The past few weeks have been a flurry of gardening, time with friends and family, and cabin visits.
Between that, I managed to fit in a few trips to Eagan to run errands. Since I spend so much time in the second-ring suburb, I thought I’d try out a few new-to-me places, and I wasn’t disappointed.
Saffron Indian Grill & Bar
Fried momo at Saffron Indian Grill & Bar in Eagan. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)
A few months ago, I noticed a sign for this restaurant just off Dodd Road, near the turn I take to go to Costco.
It registered as vaguely chain-like, though I vowed to check it out. Before I remembered to do so, a few readers contacted me to ask whether I had tried it, and that was my sign to get there.
It’s in a strip-mall-like configuration with a My Burger, a Caribou and a few other businesses, which might explain why my brain automatically thought it was a chain.
But the inside is cute and modern, with a full bar, cozy booths and spacious tables. There’s a patio, too, though it was cold and windy the day of our visit, so we chose to eat inside.
They have a fun cocktail menu, so even though it was a weeknight and I had an early morning ahead of me, I couldn’t resist a tamarind whiskey sour, which was a great choice. Tamarind is such a clever way to add depth and tang to a drink — but I’d never thought of pairing it with whiskey.
The menu here is huge and includes a lot of items I haven’t tried, so picking was difficult, but we landed on fried momos, tandoori chicken, a giant dosa with hot chutney and a paneer kathi roll in addition to some chicken tikka masala for my very hungry teenage son.
The momos were chewy-crisp with a lovely spiced chicken filling and a fresh tomato and cilantro sauce. They didn’t last long.
In what became a theme of this dinner out, I didn’t get a bit of the tikka masala before my son inhaled it, but I’m guessing it was delicious. I was lucky I got any of the tandoori chicken, because that was next on his list. The few bites I did get were juicy and flavorful — some of the best tandoor chicken I’ve tasted. My husband had never had a dosa, which is a crisp crepe, rolled into a giant cone and served with sambar, a lentil stew, and coconut chutney for dipping. He loved it, and I thought it was on par with dosa I’ve had elsewhere, though the savory, tropical coconut chutney might have given it an edge.
And the paneer wrap, featuring house-made cheese bathed in a tikka masala sauce, would make an excellent on-the-go lunch.
There are plenty of options here for vegetarians and gluten-free diners, and it’s spacious enough to accommodate a large group.
Not to mention, it’s on my way to Costco, so needless to say, I’ll be back. Frequently.
Saffron Indian Grill & Bar: 845 Vikings Parkway, #D, Eagan; 651-666-3642; saffronindiagrill.com
Southern Social
A barbecue platter at Southern Social in Eagan. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)
This place, which is a little further south than I usually venture into Eagan, has been open for a few years in a former Green Mill.
The parking lot was packed, so I was certain we’d have to wait for a table, but it turns out the inside is so spacious that I needn’t have worried. The decor is modern farmhouse chic, with lots of black and gray accents.
The menu here, as the name suggests, is mainly southern foods, with an emphasis on barbecue and fried chicken. There’s also an extensive cocktail menu, including punch bowls full of booze that you can either order to share or as a single drink. Given the size of the place, it would be fun to meet friends here and take down a punch bowl, perhaps on the cute patio. Since I was just out running errands, I skipped the drinks and went straight for the barbecue.
We ordered a platter — ribs, pulled pork and brisket — and a fried chicken breast, you know, for balance. The meats were all properly prepared, which is no small feat, and we enjoyed them. The platter, which is a pretty reasonable $39.95, comes with two sides and easily feeds two people.
Of the sides we tried, I can recommend the pimento mac and cheese, which is better than your average soggy midwestern version, the generous serving of house-made coleslaw and the smoky collards.
Again, as is the case with too many suburban haunts, the menu here is gigantic, so we’ll have to return to get a better sense of it, maybe with some friends to check out those drinks.
Southern Social: Three metro locations, including 1940 Rahncliff Court, Eagan; 651-478-7919; southernsocialmn.com
Related Articles
Quick Fix: Pesto Chicken Burger on Ciabatta Bread with Quick Coleslaw
Steak salad with carrot-ginger vinaigrette a savory sensation
Snappy summer fare: Quick and easy weeknight meals for busy days
Snack Wrap unwrapped: Here’s why McDonald’s is bringing back a fan favorite on July 10
Quick Fix: Grilled Cheese Sandwich Supper with Spinach and Tomato Salad
Leave a Reply