Best Live Music Restaurants in Cottage Grove, Minneapolis - St. Paul

Friday Wood‑Fired Pizza Challenge: Installment #5 This week’s stop on our Friday Wood‑Fired Pizza Challenge took us to the Downtowner Woodfire Grill in St. Paul, and it quickly stood out from the rest. Looking back at the previous weeks, the Downtowner easily had the nicest décor so far. The customer service was absolutely top‑notch—just as warm and friendly as El Horatio’s—but the ambience gave it a more polished, elegant feel. We tried the Chicken Artichoke and Apple pizzas, both reasonably priced and genuinely excellent. In fact, the crust was a highlight—it might actually be the best crust we’ve had during the entire challenge. One thing that really set the Downtowner apart is that, if pizza isn’t what you’re craving, you have options. This was the only stop so far where you could order something like a steak, while the other places we’ve visited have been strictly pizza parlors. We also appreciated the choice of side salads to pair with the pizzas—fresh, well done, and a nice addition. Overall, the pricing was very reasonable, especially considering the quality, atmosphere, and service. Another strong contender in our ongoing pizza journey. Sidebar. The maitre d did recommend the smoked salmon Pizza but I couldn't bring myself to order it!

Staff was very welcoming. Service was fast and attentive but not in your face. Food was excellent.

The food was delicious. The Server was friendly and helpful with food allergies. She did a fantastic job.

We love the Lex. The new chicken and scallop entrees are amazing! We ate in the bar, which we love for its coziness. It got a little noisy as a group of gentlemen didn’t realize they weren’t at BDubs or similar, but that’s not the norm. We will return again and again ❤️ We have a special fondness for the host ❤️

Missi's is a gem! The interior of the restaurant is beautiful, and the food is wonderful. I had the walleye dinner, and my friend had the salmon dinner - both were delicious. Service was outstanding. And a plus we were not expecting was the live music - which was lovely.