Appetites: A guide to Lowertown's new eateries

Lowertown is booming. Suddenly this downtown Saint Paul neighborhood is a dining and drinking destination for people down the street and across the river.

Mecca Bos, dining critic for City Pages, shared this guide to some of the area's new eateries.

Saint Dinette

261 5th Street E.
A new restaurant from the people who brought you The Strip Club Meat and Fish, Saint Dinette, fuses Southern and Mexican flavors with traditional Midwestern favorites. Try the beef ceviche: thinly sliced beef cooked in citrus and garnished with a dulce de leche crema.

Big River Pizza

280 5th Street E.
After years as a catering outfit, the roving pizza oven has a home base in Lowertown. They serve up "Minne-politan" style pizza: using Neapolitan methods to cook locally sourced ingredients.

Ox Cart Ale House

255 6th Street E.
A comprehensive beer list and scratch-made pub fare are Ox Cart's defining traits. Coming soon: a rooftop with views of the Capitol and Cathedral Hill.

Heartland Wine Bar

289 5th Street. E.
The restaurant has been around for years, but the wine bar is a casual extension that's perfect for pre-game, on-the-go treats. The selection includes sandwiches, a deli salad selection, and a 10 percent discount on St. Paul Saints game days.

And a few of Mecca's old Lowertown favorites:
• tanpopo restaurant
• Golden's Deli
• Barrio

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