructed Cajun breakfasts I have ever had. The hash browns were a perfect golden brown, there was sausage on every bite, the eggs were cooked to a perfect runny over easy, peppers, onions, mushrooms, cheese and the ideal amount of hollandaise sauce covering the whole dish with a nice dusting of paprika to round it off. But to actually say it was the best I have ever had ... I have to say it's in the top three. My only complaint, and this is just my personal preference, is that the sausage just did not have enough kick for me and the hollandaise sauce didn't have that snap that I have been scouring the earth for. Don't get me wrong, this will be a place I will be impressing out of town friends with for some time to come, but I'm still looking to find a place that puts out this kind of product, yet hits emphasizes the "Cajun" part just a little more.
(4)Dee T.
I've been here a few more times for dinner now, and think that dinner, rather than breakfast, is their strong suit. Some of the items are strange, like the artichoke dip thing, but some work well, like the mushroom thing. The grilled meats are great (as in the hen and chicken) but not particularly Persian in flavor. The pizzas are really good. I love the fireplaces and the small bar. I giggle every time I see the uber-phallic street sign.
(3)Soma N.
Nassef salad and the Malbec. Heaven. We come here often enough to not believe that people get bad service or food. This place is awesome. Sometimes the service isn't the speediest, but it's never been so bad that I would complain....and I complain pretty readily. Anway, we always eat at odd hours of the day, so it is usally pretty empty when we are there. The last time we were there, we came in at 10:20pm (turns out the kitchen closes at 10:30, we thought it was 11). They didn't so much as give us a look for coming in so near to closing time. The bar tender was a very sweet lady with great recommendations. They made sure that even though they were closing the kitchen down they made us fresh bread (very warm and delicious). We got the Nasseff salad (the servers jokingly call this the "massive nassef") to split and Chevre Cheese and Ginger Apricot Tart. Amazing, every time. Lots of places claim to marinate their shrimp before griling, but I've never had such flavorfull shrimp! And, maybe it's because the owners are Persian, but they know how to use real, fresh spices - nothing old or imitation there! I love my salad, and they have never used old greens here. LOVE. Did I mention that I'm a fan of the Nasseff? We go maybe once or twice a month, probably been there 10 times, and have loved it. Every. Single. Time. We have, however, never been there for breakfast - I know from working in the industry that breakfast is really, really hard to execute well, so I pretty much go to joints that are strictly for breakfast/brunch. Otherwise, you'll probably be dissapointed anyway. I know this tends to be the source of people's gripes about the place. Anway, its always warm, comfortable, clean, professional and friendly. We'll continue to frequent this restaurant, so come by and visit! We'll be the weird couple at the bar while they are trying to close....
(5)Darlene L.
This the place we go for birthday lunch celebrations. The fried shrimp,calamari, and veg are the best, and a must order. We also split the Apple, onion blue cheese pizza, excellent. This is the place to go for a special lunch and they have a special birthday dessert not on the menu. Big enough to split 3 ways. I like to cook so when I dine out I want something I can't or won't make at home.
(5)Joe I.
Meh is right. I've eaten here several times but not recently - in fact its probably been a couple of years since I had been here last. My brunch here today was lame. It took forever to be seated despite there being plenty of tables visibly available throughout the dining room. Once seated our server was efficient, but the food was blah. I had eggs Benedict and the sauce was gross, as were the what seemed to be pieces of sandwich meat ham serving as the Canadian bacon. It was a disappointment.
(2)John N.
I don't hand out a five-star rating easily, but this place earned it. We came here right before a Minnesota Wild game, and we were seated quickly. We got our drinks right away, and the food shortly after. Only had a burger, but it was really good! Our waitress was very nice, as well as the guy at the door. Good food and grade-A service all around. Thanks guys!
(5)Charlotte D.
Very good food, helpful and attentive staff. Very convenient for dinner before a game at the Xcel or a show at the Ordway.
