Minneapolis and St. Paul are great towns for dining. You can find almost any kind of food, from high-priced, exquisitely prepared French fare to authentic Ukrainian sausages. In addition to the many ethnic restaurants, a number of California-influenced eateries have sprouted. These places use fresh, organic, local ingredients whenever possible, creating delicious menus that showcase the region's natural flavors.

Below is a sampling of restaurants in town. Expect to pay within these general guidelines, based on the cost of a dinner for one and not including drinks, tax or tip: $ = less than US$10; $$ = US$10-$20; $$$ = US$20-$50; $$$$ = more than US$50.

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

The 510 Restaurant—For contemporary cuisine in a lush chandeliered setting, visit one of the Twin Cities' most formal and traditional restaurants. Located in downtown Minneapolis, across from the Guthrie Theater and Walker Art Center. The American-style menu includes such specialties as oven-roasted rack of lamb and citrus-glazed salmon. Monday-Thursday 5:30-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-10 pm. Reservations required. $$$. Most major credit cards. 510 Groveland Ave., Minneapolis. Phone 612-874-6440.

Aquavit—A contemporary Swedish restaurant located on the ground floor of the IDS Center in downtown Minneapolis. This is the place to dine this year. Received an award for "successfully launching Swedish cuisine" in the U.S. by the Gastronomic Society of Sweden. Sample the Swedish meatballs or the smorgasbord plate in the cafe. The more formal dining room offers such delicacies as mustard-crusted rack of lamb and venison loin. Lunch Monday-Friday 11:30 am-2:30 pm, Saturday noon-3 pm. Dinner Monday-Thursday 5:30-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-10:30 pm. Happy hour Monday-Friday 4-7 pm. Reservations recommended. $$$. Most major credit cards. IDS Center, 75 S. 7th St., Minneapolis. Phone 612-343-3333.

Cafe Havana—Trendy nightspot where the beautiful people go. Located in an older warehouse district in a sometimes questionable part of town, but well worth the trip. Authentic Cuban cuisine in a lively atmosphere. Tuesday-Saturday 5 pm-1 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. $$. Most major credit cards. 119 Washington Avenue N., Minneapolis. Phone 612-338-8484.

D'Amico Cucina—Spectacular presentations of Italian fare. Voted No. 1 Best Restaurant in Minneapolis by Gourmet magazine two years in a row. Elegant dining room in a renovated downtown Minneapolis warehouse. Pleasant and attentive, yet unobtrusive service. Try the pangrattato (crusted pork tenderloin) or the warm trout salad. Pianist and bass player Friday and Saturday nights. Formal. Monday-Thursday 5:30-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5:30-11 pm, Sunday 5-9 pm. If there's a Vikings, Twins or Timberwolves game in town Monday-Thursday, then the restaurant opens at 4:30 pm. Reservations advised. $$$. Most major credit cards. 100 N. 6th St., Minneapolis. Phone 612-338-2401.

Dakota Bar and Grill—The menu features contemporary Midwestern cuisine such as brie and apple soup, rainbow trout and walleye cheeks with pepper-garlic sauce. Located in a renovated century-old railroad building with surprisingly modern touches (pale wood, dim lighting and spacious dining area). In summer, enjoy the glassed-in patio with a waterfall and fish pond. National and local jazz artists perform nightly. From downtown St. Paul, it's a 10-15 minute taxi ride. Dinner 5-11 pm. Bar and music until 1 am. Reservations strongly recommended. $$. Most major credit cards. 1021 Bandana Blvd., Bandana Square, St. Paul. Phone 651-642-1442.

Goodfellows—Located in an old art-deco building in the heart of Minneapolis, Goodfellows describes itself as "eclectic American" with an emphasis on fresh foods from scratch. They use local products when possible, which is reflected in their seasonal menu. Wisconsin star prairie brook trout was a recent special. Monday-Thursday 11:30 am-9 pm, Friday 11:30 am-10 pm, Saturday 5:30-10 pm. Reservations accepted. $$$. Most major credit cards. 40 S. 7th St., Minneapolis. Phone 612-332-4800.

ASIAN

Ichiban Japanese Steak House—Japanese showmanship with knives at tableside grill. Largest sushi bar in the state. Downtown Minneapolis. Sunday-Thursday 4:30-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday till 10 pm. Reservations accepted. $$$. Most major credit cards. 1333 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, phone 612-339-0540.

