It says it right there on the sign - Asian Fusion. I'm not sure exactly what that is, but they know how to do it at Rice Paper - a little teeny restaurant hidden in the Linden Hills area of Minneapolis.
I have no idea what makes Asian fusion 'Asian fusion'. Some say it's the flavors of China, Viet Nam, Thailand, etc. If you ask me, I think at Rice Paper they're fusing Asian food with magic or witchcraft or something. Whatever alchemy they're doing, they're doing it right. The flavors are indeed unique - extremely fresh - and it is obvious that these people really love food and genuinely care about what they serve.
I could type three words and give this restaurant a most admirable review. Song Huong beef. I'm actually not sure I really want to go any further than the Song Huong Beef. I'd wager that you cannot find a tastier meal in Minneapolis under $20.00. Song Huong beef even comes two ways! You have the option of the lettuce wrap platter or the rice platter. Either way you go, the centerpiece is thinly-sliced beef that has been marinated forever in some 'fusionade' (I’ve asked unsuccessfully more than once for the secret) then lovingly folded up to fit onto little wooden skewers and then flame broiled.
The lettuce wrap platter comes with rice noodles, plenty o' fresh lettuce, mint, cilantro if you want it, and sprouts (I have them hold the sprouts - I'm not a fan). The rice platter comes with .... rice - and they both come with a little saucer of an indescribable light, happy, slightly-sweet-with-a-bit-of-tang super delicious sauce and a couple of tasty black-sesame rice crackers like those Indonesian chips you get in Amsterdam.
I guess most folks build a tasty little lettuce, meat, & noodle burrito out of all of this, but it's so damn good that I don't have the patience to futz with that. I just dive in - taking delightful little mouth-fulls of everything. This is a sublime dish - as remarkable the 4th or 5th time as it was the first time I tasted it.
I fear if I talk about the tofu puffs that I run the risk of making Rice Paper seem like some kinda fruity Linden Hills rich-people-have-dinner kinda joint. It's not that. Really. I hate tofu. I hate people who like tofu. I don't care for restaurants that SERVE tofu. But I actually ORDER the tofu here as an appetizer. Deep fried little chewy cubes with some other indescribable magic witchcraft sauce.
If you're going to make reservations, which I suggest if there are more than 2 of you because the restaurant is tiny and the tables are crowded, here's an insider's tip. Ask for reservations on table #12. It's somewhat separate and twice as roomy as any other table in the place.
When you do go - review the coconut ice cream with homemade chocolate lime sauce for me. Sebastian Joe's ice cream is right up the street and we always go there instead and I'm dying to know about the chocolate lime sauce.
SEEE! Incredibly descriptive - I knew you could do better than "tasty!"
Posted by: The Mrs. at March 12, 2007 10:48 AMWait a minute! Did you go eat there while I was with your double? We ate at the Jade Fountain in Wayzata! Not the Rice Paper...(I'll have to try it!)
Posted by: Cat at March 12, 2007 11:01 AMhmmmm...
I think this is right by Wild Rumpus.
Which is a place you should soon be
visiting with the little one!
Nice review brah. But don't be a hater. (I'm a tofu lover... as well as a citizens for boysenberry jam fan.) BTW, I'm relieved to know that I'm not the only one with little patience for rolling your own at Asian restaraunts. This has always been an issue for me with moo shu pork.... I'm glad to have this out in the open.
Do they have chicken pot pie at Sebastian Joe's?
Posted by: mtbakerstu at March 13, 2007 06:29 AMWe cheated on you tonight and went to RICE PAPER, the Song Huong beef was delicious!
Just had to taunt you a little...I went with the rice version so I didn't have to waste time rolling the lettuce wraps though.