Autumn Fires and Coastal Argentine Soul at Martina

When the crisp October air blows off Lake Harriet and settles into the quiet corners of Linden Hills, few places counter the chill quite like Martina. Chef Daniel del Prado’s corner haven on Upton Avenue has anchored the neighborhood for years, but on a brisk Friday night, its wood-fired hearth feels less like a kitchen feature and more like an essential civic service. The cooking here bridges coastal Argentina and northern Italian technique, executed with sharp, disciplined confidence. You start, naturally, with the potato churros—shatter-crisp batons dusted in parmesan and dipped into cultured cream—before moving into the smoke-licked seafood that remains del Prado’s signature. Charred octopus arrives tender over braised chickpeas, while wood-grilled calamari balances deep smoke with vibrant acidity. Pasta at Martina deserves equal devotion. The spicy lobster spaghettini, laced with tomato and chives, carries a rounded, simmering heat that cuts cleanly through late-fall bluster. Pair it with an amaro-forward pour from the bar or a glass from a thoughtful wine list that leans into structure and salinity, perfectly matching the embers glowing behind the counter. There is a steady, humming warmth to the dining room that explains why tables remain hot commodities and the bar stays lively well past peak dinner hour. Martina captures what great South Minneapolis dining is meant to be: polished without the pretense, genuinely hospitable, and deeply anchored by cooking that lingers long after you step back into the night.