(4)Aaron Y.
OK, so the atmosphere here is really chill and has cheap drinks! VSOP Henne for $7!!! The food was off the hook! I had the mussels for appetizer, side of spinach salade, clam linguine, and the molten cake for dessert. The best meal I had in St. Paul! I would highly suggest trying it and the staff is very friendly and attentive!
(5)Grey S.
Liked it lots. Had the swordfish special which was nicely cooked and complemented by a rice with a nice curry-type sauce. My wife's lamb shish kabobs were also quite tasty. All and all, I very nice meal.
(4)G H.
Meh. Went here for the first time for dinner with a friend. She had a pizza and I had the tuna nicoise salad. Her pizza was fine; she's been here before and likes the pizza. My salad was dry and bland. There was almost no dressing, a little drizzle on the top that didn't even reach the second layer of greens much less the bottom of the bowl. The mixed greens tasted like they came straight out of the Dole bag. The green beans, excuse me "haricot verts", consisted of 4 pods stuck at the bottom of the salad bowl. I actually forgot they were supposed to be in the salad until I discovered them on my last few forkful of food. The tuna was actually pretty good; fresh tasting with just the right touch of seasoning to complement a salad; it was just too bad that its accompaniments were blah at best. The restaurant did have a nice welcoming ambiance to it. Guests and staff were nice, not stuffy. This wouldn't be my first spot for downtown St. Paul dining but I'd give it another try.....sometime in the far future.
(3)Chris F.
Quick lunch. Onion rings were excellent. Steak sandwich was OK.
(3)John E.
Nice place, friendly staff, food is not special.
(3)Luke C.
This is my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities. The atmosphere is very nice yet casual. They have really nice lunch specials with a soup and salad combo that is really good. For dinner they have really good steaks cooked on the wood fueled grill.
(5)Steve M.
Stopped in for a quick bit before the WILD game last night. Just grabbed a burger, but it was very good, lots of real blue cheese, not that crappy sauce most places use. I will go back when I have more time and look at the whole menu. the atmosphere was hip and trendy, the place seemed nice.
(3)Jay G.
My wife and I went early before a show at the X. The place was mostly empty except for the flurry of activity behind the open kitchen's line. Our salads came first. We ordered caesars. If there was a TBSP of dressing between the two, I'd be exaggerating. I had the calamari and vegetables for an appetizer and it was excellent. Perfectly cooked squid and crispy veggies. My wife had a flatbread pizza and it was just OK, nothing stunning, but certainly not bad. When we asked what the specials were, we were told they hadn't been announced yet- it was not 5 pm (4:50 to be exact) and our waitress made no bones that we weren't gonna be ordering them. Soooo- My wife had the grilled salmon and it was perfect, she ate every bite. I had the pork chops. They were cool when they arrived and just ok. The horseradish mashed potatoes accompanying my entree were horseradish-less and I'll be damned, they were instant potatoes! Yarge! The highlight of our evening was the large table next to us. It was a multigenerational hispanic family. I'm thinking "cool, everyone got together for a big night out, what a treat". The waiter was less then thrilled to serve them. He virtually ingnored every time they tried to attract his attention. When this family left, the waiter was bitching loudly to another server about the 2 year old that dropped some french fires, the amount of his tip, the fact that they asked for more bread for their bread basket and when he deemed "their first time to a real restaurant". We were sitting right next to them! We heard every word this little turd uttered! I did contact the owner, Moe, about this troubling part of the meal. He called me back promptly and reassured me that the waiter had some family issues and is normally not like that. I appreciate the professional way in whih Moe handled this issue, but unfortunately the food being so mediocre probably won't bring me back here soon.
(2)Keith S.