Ping's Szechuan Bar and Grill—Asian cuisine, featuring spicy Cantonese, Sichuan and Mandarin dishes. Beijing duck is always available. Contemporary Chinese decor, including a goldfish tank, paper lanterns and lush green plants. Buffet lunch on weekdays. Downtown Minneapolis. Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday noon-midnight, Sunday noon-9 pm. Reservations accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. 1401 Nicollet Ave., Minneapolis, phone 612-874-9404.

Sawatdee Thai Restaurant—Authentic Thai cuisine. Stir-fry and seafood entrees fill the menu. Full bar. Sunday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11 pm. Reservations accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. Two locations: 607 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, phone 612-338-6451, and 289 E. 5th St., St. Paul, phone 651-222-5859.

BREAKFAST AND BRUNCH

Al's Breakfast—Possibly the best breakfast in the Twin Cities. Located near the University of Minnesota, Al's is a hole-in-the-wall place where counter seating is the only option. Monday-Saturday 6 am-1 pm, Sunday 9 am-1 pm. $. No credit cards. 413 14th Ave. S., Minneapolis, phone 612-331-9991.

Egg and I—The name says it all—eggs pretty much any way you want them. Monday-Friday 6 am-2 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am-2 pm. $. Most major credit cards. Two locations: 2704 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, phone 612-872-7282, and 2550 University Ave. W., St. Paul, phone 651-647-1292.

Mickey's Diner—As a downtown St. Paul landmark, Mickey's deserves a recommendation. The breakfast fare is by far the best thing that comes out of the kitchen. Omelets are a specialty, and waffles and pancakes are made with Mickey's own special batter. Open round the clock. $. Most major credit cards. 36 W. 7th St., St. Paul, phone 651-222-5633.

FRENCH

Cafe Un Deux Trois—In downtown Minneapolis, hearty French cuisine with such specialties as braised lamb shank with roasted garlic potatoes, in addition to seafood. Lunch and dinner Monday-Thursday 11:30 am-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 11:30 am-midnight, Sunday 5 pm-midnight. Reservations accepted. $$. Most major credit cards except Discover. 114 S. 9th St. (ground floor of the Forshay Tower), Minneapolis, phone 612-673-0686.

GERMAN

Black Forest Inn—Patio dining in a charming German pub atmosphere. Try the goulash. Monday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm (bar open until 1 am), Sunday noon-midnight. No reservations—first come, first served. $. Most major credit cards. 26th Street and Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, phone 612-872-0812.

Gasthof zur Gemutlichkeit—Dishes up authentic German meals in a Bavarian atmosphere. Live entertainment featuring ethnic dancers. German beer and wine. Ten minutes by taxi from downtown Minneapolis. Tuesday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 4-11 pm, Sunday brunch 10:30 am-2 pm (brunch) and Sunday dinner 2-10 pm. Closed Monday. Reservations accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. 2300 University Ave. N.E., Minneapolis, phone 612-781-3860.

GREEK

Christos Greek Restaurant—Has the atmosphere of a seaside tavern at two locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Serving Greek spirits and award-winning cuisines. Contemporary Greek specialties include lamb kebab and lamb shank. For traditional dishes, try the moussaka or oregano chicken. Minneapolis hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-9:30 pm, Friday 11 am-10:30 pm, Saturday noon-10:30 pm, Sunday noon-9 pm. St. Paul hours: Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm, Friday 11 am-10 pm, Saturday noon-10 pm, Sunday noon-8 pm. Reservations accepted. $. Most major credit cards. Two locations: 2632 Nicollet Ave. S., Minneapolis, phone 612-871-2111, and Union Depot Building, 214 E. 4th St., St. Paul, phone 651-224-6000.

It's Greek To Me—A Greek restaurant popular with the locals. Five minutes from downtown Minneapolis. Sunny atmosphere with high ceilings, hand-painted wall murals and an outdoor patio with fountain. Extensive Greek wine selection. Very casual. Tuesday-Sunday 11 am-11 pm. Closed Monday. $-$$. Most major credit cards. 620 West Lake St., Minneapolis, phone 612-825-9922.

