West Calhoun - Minneapolis, MN

The dining scene in West Maka Ska comes alive in summer. The first sign of spring might be the opening of the Tin Fish Restaurant, a deluxe park board concession famous for its grilled fish tacos wrapped in giant flour tortillas and served with seasoned waffle fries; Minnesota walleye is always on the menu. Outdoor-only seating demands that the temperatures be temperate, so the shop closes from late October to sometime in April, depending on the weather. When the kitchen fires up, the hungry queue up and the line stays long all season.

Yum! Kitchen and Bakery serves up the best breakfast, lunch, and dinner dishes in the neighborhood. Sandwiches made from scratch, soups and baked goods fill the menu, which changes frequently depending on seasonal availability. Regulars love the signature cupcake.

Nicer fast-food chain restaurants populate the busy Calhoun Village shopping area on the west end of the neighborhood, along with a few favorite local chains. The small, family-run MyBurger chain serves handmade hamburgers, thick-cut French fries and onion rings, and it has a liquor license too, with $1 local Surly microbrews on Sundays. Nearby, Punch Neapolitan Pizza moves the line through quickly: These wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas cook lightning fast at 800 degrees. When the booth seating fills up, spontaneous new friendships bloom at the giant community table.

On Bastille Day, French expats gather at Barbette, a French restaurant in one of the remaining historic storefronts. The Bastille Day block party gets bigger every year, and features music, dancers, a fire circus and authentic food and drink - lots of drink. Barbette's menu favors local or responsibly sourced ingredients prepared in nouveau French fashion. Pate, charcuteries, crepes and, oui, french fries round out the menu.

In all kinds of weather, dedicated walkers, runners, cyclists and bladers make the 1.5 mile trip around Bde Maka Ska paved trails. In summer, sailboats gracefully move across the lake, children splash on the beaches and canoeists paddle to Lake Harriet or Lake of the Isles, accessible through a canal system. The Minneapolis Park Board rents paddleboats, canoes and paddleboards, and it's a treat to get out to the middle of the water and gaze at the skyline and city around you. While other former resort communities in the Twin Cities sectioned off into private property and remain off-limits to the general public, Bde Maka Ska very much belongs to everyone in the Twin Cities, and proud residents love showing it off to visitors.