Good choice for dinner if you're in St Paul. Went last night. The fire and the decor make you feel really warm. It felt like Colorado or something in there. It was quite nice. The wood fire pizza was very good. Excellent flavors and well cooked. I got the chicken, mushroom and mozzarella. Desserts were good. Creme Brulee and Raspberry Cheesecake (Cheesecake of the day) were excellently done. Definitely go check it out. I wouldn't be in a rush to head back, but I also wouldn't object if someone suggested it in the near future.
(3)Ben R.
Friday night 9.00pm and the place was empty, was that a sign? Anyways ordered the lamb kabob from their Persian grill section of the menu, they call it the leg of lamb but they actually put it in skewer, more like shush kabob. What can I say, it was mediocre, lamb was overdone, it didn't taste like it was freshly grilled (the meat was cold) and they give you plate full of basmati rice to go with it. There was no balance in the food presentation and tasted ho hum...for $ 21.95 you would expect better! Ambience is good, service is ok and that's it, stay away!
(2)Adam W.
Everything stated in my original review stands as written. The point of this update is to highlight the fantastic breakfast available at the Downtowner. Your standard bacon/eggs/hashbrowns/toast will be cooked with care (nice thick bacon, too). I suggest that you also try the huevos rancheros, cajun breakfast or variations on the eggs benedict theme. Great taste, fair portions. My new favorite breakfast spot.
(4)Mark H.
The fireplace inside Downtowner was going and it offered some warmth from the cold outside. I had a tasty pepperoni and italian sausage pizza on a thin crust dough, though it didn't necessarily seem Italian-style. The sausage was very nice, and I had a Caesar half-salad (which at $4.50 seemed a little pricey, though it was fine.) Pizza was pre-cut for me into eights, which irks me a little bit. I'm a big boy, I can cut my pizza! Their wine list includes the varietal and the vintner, but strangely enough, not the vintage. A list not to be taken seriously, though I've encountered much MUCH worse, to be sure. The big plus in my book was the service. My waitress was quiet, kind, and unobtrusive. Exactly what I like. On my next visit I'd like to try the mediterranean meat skewers, which sounded very nice.
(3)Nicole P.
Alright, but didn't blow my socks off. Good wait staff and though we had reservations for a Friday the place was empty. They had a Jazz duo playing during dinner also. The food was alright, my mom really enjoyed the pepper corn ranch dressing on her salad. my boyfriend liked his pork chops but he saved one to eat with BBQ sauce at home (they come with a fruit compote on). I had one of the specials, halibut on top of a wild rice risotto. the fish was alright, it was thick so there was the light and dark meat in the portion. the risotto was pretty tasty and i ate most of that. The place seemed a little pricey or the atmosphere was a little old? we enjoyed dinner but there isn't a reason for me to drive back there again.
(3)James W.
This is an excellent place for breakfast. The food is excellent and the staff is very friendly. Order the blueberry pancakes!!
(5)Amy B.
If I could afford to eat at the Downtowner more often, I would. Although their pizzas are around $11. A couple people ordered the Woodfired Amish Chicken Breast and said it was juicy and flavorful. I got a blackened fish special and loved, loved, loved it! I also hit up the Warm Apple and Pear Crisp. The damage for 3 was well over $100. Worth it though! The Downtowner is warm and intimate - great place to impress a date.
(5)Christina S.
Great food and service!
(5)Dan B.
I enjoyed this place when I went. I got one of the wood fired pizzas when I went, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The best part is the atmosphere, which was just fantastic. We were seated very close to the fireplace, and it was really cozy. I also got the creme brulee if I remember correctly, and it was just out-of-this-world delicious. I recommend this place for special occasions, as they seem to accommodate larger parties of people quite well.
(4)Cathy P.
