ST. PAUL’S NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES

Many of the suburbs around St. Paul began life as small towns, becoming suburbs as the city spread out to meet them. Some of the older communities, like White Bear Lake, have grown while still retaining the small-town charm associated with tiny stores in old brick buildings along narrow streets, making for a most pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

Apple Valley

Apple Valley in its present form has only existed since the mid-20th century, but for decades before that it was farmland—not surprising given its proximity to the rolling, fertile land along the Minnesota River.

Minnesota Zoo (952-431-9200 or 1-800-366-7811; mnzoo.org), 13000 Zoo Boulevard. Open daily; hours vary by season. Adults $18; senior citizens and children 3–12 $12; children under 3 and zoo members free. Parking is additional. This is one of the two major zoos in the Twin Cities area. The other is Como Park, Zoo, and Conservatory in St. Paul (see page 90), in the heart of the city; the Minnesota Zoo is out in the country, and the two zoos are different enough to justify visiting both. The emphasis at the Minnesota Zoo is on natural habitat, so instead of regular cages, many of the larger animals have large parcels of land to call their own. Some of the traditional zoo animals, such as elephants and giraffes, aren’t seen here, unless in a visiting exhibition. But there is plenty to see, including a wide variety of monkeys and large cats, and a new dolphin area has regular shows. There’s a food court on the property, but it’s OK to bring in your own picnic. The zoo offers numerous special events each year, including an indoor sandbox and beach day in February. Check the website for details.

THE SIBLEY HOUSE

Mendota

The name Mendota comes from the Dakota word for “where the waters meet.” It’s a tiny town—the population is less than 200—but is known for its prominent historic site, the Sibley House.

Sibley House Historic Site (651-452-1596; mnhs.org/sibley), 1357 Sibley Memorial Highway. Open Sat. 10–5 and Sun. 1–5, Memorial Day–Labor Day. Adults $7; senior citizens, active military and veterans, and college students $6; children 5–17 $5; children under 5 and Minnesota Historical Society members free. Some of the state’s oldest remaining buildings are at this site, the former home of Henry Hastings Sibley, who worked at the trade center for the American Fur Company in the mid-1800s and eventually became governor. Guides are available to lead visitors through three buildings, including the residence and the fur company coldstore.

White Bear Lake

This small town on a lake has risen above its suburban roots to become a destination for the dining and shopping crowd.

Where to Eat

DINING OUT Acqua Restaurant & Bar (651-407-7317; ursulaswb.com), 4453 Lake Avenue S. Open daily for dinner. This cozy restaurant in a former home is located on White Bear Lake and has three dining rooms, two decks, and a patio. The Italian-focused menu offers less pasta and more meat and seafood dishes, along with a few options for vegetarians. A three-course tasting menu that changes frequently is also offered. Expensive.

Mizu Japanese (651-653-4888; mizuwbl.com), 4475 Lake Avenue S. Open Tues.–Sun. for dinner. Upscale Japanese menu, including a lengthy sushi-sashimi area, but also offerings including roasted pork and kimchi and pork belly ramen. A five-course tasting menu for two is a good bargain at $55 per person. Moderate/expensive.

The Alchemist (651-429-9286; thealchemistwbl.com), 2222 4th Street. Open Tues.–Sat. for dinner, Sun. for brunch. The Alchemist is primarily a cocktail bar, with an extensive menu of handcrafted cocktails. But the bar also has a limited but creative (and tasty) food menu to accompany those drinks, including charcuterie and cheese trays and a fig and truffle honey flatbread. Moderate/expensive.

Ingredients Cafe (651-426-6611; ingredientscafe.com), 4725 US 61 N. Open Mon.–Sat. for lunch and dinner, Sun. for dinner. A menu that changes monthly, focusing on fresh, locally available foods, and good wine and martini lists make this place worth a visit. Moderate/expensive.

Rudy’s Redeye Grill (651-653-6718; rudysredeye.com), 4940 US 61 N. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Upscale steakhouse with a wide variety of steaks, seafood, and pasta, plus a full bar. Expensive.

