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Bon Appetit Ranks Bachelor Farmer As 6th Best In America

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One of America's hottest new restaurants is right here in the Twin Cities.

"Bon Appetit" magazine ranked Bachelor Farmer and Marvel Bar as the sixth best on its "Hot 10 List: 2012."

Andrew and Eric Dayton, sons of Gov. Mark Dayton, own the restaurant in the North Loop neighborhood in Minneapolis' Warehouse District.

"The fact we were able to achieve some national recognition is more than we expected," said Andrew.

He got the news from the magazine on Tuesday morning.

It wasn't on his radar, he said, to end up making a top restaurant list. He and Eric just wanted Bachelor Farmer to be successful, to bring something interesting to Twin Cities dining.

"We set out to be a great Minnesota restaurant, and that's been our focus from day one," he said. "To be the best restaurant in Minneapolis and Minnesota as we can."

Bachelor Farmer opened just under a year ago, housed in a historic building built in 1881. It's still got that old brick and timber feel with a whole lot of charm.

"It was a fixer-upper to say the least," Andrew said.

The brothers renovated the place, preserving as much of the original character as possible. It took three years to do everything.

"To be able to work out of this space, and create something, it makes for an exciting environment to work in," Andrew said.

"Bon Appetit's" hottest restaurants are truly do-it-yourself types, creating interesting foods in small, personal spaces. The top one is in San Francisco. The closest one to Minneapolis has a home in Nashville. All have personality and passion, says the magazine.

The chefs aren't celebrities, and the restaurants are unique.

This is the second time in a year a Minnesota restaurant's been on this list. Travail Restaurant in Robbinsdale was listed as one of the best last year.

"We try to perform to the best of our abilities every night," Andrew said.

It's really been a big year for Andrew and his brother. A few months ago, President Obama attended a fundraising lunch at their restaurant.

They're starting their second year with Bachelor Farmer with a new ranking, something to build upon for the future.

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