Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 40

Frt, Jan. 18, 1985 Minneapolis Star and Tribune 8C. Dining out All wee i The food ia not the main entree at The Loon, the hottest singles bar in the Twin Cities. But if you need to refuel during the mating dance, there are freshfy-equeezed juicea, three kinds of cha (one boanless), burgers, salads and cold sandwiches Sartorial display ranges from casual to elaborate, but you won't go wrong il you go with the current trend. (KW) Wilderness Supper Club, County Rd.

8 near Prior Lake (447-2266). Bring out the Hemingway in yourself in this rustic log lodge as you chomp on ribs, steak, crab and salad, or duck and pheasant from the surrounding hunting preserve. Open for private parties by reservation. Open for Sunday brunch. (KW) YaGadz! 1624 Harmon PI.

(332-16 17). Can a cafe be chic and serve good, moderately priced food? Absolutely. This fresh "cafe for city people'' done up in neon, pink and charcoal ia the only restaurant in town to take advantage of a view over lovely Loring Park as wel as the only one to stay open lata. The menu of sandwiches, fruit plates, burgers, pate, salads, soup and quicheiaonly topped by superb chocolate rouladen and raspberry cheesecake. Beer and wine available, too, along with iced coffee.

(KW) Movies Kamilla (Norway, 1983) Set in Norway during summer of 1948, the film shows dislocation and disillusion through the eyes of 7-year-old girl. 3 p.m. Sunday, Fdm Society, Bet Museum auditorium, 1 7th and University Avs. SE. Phone: 373-5397.

Secret Honor 1 983) A fictional meditation about Richard Nixon by filmmaker mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm mini iu iiu. i i.i fmmmmmmmrnmmmmmmmi i i i jiiiiiiiji iin i i ill if i Robert Altman, 7:30 and 9: 15 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, Film Society, 1 25 WMey Halt university ot Minnesota. Phone: 373-5397. Carry Greenham Home (England, 1984) Documentary filmed during the second year of me peace encampment next to me missile base at Greenham Common, England.

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Film Society, Wiey Hal 125, University of Minnesota. Phone: 373-5397. A Question of Silence 1 982) Story of a male boutique manager murdered by three female customers, and their relationship with the court psychiatrist hired to prove their insanity. 7:30 p.m.

today and Sunday, Walker Art Center auditorium, Vineland PI. Tickets: 375-7622. Night Mail and Nanook of the North The; Landmarks: The Earty Classics: Two classic documentaries feature the man train from London to Glasgow, and documentary of an Eskimo family's Ufa. 7:30 p.m. Thuraday.

West Bank Bijou, West Bank Union east end lower level, Willey Han, University of Minnesota. Phone: 373-5058. Tk.U.II...I!.l.u a Critic's choiceDining out The New Riverside Cafe, 329 Cedar on the West Bank. This worker-owned co-op vegetarian cafe has just reopened after several months of remodeling, and though some of the funkinesa of the old New Riv is gone, the food is as good as ever, and the spirit ia unchanged. Sunday brunch French toast, quiche, pancakes and the like is worth the trip.

Back in the old days, circa 1 970, diners could decide for themselves how much they wanted to pay for their meals, and a sign over the counter invited i iiv iMiin raiwvn nusimi. Retrospective series: Cult classic of the pursuU customers to practice a little dishwashing yoga if the spirit so moved them. Those policies are long gone, but the new cover charge policy is in the same spirit: "self service, pay what you can afford no cover, but if you like the music, pay the performer." Entertainment from 7 to 1 0 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

Can 333-4814 for information on upcoming performers. Jeremy Iggers young restaurant. But it's breakfast with salsa. La Peep offers superb French toast, fine frittatas (try the Zapata), omelettes and skilletsful of bubbling hot eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions in a setting of skylights, plants, raw brick, natural wood and comforting food posters. (KW) Late night Mickey's Diner, 36 W.

