Are you from Minneapolis Customfan?? Dang, you put together a good list.
I would add. My number one place to eat right now is The Bachelor Farmer. Bon Appetit just listed it in their top 10 new restaurants in the country, and it is really, really good. You can also hit the Marvel Bar, which is a sort of speakeasy underneath the restaurant. The head bar tender studied under one of the great Japanese master mixologists. Try the Oliveto drink.
One that wasn't mentioned was Piccolo. I just went there a couple of weeks ago, and it is one of my favorites. If you are into small bites with a lot of flavor, take a look at their menu.
You can't go wrong with 112 Eatery and Bar LaGrassa. 112 is right across the street from Safron, and Haute Dish is also good and in the same area.
For wine bars, Toast, does a really good job and they have some excellent flat breads.
I agree with Customfan that Meritage, Alma, and Tilia are all worth it. Vincent and Heidi's are in that same category too IMO. Alma was one of my most impressive meals in the last year.
A new one that I have been wanting to try is Travail. If you go there, let me know how it is
There is also the Butcher and Boar right on Hennepin. It is about 6 months old and very good (and open late). They have interesting sausages.
For seafood, Sea Change, is supposed to be good. I used to eat there and wasn't impressed, but I think they have had a new chef for the last couple of years and it has been getting good press.
Lastly, if you are traveling through MSP airport, concourse G has a lot better fare than it used to. The same company that put in the finer dining options at JFK and a few other airports just redid a concourse at the airport.
k.
P.S. If I were to choose two, I would go with Bachelor Farmer and Alma. That is just my opinion.