Gallery 8

White walls, white coats, white plates. No, this isn’t Ecolab. It’s the Walker Art Center’s cafeteria-restaurant situated quietly above one of the most beautiful contemporary art collections in the country. The people behind the counter believe their offerings should be equal to the stuff on the walls. Even though the menu changes daily—a rarity in this town—the desserts are always indicative of real standards, and Gallery 8 never skimps. That goes for the green on the salads, the red on the tomato bisque soups, and the yellow on the plain and tall egg-salad sandwich. Take your white plate to the terrace on a sunny, snow-free day, and you can enjoy one of the most beautiful, calming views of our fair city. The Claes Oldenburg Mickey Mouse sculpture will make your day, and a glass of good Chardonnay will make it extra pretty. (612) 375-7553.