We went here for the first time last Sunday night before the Roger Waters concert and had high hopes since it had been recommended. We brought our own wine and our server was great. She corked our bottles and offered to put them in chillers since it was a bit warm out. We then ordered a crab cake appetizer and most of the group liked it, but I thought it was a bit fishier than it needed to be , and I usually like crab cakes. We then had salads which were just fine, nothing awesome nothing bad. The bread and butter was a head scratcher though because the bread was actually a cold pita and then butter was just plain butter. Nothing that tasted bad, but seemed like a lack of creativity. At this point I was really glad I ordered a big dinner because the bread and appetizer were both a disapointment to me. My husband and I both ordered the lamb special with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans. It looked great, nice fresh green beans and a ton of meat. They actually served two lambs shanks instead of the usual which is one, which in hind sight makes sense because I am sure they were tyring to get rid of the meat. It tasted really gamey and not edible at all. The waitress was really a good sport and took them off our bill even though I ate all the mashed potatoes. I hope the kitchen manager realizes he should not be serving bad meat just to keep his costs down. I'm wondering if it was the same lamb Daniele P ate on 4/2/12?? We'll never be back unless it's just for drinks.
(2)Afsi M.
We were in downtown St Paul visiting from California and after having had nearly a week of non-Persian food, I was craving some Iranian food. So after a number of phone calls (and thanks so much to the guy at Caspian in Mps), we ended up at Downtowner. We have two young children, 4.5 and 6, and we realized this was an upscale restaurant right away. But decided to stay anyway. The food was delicious. I had the beef tenderloin and my husband had the chicken. The rice was very good, given American Minnesota standards. It probably wouldn't go very far in California, but it was great for me, compared to what I had had all week. The pita bread was delicious, and it went great with the yogurt. BTW, I didn't think the Persian food tasted that Persian, but still it was good. The atmosphere is very nice. The decor is also very nice. Our server was fantastic! at the beginning. My husband and I were saying that was the best service we had all week. But then she disappeared!! My husband's theory is that since they were not busy (we were there at 5 pm), they were just chatting. He could see the back of the restaurant. I still thought it was good service, perhaps not great. I would go back to this restaurant without children. They were very friendly towards our kids and in fact have a kids menu and crayons. It's just that it's a nice place where you want to kick back, enjoy your wine and the atmosphere, and get something out of a $20 meal. But that's not really possible with young kids.
(4)Fr. Nels G.
This is one of my favorite places to go for dinner. The service is perfect (present and available but not too present to disturb the evening). The atmosphere is classy- comfortable. The food is always good and the owner is often around. Great place.
(4)Vanessa P.
My boyfriend and I went to the Downtowner for our New Years dinner and it was delightful! We both had the four course meal offered for new years and we got soooo much food! It started off with a lobster bisque that was quite delicious, and a perfect start to our meal. Second was a spinach salad with mango, white almonds, and a somewhat fruity dressing. The salad was so big we both had to box up half of it to have enough room for the main course. I had the grouper with rice and asparagus and the portions were just right. The grouper was cooked perfectly and it all meshed together very well. For dessert we got a rich chocolate cake slice with strawberries. We both had to box up half of the slice of cake as well! We had great portions for the price and the service was great. I wouldn't mind coming back to this restaurant soon for another good meal :)
(4)Maria A.
I had crab salad eggs benedict and it smelled so fishy when they put it in front of me I could hardly even try it. I ate two bites...the server never noticed that I didn't eat a thing on my plate. It cost me 17.00 for a diet pepsit a cup of hasbrowns. We got put into a booth for 4 people but we had 5. ...Never again..
(1)Mitch H.
One of my staple places, whether I am out on a date, or just going out with friends. Its location is ideal to me, since it is right be Golden Leaf, Cossttas, and the Excel. I really enjoy the food, especially their brunch menu. I make it a point to take everyone here for brunch. Clients, SO, anyone. Their jazz is not half bad either. Just a solid downtown location.
(5)Shaun M.
Have only been here for breakfast but have never been disappointed! Service is great and the food is just plain fantastic!
(4)Alison T.