9th St. Paul (222-5633). Across from the bus depot and a choice spot for viewing the city's amusing and bizarre downtown nightlife. Fancy dress is discouraged, but all sorts of folks turn up here. The cooking is strictly in the ail-American cheapo dinner category: Hearty eggs and pancakes, sausages, burgers, pies, sandwiches, simple salads and steaks.

Open 24 hours. (KW) La Cucaracha, Dale St. at Grand St. Paul (22 1 -9682). Simple but adequate Mexican home cooking and friendly service in a little hole-in-the-wall eatery.

Flautas, tacos, -enchiladas, chicken, occasional guacamole, beans and rice, etc. Odd hours and occasionally even odder clientele, varying from the ritzy to the raunchy. (K W) Sunday brunch Mai Tal. 687 Excelsior Excelsior (474-1 1 83). Generous buffet served in an attractive two-story restaurant lavished with bamboo, -tape cloths and waterfalls and overlooking Lake Minnetonka.

The feast includes Polynesian and Oriental items such as egg too young, fried rice and ribs as well as sausage, fresh fruit, salads, muffins, bread, eggs and Corner House, 2800 27th Av. S. (724-6666). During the week, you can enjoy Cantonese dishes and specials, but on Sundays, dim sum Oriental steamed buns or pastries filled with a variety of ingredients) is the order of the day here. Sunday dim sum brunch is served from 11a.m.to2p.m.(KW) This Mrrtple of dining choices In the Twin Quests offered as a guide to readers.

TIM Initial Jl" and rat or to comment! by Jaramy Iggara and Karin Winegar. Eclectic Calhoun's. Calhoun Beach Qub, 2925 Dean Pkwy. Minneapolis (926-2 1 95) Calhoun's ia the first and thus far only restaurant to take advantage of the splendid inner city lakes. The dinng room upstairs is for CBC members only, but this spanking white dining area with a restrained nautical-theme bar offers view.

It's a meeting place for "Yuppies" (Young Upwardly-mobile Professionals) and offers a light and slightly sophisticated menu of seafood, pasta, salads, soup, cheesecake and sundaes. (KW) Center City Cafa, 19 S. 7th St. (339-2705). The cafe has brightened space long occupied by the Brothers Delicatessen end ightened the food as wed.

Decorated in light woods, orange upholstery and a "Mmneapple" motif, the Cafe serves moderately priced den classics such as tax and bagels, reubens, corned beef as well as fern bar food such as baked brie with apples, breaded vegetables, teriyaki chicken, soups, malts, sundaes and shakes. Fresh squeezed orange juice, mineral water but no alcohol is served. (KW) City Tavern, Lumber Exchange Building, 10 S. 5th St. (333-7940).

Once the elegant Les Quatre Amis restaurant, City Tavern has been rnediocritized in cooking and democratized in price and decor, which, of course, makes it very popular, ft joins the Loon, New French Bar, Faegre's and Times Cafe circuit with a menu of fresh seafood, excellent fried calamari, mesquite grilled steak, chicken and fish, chops and burgers. The desserts are massive and fattening: cappucino ice cream cake, sundaes, creme brulea and fruit compote are recommended. Full bar. (KW) Ellington's 425 S. 7th (339-7995).

Decor is the strong suit here art deco with a vengeance. Unfortunately, the cuisine doesn't seem to get as much attention to detail. But if you're out for a fun evening, rather than a great dinner, Ellington's might not be a bad choice. Best bets are the seafood dishes. Rating: Fair food and prices, good service, very good ambiance.

Wheelchair access. Reservations encouraged. (Jl) Fastrax. Ill N. 6th SU340-1414).

The rear end of a Porsche protrudes from the outer wall of Fastrax, the Twin Cities' first video bar and restaurant. Nine monitors and two big video screens play the latest rock videos white customers nosh on salads, stuffed chicken breast, sourdough sandwiches, seafood and fettucme (KW) Rick's Cafa Americana, 1729Lyndale Av. N. (52 1 -887 1 The Casablanca motif is a winner and so is the wholesome Creole and barbeque cooking at this fresh, moderately-priced cafe. Barbequed ribs, shrimp, jambalaya.

pecan pie, hot peach cobbler, honey-cornmeal muffins and other southern-style delights are served in a tropical white room with parrot posters and ceiling fans. Wine and beer available. (KW) Rudolph's Bar-B-Que, 1933 Lyndale Av. S. (87 1-8969), and 475 Fairview St.

