There’s something about a great meal that brings us all together, doesn’t it? Food has a way of anchoring our best memories, whether it's sharing a cozy table with family or escaping for a much-needed date night with my wife. As we put together this issue’s culinary feature, I wanted to step out from behind the publisher’s desk and personally share a few places around the area that hold a truly special place in my heart (and my stomach!).
Our editor will take you through the full, deep-dive stories, kitchens, and incredible people behind these local staples in the pages ahead. But before you turn the page, here are three of my personal, go-to retreats around the lake—and the menu items we simply can't live without.
Redstone American Grill
No matter how many times we pull into Redstone, it never disappoints. It’s the undisputed, non-negotiable staple for my wife and me on date night. We have a routine that is practically written into law: we always kick off the evening by sharing their signature Fondue—a rich, bubbly blend of pepper mix, melted smoked gouda cheese, sourdough croutons, grapes, and crisp veggies—paired with our hands-down favorite protein, the tender marinated Steak Bites. Between that velvety cheese and their to-die-for Buffalo Jumbo Shrimp (tossed in just the right amount of spicy glaze with cool blue cheese), it sets the tone for a fantastic night every single time. There is more on the menu, but those starters have our hearts.
Molly’s Bistro
Now that I live on the west side of Lake Minnetonka, Molly’s Bistro in St. Boni is an absolute gem right in our backyard. Molly took over the long-established St. Boni Bistro a little over a year ago and seamlessly worked her own magic on the space. With its cozy café feel and warm fireplace, it feels like an effortless, genuinely fun date night option. What keeps us constantly coming back, though, is her Burger of the Month feature. I don't say this lightly: these are honestly some of the absolute best gourmet burgers I’ve ever had in my life. Beyond the burgers, her scratch kitchen brings a fresh, farm-to-table quality to everything on the menu. She also features wonderful wine pairings to complement every dish. Molly’s Bistro has a unique charm that truly sets her apart in the lake area.
Gianni’s Steakhouse
Whenever a major milestone rolls around—whether it’s an anniversary or a birthday celebration—and I turn to my wife to ask where she wants to go, Gianni’s in Wayzata is instantly her top choice. It’s the quintessential prime steakhouse experience right on Lake Street. From their legendary, perfectly aged USDA Prime Steaks to decadently layered Seafood Towers loaded with King crab, lobster tail, oysters, and chilled jumbo shrimp, every single detail is executed with precision. Wrapped in a warm, timeless atmosphere, Gianni’s always makes every special occasion feel distinctively grand and memorable.
Turn the page to join our editor for the full-feature tour highlighting each of these incredible Lake Minnetonka dining destinations in full.
Dave Robertson, Publisher
Redstone American Grill
Redstone is a name most Minnesotans know. For generations, it’s been the familiar, welcoming place you go to celebrate those special moments: the anniversaries, the holidays, the birthdays, the celebrations.
“We’re all about bringing people together, whether as family, friends, or colleagues, through great food and genuine hospitality,” says Kim Williams, Manager and Event Coordinator at Redstone.
You’ll feel this warmth immediately as you walk through their doors, and it’s carried throughout the dining experience by first being greeted with an inviting fireplace, low lighting, and a smiling and welcoming host. Redstone is perfect for those cozy evenings. “This ambiance matches our style of food, too.”
“Think comfort food,” says Joe Fresta, Executive Director at Redstone. “Rotisserie chicken, fresh seafood, steaks, and handcrafted cocktails. Everything we make is prepared and made in our scratch kitchen, using only the best and highest quality ingredients.”
Kim adds, “We make our rotisserie chicken and turkey over an open flame. That fire not only adds to the warmth and ambiance but also brings a delicious smoked-wood flavor to the dishes. We also offer high-quality steak options and seafood, which most may not initially think of as comfort food, but our Parmesan Crusted Walleye is a favorite and especially popular with out-of-town guests, who like to try this classic Minnesota dish.”
To pair with your meal, select from their extensive cocktail menu or their beautifully curated wine list. Redstone also offers a great selection of local beers on tap, so you’re sure to find something you'll enjoy.
But the next time you come in, you may also notice a few changes on the menu.
“We’re redesigning and getting back to our roots,” says Joe. “You’ll see a few old favorites and staples back on the menu. We have so many guests who have been coming back for years, and we want to ensure they can order the dishes they’ve come to know and love. It’s all about how we make our guests feel when they leave and also while in our presence.”
