The Neighbor's Italian Bistro

Talk about fine dining. Neighbor's has become my favorite restaurant in Mankato.
There is a dazzling wine list, quaint design, a soothing atmosphere, good service, and amazing food!

Did I say "amazing food?" Well that's exactly what you get at this place. They have multiple delicious pasta, meat, and fish entrees, all infused with their chef's incredible passion for originality-accompanying the plates with fancy sauces, healthy vegetables, nuts, and risottos.
In addition, the appetizers are also creatively inspired including a delectable caesar salad drizzled with a flavor-packed homemade dressing.

While inside, there is relaxing and romantic lighting, classy booths, creative art murals, and light classical/jazzy music playing. All this together creates a very nice environment that I enjoy eating and hanging out in. they also have a nice patio outside for when the weather permits.

Prices at Neighbor's are definitely on the pricey side, especially for the city of Mankato. But for a good evening or lunch, it is worth every penny. Their unique and flavorful dishes compare to many highly rated restaurants in both Minneapolis and New York City. With their food and atmosphere together, The Neighbor's Italian Bistro is the place for a date, family, or a fancy outing with good friends.

Mexican Village

 There is a clear, satisfying sense of bewilderment created through complementary flavors. Without their unbreakable link and relentless flexibility for each other, there would be no ingenuity between them, ultimately leaving terribly bland-tasting dishes.

Mexican Village nearly does the opposite, and is able to make synergy of the few ingredients used throughout their kitchen. 

Anytime I go to this restaurant, I can pick from a wide selection of meals and be satisfied.

Satisfied is the key word here, as there are only a few plates on their menu that are originally designed, cooked, and flavored that allows Mexican Village to stand out from any other Mexican restaurant. The chef masters there fail to progress in superior taste with the usage of meat alongside beans, rice, cheese, tortillas, and lettuce. Or course, those are the basis of most mexican inspired cooking. But Mexican Village does little to break out from those standards and continues to create many good dishes with few delicious ones. 

Although their food does not impress, they have an extensive margarita list which breeds fun times, as well as a Mexico, tropical ambiance. The restaurant is nicely designed with colorful decorations, and while sitting at any table, I can hear mariachi bands playing.

Their selection of drinks is very large and each one is perfectly blended. I can never shy away from a couple frosty treats, although I never know which flavor to choose. They offer normal sizes, a "mega-margarita," and also a pitcher for $15, which fills six regular size glasses. 

Overall, what keeps me coming back to Mexican Village is not the food. While still satisfying and at a good price, it is the drinks and the atmosphere that make me want to have a Mexican fiesta!

Wagon Wheel Cafe

This is the place everyone goes to at some point in their life. Filled with friendly staff including the servers all the way to the cooks, the Wagon Wheel Cafe draws in customers ranging from old-timers to hangover college students. This place knows how to prepare a satisfying, yet simple breakfast.  Their breakfast menu is limited, but the choices fulfill the saying, "Breakfast of Champions!" They have eggs, bacon, sausage, omelets, and of course, toast. Along with beverage choices of orange juice, white or chocolate milk, or coffee. What more can anyone ask for when they want a stomach-lovin' start to their day. The menu does have a few other items including oatmeal and hot chocolate, and they allow people to create their own plates with whatever they like. The lunch menu is also a bit smaller with simple, old-fashioned plates including a burger, onion rings, and grilled cheese. 

Wagon Wheel makes easy, home-cooked food for a cheap price. Their portions aren't the biggest and the food doesn't have any added special flavors for originality, but it's always a sure bet for some relaxing morning-favorite taste. I'd have to note that they do not take any credit cards, only cash or checks, but everything will be easily under $8.

First Restaurant Review- Pagliai's Pizza

Pagliai's is the oldest pizza joint in the city. The establishment has been crafting pies since 1969 and given their long-established success moving into the modern age of pizza: they've nailed the art of sauce, dough, and cheese!
But thats not all that needs to be combined together to form a delicious, succulent, melt in your mouth edible triangle (although their pieces are cut into fun-sized, sharable squares). The other aspects of a good pizza are the ingredients, and Pagliai's doesn't come up short in that category by any means. Their menu contends with the best of any pizzeria, containing original taste combinations including a chicken Alfredo pizza and a "Works" pizza with nine different accompanying ingredients.
The most influential aspect to their pies, which is the reason I keep begging for more, is the amount of grease that accumulates on the top of each pizza. Or I should say lack of grease because there is barely any at all.
Along with their pizzas are hot, freshly made sandwiches and a specialty spaghetti dinner option for pasta lovers.
Their pizzas are a bit more pricy than a usual delivery pizza, but both the quality and quantity surpasses any other pizzeria in Mankato. You pay for what you get is what I always say.
In addition to fantastic food, the staff is friendly and welcoming.
On a negative note, the atmosphere of the restaurant is big city, New York style, and overall compact. The organization of the tables and chairs could be arranged better to utilize the building's space and to allow bigger personal space. But no one should let that stop them from coming in, as its family friendly and ready to be filled with good times!