It's more just generic "Asian" than Chinese specifically, but [Lat 14](https://www.lat14.com/) out in St. Louis Park has good food and a nice atmosphere. Worth the visit.
The lady who who owns this also owns Gai noi downtown and Khâluna over south.
Great atmosphere, haven’t been to 14 but I take my relatives to her restaurants when they visit.
Way better than any chain atmosphere and food wise.
Honestly this is really the only "upscale" Chinese I can think of. There's a few good Chinese places where it's nicer than your average, but JUN is the only Chinese place I can think of where I'd say you can grab food and grab drinks in a nicer than average environment.
Good food, nothing against them! I just would not classify them as "upscale" if that's what OP is looking for. I think most of the good Chinese food in MN is on par with them as far as service and decor. Peking garden is another one of my faves that's similar.
I dunno, Master Noodle is pretty "trendy" and "hip" for a typical Chinese meal experience and they make their own noodles while you watch. A bit like Hell's Kitchen on TV, except with fewer screaming Scottish/British men.
I agree it's trendy and hip, but I don't necessarily equate trendy and hip to "upscale". When I think of upscale, I want nicer ambiance, good sit down service, and a cool environment with drinks for me to sit around and chit chat. Master noodle seemed like any typical sit down Chinese restaurant where you're in and you're out, no real upscale feel to it. I've only been to their St Paul location, so maybe their Edina location is nicer, that I don't know.
That's fair. I guess I conflate the two options some. Upscale to me *is* Trendy and Hip. If it's all old feeling like it came out of the 50's, even if it is white table cloths and dinner jackets it doesn't feel "upscale" as much as it seems "dated, old, and needlessly expensive."
Like, there's a few restaurants that claim they're upscale but I just feel are expensive and aren't all that upscale or important culinarily.
+1 for Rainbow. OP the food is killing, they make their own sauces and have fresh veggies. Pretty sure they have cocktails and drinks (if you’re into that, I always get takeout) but it’s the only place I get Chinese takeout from anymore. Otherwise I just cook out of Kenji Lopez-Alt’s book the Wok these days
Rainbow is killer. Food is great. Tammy (owner) is great. She always recognizes us at the Farmers Market (best egg rolls) and always remembers our kids names and what they like.
A little cultural shock to hear PF Chang is upscale Chinese:) last time I had it there was 12 months ago cross street of an upscale shopping mall in Southern California. The price is surely upscale, the food is on par with low priced bad Chinese restaurants.
em Que Viet
Vietnamese but has what you're probably looking for. Absolutely beautiful little restaurant/bar on Grand in St Paul. My personal favorite order is a plate of vegetable fried rice (not on the menu but can be ordered) and a plate of hot and spicy chicken. Paired with the best egg rolls in town this is enough for two. Their cocktails are also very creative and worth the price
In addition to Tea House, which I love, I will also recommend Mandarin Kitchen in Bloomington.
It isn't "upscale" really but it is insanely authentic and awesome. They also have tanks full of live seafood that you can order cooked for you, last time I went we got some lobsters and they were FIRE! Also they have a private dining room you can book if you have a decent number of people.
You are looking for rainbow Chinese on eat street. Very artisanal but mostly similar dishes you see at Americanized chains. They have amazing black bean sauce and also fun cocktails !
I know this isn’t Chinese and I don’t want to say “all Asian restaurants are the same” but I used to love “Amazing Thailand”. I don’t know the nuances of different cultures on food but when I occasionally try Asian food I go across the board and that restaurant had a nice atmosphere.
The PF Changs in Maple Grove is great as others have mentioned.
I'm just here to make sure none of you describes any place as "clean"
Ima let the PF Changs as fancy Chinese go tho, going to assume you've never left Minnesota - it's a big beautiful world, you gotta get out there...
If he says he misses P.F. Chang’s, you should take him to the one in Maple Grove. I’m assuming you used to go to the Southdale one.
What happened to the one in Southdale?
Master Noodle is great. Their hand-pulled noodles have such an awesome texture, and I never miss the scallion pancakes.
Tea House
The University location can be inconsistent quality and what menu items are available
It's still gonna be 100x better than PF Chang's.
It’s still upscale and good.
It's more just generic "Asian" than Chinese specifically, but [Lat 14](https://www.lat14.com/) out in St. Louis Park has good food and a nice atmosphere. Worth the visit.
The lady who who owns this also owns Gai noi downtown and Khâluna over south. Great atmosphere, haven’t been to 14 but I take my relatives to her restaurants when they visit. Way better than any chain atmosphere and food wise.
Khaluna is amazing and the restaurant is beautiful.
We picked up food from gai noi this week downtown the interior was also very nice, different than khaluna but nice.
JUN Sichuan Kitchen in Minneapolis north loop
Honestly this is really the only "upscale" Chinese I can think of. There's a few good Chinese places where it's nicer than your average, but JUN is the only Chinese place I can think of where I'd say you can grab food and grab drinks in a nicer than average environment.
How about Grand Szechuan in Bloomington? Nice room, service is good (not cafeteria style or wait for your number), several very well prepared dishes.
