James Norton

Here, conveniently raked up into one towering pile, are all the restaurant reviews I’ve written since arriving in the Twin Cities. This includes work I’ve done for Metroblogging Minneapolis, Minnesota Monthly and City Pages. (The big stack of my CP work can also be seen here.)

I don’t use any kind of star system when I write professionally, but here I’m assigning one in order to help friends or curious bystanders locate good places to eat.

**** — Absolutely loved the place, would recommend it to anyone.
*** — Very much enjoyed it, with reservations; overall, very strong.
** — Good, but flawed, may suit a particular diner or dining party.
* — Not good, but at least one or two redeeming aspects.
X — Full-on disaster.
No rating — Not a review, per se, or no conclusion

AFGHAN AND MIDDLE EASTERN
Holy Land Deli & Bakery ***
Khyber Pass ***

AFRICAN
T’s Place ***
Qoraxlow **

BBQ/SOUL FOOD
Betty Jean’s Chicken and Waffles **
Brickhouse BBQ *
Chelly’s ****
Dixie’s X
Q Fanatic ****

BEER, BARS AND PUBS
Blue Door Pub ***
Buster’s on 28th ***
Four Firkins ****
Gustavo Toledo Vale profile
Merlin’s Rest ***

BISTROS
Barbette ****
Heidi’s **
Citizen Cafe ***

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH
Colossal Cafe ****
Kramarczuk’s ***
Muffuletta ***
Nordeast Eatery X
Original Pancake House ***
Pannekoeken Huis **
Wilde Roast Cafe X

CHINESE
98 Pounds *
China Jen **
Ricky Shaw’s ***

DELI
Be’Wiched ***
Cecil’s ****

Mort’s ***

Original Soupman **
Patrick’s ****
Pop and Yum

DINERS, BURGERS AND ‘DOGS
Chicago Dog Roundup

Curran’s ***
Jucy Lucy Roundup
K&B Drive In ***
Northwoods Cafe ***
Porky’s **

INDIAN
Curry Up ***
Gandhi Mahal ****
Hyderabad House ***
Mysore ***

INDONESIAN

Bali ****

ITALIAN
Al Vento ***
Totino’s X

JAPANESE
Azuki ****
Bagu Sushi ***
Moto-i ****
Ronin Sushi Cafe **

Tanpopo ****

MISCELLANEOUS

2008 in Review

Marla’s ****
Russian Tea House ***
Sarah Master profile
Scott Erickson profile
State Fair food
State Fair redux

NUEVO LATINO
Cafe Ena ****
Picosa **
Senor Wong’s *

PIZZA
Black Sheep ***
Fat Lorenzo’s ****
Solo’s and Latuff’s Pizza ** / ***

POSH
128 Eatery *
Alaska Eatery ****
Fogo de Chao ***
Mission *
Red Stag **
Sanctuary ****
Via ***
Wayzata Eatery ****

THAI & VIETNAMESE
Amazing Thailand ****
Sen Yai Sen Lek ***
Hoang Thien Y ***
Ruam Mit Thai ***

[Last updated 01/01/09]