I keep waiting for the Downtowner to blow me away, but each of the three times I've visited, I have left disappointed at the end of the night. The ambiance at this restaurant is excellent, with any seating offering a great view of either the beautiful center fireplace, the open kitchen, or the lights on 7th Street. Booths offer privacy for a romantic date night or a great coversation with friends. Unfortunately, I have never had a memorable meal from start to finish. Last night we started out with cocktails and a delicious goat cheese tart on a plate of roasted beets. I was looking forward to my woodfired margherita pizza, but was disappointed with a soggy crust and weak flavors. I figured since this place is known partly for pizza, this would be their best effort. I guess not. While our molten chocolate cake dessert was presented beautifully and oozed out just right with the first bite, the chocolate flavoring lacked a richness and quality that I've found at many other restaurants. I have always had great service here and I can't say enough about the ambiance. Maybe with some tweaks to the menu and more consistent preparation by the chefs, this restaurant can pick up another star or two.
(3)Beer G.
Lousy. The NY strip ordered medium rare was only 3/4" thick and came medium well. Pork chops were thin and overcooked. Broiled shrimp came out cold. Waitress was "really sorry." We won't be back.
(1)Annie N.
I was gonna give it 3 stars until I saw what it said when I rolled my cursor over it - A-ok. I'm more in the 'meh, I've experienced better' camp. Last night. Beautiful evening - too bad there's no outdoor seating, but that's not any fault of theirs. Inside felt like an upscale version of a Denny's: leatherette booths, tables, nice fire, I suppose, but in August? We both ordered the 'Persian' kebab plates, which was probably our mistake. Yes, they were tasty enough (I had the tenderloin, which had been marinated in something that seemed to disguise, rather than complement, their natural flavor); date got the pork (also marinated in a much more appropriate seasoning blend), which came with an onion-y, mustardy, curry-y sauce for dipping. Anyway, 7 or 8 1-inch cubes of meat, plus a ginormous pile of basmati rice, plus two chunks of zucchini, one chunk of onion, and two cherry tomatoes (again, ostensibly kebabed but kebab-less on the plate) does not a $21/$18 dinner make. The "flatbreads" (homemade pitas, basically) arrived hot from the oven and were very tasty, but considering they were white pitas with no spices in or on, they shouldn't have come accompanied by unsalted butter. Service was perfunctory at best. Save some money, listen to that other reviewer, and go to Cossetta's, unless you're on a first date or something. The kinda nice atmosphere that you'll surrender more than makes up for the fact that you'll leave feeling like you haven't been swindled.
(2)Michael N.
Went here for lunch one day. It's a decent restaurant on West 7th - probably one of the better selections in the area. It is a little pricey but the atmosphere is nice. I prefer Cosetta's if I'm down there but it's always nice to have other options.
(3)Matt M.
What a good place for any meal I always have loved breakfast there and just had dinner for the first time there and it was Great a nice open room with a exposed kitchen a wait staff that will kill you with kindness very friendly and helpful ,I will be back again
(4)ricardo m.
Breakfast is the best in the city. thats it really. I went there for dinner once, very good selection and very high quality food. Moe (the owner) knows all of us by name so we get along quite well. A very nice place to eat in the morning in the winter months also.
(5)Brian L.
First time to the Woodfire Grill this evening. Sat at bar for dinner, bartender Eric was exceptional. Personable and made honest recommendations to all at the bar. Lamb skewers and rice, Cesar salad all very good, nice portions. Service was quick. Another couple next to me highly recommended the belgian waffles for breakfast. (Didn't seem like a place that offered breakfast.) Convenient location, near Holiday Inn and Xcel Center.
(4)Matt M.