Paul (698-5503). The original Rudolph's is a smoky, kitsch-filled, roadhouse-shaped ribs joint with visions of Hollywood dancing on its menu. Items such as the John Wayne, the Theda Bars and so on are chewy, pit-smoked barbecue ribs or chicken with coarse, oniony coleslaw. It's the most successful ribs house in town. (KW) Sgt.

Preston's of the North, 22 1 Cedar Av. (338-6 146). Preston's is indeed a cruising center with a terrifically loyal contingent of youngish regulars and local media stars. But this tightly packed West Bank bar also has very good, fresh, huge portions of simple food. The chili should be served in fireproof bowls.

There are dozens of combinations of a la carte sandwiches served on nourishing nine-grain bread, reliably tasty daily special soups plus wickedly good desserts such as zucchini bread and poppyseed cake. (KW) Signals Union Depot Place, 214 E. 4th St. Paul (22 1 -1 983). Signals manages to capture the mediocrity of typical American lunch counter cuisine, but for twice the price.

The concept is good, but the kitchen spreads itself too thin trying to off er a menu that ranges from San Francisco Cioppino to Baked Grand Banks Cod. A more limited menu, and a more painstaking approach, could make a big difference. Food and value are passable, ambiance good and service fair. Wheelchair access. Reservations accepted.

(Jl) The Loon Cafe, 500 1st Av.N. (332-8342). Music Classical concerts St. Paul Chamber Orchestra Conductor and composer WitoW Lutoslawski, violinist Pinchas Zukerman and pianist Marc Neikrug, 8 p.m. today and Saturday, Ordway Music Theatre.

5th St. and Washington, St. Paul. Tickets: 224-4222, Dayton's. Concert preview at 7 p.m.

Saturday. Minnesota Orchestra Neville Marriner wiH conduct guest pianist Rudolf Buchbinder, 8 p.m. today, Orchestra Hall, 1111 Nicollet Mall; coffee concert with Marriner and pianist Buchbinder, 1 1 a.m. today, Ordway Music Theatre, 5th St. and Washington.

St. Paul. Marriner conducts the orchestra and Korean pianist Kun-Woo Paik, guest mezzo-soprano Claudine Carlson, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Tickets: 37 1-5656. Dayton's.

Concert preview with composer Stephen Paulus. 7 p.m. today, Greenroom, Orchestra Han. Canadian Brass Great Performers series: 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday, Orchestra Han.

1 1 1 1 Nicollet Man. Tickets: 37 1-5656, Dayton's. Terry Riley New music composer, 8 p.m. Saturday, Walker Art Center auditorium, Vinetand PI. Tickets: 375-7622.

Haven of Real Craw Part of the Medallion Artists Series, 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday, First Covenant Church, 8 1 0 S. 7th St. Tickets: 332-5684. Minneapolis Institute of Arts Concerts Rochester String Trio.

7 p.m. today, Sculpture Court. Select Strings Chamber Orchestra, 3 p.m Saturday. Progressive jazz and standards, Frederick Olson, piano and Peter Olson, bass, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sculpture Court.

2400 3rd Av. S. Phone: 870-3131. Layton James Pianist, 7 p.m. Sunday, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 3920 N.

Victoria Shoreview. The Musical Offering Works by Tetemann, Quantz, Milhaud and others, 4 p.m. Sunday, Bakken Library of Electricity in Life, 3537 Zenith Av. S. Tickets: 64 1 -239 1 Thursday Musical Pianists Marianne Utyot and Robert Vickery, soprano Mary Elan French Forepaugh'e 276 S.

