Russell’s — Restaurant in Saint Paul

I feel I need to start my review with the vesper martini. This clear martini is a classic fresh light martini with a twist of lemon, a perfect blend of vodka, gin and wine which is absolutely delicious.😋 Josh is an excellent friendly bartender who shoots the breeze and makes you feel welcome. The warm skillet cornbread appetizer is covered in a nice pad of honey butter, might be the best I’ve had. If you’re looking for a lighter healthier appetizer option, the tuna is presented beautifully and has house made chips on the side that are sprinkled with a smoky paprika. Highly recommended. I have had the honor to eat there a few times now with my husband, so we have tried the New York strip with fingerling potatoes, the salmon with a German potato salad and a killer sauce garnish on the plate, the ribs with an apple slaw and the roasted chicken. . Now I’m not a fan of coleslaw in general, but I’m telling you that the coleslaw that comes with the ribs is mind blowing with the flavors of fresh herbs and I will absolutely be going back for more. I got a half a rack of ribs and I ended up taking some home. There is definitely plenty of meat on those bones. We also indulged in the cheesecake with apples on the top, cinnamon ganache on the side and sprinkled with oatmeal. Unbelievable, so stinking delicious. If you ask for your steak to be cooked medium rare, that’s what you’re going to get. Their steak was cooked to perfection. Overall the atmosphere was moody and trendy but with an old world traditional vibe. So excited to have Russell’s around and looking forward to going back to try something...

Russell’s was amazing! We were seated quickly and our server, Catherine, was knowledgeable and we discussed the menu with excitement and mouth watering detail. The Walleye nachos were great! There were large chunks of perfectly beer battered fish strips. The chicken wings had a little kick of spice but were perfectly cooked, still tender inside but crispy on the outside! Best wings I’ve had. The dry rub had complex flavors that was enjoyed by all.

I had the beet arugula salad with goat cheese.. The flavor was rich and the dressing was perfectly balanced with the smooth creamy goat cheese.

Lastly, the bread pudding was crispy on the outside, smooth and dense within. The outside was slightly salted which paired perfectly with the rich custard flavor of the center and the sweet ice-cream on the side.

Members in my party also got the salmon, spring chicken and burger. All three of my kids cleaned their plates.. and raved with every bite about how amazing their dishes were. I’d highly recommend enjoying dinner here. The women’s bathroom was a beautiful pale pink with gold accents and immaculately clean!

Perfect experience for our visit...

I have probably eaten here around 10 times since they opened back in November, and this is my first review. Although it is always sad to lose a longtime and iconic establishment like The Tavern on Grand, Russell's has done an excellent job and is a very welcome addition to a hopeful, continued revitalization of the Ave. I have never been disappointed in their food. I had their ribs Sunday night. Pretty damn good considering they're not a BBQ joint. The onion rings, fries and wings are easily better than you'd find most anywhere. The atmosphere is top notch! It's a great place for a date, special event or simply to grab a few beers at the bar. Despite its name and owner's heritage, Russell's is not an Irish bar, not is it a sports bar, although it can have elements of both. It is more a supper club - definitely not a dive bar. Best of all, I think it can be whatever you want it to be! The great food and awesome ambiance will not disappoint. Always a Grand Old Day (or night) ...