Went with a group of 7 tonight after an unfortunately long hiatus of not having returned in around 4 years. It was just as delicious as I had remembered, but I still think its nothing "special". Drinks: Good wine list, okay beer list. Server was super attentive and friendly, just didn't know too much about the beer. Appetizers: The hummus is good, but the cracker bread is dry. Ask for extra pita bread that they bring with butter if you choose to order this! The fried calamari, shrimp, and veggies is a huge portion that I highly recommend. Woodfired pizza are good, too. Entrees: I thought the salmon was excellent. The specials are unique and interesting and both members of our party who ordered them thought they were amazing. The sirloin was good, but I wish it would have came with a little extra sauce. Dessert: Creme brûlée was good, flourless chocolate cake was better- an impressively flavorful for its size piece of dessert. I've heard good things about the pear crisp as well. Our server was very good- overall, I like the welcoming service and comfortable ambiance more than the standard yet appetizing food. I think if I had gone with a special rather than something so basic (it just sounded good that night!) I would have appreciated the meal better. Either way, I'll be back!
(4)Sadia S.
Best lamb I have ever tasted and I am Somali we love our lamb (well except me...so it says a lot when I say it is fantastic!) perfectly cooked to a tasty texture and with the right amount of spices
(4)Ken P.
Rueben was delicious but the calamari was not worth the money. Had to sit at bar because there was a 30 wait for a table at noon on a Thursday.
(3)Virginia D.
needed to find a lunch place in d'town St Paul. this place came with rave reviews & promises of vegan love by some locals... not so much.. they veganized the spinach salad for me & did a just OK sandwich. fries were good :) zero protein, boo. staff are super friendly (Midwest, you betcha) & ambiance is very lodge-like. parking lot, which is a plus in this busy 'hood.
(3)Leo S.
We like the atmosphere, and it's hard to beat the food. It has become one of my go to places for breakfast. The music I Sunday mornings helps to keep things relaxed and that's always good when you want to have a leisurely brunch.
(5)James K.
We had dinner on a Saturday night after a Gopher game. The steaks were fantastic, and the service was very attentive, I will definitely eat here again. Casual atmosphere with great food.
(4)Jeremy L.
Good food. Definitely try the spinach artichoke dip. Steak was good as was the salmon. Good meal and nice environment.
(4)Danielle G.
The lamb shank special is out of this world tender!! Cooked 12 hours and falls off the bone. Enjoyed the ambience and soft lighting too. Our server was close to one of the best since we've been in the Cities. She offered her opinion on anything we asked about and even told us where she felt served the best pizza and best wings in the area. We really appreciated her candidness! Will definitely return. Our server did mention that we picked an excellent time to try them out since oftentimes it can get a little hectic and you may not feel as well attended to that you might be used to. The dining room was pleasantly full, but not too crowded and the noise level was tolerable to have a conversation with those at your table.
(4)Michelle S.
If you like this place it's most likely because you don't eat out much or have any standards for how food should taste. Good atmosphere and great service, but the food is bland and generic. Also a little confused about why this is named "woodfire" when only a small section of the kitchen is dedicated to the actual wood fireplace. If you're forced to come here order a mixed green salad with light dressing and a steak. It won't blow your mind but at least you won't hate yourself for spending $25 after the meal.
(2)Kate B.
My husband and 2 girls ages 5 & 8 ate here before a wild hockey game. It was outstanding!! From the moment we walked in we were treated very well. We started off with the crab cakes and they were delicious! I had the filet of tenderloin and my husband had the cowboy steak. Both were cooked perfectly and were so tender. The deserts ended up taking too long and were given to us for free. The molten chocolate cake is to die for! The atmosphere was very cozy, clean, and modern. We were seated next to a beautiful fireplace that was nice on a cold winter day. We will definitely eat here again when in the area!
(5)Mike B.
This place has always been the "go to" ' joint for my wife and I. Today we went for breakfast. I debated the great menu and chose the everything omelet. It was fantastic! The blend of flavor was perfect with no one ingredient overpowering another . Perfect. You have to try it. But, they need to improve the coffee. It was just ok.
(4)Mrs O.