Exchange St. Paul (224-5606). Attar years of searching for an identity, this handsomely restored Victorian mansion has settled into a comfortable identity as a French restaurant, but with the big portions rnidwesterners like. If you're looking for gastronomic adventure, you're better off elsewhere, but traditional French cuisine is handled very wed. Best beta include the veal dishes, roast duckling and the desserts.

Rating: Food very good to excellent, service, ambiance and value, very good. Wheelchair access. Reservations encouraged. (Jl). Vvette 65 SE.

Main Riverplace. (379-1 1 1 1 Unlike a tot of French restaurants, Yvette doesn't take itself too seriously. The new restaurant-bistro-piano bar offers enough sophistication to suggest a New York night club, yet enough playfulness to put crayons on all the tables. Weil-made sauces are the key to the first-rate cuisine. Food and ambience, very good, service and value good to very good.

Wheelchair access. Dress code. Reservations taken for lunch and for early dinner. (Jl) Indian Kebab) 1 SE. Main Riverplace (623-0501).

East meets west at Kebabi. This new Riverplace eatery specializes in the kind of Indian cooking most westerners are likely to enjoy marinated meats and seafood broiled in a day-lined tandcor oven. Best bets include the tandoori chicken, beef kebabs and kathi kebab, a pungently spicy beef appetizer not unlike a burrito. Biggest drawback a very limited menu. Rating: Food, ambience and value, very good, service good to very good.

Wheelchair access. No reservations. (Jl) Italian FigUo Calhoun Square, Lake St. and Hennepin Av. (822-1688).

Yuppie-Italian dining in a stylish atmosphere. Creative cuisine (albeit created somewhere else). All the food trends are represented, from goat cheese and buffalo cheese pizzas to blackened redfish a la Paul Prudhomme. At its best, FigHo can be very good. Best bets include the deep-fried calamari (squid) with spiked lemon-butter mayonnaise, homemade fettucine with double cream, goat cheese and wild mushrooms, pizza with pesto, baby shrimp and buffalo mozzareila.

and fresh breast of chicken with lemon caper sauce. Rating: Food and value, good to very good, service and ambience very good. Wheelchair access to main dining room. Reservations recommended on weekends. (JO Jakeeno's, 1429 La Salle Av.

(87 1-5777). Very nice food, good portions, comfortable seats, decent prices, quick service and a witty waitress make this garden level eatery a welcome stop. Owner John Keegan has brightened the basement comer with natural light, plants and fawn-colored upholstery. Recommended: soup and homemade roB. mini meatball soups, pizzas, herbal tea, lasagne, csnneHoni Horentine, and hot cheese toast.

Desserts are of the whipped creamy sort not at all bad and include layer cake with strata of fruit, cream and cake. No alcohol is served. (KW) Chinese Hunan, 8066 Morgan Circle, Southtown Shopping Center, Bloornington (88 1 -2280). Kin to St. Paul's Princess Garden, this moderately priced, informal Chinese restaurant serves a similar, mostly Sichuan menu.

The chef has a way with fresh, firm vegetables, spices and fish dishes. Huge tender scallops, fiery pork and beef dishes. Crispy-skinned Peking duck on short notice. (KW) Mandarin Yen, 8625 Wayzata Golden Valley (544-5 151). Red- and black-clad Jenkins and vtoKst Annette Caruthera, 10:30 a.m.

Thursday, Walker Art Center. Vineland PI. Tickets at the door. James McGuIra Guitarist, 8 p.m. Thursday, Scott Han Auditorium, University of Minnesota.

Bel Suono Music Ensemble Violinists Carolyn Boulay and Lucinda Marvin, viotist John Tartagtia, cellist Camilla Heller and clarinetist Joseph Longo 3 p.m. Sunday, Church of the Annunciation, 509 W. 54th St. Linden Hills Chamber Players 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Christ the King Church, 5029 Zenith Av.

S. Free. Critic's choice Music Jazz singer Mel Torme, a highlight locally in the 1983 Kool Jazz Festival, win perform with his trio on a double-bill With pianist Peter Nero Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Ordway Music Theatre. Michael Anthony of the black bird with Humphrey Bogart, directed by John Huston.

