A Saturday night in eastern North Dakota. Doesn’t make you think of a plethora of options of entertainment does it? But there is a hidden gem in Grand Forks, North Dakota. If you are from here, you know about it.
I live 250 miles from Grand Forks. I grew up with this fine dining though. It was for special occasions and usually only my parents went there when I was a kid. I spent my first high school prom dinner there for a private event. I remember feeling like an adult.
Now I am an adult. Coming home to eat at what was the finest dining I knew as a kid is full of memories but tonight it felt like home to me.
I have eaten around the country in fine dining with tremendous foodie options and lengthy wine lists. But my favorite place to eat in North Dakota remains, Sander’s.
And tonight I ate there with two of my favorite people. My parents. We failed to take pictures of ourselves. But the conversation was just as rich as the food. The decor is not over the top but it is open yet quaint. My favorite are the stained wood floors. You will have to visit to see them.
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The menu headlines caught me off guard. Food options and choices are what I believe in but I wasn’t expecting those gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options screaming at the top of my menu at Sander’s. The waiter recited the specials for the evening to us. He had them memorized which I love with wait staff at any restaurant. Know your food.
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We went for the squash filled puffed pastry appetizer special. It was divine, like nothing I have tasted before. Flaky, light yet rich and topped with walnuts with this fantastic squash puree inside.
I called my husband ahead of walking into Sander’s, knowing he would love to be with us. But I was working for the weekend and he was home with our kids. He said “order a filet”. Medium rare beef is my favorite but I changed it up and ordered the seafood grill. Usually I don’t order seafood in the middle of America. But Sander’s never fails. Scallops, shrimp and ahi tuna were the perfect combination with wild rice. I also had an Italian salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and onions.
My mom had pumpkin filled homemade ravioli. Divine. Of course. And my dad went with his old stand by, grilled salmon.
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It was late, had been a long day but my mom could not end the evening with out dessert.
Carmel Brulée.
It was a sweet end to a favorite night, filled with Dakota cuisine in the restaurant that no longer feels “fancy” to me as it when I was kid. It feels comfortable, homey and understated. Kind of like North Dakota.
What’s your all time favorite restaurant and why?
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This looks so wonderful. I would go with your mom’s order!
nice to see a place stay in business a long time – with good, quality food and service. 🙂
Pirogue Grille in Bismarck. Absolutely the best dining around.
I haven’t been to Sander’s for years! Only once in the current location but several times before the flood. Not only was the food and ambience great, but Kim and his wife were such gracious hosts!
Yum! Sanders continues to be one of our favorites! Wish we could go more often. Thanks for the virtual visit 🙂