Having dined at the Downtowner in St. Paul 4 times over the last 5 years we've never had a bad experience with food or service. However a waitresson a Saturday afternoon brought my martini olives ON THE SIDE (on a napkin no less!) instead of properly swimming in vermouth and Kettle One. Surprising because the waitress was at least my age so it seems one would know better. Just for fun let's agree it was a fluke. Is it wrong I want to marry their Mushrooms and Flatbread? If you like mushrooms this stuff is wonderful. We ALWAYS order it. Several months ago we were there I may have had the best breakfast I've had ever. The omlete & toast were heavenly, the juice was chilled & delicious, the coffee was wonderful. Atmosphere is relaxing, rustic & contemporary, especially enjoy lovely touches like fountains in the bar area. Great for family meal with well behaved children, dates or meeting up with friends. The beauty of dining in downtown St.Paul instead of downtown Minneapolis is one usually doesn't have to park far from their destination. Unless, of course, there's a sporting event or concert at the Xcel Center then you might find yourself searching but most of the time a parking spot is within sight of your destination. Dinner for two: to be added soon
(5)Tim F.
Service +3 stars Location +3 stars Ambience +3 stars Food -8 stars (do the math!) Expected an average experience until the fruit plate arrived with mold on the fruit. When brought to the attention of our waitress she seemed apathetic. The fruit plate cost was removed from the meal bill, but none really seemed to take things that serious. If the fruit is moldy, how many other things aren't clean in their kitchen?
(1)Nicole F.
Restaurants that are homey and look like the inside of a log cabin always get my vote. The Downtowner Woodfire Grill was like your uncle's secluded country home, with lots of alcohol, beer on tap, and spacious seating. I had the Roasted Apple, Onions Pecans & Blue Cheese, which was sweet with its caramelized onions and crisp apples, and it was decently cold the next day. I can't speak to any other dishes, but I liked what I got - when at the Woodfire Grill, you order the Woodfired Pizza, that's just what you do!
(4)Dan B.
Awful. Will never go back. I will give a restaurant two or three chances to impress me, but if you don't I will not go back. I have been to the Downtowner three times and was hugely disappointed all three times. First try: three out of the four dinners received cold food. Bad start. Second try: two steaks ordered medium rare were served to us well done and dry. When we sent them back our server copped an attitude. Third try: food poisoning. Two of the 6 dinners were deathly ill for the next 24 hours. That's a Hat Trick of awful folks. Never again will I waste my money at The Downtowner Woodfire Grill.
(1)Michael H.
We celebrated Mothers Day at The Downtowner. As usual, service was excellent and the food was top notch! We had no trouble parking in the lot immediately adjacent to the Downtowner. The fireplace was lit and the smell from the woodfire grill was amazing. I am a regular for breakfast and occasionally for dinner. The Mothers Day brunch was excellent from my breakfast/lunch to my brother-in-laws petite filet. This is my favorite restaurant in the twin cities. Moe is almost always in the restaurant during breakfast and lunch. This is a FIVE STAR restaurant! You won't be disappointed.
(5)Kristin H.
The menu has quite a spread of options with some great woodfire dishes. I heard that they have good fish and seafood so I ordered the walleye filet ($12). My husband went for the linguine with clams ($15) and my sister & her fiancee shared a ceaser salad ($8.25) and the lamb kabob entree ($22). As we waited for our food we snacked on homemade flatbread with hummus -- pretty stellar starter. My response? Order the filet, ditch the bun. The ciabatta overpowered the walleye in size and flavor. The walleye was well cooked and the remoulade added excitement to the dish, but the bread has to go. My table mates had good things to say, too. Chike loved the lamb -- a nice woodfire taste that you don't get with your everyday falafel. Alex, who always finds himself saying "I could have made this at home" after eating Italian food, said that his pasta was the best linguine he'd ever had.
(3)Conrad B.
We really like the Downtowner. The food is wonderful and they have a wide selection so kids can enjoy it as well. This past time the service was a bit slow but there were two events going on that evening so I am sure the servers were quite busy. I am sure we will be back. :)
(4)Meghann F.