7:30 p.m. today i and Saturday. West Bank Buou. West Bank Union Auditorium, east end lower level, Wittey' Han, University of Minnesota. Phone: 373-5058.

Northern Lights American independent Film series: Rob Nilssonand John Hanson's film about Midwest farmers and the Nonpartisan League, a populist movement that revolutionized prairie politics before World War 1. 7 and 9: 15 p.m. today and Saturday, Coff man Memorial Union Theatre. University of Minnesota. Cornbread Earl and Me Black Film series, 7:30 p.m.

Tueaday, Coffman Memorial Union Theatre, University of Minnesota. Hamlet Grand Illusions: Set Design in Cinema series: (Britain, 1 948) Laurence Olivier directs himself, Eileen HerHe and Jean Simmons in Shakespeare's classic. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Minnesota Museum of Art, Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St.

Paul. i The Sundowners Warm Countryside series: 1960) Story of an Australian migrant -family in the 1920s, stars Robert Mitchum, 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Pillsbury Auditorium, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rdAv.S. Ziegfeld Follies Fred Astaire'a only appearance with Gene Kelly, along with numbers by Lucille Batt, Fanny Brica, Judy Garland, Lena Home, Esther Williams and others, directed by Vincente MirmeW, 3 p.m. Sunday, Wafcer Art Center, Vineland PI.

Tickets: 375-7622. World Travel Film Series "Vancouver Island, Pacific Paradise," 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Prom Center, 1 190 University St. Paul. Tickets at the door.

Phone: 698-7 1 68. Films of Jean Cocteau "L'Amitie Noire" and "La Villa Santo Sospir," works by Jean Cocteau, 8 p.m. today, Film in the Cities Gallery, 2388 University St. Paul. 646-6104.

Das Bismarcker Lichtsplel A hghthearted romp through Bismarck, N.D., explores "the collective unconscious of Bismarck," 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Film in the Cities Gallery, 2388 University St. Paul. Phone: 646-6 104. Filmmakers Bruce Wendt and Digger Kohler will be present.

The Wild Child (France, 1970)Francois Truffaut's film based on the 1806 memoirs of a French physician, Dr. Hard. The film begins when a child is found living like an animal in the forest in 1798, 8 p.m. Saturday, Film in the Cities Gallery, 2388 University St. Paul.

Phone: 646104. iMessidor Warm Countryside film series: (1979) The odyssey of two female hitchhikers, children of Swiss security and plenty, into a world of crime, accident and flight. 8 p.m. today and Saturday, Pillsbury Auditorium, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2400 3rd Av. S.

From Sweden With Love 2 p.m. Sunday, American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Av. Phone: 87 1-4907. The Electronic Image Videos by Deanna Kamiel: Prairie, "Ruth and "Adoption" 8 p.m. today; "Nuclear Outpost" and "Maggie and the Men of Minnesota," 8 p.m Saturday.

UCVideo, 425 SE. Ontario St. Omnitheater "The Grand Canyon," a look at the canyon breathtaking vistas, and "The Magic Egg," a computer animation film, at 1, 3, 7 and 9 p.m. today, 1 1 a.m., noon, 1, 3, 4:30, 7 and 9 p.m. Saturday, noon, 1,3, 4:30 and 7 p.m.

Sunday, 1,3,7 and 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. "Darwin on the Galapagos," 2 and 8 p.m. today through Sunday, Tuesday through Thursday, Omnitheater, Science Museum of Minnesota, 30 E. 10th St.

Paul. Phone: 221-9400or221-9456. Planetarium "Aliens," program about life on Earth and the possibility of extraterrestrial life; with feature films "Red, White, and 1 1 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m.

Sunday. Minneapolis Planetarium, Minneapolis Public Library, 300 Nicollet Matt. Phone: 372-6644. Movie guide This summary of movies currently being shown in the Twin Cities is offered as a guide to readers. The initials "BL" refer to comments by Bob Lundegaard "JS" to Jeff Strickler.