ITALIAN (INCLUDING PIZZERIAS)

Cossetta's—The enticing aromas that greet you at the door are a prelude to the enjoyable meal to come. A good place for families—kids enjoy watching the pizza dough hand tossed. Menu includes pizza, ravioli and spaghetti. Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-10 pm, Sunday 1 am-8 pm. Extended summer hours. One block west of the St. Paul Civic Center. Visa and MasterCard. $. 211 W. 7th St., St. Paul, phone 651-222-3476.

Degidio's—Located in the historic 7th Street District. Formerly a cooling-off place for famous Chicago gangsters during prohibition; originally owned by "Bullets Degidio" and still owned by the Degidio family. A casual, family-style restaurant specializing in Italian food. Exceptional value. No reservations—first come, first served. $. Most major credit cards. Monday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm, Sunday 3-9 pm. 425 W. 7th St., St. Paul, phone 651-228-0118.

Giorgio's—Run by native Tuscan chef Giorgio Cherubini, who prepares his homeland's cuisine. Try the chilled beet salad. Sunday-Thursday 5-10 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. Reservations accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. 2451 Hennepin Ave. (at 25th Street), Minneapolis (downtown), phone 612-374-5131.

Green Mill—Locals say this downtown Minneapolis restaurant has some of the best deep-dish pizza in the Twin Cities. Consider also the lasagna and ravioli. Fifteen-minute walk from downtown Minneapolis. Sunday-Thursday 11 am-11 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-midnight. Bar stays open until 1 am Monday-Saturday, midnight on Sunday. Most major credit cards. $. 2626 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, phone 612-374-2131.

LATIN AMERICAN

Machu Picchu—Fine Peruvian dining at a moderate price. Seafood is a specialty, with such entrees as garlic shrimp and steamed halibut. Though the fresh food alone makes this restaurant worth the trip, the live music offered most weekends adds to the dining experience. Recent artists have performed flamenco, Inca and harp music. A 10-minute ride from downtown Minneapolis. Tuesday-Thursday 5-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 5-10:30 pm. Closed Sunday and Monday. Most major credit cards except Discover. $. 2940 Lyndale Ave. S., Minneapolis, phone 612-822-2125.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

Heart Throb Cafe—A popular cafe with families in downtown St. Paul, near the Science Museum. This 1950s-style restaurant is known more for its entertainment (music and floor shows) than for its food (primarily hamburgers, fries and chicken). $. Monday 11 am-9 pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11 am-9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday 11 am-11:30 pm, Sunday 11:30 am-9 pm. Most major credit cards. $. 30 E. 7th St., St. Paul, phone 651-224-2783.

The Local—This Irish-American restaurant and pub in downtown Minneapolis claims to have something for everyone—and judging by the crowds, it does. The bar is a popular local hangout, and it has an exceptional wine list. The restaurant is a bit fancier, with linens and candlelight. For privacy, there's also a kissing room, complete with sofas, chairs and red-shaded lamps (available on a first-come, first-served basis). Try the skillet-grilled tenderloin or the deep-fried quail. Reservations strongly recommended. Open 11:30 am-1 am daily (kitchen closes around 11 pm). Most major credit cards. $$. 931 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, phone 612-904-1000.

Lucia's Restaurant—A popular restaurant with a menu that changes weekly. Four entrees daily, covering vegetarian, seafood, poultry and beef or pork. Fresh, locally grown produce is used. A 15-minute taxi ride from downtown Minneapolis. Tuesday-Thursday 11:30 am-2:30 pm and 5:30-9:30 pm; Friday 11:30 am-2:30 pm and 5:30-10 pm; Saturday 10 am-2 pm and 5:30-10 pm; Sunday 10 am-2 pm and 5:30-9 pm. Visa and MasterCard. $-$$. Closed Mondays. 1432 W. 31st St., Minneapolis, phone 612-825-1572.

Market Barbecue—Award-winning and authentic pit-smoked ribs since 1946. Check out the photos of celebrity barbecue enthusiasts (Jay Leno, Ted Williams, among others). Downtown Minneapolis. Monday-Saturday 11:30 am-2:30 am, Sunday noon-midnight. Reservations accepted. $$. Most major credit cards. 1414 Nicollet, Minneapolis, phone 612-872-1111.