Went here for breakfast this past weekend. . . I got the canjun eggs benedict and was super stoked about it, plus i thought based on all the reviews that it would be REALLY good - the eggs benedict part was very marginal - not that great of hollandaise sauce, the eggs were overdone, etc. The canjun part was HORRIBLE - like absolutely way over canjuned - its like they took the piece of ham and used liquid smoke and dragged it through the canjun spice - like fully coated and then some. Don't order this!! My boy got Moe's canjun breakfast, which was considerably better - like 10x better. I had heart burn and felt sick the rest of the day from salt overload from two tiny pieces of ham. Yuck The bloodies were good - i like the thicker, chunky tomato juice that was used. The chairs were old and uncomfortable. The jazz was very nice - i liked that.
(2)Dave A.
Very pleasant and warm atmosphere with very good service. The Pan Roasted Walleye with Almond Flour was incredible, and recommended by the server for fresh fish. It came to the table absolutely perfect -- still steaming a bit and it was melt-in-your-mouth amazing. My client had the Chicken Pear Salad and she enjoyed hers as well. If I could offer any advice to the management, I'd replace a bit of the worn seating here/there. Just needs a bit of fine detail work to make this a 5-star restaurant!
(4)Nikki M.
This place is in a really great location in downtown St. Paul. I went for dinner with my family, and was expecting to be more impressed than I was. It all started before the appetizer.... Our waitress brought out "bread", which was actually cold pita with butter, just plain ol' butter, to spread on it. I was very confused by this but tried it anyway...it wasn't good. It tasted like a less-flavorful version of plain bread and butter, if that's possible. Very perplexing. The appetizers were actually the best part of the meal. We ordered artichoke dip and bruchetta. Both were very fresh and delicious. The main course also left something to be desired. Our party ordered a wide range of entrees like the walleye sandwich, margherita pizza, greek pizza, and seafood spaghetti. Both pizzas lacked seasoning and were WAY too cheesy (which is a tough thing to get me to say, I'm Italian). The walleye sandwich was disappointing because there was only enough fish to fill up 2/3 of the sandwich bread. The seafood spaghetti was the best entree at our table by far. Dessert proved a little better - we had the apple & pear crisp and the molten chocolate cake. The chocolate cake was the winner between those two - it had a subtle almond flavoring behind the chocolate that was just to die for. The Downtowner does have an extensive wine list and seemed to have a decent amount of beer on tap, but for the price I was expecting more. Great ambiance and great location, but the product just doesn't impress.
(2)Brandon O.
Went here for NYE dinner. Not my first choice but I was late making reservations and this was the only thing I could get. Had the fettuccine Alfredo and she had the steak and mashed potatoes. Pasta was just ok- typical Olive Garden fare is better in my opinion. It was an alright portion for the price. Steak was just ok. It was a very big portion but the quality was lacking. It wasn't a very good cut of meat and was a little grainy/ Mashed potatoes were the best I've ever had. Service was good considering the busy night. I'd go back and try their happy hour.
(3)Joel R.
Agree with John E. Nice place. Friendly service. Ok food. My salad with chicken and sun dried tomatoes was edible.
(2)Linny W.
Appetizer was not a dip and the menu called it a dip, the house cracker they serve with the Dip? was so hard I could not eat it!!!!!!! Over all food was horrible! It left me extremely THIRSTY about a half hour after the meal. It has been 6.5 hours since I ate there and I still cannot quench my thirst. This is usually a personal reaction to MSG. We went to celebrate a birthday and they forgot about the birthday until I reminded the waitress! Don't waist your time and money!
(1)D T.
This is a great place with an awesome martini. I love the cozy atmosphere and the fire roasted buffalo shrimp is my favorite. The grilled veggies they serve on the side are tasty, but a little on the skimpy side. The server was okay, efficient, but not friendly.
(4)