Where to eat and drink during the Winter Carnival

Are you planning to come to downtown St. Paul for the Winter Carnival?

If you’re looking for a place to warm up and grab a bite, downtown, and especially Lowertown, has lots of great options. A few of them new in the past year.

Here are some suggestions for new and classic places to grab a bite when you’re out and about.

LOWERTOWN

Ox Cart Ale House: Upscale pub food, made from from scratch, and it’s all great to pair with one of the many beers on tap. Try the chicken-apricot sausage, which is the juiciest chicken sausage I have ever tasted, or the super-flavorful pastrami sandwich, for which the pastrami is cured in-house. $-$$, full bar; Ox Cart Ale House: 255 E. Sixth St., St. Paul; 651-756-8909; oxcartalehouse.com

Saint Dinette: The guys behind Strip Club Meat and Fish on St. Paul’s east side are behind this eatery, which is one of my favorite places to grab a bite and a drink. Chef Adam Eaton, formerly of La Belle Vie, is putting out a menu full of eclectic bites from inventive small plates to a buttery, double-patty burger that is absolutely best in class. The cocktails are delicious, too. $$, full bar; Saint Dinette: 261 E. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651-800-1415; saintdinette.com

Big River Pizza: If you’re looking for a way to feed a crowd, Big River’s affordable, wood-fired pizzas are a great way to go. I especially love any of the vegetarian options — owner Steve Lott sources the vegetables from local farmers, which makes total sense given the restaurant’s location just across the street from the St. Paul Farmer’s Market. $, beer and wine only; Big River Pizza: 280 E. Fifth St., St Paul; 651-683-2186; bigriverpizza.com

Dark Horse: This dark-wood bar and restaurant has had a lived-in feel since the day it opened. The menu is kind of all over the place, from sandwiches to ethnic specialties to wings to pizza. I really like that there are healthy options and plenty of vegetables on the menu as well as burgers and more standard bar fare. Drinks are strong and decent, and there’s a long beer list. $-$$, full bar; Dark Horse Bar and Eatery: 250 E. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-313-7960; darkhorsebarandeatery.com

Public Kitchen and Bar: The pretty remake of this historic building space is worth a visit alone, but the menu of classic American fare is well-executed, too. The downstairs lounge, with a separate bar, is a fun place to pop in for a drink, and there’s usually plenty of space (both the restaurant and lounge are sizeable) if you’re looking for a place to bring a crowd. $$-$$$, full bar; Public Kitchen and Bar: 229 E. Sixth St., St. Paul; 651-348-6456; publickitchenstpaul.com

Handsome Hog: This small space next door to Public features upscale barbecue prepared by talented chef Justin Sutherland, with a hefty bourbon list to boot. The chicken and waffles are fantastic, as are the ribs and all the desserts. $$-$$$, full bar; Handsome Hog: 203 E. Sixth St., St. Paul; 651-340-7710; handsomehog.com

DOWNTOWN ST. PAUL

Cossetta/Louis: This long-standing Italian eatery has more than doubled its size and scope in the past few years, adding the upscale eatery Louis on the second floor as well as a dazzling pasticceria, the interior of which was imported directly from Italy, and the sweets filling the bakery case are exquisite. Deli: $, beer and wine only; Louis: $$-$$$, full bar; Cossetta Italian Market and Pizzeria: 211 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-222-3476; cossettas.com

Citizen Supper Club: Inside the Intercontinental Hotel, this remake of a classic supper club is churning out surprising, fun dishes that resemble what your grandparents ate when they went out for dinner, but are much more fresh and modern. The pastas are made in-house as is everything else. $$-$$$, full bar; Citizen Supper Club: 11 E. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul; 651-605-0190; citizensupperclub.com

St. Paul Grill: You can’t beat the views of Rice Park from this classic St. Paul spot, which serves a classic menu of steak, chops and fish. The burger isn’t too shabby, either, and the list of whiskeys and scotch is one of the most extensive in town. It’s a great place to catch politicians and Winter Carnival royalty imbibing after a long day. $$-$$$, full bar; St. Paul Grill, 350 Market St., St. Paul; 651-224-7455; stpaulgrill.com

Meritage: Oysters and bubbly after a walk through Rice Park to watch the ice sculptors? Yes, please! Belly up and watch a chef shuck for you or grab a booth and canoodle with your sweetie for the perfect date night downtown. The menu of French specialties are sure to get you in the mood if the oysters don’t float your boat. $$-$$$, full bar; Meritage: 410 St. Peter St., St. Paul; 651-222-5670; meritage-stpaul.com

Herbie’s on the Park: This newcomer is serving up comfort food and elegant cocktails in a beautiful, historic space on Rice Park. Sit at the gorgeous, front-and-center bar for a signature mule and a plate of wings or a burger and some hand-cut fries, or cozy up by the fireplace in the dining room for a hearty entree. $$-$$$, full bar; Herbie’s on the Park: 317 Washington St., St. Paul; 651-726-1700; herbiesonthepark.com.

PRICING GUIDE

$: $10-$15 per person for a full meal

$$: $15-25 per person for a full meal

$$$: $25 or more per person for a full meal

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