The best way to enjoy Longfellow is to take a leisurely walk from St.Paul across the Mississippi River on the Lake Street bridge during the Fall with your favorite gal! When you arrive during Happy... More

The best way to enjoy Longfellow is to take a leisurely walk from St.Paul across the Mississippi River on the Lake Street bridge during the Fall with your favorite gal! When you arrive during Happy Hour you can sit outside and take in the ambience of the River below (although you can't really see the water from there). Food sounds great on the menu, but doesn't quite live up to the descriptions. Example - Eggplant Parmigiana was crispy, but horrifically over-breaded and deeply overcooked and salty. You should be able to taste that tender, enigmatic and interesting Eggplant flavor with a sauce that complements. Crispy Onion Strings were heavy on flour coating that overpowered the overfried small onion strings. The Jambalaya Pasta special the other night WAS very flavorful, spicy and creamy. Grilled Meatloaf sounded so much a step above the ordinary, but came out small (2 Biscotti size slices @$12.95) over-grilled / baked and dry and over-salty. This is a nice location but does that warrant a $2-$3 upcharge over their other restaurants for some of the similar burgers? A step above a Chili's or Applebee's certainly, with great Bar specials, and we want locally owned restaurants to thrive, but a bit more restraint with the breading and the deep fryer please.
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This new addition to the neighborhood grill (Edina Grill and Highland Grill) family is slightly different and upgraded from its older siblings. Yet, in essence it has its conceptual origins in the... More

This new addition to the neighborhood grill (Edina Grill and Highland Grill) family is slightly different and upgraded from its older siblings. Yet, in essence it has its conceptual origins in the family. Breakfast, brunch and breakfast all day make it a family wholesome filler-up experience. Bright colors and a wine select make up the difference and, oh yes, you can get additional pasta, sandwiches, and salads added to the evening menu at this location. Rumors tell that the Blueplate Restaurant Company that operates the local chain will be make further changes to each restaurant to suit location. Still, it is the breakfasts that make Longfellow Grill rock the river. On a recent visit the Crab cake benedict was a bit soggy and bland but you can't miss with their pancakes and steel cut oats in the morning or just a good ole plate of eggs and taters. In the afternoon, a grilled chicken salad ($8.95) with roasted pears, candied walnuts, and craisins has that added punch. The Blackened Pork Chops ($9.95) chipotle pesto and roasted red potatoes is worth a try. Happy eating can be had next to the river.
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The Longfellow grill is owned by the same people as the Highland and Edina grills, and has a very similar menu. All day breakfasts, great sandwiches, interesting appetizers including sweet potato... More

The Longfellow grill is owned by the same people as the Highland and Edina grills, and has a very similar menu. All day breakfasts, great sandwiches, interesting appetizers including sweet potato fries and fried green beans. All very good. Unlike the other locations, this one has a full bar and a great patio overlooking the Mississippi River Gorge. The meal sizes are big enough to be full, and generally don't send you home with more left-overs than you could possibly consume. That's a good thing, because who wants to lug that around while enjoying a stroll across the Lake St. bridge or along W. River Rd. It's a great spot to meet people coming from either downtown. For example, people from downtown Minneapolis can take W River Rd. all the way there, which St. Paul people can take 94 to Cretin South, turning on Marshall will take them across the bridge. Easy to find and easy parking.
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