The ratings are issued by the Motion Picture Association of America. All of Me Steve Martin and Lily Tomtin play the same character in the kind of fantasy that was popular in the 1 930s and 40s: She dies but comes back to life in part of his body. The conjunction gives Martin some marvelous physical comedy to do there really seems to be someone else inside his body, even in the simple act of walking. But the fantasy flounders near the end. Director Carl Reiner doesn't know how to end and it trails off lamely PG.

Amadaus Milos Forman's superb adaptation (or re-creation) of Peter Shaffer's play is the dying confessional of Antonio haunt that's so small it's impossible to breathe deeply. Al's is a consummate greasy spoon with possibly addictive eggs Benedict and hash browns, pancakes and waffles. Enjoyable Hghthearted banter among the staff and numerous regular friends, many of whom pay with Al's special credit coupon booklets. (KW) Eggle's Cafa. 2504 Chicago Av.

(87 1 -9750) and 64 18 Bass lake Crystal (537-87 19). Eggie's does a fine job of breakfast. The crisp, hot dollops of hash browns are worth a try maybe even worth diving at your neighbor's plate. A dozen variations on the omelet, corned beef hash, eggs, sausage links or slices, pancakes, burgers and steaks are as good as any American-style breakfast eats you'll find in The Malt Shop, 809 W. 50th St.

(824 .1 352). For the first several years of its Ufa, the Malt Shop's portions and prices of fresh simple food had 'em standing in line. And although it expanded its motley and plant-filled seating area, customers still are lining up for its double-sized fresh fruit and vegetable (pumpkin!) malts, soups and giant sandwiches. (KW) Mayslack's Polka Lounge, 1428 NE. 4th St.

(789-9862). A smoky, homely, he-man Polish-style bar in northeast Minneapolis serving one thing: huge roast beef sandwiches dripping with garlic-flavored juice. Relishes and salad also provided. Serving lunch only. (KW) J.B.

Hoyt's 301 Washington Av. N. (338-1560). Real home cooking in an all-American, no-frills homey bar (once known as the 301 Bar). That means JeS-O, mashed potatoes, meat loaf, hot pork and dressing, hot soups, dinner roHs, stuffed cabbage rods, BLTs and goulash are the daily fare.

Thick, chilly malts and the malt can are also treats. (KW) Miles of Aisles Cafe. leiORiverskfeAv. (375-0108). A closet-sized dining area with a shoebox-sized kitchen that produces an excellent if limited menu of meatless items such as pasta prima vera, French baguette sandwiches, "neato burrito supremo," vegetable soups, lemon poppyseed cake, herb teas, espresso, cassoulet, liquados (blender drinks), fruit breads and juices.

One of the great undiscovered eating spots in the Twin Cities with two of the most capable cooks around; these women are gifted with an understanding of seasoning a rare thing in Minnesota ktichens. (KW) La Peep, 89 S. 10th St. (333-1855). Breakfast is the only fare at this fresh, bright through Sunday.

Craig Hanson, Wednesday and Thursday. Park Square Court, 6th and Sibley St. Paul. Phone: 221-0551. The Alternative Rosewater County, today and Saturday.

2533 NE. Harding St. Artists Quarter Tenor Madness, today and Saturday. Eddie Berger and the Jazz An Stars, Sunday. Trans Music, Monday and Tuesday.

Kinglet, Wednesday. Kenny Horst and Friends, Thursday. 26th St. and Nicollet Av. Phone: 872-0405.

Brand ywlne Tom McGLynn, today and Saturday. Interstate Hwy. 694 and Silver Lake New Brighton. Phone: 636-9886. Burnsvllle Bowl Rotter, today and Saturday.

44th Street, Sunday through Wednesday. Ice Breaker, Thuraday. 1200 E. Hwy. 13.

Bumsvitte. Phone: 890-1200. Ca booze Johnny Holm, today and Saturday. Paradox, Sunday. Criminals.

