10 eateries dishing up FORKSful of flavor

For those who love dining out, Greater Grand Forks offers an abundance of palate-pleasing ways to help you get your fix! Throughout our two towns, there are numerous eateries serving up delicious dishes and desserts and while hard to narrow it down, here are my top ten spots.

THE TOASTED FROG

With its cool metropolitan vibe, extensive martini and wine lists, diverse food and professional staff, The Toasted Frog has become a popular Downtown destination for 21+ locals and visitors alike. Of course, everyone knows about their award-winning fried cheesy pickles but the inventive chefs here are also creating amazing entrees. Favorites include the Jamaican Jerk Chicken Wood-Fired Pizza, Mahi-Mahi Tacos, Thai Chili Pork Tenderloin and a game-changing Elk Burger adorned with fresh arugula, tomato and carmelized onion aioli. When it comes to dessert, there always room for S’mores…with an Espresso Martini chaser.

PARROT'S CAY

Wanna experience a little tropical heat? Just head south on Washington Street…to the Parrot’s Cay! Really feel the burn with an order of Tipsy Shrimp, Cajun Pasta or Shark Hot Wings, which were once included on BuzzzFeed’s Top Ten Wings to Try Before You Die list. Nothing goes better with some Jimmy Buffet music than a pitcher of beer and The Cay’s Bayou Sampler complete with crawdads, grilled shrimp and alligator bites.

HARRY'S STEAKHOUSE

Appealing ambiance and fine bovine intertwine at Harry's Steakhouse. Voted one of Open Table's most romantic restaurants in the nation, this Downtown Forks mainstay is already legendary for its stellar service, delectable dishes and creative cocktails. In addition to a prime selection of five-star steak options, top-grade chefs here also prepare an array of succulent seafood, superb side dishes, amazing appetizers, decadent desserts and cool cocktails. Harry’s also serves up the best calamari to be found this side of the Mediterranean. My entrees of choice are the Roasted Garlic & Herb Butter Center-Cut Filet, Chicken Marsala and Brushetta Scallop Pasta. Must-order sides include the Creamed Corn Pancetta, Truffle Mac & Cheese, Balsamic Brussels Sprouts and famous Harry’s Style Hash Browns topped with applewood smoked bacon, bleu cheese crumbles and caramelized onions.

BLUE MOOSE BAR & GRILL

Surrounded by knotty pine and neon, Blue Moose has a cozy meets eclectic Up North cabin feel. Chefs here are best known for producing superb dishes such as freshly fried walleye, Bourbon Street pasta, chicken Meisner and gorgonzola ribeye. They also have a large tapas menu with an assortment of tasty small places including stuffed mushrooms, Louisiana poutine and spinach queso. While I highly recommend trying the seasonal carrot cake, my usual meal ending go-to is their famous Moose Mud Pie featuring four layers of ice cream (vanilla, chocolate, coffee and toffee) piled high into an Oreo crumb crust with whipped cream, hot fudge and caramel.

DARCY'S CAFE

Open for breakfast and lunch, this quaint downhome diner dishes up plates filled with hearty homestyle goodness just like grandma used to make. In fact, their cinnamon roll and seasonal pumpkin pancakes helped garner Darcy’s the Best Pancake House in North Dakota Award! Along with flapjacks you’ll flip over, cooks here also know how to sling some tasty savory hash including stuffed omelets, knoephla soup, hot beef sandwiches, sloppy Joes and turkey with all the trimmings.

HELIX

Helix is a perfect place to chat with friends over charcuterie and a glass or chardonnay or spend one romantic Saturdate, with your mate, canoodling over pasta and pinot grigio. Helix’s cool yet cozy ambiance attracts 21+ patrons of all persuasions. Some of my top dishes are the Braised Beef Tostadas, Tuna Lo Mein, Smothered Steak Tips, Chipotle BBQ Pork Belly and Pan Seared Salmon served over a hash of roasted sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, shallots and pork rillette, then drizzled with house maple soy glaze. Be sure to save room for their decadent Banana Bread Pudding topped by salted caramel, vanilla ice cream an pecans.

RHOMBUS GUYS

Dreaming about pizza with pizzazz? Rhombus Guys can make all your foodie fantasies come true! This funky three-level eatery, with seasonal rooftop seating overlooking Downtown, specializes in gourmet pies dubbed Best Pizza in the State by Business Insider. Toppins range from the usual suspects (pepperoni, sausage and peppers) to the more avant-garde (pork loin, shrimp and pickles).

CHARRAS & TEQUILA

Spend this Taco Tuesday (any other day of the week, too) with the hottest tamale in town. Pick up your plus-one, then treat them to a muy delicioso dinner at Southside's most popular Mexican restaurante! All of the homemade Mexican fare is beyond compare but some of my favorites include their Quesabirria, Al Pastor Street Tacos, Pollo Chipotle, Blanco Fajito Burrito and A La Diabla Shrimp. When it comes to guacamole, holy moly is Charras’ delish…and prepared fresh tableside! Made up of House, Reposado, Mango and Strawberry, a flight of marvelous Margaritas makes the perfect thirst quencher.

SKIES 322

An evening at Skies 322 comes complete with a second story view of Downtown and exquisite cuisine like house-made Crab Cakes, Braised Pork Shank, Prime New York Strip, Seared Scallops and New Zealand King Salmon lightly glazed with their zesty-meets-sweet Prairie Sauce. Sunday Brunch, served from 11 AM to 2 PM, features everything from Brioche French Toast to Wagyu Chicken Fried Steak.

ELY'S IVY

If you’re on the hunt for something uniquely delicious, this eatery serves up the dishes. Chef Franz and his crew invite everyone to walk on the wild side with unique, always evolving menu offerings such as Jack Fruit Pulled Pork, Bison Strip Loin and and one scr’hump’tious camel burger. Ely’s also serves up tasty tamer fare like Honey Pan Fried Walleye, Teres Major Steak with house steak sauce, Shrimp Pasta and the best looking Reuben in town. Saturday Brunch offerings include made-from-scratch Eggs Benedict, Quiche and Caramel Maple Pecan French Toast.

For more information on these and all our grand places to dine and unwind, go to VisitGrandForks.com. We also invite you to follow Visit Grand Forks on Facebook and Instagram.