Hyacinth

"Intimacy, comfort, and Italian romance are the themes this petite Grand Avenue dining room. Founder Rikki Giambruno opened Hyacinth after running a popular New York restaurant — Abraham Gessesse, one of Gambruno’s first line cooks, took the reins as chef and owner in 2023. Hyacinth’s succinct menu changes seasonally, featuring dishes like tomato crostini; risotto al salto with mushroom puree; and fried chicken parmesan with plump cherry tomatoes. Hyacinth stays airy and sun-drenched during the day, and takes on the feel of a cozy, crowded New York City restaurant at night." - Justine Jones, Jon Cheng

"Though the menu at Hyacinth is a quick read — there are typically 12 to 16 dishes in total — it benefits from weekly curation and hyper-seasonal produce. You can count on at least one long pasta and one short pasta rotating in and out, with the restaurant’s signature pasta dish, a bucatini cacio e pepe, holding court at the top of the pasta menu through all seasons. Hyacinth offers half portions for all of the pastas on the menu, so don’t hesitate to try a few." - Julie Yu

"Feels like a New York City restaurant with a hyper-seasonal menu and exceptional Amaro selection." - Justine Jones

"Known for its ricotta and rhubarb olive oil cake, and dinner dishes like white beans and asparagus, and risotto al salto with mushrooms, walnuts, and Castelbelbo cheese." - Justine Jones

"A New York chef and his small team relocated from the bit city to Saint Paul to open this darling little Italian restaurant that is ideal for long, intimate conversations over date-night worthy Italian food. Remember date nights?" - Eater Staff