Dining Diary: Checking out Southern Social and Saffron in Eagan

The past minimal weeks have been a flurry of gardening time with friends and family and cabin visits Between that I managed to fit in a meager trips to Eagan to run errands Since I spend so much time in the second-ring suburb I thought I d try out a limited 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 minimal 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 insufficient 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 minimal 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 hard but we landed on fried momos tandoori chicken a giant dosa with hot chutney and a paneer kathi roll in addition to certain 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 sparse bites I did get were juicy and flavorful particular 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 Vikings Parkway D Eagan - - 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 inadequate 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 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 episode with too several suburban haunts the menu here is gigantic so we ll have to return to get a better sense of it maybe with selected friends to check out those drinks Southern Social Three metro locations including Rahncliff Court Eagan - - 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 Quick Fix Grilled Cheese Sandwich Supper with Spinach and Tomato Salad