Curiocity: Adding It All Up At 20.21

When a restaurant has an obscure, trendy name, it's sometimes tough to know what you're getting into. But, in the case of Wolfgang Puck's 20.21 at the Walker Art Center, just think of the name as "on a scale from 1 to 10, I give this place a 20 or 21." That should help you out.

I first journeyed to this breathtaking fine-dining spot on my birthday -- and let me just say, it was the best way to spend a year turning older.

The restaurant itself is absolutely gorgeous, especially if you're lucky enough to grab a seat by the elongated windows where the city skyline provides the perfect backdrop to a romantic evening. The restaurant is quite cozy with only a few tables, making the evening all that more intimate.

And alas, the true reason behind the name, 20.21, is due to the influence of its location – a shout-out to the 20th- and 21st-century art that lies within the center's lower level. Still, I argue my reason for the name still fits.

Now, I'm not going to lie – 20.21 is not a cheap place. But if you have the cash to splurge on a nice dinner, this is money well spent.

The Asian-inspired cuisine explodes in flavor, tickling tastebuds you didn't even know you had. And even better, those flavors are coming from our own backyard. The executive chef, Asher Miller, uses locally produced ingredients from the Twin Cities to pair with Asian spices and gourmet sauces.

I highly suggest ordering a few plates to share, or for the full experience -- and a big splurge -- try the Chef's Tasting Menu for 75 bones per person. Really, the more you can try, the better. I'm convinced there's not one bad thing on the menu. Heck, I'd even bet the menu itself probably tastes pretty fantastic.

We started off with the Chinese Chicken Salad, with hot and sweet mustard dressing, crispy wontons and candied cashews. It definitely had a bite with that hot mustard but was refreshing and flavorful. We also tried the crisp, curried pork spring rolls, which combined a mixture of flavors to create a savory, yet sultry zing that stayed with you long after the roll was gone. The 10-spice honey dipping sauce was amazing and tempted me to eat it like a soup. (I know, gross, but seriously.)

Having finished our "First Flavors," a part of me wasn't sure if I could keep going. I mean, the food was already so satisfying and to be honest, I was already getting a little full. But as soon as I saw our main dishes head our way, I got this incredible second wind that had my mouth doing a near Pavlovian-type-drool.

For our main course, we opted for the Cantonese-style roasted duck, with a plum-port wine reduction that was heavenly. The meat was so tender it nearly melted in your mouth. I kept thinking, if I were older, I wouldn't even have to put in my dentures for this meal. And that wine reduction sauce was simply irresistible. I struggled between wanting to taste the duck on its own, and wanting to soak it in a big ol' spoonful of that reduction sauce. The duck was served with stir-fried lo mein noodles, which typically would be a go-to for me, but with this dish, it was almost just a garnish.

We also tried the pan-roasted chicken, with lotus root, carrot puree and mala potatoes. While it didn't quite reach the same level as the duck, it was still so delicious. The chicken was succulent and light on the seasoning, which I enjoyed. I found the perfect bite to be a few shreds of chicken, scooped up with the carrot-ginger puree and topped off with a bit of potatoes. Delish.

The problem with 20.21 is that the food is so good, you just can't stop eating it. You know you're stuffed, you know you may explode if you eat another bite, but you literally can't stop yourself. I nearly flagged down the waiter to have him remove our utensils. And looking back on it, I probably should've.

And, of course, right about then is when the birthday desert came out. And who can say no to chocolate and strawberries? Happy birthday to me.

I was so uncomfortably stuffed after leaving 20.21 that it truly didn't leave a lot of options for the rest of my evening besides laying on the couch in sweatpants trying to breathe. But it was so worth it.