Monday. Breathless, Tuesday. The Urban Guerrillas, Wednesday. Ragga, Thuraday. 91 7 Cedar Av.

Phone: 338-2027. Country House The Troop, today and Saturday. High Noon, Tuesday through Thuraday. 10715S.ShoreDr., Medicine Lake. Phone: 546-4655.

Estaben's Gary Michaels, today through Sunday. 23 S. Main Stillwater. Faegre's Lucia Newell, Jay Young, Mark Waggoner and Kenny Horst, Sunday. Debbe Duncan, Gary Raynor, Gary Gauger, Mikkel Ramstad and Dave Karr, Monday.

1st Av. N. and 5th St. Phone: 332-3515. First Avenue and 7th St.

Entry Mainroom: Buckwheat Zydeco Band, Monday. Ronnie Laws, fusion, Wednesday. 79 N. 7th St. Phone: 338-8388.

French Quarter Dean Brewington Trio, today, Saturday, Wednesday and Thursday. Edward's, 9920 Wayzata St. Lous Park. Phone: 546-687 1, Kelly's Pub Karen Dennett and 5th Season, today. Barbary Coast Dixieland Jazz Band, Saturday.

Ned Kantar with Jim MrtcheU, Monday through Thuraday. 5555 Wayzata St. Louis Park. Phone: waiters scuttle around in the windowteas, predictable red-and-black decor. Spicy Sichuan is the specialty here.

Recommendations include grand duke chicken and shrimp in garlic sauce. Full liquor service. There's also a Mandarin Yen South (formerly Howard Wong's) at 270 1 Southtown Bloornington The Palace, 5340 Wayzata St. Louis Park (544-70 1 7). Sunday dim sum brunch at the Palace means a waiting line that trails out the door and down the street.

Half the Chinese families in town seem to turn out for this traditional delicacy of steamed meats and pastries. But if you have no patience with lines, try dinner instead. Choose from dozens of Sichuan and cooler Cantonese items, Recornrnended dishes include sole with ginger, Peking Duck, spicy curried squid, fish fat soup, pium duck, sesame shrimp, seafood chow mem and moo shi pork. (KW) Princess Garden, 1665 Rice St. Paul (488453 1).

Specializing in hot and spicy Sichuan cuisine, Princess Garden is not for the faint of palate. Sample the kungpao, chicken with peanuts, pork, Mongolian beef and seafood dishes from wel over a dozen Sichuan items on the menu. Or splurge on a glorious Peking duck with pancakes, scallions and hoisin sauce. (KW) Szechuan Star, 3655 Hazetton Edina (835-76 10). Perhaps the most luxurious, tastetutry executed Oriental restaurant in the Twin Cities, complete with handpainted tables, carved chairs, cases of Japanese art objects and sensuous wall fabrics.

A selection of 52 Sichuan and Cantonese dishes is svailabie. The kung pao gai ding, wor shu duck and koo koo's nest are recommended. Beware the whole dried chilis in the Sichuan dishes. (KW) Taiga, St. Anthony Main, 201 SE.

Main St. (331-1 138). A lovely, earthy garden-level restaurant with a diverse menu of Chinese dishes from Sichuan to Cantonese. Chined, spicy bon bon chicken, sweet and sour soup and tender broccoli beef are recommended. The lunch specials arrive in a handsome lacquer box caHed a bento and offer up to half a dozen tasty items.

(KW) Funky Al's Breakfast, 413 14th Av. SE. (331-9991). An ancient, yellowed breakfast Popular concerts Mel Tonne and Peter Nero With an ensemble, 3 p.m. Sunday, Ordway Music Theatre, 5th St.

and Washington, St. Paul. Tickets: 224-4222, Dayton's. Biff Roblllard Pianist, guitarist and singer, 8 p.m. Saturday, Toad Han, Andrew-Riverside Church Annex, 729 SE.

4th St. Coffeehouse Extempore Concerts John Berquist, live album recording, Bob Walser opens, 8 p.m. today. Josh White Pat Donohue opens, 8 p.m. Saturday.