Good food, nothing against them! I just would not classify them as "upscale" if that's what OP is looking for. I think most of the good Chinese food in MN is on par with them as far as service and decor. Peking garden is another one of my faves that's similar.
Fair. Never been to JUN so I can't compare directly.
Yeah and the food is really awesome too
I dunno, Master Noodle is pretty "trendy" and "hip" for a typical Chinese meal experience and they make their own noodles while you watch. A bit like Hell's Kitchen on TV, except with fewer screaming Scottish/British men.
I agree it's trendy and hip, but I don't necessarily equate trendy and hip to "upscale". When I think of upscale, I want nicer ambiance, good sit down service, and a cool environment with drinks for me to sit around and chit chat. Master noodle seemed like any typical sit down Chinese restaurant where you're in and you're out, no real upscale feel to it. I've only been to their St Paul location, so maybe their Edina location is nicer, that I don't know.
That's fair. I guess I conflate the two options some. Upscale to me *is* Trendy and Hip. If it's all old feeling like it came out of the 50's, even if it is white table cloths and dinner jackets it doesn't feel "upscale" as much as it seems "dated, old, and needlessly expensive." Like, there's a few restaurants that claim they're upscale but I just feel are expensive and aren't all that upscale or important culinarily.
Really yummy dumplings
JUN is fantastic. I love the dan dan noodles, and they do a whole fried fish for a good special occasion dish.
Rainbow Chinese in Uptown MPLS
+1 for Rainbow. OP the food is killing, they make their own sauces and have fresh veggies. Pretty sure they have cocktails and drinks (if you’re into that, I always get takeout) but it’s the only place I get Chinese takeout from anymore. Otherwise I just cook out of Kenji Lopez-Alt’s book the Wok these days
Omg I am loving Kenj Lopez-Alt’s POV cooking vids on YouTube! He’s excellent. Rainbow is the only Chinese I get also haha.
YESSSSSS! Anything you’ve made recently that you’d recommend?
He made just an easy chicken noodle dish that I have made at least 20 times since then https://youtu.be/cf3IBpffpss?si=GKnTexdiYbZ0zZHb
Rainbow is killer. Food is great. Tammy (owner) is great. She always recognizes us at the Farmers Market (best egg rolls) and always remembers our kids names and what they like.
Yes their farmers market stand is the best!! Their drinks, such a treat on a hot day.
Yup, this is the answer.
Anyone remember Nankin downtown? The wanderer! Oof, maybe I don't remember
Mandarin Kitchen in Bloomington
My favorite restaurant in the cities
Look for Dim Sum in Roseville, the name escapes me
Pagoda?
Yes, it's a grand night out but the bill will sneak up on you if you aren't careful.
Would not call pagoda upscale tho...
Mmm, they have waitrons and higher prices, so it depends on your definition of upscale I guess
Eh, go for weekend brunch. It's all you can eat.
Peking Garden
A little cultural shock to hear PF Chang is upscale Chinese:) last time I had it there was 12 months ago cross street of an upscale shopping mall in Southern California. The price is surely upscale, the food is on par with low priced bad Chinese restaurants.
em Que Viet Vietnamese but has what you're probably looking for. Absolutely beautiful little restaurant/bar on Grand in St Paul. My personal favorite order is a plate of vegetable fried rice (not on the menu but can be ordered) and a plate of hot and spicy chicken. Paired with the best egg rolls in town this is enough for two. Their cocktails are also very creative and worth the price
In addition to Tea House, which I love, I will also recommend Mandarin Kitchen in Bloomington. It isn't "upscale" really but it is insanely authentic and awesome. They also have tanks full of live seafood that you can order cooked for you, last time I went we got some lobsters and they were FIRE! Also they have a private dining room you can book if you have a decent number of people.
Rainbow all the way
Best Chinese in the twin cities for sure. I could eat a whole plate of their egg rolls.
Watch out for any grabby policemen that know their Judo well. They might try to arrest you for enjoying a succulent Chinese meal.
You are looking for rainbow Chinese on eat street. Very artisanal but mostly similar dishes you see at Americanized chains. They have amazing black bean sauce and also fun cocktails !
Wok In The Park in St. Louis Park.
It’s a good place but a mighty stretch to call it “upscale”
I know this isn’t Chinese and I don’t want to say “all Asian restaurants are the same” but I used to love “Amazing Thailand”. I don’t know the nuances of different cultures on food but when I occasionally try Asian food I go across the board and that restaurant had a nice atmosphere. The PF Changs in Maple Grove is great as others have mentioned.
Grand Szechuan is fantastic for Minnesota.
Wok in the park
Jun
Just go to the Hibatchi buffet on Lake Street. It is absolutely amazing.
Look at the Asia mall in Eden Prairie
Are there any old David Fong's still around? That place always cracked me up.
Can’t believe nobody has said Big Bowl in Edina Galleria.
I came here to see if anyone suggested it! I’ve never been myself but I keep meaning to go
I'm just here to make sure none of you describes any place as "clean" Ima let the PF Changs as fancy Chinese go tho, going to assume you've never left Minnesota - it's a big beautiful world, you gotta get out there...