This time of year, you’re doing a lot of serious eating. The holidays will do that to you. So when you go out this month, you might not have room in your belly for a tall stack of buttermilk pancakes, a full-on steak dinner or a stroll down the all-you-can-eat buffet line. But wait a second—that’s not to say you don’t have a little room for a little, teensy-weensy something. What to do when this dilemma befalls you? Why, seek out the small plates, apps and baked goods, of course. Whether you’re flying solo in search of a small-yet-satisfying snack or cruising with your crew looking for a shareable, pull-apart tide-me-over treat, the neighborhood eateries of Woodbury have plenty to offer.
From nabbing a basket of crunchy tortilla chips plus melted cheese dip to scoring a still-warm pecan roll for a sweet morning pick-me-up, you’re sure to find a small bite that fits the bill. You and your moderate appetite will be pleased with the possibilities. Bon (petit) appetit.
Fajita Nachos
You probably want to bring your buddies if you’re going to have a tiny Mexican feast at Acapulco. These goodies are made for sharing. Plop down in a booth or belly up to the bar and order a few of the restaurant’s tantalizingly tasty apps. We’re suckers for the fajita nachos ($10.49). They’re made with your choice of juicy chicken or tender steak, cooked to order and served atop a pile of crunchy tortilla chips with guacamole, cheese and sour cream. But say there’s too much “going on” in the nachos; in that case, get Acapulco’s cheese sauce and chips ($4.49). That queso blanco dip with its jalapeno kick is killer, and you better believe the cooks keep the recipe under lock and key. Try adding refried beans to the app for some additional heft (25 cents). 1795 Radio Drive; 651.739.6360.
Pu-Pu Platter
Did you ever think that yawns are the involuntary reactions from your taste buds as they cry out for flavor? Travel far away from Minnesota by visiting Asia Bistro for a few little appetizers that pack a big punch. We tend to struggle with decisions of what to order here, so for that reason we love the pu-pu platter ($10.50)—you get little bites of lots of delicious items. Each platter comes with one egg roll, two cream cheese-filled wontons, two chicken satay skewers, a tumble of sweet coconut shrimp and a tangle of tempura-battered veggies. Another tasty nibble would be the Thai babyback ribs ($8.50). These succulent ribs are marinated in zesty Thai spices and BBQ sauce then slowly cooked until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender. Finished with a honeyed glaze, the ribs are great for divvying up amongst meat lovers looking for a bite of something outside of the tired norm. 10060 City Walk Drive; 651.788.9108.
Chicken Diablo Flatbread
It’s time for some tiny bites of tasty Italian fare. Steer your posse to the plush interior of Green Mill and check out one of the eatery’s newest menu items: chicken diablo flatbread ($8.99). The crisp flatbread is thin and cracker-like, so it won’t overwhelm your stomach. This one is topped with a mélange of grilled chicken, award-winning diablo sauce, mozzarella cheese, Parmesan, green onions, red onions and freshly chopped cilantro. Perfect snack. We must be flatbread fiends because the second appetizer we’ve got to give a shout out to is the spinach artichoke flatbread ($8.99), which is spread with olive oil, garlic and artichoke dip, baked, then topped with tomatoes, MonAmoré cheese, mozzarella and Parmesan bread crumbs. The Italians are always snacking on small bites of flatbread; why shouldn’t we do the same? 6025 Hudson Road; 651.735.1000.
Pecan Walleye Tidbits
The golf course may be buried under a mound of snow and ice, but that’s no reason to stop frequenting Stone Ridge. Veer toward Danny’s Bar & Grill where some of the most delicious food in the area is being served up. Yes, even if you’re just searching for something small, you’ll be taken care of. Try the pecan walleye tidbits ($9.95). It’s the restaurant’s no. 1 seller, which speaks for itself. The appetizer comprises pecan-flour encrusted walleye bites tossed with Danny’s award-winning dried cherry-maple-pecan butter sauce, and it’s served with a tart cranberry tartar sauce. Another app you’ll love is the jumbo shrimp cocktail ($8.95), which, the manager will tell you, is soon to be famous. The cocktail includes three large shrimp served with a fiery cocktail sauce, presented in classy, old-school fashion. 13600 N. Hudson Blvd.; 651.436.2144.
Seven-Layer Bar
Are warm, gooey baked goods whispering your name? They always are, aren’t they? Well, you don’t need to buy a whole cake or a box of donuts big enough to feed the local police force. Instead, you can just grab a small bite of something yummy. Go to Keys Café; they’ll take care of you. When we asked what they recommended, the seven-layer bar ($2.41) was pointed to with wide eyes and much enthusiasm. The bar is jam-packed with butterscotch chips, milk chocolate, white chocolate, chopped nuts and toasted coconut—all resting atop a buttery graham cracker crust. Another baked good that sings a mean siren song is Keys homemade pecan roll ($2.95). The sweet bread from the roll is studded with toasty-sweet pecan chunks and spice. Spread a little more butter on that baby when it’s warm from the oven and you’ll be in heaven. 1750 Weir Drive; 651.731.5397.
Basil Pesto Quesadilla
You walked into Sunsets thinking you didn’t have much of an appetite. You wanted merely a small bite of something savory, but as soon as you started perusing the menu, you wanted to order one of everything. Such is the nature of the menu here: tastiness overload. Calm down; we can walk you through this. Do not order one of everything on the menu. Do order the basil pesto quesadillas ($8.95). The server will present you with a flour tortilla filled with basil pesto, sliced roma tomatoes, asiago and mozzarella cheeses. Baked inside the restaurant’s brick fired oven, this Italian-esque quesadilla is super-good. We also love the Sunsets sliders ($7.95), two mini angus burger patties topped with American cheese, or two turkey burgers topped with chipotle aioli—both served with firecracker onions. 700 Commons Drive; 651.735.1997.
Black & Tan ‘O’ Rings
This time of year, you ought to spend as much time as possible at a warm, friendly Irish pub. And not just because of the beer list and smiling servers. The lineup of apps is something the late Seamus Heaney could wax poetic about. Try the black & tan ‘o’ rings ($7.99), gourmet onion rings coated in lager beer batter, fried, and drizzled in dark stout before they arrive hot to your table. Another app that to point out is one called papa’s delights ($8.99). Ignore its strange and perhaps slightly disturbing name, and give this app a try. Your server will bring you a plate piled with wontons-esque morsels. Only instead of cream cheese, these little guys are stuffed with corned beef, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut. Topped with Thousand Island dressing, they’re bound to be a new favorite of yours. 1775 Radio Drive; 651.578.7007.