G.G. Nauer, folk and contemporary songs, 8 p.m. Sunday. 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Deidre McCaHa, singer, songwriter and guitarist, 8 p.m. Thursday, 325 Cedar Av. Tickets: 871-3717, Tickets-To-Go. Twin City Federal Concerts An are at noon: Nordkap Male Chorus, today. Thomas Schmid, bass-baritone, Thuraday.

TCF Atrium, 801 Marquette Av. S. Pat Moriarty Jazz saxophonist, 8 p.m. today, Concert Han, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center, Macalester College, 1600 Grand St. Paul.

Charlie Magulre 8 p.m. Saturday, Homestead Pickin' Parlor, 6625 Penn Av. Richfield. Phone: 86 1-3308. Dance Royal Winnipeg Ballet 8 p.m.

Monday and Tuesday, Ordway Music Theatre, 5th St. and Washington, St. Paul. Tickets: 224-4222. Dayton's.

Dancellfe: Isadora Duncan Alice Block portrays Duncan, performing 10 of her dances, 8 p.m. today through Sunday, Weyerhaeuser Auditorium, Landmark Center, 75 W. 5th St. Paul. Secret Pastures Choreography by BUT.

Jones and Amie Zane, 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Ordway Studio Theatre, 5th St. and Washington, St. Paul. Tickets: 375-7622.

Ballroom Dancing The Whitesidewalls provide music, 0 p.m. Saturday, brush-up dance lessons with Dean and Mary Constantine, at 7:15 p.m., Medina Ballroom, Hamei. Dance information: 544-222 1 Nightlife Alfredo's Spatz Madison, today Maggie Judd'a Firehouse, today and Saturday. The Lonnie Knight Band, Thursday. 1 108 W.

45th inver Grove Heights. Phone: 450-0997. Maplewood Bowl Clean today and Saturday. Hitz, Sunday. Rocking Bollywoods, Monday.

Ice Breaker, Tuesday and Wadneaday. Visions, Thursday. 1955 English Maplewood. Phone: 774-8787. Mandarin Yen Royal Royal, today, Saturday, Tuesday through Thursday.

494 and Penn Av. Bloornington. Phone: 888-8900. River House Jim Carroll Band, today and Saturday. Black Jack, Thursday.

95 10 W. River Brooklyn Park. Phone: 425-3980. River Palace Dinner Theater Edgewater '84, "The Best of Edgewater '84," today, Saturday and Thursday. Late show, "The Big Beat," a 1940s revue, today and Saturday.

2420 Marshall Av. NE. Phone: The St. Paul Hotel Randy Wall, piano stylist, today, Saturday, Monday through Thursday, in the bar. 350 Market St.

Paul. Scottie's on 7th The Wolverines Big Band, 9 p.m. today and Saturday. 18 S. 7th St.

Phone: 375-1 136. SignalsMezzanine Bar Spatz Madison, today and Saturday. Byron Quam. Wednesday and Thursday. Union Depot Place, 4th and Sibley St.

Paul. Phone: 221-1983. Sweeney's Champagne Bar Michelle MoHne Quartet, today and Saturday. Peggy Clark, Tueaday. Patty Peterson Band, Wednesday.

Ruth Bormann and Todd Lowry, Thursday. 96 N. Dale St. Paul. Phone: 221-9157.

Toros of Aspen Jeff Arundel and Jon Mogck, today and Saturday 600 1 Shady Oak Minnetonka. Phone: 938-9100. Weber's Tommy Wiggins Combo, today and Saturday. 2497 E. 7th North St.

Paul. Phone: 777-5521. William's Pub Macumba, today and Saturday. The Players, Monday through Wednesday. Dreamscape, Thursday.

291 1 Hennepin Av. S. Phone: 823-627 1 Yvette Celebrity Strings (formerly the Golden Strings), 7 p.m. Sunday. Riverplace, 65 SE.

Main St. Phone: 379-1 1 1 1.