Fireside Dining in Woodbury

Photo: Tate Carlson

Cranberry stuffed pork loin with asparagus and baby red potatoes at the Red Rock Bar and Grill

For restaurants, there are a few surefire signs that winter has set in. Suddenly, dishes like chili and pot pie are flying off the shelves. The bar is pouring more malbec, cabernet and whiskey, while orders for mojitos and pinot grigio are on the wane. For the restaurants in our fireside dining list, there’s one other unmistakable indication—they just can’t keep enough seats near the fireplace. Here are some of our favorite spots for cozy dining near the flame, along with the comfort foods that go down so well on a snowy, cold night.

Country-roasted Chicken

Famous Dave’s

Just about everything on the menu at Famous Dave’s could be classified as comfort food, but the country-roasted chicken ($12.49) is a particular favorite if you’re thinking about something besides ribs. The half chicken is lemon pepper marinated, roasted and char-grilled, and served with corn bread muffins, corn-on-the-cob and two sides. Another alternative to the ribs is the hearty ultimate BBQ burger ($9.99), a juicy ground beef patty piled up with Georgia chopped pork and two strips of jalapeno bacon, plus sharp American cheese and a signature Beam and cola BBQ sauce. The rustic, “up north” setting includes a fireplace in the bar and in the main dining room. 1940 Donegal Dr.; 651.501.1900

Pulled Chicken Pot Pie

Axel’s at Prestwick

Axel’s at Prestwick has a couple of favorites that make it onto the post-holiday menu every year. One of executive chef Russell Busch’s favorites is the pulled chicken pot pie ($19), made with slow cooked tender chicken mixed with peas and carrots, topped with a golden flaky puff pastry. The dish is the epitome of comfort food, served with a choice of soup or salad. Busch also has a “high-end” take on comfort fare—his club champ seafood pasta ($23) with pan-seared scallops and lump crabmeat on a bed of Courvoisier cream sauce. The versatile dish goes well with red or white wines. Axel’s at Prestwick boasts two fireplaces, one in the fireplace room located off the main dining room and another in the banquet room, available for private parties. 9555 Wedgewood Dr.; 651.294.3160

Shepherd’s Pie

O’Malley’s

There are plenty of spots to cozy up to at O’Malley’s, with a four-sided fireplace in the center of the restaurant that is situated by booths and two leather couches where customers can sip on a winter warmer, wine or whiskey. The shepherd’s pie ($11.95) is probably the perfect winter dish, made with chopped up tenderloin, savory gravy, vegetables and homemade mashed potatoes sprinkled with Parmesan and baked in the oven. The favorite Irish pub also releases a list of hot winter drinks every season. 1775 Radio Dr.; 651.578.7007

Cranberry Stuffed Pork Loin

Red Rock Bar and Grill at Sheraton

With dark wood, brown leather and deep color tones in the décor, and a lobby fireplace for guests to snuggle up to, Red Rock is a cozy and inviting winter destination. Seasonal menu items tie right into the comfort food theme, like cranberry stuffed pork loin ($28) with a molasses glaze served with fresh seasonal vegetables or the chicken Minnesota ($22), with a wild rice stuffing and a citrus cream sauce. The restaurant also offers butternut squash soup with chorizo. On a cold night, enjoy a hot drink in one of the oversized chairs at the back of the restaurant. 676 Bielenberg Dr.; 651.209.3293

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