As the holidays approach, “this is where Redstone really shines,” says Kim. Both the Maple Grove and Eden Prairie locations offer private and semi-private spaces for holiday celebrations. Perfectly decorated with an expert team to assist with the planning details.
Guests will also notice some new updates at both restaurants, building on what they already love while creating new ways to make every visit even more special.
“We’re also looking forward to being even more involved in community events this coming year,” says Kim. “We encourage people to reach out if they’re planning an event. We love being involved and supporting our community.”
After all these years, that’s what Redstone continues to do best. Bring people together. Around good food, genuine hospitality, and the moments worth celebrating.
Molly’s Bistro
Tucked into little St. Bonifacius is a restaurant where dinner is about more than what’s on the plate. At Molly’s, food comes with a story, wine comes with a little curiosity, and every season brings something new to the table.
Chef and owner Molly Krinhop has built the restaurant around food, wine, community, and the belief that going out to eat should still feel special.
Spending a lifetime in food and wine, Molly’s experience touches nearly everything inside the restaurant’s walls. As a farm-to-table restaurant, the menu changes with Minnesota’s seasons and with what the farmers, growers, fishers, and producers Molly trusts are bringing in the door.
“If our neighbors grow extra tomatoes, we’ll create a dish that can use them,” says Molly. “Wild Alaska fish comes from people we know. Produce follows the farms and the weather.” Meat, cheese, honey, eggs, and other ingredients are thoughtfully sourced whenever possible.
“My slogan is: Eat better. Drink better. Be better. Knowing the integrity of every dish and everything I serve is so important because great food doesn’t begin in the kitchen. It begins with knowing where it came from.”
Molly took over the space almost three years ago and wears every hat. Chef. Owner. Manager. “The restaurant is really a piece of my heart. It’s like a second heartbeat.”
And you can taste the care in every dish. There’s no deep fryer, and everything is made fresh from scratch and cooked to order, right down to the house-made vinaigrettes and sauces. That made-to-order approach also makes Molly’s a welcoming spot for guests with allergies or dietary restrictions, with the kitchen happy to accommodate a variety of needs.
That philosophy comes through in the dishes themselves, including one of Molly’s signature specialties, Wild Caught Alaskan Black Cod. A friend in Homer, Alaska provides the fish, which is miso-glazed and served over a jasmine rice cake with snap peas, carrots, and ginger vinaigrette.
“The dish is beautiful. The fish is flaky and just melts in your mouth.”
Molly’s Walleye makes an equally memorable experience, with a generous portion of fish lightly coated in Parmesan panko and served with a lemon beurré blanc and a salad nest of arugula, capers, and pickled onions.
Their French-inspired tartines have also quickly become a Molly’s favorite. Served open-faced with seasonal, thoughtfully sourced ingredients, the varieties change with the kitchen’s inspiration and the best of what’s available.
Molly’s Burger of the Month is also a must-try. It’s never just a burger. Each month, Chef Molly creates something new around the season — thoughtfully sourced, scratch-made sauces, beautiful cheeses, and whatever ingredients are inspiring the kitchen at the moment.
You’ll notice the Asian and American influences throughout the menu. “I love cooking with an Asian twist. It’s something I’ve fallen in love with as a chef, and it’s my favorite thing to eat as well.”
Molly’s wine list is built with the same intention and integrity as the food menu. “It’s built through years of tasting, learning, traveling, selling wine, meeting winemakers, and understanding what makes a bottle worth putting on the table,” says Molly. And you can experience the best of both her wine and food menu at Molly’s Wine Dinner Experiences.
“Our wine dinners have become some of the most exciting nights here. These aren’t simply prix-fixe dinners with wine poured alongside them. I create each menu specifically around the wines, often working directly with wineries, winemakers, and industry friends to build an entire experience. And it’s an experience. You talk to the winemaker, there’s music, they’re intimate, personal, sometimes a little adventurous, and perhaps one of the best date nights west of Minneapolis.”
You can also join Molly’s Members Only wine club and stock your cellar with Molly’s select choices. “If you come to eat and you’re like, ‘Oh my god, I love this wine,’ you can buy a case from us.”
But for Molly, wine is just one way to create connection. That same spirit extends beyond the dining room with Molly’s new monthly community nomination program where she invites the community to nominate a local person, family, or organization experiencing unexpected hardship, loss, or tragedy. “Giving back has always been deeply personal here, and so each month, we’ll choose a recipient and find a way for Molly’s, and hopefully the community around us, to show up.”