EATING OUT Washington Square Bar & Grill (651-407-7162; washingtonsquareonline.net), 4736 Washington Avenue. Open daily for all three meals. Neighborhood bar and grill with outstanding burgers. The outdoor patio is used three seasons and is a lovely spot. Moderate.

Ban Thai Restaurant (651-407-8424), 2186 3rd Street. Open Tues.–Sun. for lunch and dinner. This little restaurant is often said to be one of the best, if not the best, Thai restaurant in the Twin Cities. Moderate.

Grandma’s Bakery (651-779-0707; grandmasbakery.com), 2184 4th Street. Open daily. A classic small-town bakery, full of enticing donuts, cakes, cookies, pastries and bars, pies, and breads. There is also soup available, different variety every day. Inexpensive.

Cobblestone Café (651-429-6793; facebook.com/Cobblestone-Cafe-102219766487660), 4760 Washington Square. Open daily for breakfast and lunch. Enormous home-cooked breakfasts and lunch entrées. Inexpensive.

Pizzeria Pezzo (651-778-7844; pizzeriapezzo.com), 2143 4th Street. Open Tues.–Sun. for dinner. Coal-fired pizza that’s far better than chain offerings. Try the Rustica, with grilled eggplant and goat cheese, or the Cardinale, with prosciutto, goat cheese, and arugula. Moderate.

CG Hooks BBQ Restaurant & Bar (651-493-6763; cghooks.com/cg-hooks-restaurant-bar), 4441 Lake Avenue S. Open daily for lunch and dinner. CG Hooks is a bar and grill that’s part of Tally’s Dockside, a boat and water sports rental operation on the lake. As the name implies, barbecue is king here, with brisket, pulled chicken, and ribs, but there are salads, hot dogs, and tacos as well. Moderate.

Selective Shopping

Truly (651-426-8414; trulyonline.com), 2175 4th Street. Open daily. Shop specializing in handmade gifts by independent artists and artisans.

SweetLife Lane (651-705-8600; sweetlifelane.com), 2180 3rd Street. Open daily; hours vary seasonally. Candy and sweet shop (and treats for visiting dogs).

The Farmer’s Daughter (651-653-6768; thefarmersdaughterwbl.com), 4905 Long Avenue. Open daily. Features handmade gift items from local artists and artisans.

Frank Murphy Fashions (651-762-9200; frankmurphyfashions.com), 4750 MN 61 N. Open Tues.–Sat. High-end international fashion and accessories.

Primp (651-340-4717; primpyourself.com/whitebearlake), 4766 Banning Avenue. Open daily. Inexpensive, fun women’s fashions and accessories.

A Beautiful Pause (651-456-8298; abeautifulpause.com), 2179 4th Street. Open Thurs.–Sat. or by appointment. Capitalizing on the interest in the Scandinavian concept of hygge, this store offers gifts meant to relax and refresh the buyer’s (or recipient’s) spirit.

Lake Country Booksellers (651-426-0918; facebook.com/Lake-Country-Booksellers-191453436875), 4766 Washington Avenue. Open daily. Books and related gifts.

Woodbury

Woodbury was first settled in the mid-19th century, primarily as a farming community for Scandinavian, Irish, and Scottish settlers. Today it’s a growing suburb with an emphasis on shopping.

Woodbury Lakes (651-251-9500; woodburylakes.com), 9020 Hudson Road. Open daily. Opened by the same company that handled the Shoppes at Arbor Lakes (see Maple Grove on page 82), Woodbury Lakes is designed to feel more like a small-town shopping center rather than a giant mall by providing a mix of retail and dining in actual city blocks with sidewalks. While many of the usual chain-store suspects are present (Gap, Banana Republic, Victoria’s Secret, and J.Jill), the strolling-friendly layout over four city blocks makes the shopping experience feel less suburban mall and more charming village. It’s also the site of the first Minnesota location of the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater chain, with full menus and bar. Dining options are much more limited than in Maple Grove, with only three sit-down restaurants and a bubble tea shop.