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Diane's Place

Minneapolis

Hmong heritage cooking meets modern technique

A new direction: Located within Minneapolis' Food Building – one of the city's most exciting gastronomic hubs – Diane's Place is the first solo venture from Diane Moua, a highly regarded pastry chef whose CV reads like a roll call of the city's most acclaimed establishments. Yet there's far more than exceptional baking on offer here (tempting though the pastry counter may be): this much-talked-about restaurant is a refined, quietly ambitious dining destination where traditional Hmong flavours are reimagined through a contemporary lens.

Must-try dishes: Served either with sweet and sour or hot sauce and an optional fried egg, Diane's Hmong sausage with sticky rice is comforting, aromatic and texturally satisfying in equal measure. Here for brunch? Try the chicken noodle soup with bamboo, shallots and a soft-boiled egg – or indulge your sweet tooth with the Thai tea French toast, a winning combination of croissant bread, vanilla whipped cream and fresh fruit.

And the pastries? Like the a la carte menu, the selection at the pastry counter changes with the seasons – but depending on when you visit, you can expect such inspired offerings as coconut-pandan croissants, apple muffins and spring onion danishes with garlic butter. The desserts absolutely can't be skipped, like the chocolate custard torte with croissant ice cream and five spice.

Make yourself comfortable: Look closely, and you'll notice the same motif woven throughout the restaurant's intimate interior – a traditional Hmong cross-stitch pattern symbolising 'home'. This should give you a good idea of how Moua wants you to feel when you step inside, In fact, in a deeply personal touch, even her baby clothes and wedding dress are on display. With warm wood finishes, woven baskets and hand-sewn textiles all around, it's practically impossible not to feel at ease.

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