Of course, Molly’s doesn’t forget her four-legged community members either. Molly says bring the puppy. “Our dog-friendly patios have become gathering places for friends, neighbors, cyclists, date nights, and quite a few four-legged regulars who have figured out exactly where the treats are kept.”
Molly’s is creating something truly special in St. Bonifacius. So, eat with the seasons. Drink something interesting. Bring people you love.
Gianni’s Steakhouse
There’s something timeless about a great steakhouse. The warm glow of the dining room, a cocktail at the bar, a perfectly cooked steak arriving at the table, and a glass of wine chosen from a list worth lingering over. At Gianni’s, that experience comes with a beautiful Lake Minnetonka backdrop, whether you’re settling into the cozy dining room or enjoying a meal on the patio overlooking the water.
In 2027, Gianni’s will celebrate 30 years, having built its reputation on award-winning steaks, fresh seafood, an impressive wine list, and something that can’t be put on a menu: warm, genuine hospitality.
“It’s important that we make every guest feel welcomed and important,” says Terri Huml, owner of Gianni’s Steakhouse. And that philosophy shows up in the details, from handwritten birthday cards and celebratory table signs to the longtime staff who have helped make Gianni’s a destination for generations of diners. “We have a large percentage of first-time diners, and we want them to know we appreciate them for choosing us.”
And while the hospitality may be what brings guests back, the food gives them plenty of reasons to stay.
“By far, our steaks are incredible and should not be missed,” says Terri. “The steaks are seasoned and grilled to perfection. We’ve added a wide variety of lighter fare, housemade breads, onion rings, and ground-steak burgers. Also save room for our house-made desserts that are the perfect end to any meal. Often, a guest will go out of their way to tell me that it was the best meal they’ve ever had.”
The menu is complemented by an award-winning wine list featuring more than 450 labels with a wide selection of reds and whites by the glass. And their cocktail menu is filled with steakhouse classics like their Gianni’s Old Fashioned or a Gin Martini with a crystallized crust of ice.
Of course, the food and drinks are only part of what makes a night at Gianni’s memorable. Thoughtful details, from the beautiful lighting and mirrored walls that bring the lake views into much of the dining room to the comfortable bar, create a space that feels both polished and inviting. And because the team refreshes the interior every few years, if you haven’t been in a while, it’s worth another visit.
But creating a memorable experience goes beyond great food and atmosphere. It means listening to guests and continually looking for ways to make their time at Gianni’s even better. Terri and her staff regularly travel to other markets for inspiration, looking at what other restaurants are doing well and bringing those ideas back to Gianni’s.
“Recently, my daughter and I spent a few days in Charleston, visiting several restaurants. We loved the way the staff welcomed every guest, and as a first-time visitor, we felt very special,” Terri says.
That same attention to hospitality extends into the kitchen. Gianni’s has made changes to accommodate guests with food allergies, including eliminating peanuts and peanut oil and implementing a reservation system that alerts the team to specific dietary requests. “The majority of our menu is gluten-free,” says Terri.
And then there are the traditions that aren’t going anywhere. “Our housemade garlic crostinis are a tradition that will never go away,” she says. Hundreds are made each day to ensure they’re always fresh.
It’s that balance of honoring tradition while continuing to evolve that Gianni’s is bringing into its 30th year. And there’s plenty for guests to look forward to.
“We will be paying homage to some of the most iconic steakhouses around the country and offering our take on the items that have made them famous,” says Terri. “For instance, we have a special relationship with Gibson’s Steakhouse in Chicago. For one month, we’ll feature a dessert they’re known for, along with the story of their success and why we think it’s a special restaurant. So if you can’t get to Chicago, you can come to Gianni’s and experience one item that has made them well-known.”
The anniversary celebrations will also include more wine dinners and tastings throughout the year, along with opportunities to gather in Gianni’s private dining space, One Door West.
After 30 years, it seems the recipe for a great steakhouse hasn't changed all that much: exceptional food, genuine hospitality, and a reason to stay awhile.
We’re all about bringing people together, whether as family, friends, or colleagues, through great food and genuine hospitality.
We’re redesigning and getting back to our roots.
By far, our steaks are incredible and should not be missed. They are seasoned and grilled to perfection.