I'm not that exciting, so there is a lot of stuff I know I'm missing you'd probably like, but these are all places that I've been to that aren't run of the mill and I'd recommend.
The cities is sort of big. Is TierMed at this address: 7400 Metro Blvd S, Edina, MN?? If so, then they're in the "south west metro area"
Food in south metro
- Khan's Mongolian Barbeque in Richfield is fun. You get to prep your plate with raw ingredients from a buffet line and then take them up front to get stir fried (lunch/dinner)
- Sawatdee in Bloomington had a decent Thai buffet last several times I went (lunch buffet)
- Sherlock's Home (11000 Red Circle Dr, Hopkins, MN). Food's okay british in origin (bangers n mash), but still okay, good beer (lunch, maybe dinner)
- Buca Di Beppo. Personally it's not my favorite, but a lot of people love it. It's a family style italian and there's one near the airport in St. Paul (lunch or dinner)
- Tucci Benuch : italian place in the Mall of America, moderate price (lunch or dinner)
Minneapolis
If you want to go to downtown Minneapolis for nightlife, then here are some ideas:
Food
These aren't cheap, but I recommend highly:
- Sophia: Good food, live music, pricey (dinner)
- Palomino: Good food, pricey (dinner)
- Origami: sushi, pricey (dinner, lunch??)
Drink/bar
- Brit's Pub: beer beer beer, loungy atmosphere
Dancing/Live entertainment
I can't claim much experience with dance clubs, but here are a couple popular places right in downtown minneapolis:
- The Gay 90's (
http://www.gay90s.com/ &
http://twincities.citysearch.com/profile/11357336) - depends on your demeanor and who you plan to go with. If you are a bit wild, this may be a fun place to try, especially if you are drinking
- First Avenue -
http://www.first-avenue.com/ - They've got a calendar so you can see who will be playing.
- If you're into geeky improvisation a la "Whose line is it anyway" then The State Theater has him on 2/18. I only mention this because the State Theater is just an awesome vintage small theater to visit.
St. Paul
Food
- Pazaluna - high end italian dining, pricey (dinner)
- Cossetta's - pizza, italian eaterie, very informal pizza very NY tri-state area like if you like that (lunch, informal dinner)
- Saji-Ya - Japanese tepanyaki (where the cook at the table). They've got some of these in minneapolis (Ichiban) and western suburbs, but I prefer this one, pricey (dinner)
- Christo's - Greek buffet in Union Depot in downtown st. paul (lunch)
Drink/dessert
- WA Frost - great desserts drinks, cozy bar, sort of pricey (after dinner drinks)
- Cafe Latte - coffee shop with good cake, reasonable prices
Typical sights/attractions that people come up with are:
- Mall of America and IKEA: bunches of restaurants, Underwater World aquarium, "Camp Snoopy theme park which is largely children oriented, but does have adult rides, several clubs: I think there's a comedy club named Knuckleheads
- Science Museum (St. Paul) with IMAX/OMNI theater
- The sculpture garden in Minneapolis - I don't get this one. I've taken people there on request, but I don't see the appeal.
- The Minnesota Zoo (Apply Valley, south of airport) is open year round and has a copy IMAX theaters plus some indoor animal attractions
If it were during warmer months, I'd have a bunch more.
This is what comes to mind right now. If I think of other stuff, I'll post. You can look up reviews of a lot of these places plus get recommendations here:
http://twincities.citysearch.com
If you see a place on that site that you want to ask about, ask and I'll see if I have an opinion or know someone who does.
I remember a few other eating spots, but can't recall the names off the top of my head. If you're interested in Ethiopian or Middle Eastern, let me know and I'll dig up their names.
Is it cold? Usually yes. It is usually quite windy which can really make it nasty. It's been warm in the upper midwest this year (20-30's), but that could change in a couple weeks.