The most frequent question I get from readers, hands-down, is for a recommendation for a place to celebrate.

Whether that be an anniversary, a birthday, or simply a good day at work, I’m an expert at helping people toast the good things in life.

Here are my go-to places in St. Paul when I want to take a friend or family member out to raise a glass and eat some amazing food.

I’ve organized my favorites to fit your budget, because sometimes you want to celebrate without paying a huge bill.

On a budget

These are the places I hit when my bank account is feeling as light as my heart.

Bad Hombre from Brunson’s Pub. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Brunson’s Pub: When you ask my husband where he wants to go to celebrate, even if it’s in our budget to spend more, his answer will always be this East Side neighborhood bar. The drinks are fabulous and reasonably priced, the staff is friendly and fun and the elevated bar food is always great. My go-to drink is the Bad Hombre, a mezcal-and-tequila-fueled, spicy, tropical delight. My husband is an old-fashioned man, and Benny’s Old Fashioned is one of the best in town. Our favorite bites include the Hoppin’ John salad, which features lightly sauteed collard greens, black-eyed peas and smoky pulled bacon, any of the burgers or the Cajun Tuna sandwich. Honestly, though, you can’t go wrong.

956 Payne Ave., St. Paul; 651-447-2483; brunsonspub.com

Tio Steve’s Nachos at Boca Chica on St. Paul’s West Side. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Boca Chica: It helps that this longstanding West Side restaurant is down the hill from our house and that all our kids love it, but this is the perfect place to celebrate a last-minute accomplishment or milestone with family or friends. The dining room is enormous, so it’s easy to score a table most any time, and the bar is a festive place where delicious margaritas flow as freely as the often-overworked bartenders can handle. There’s also an adorable patio in the warmer months. My favorite dishes here include the mole enchiladas or Tio Steve’s Nachos if I have a friend or two to share with, but the entire menu of Mexican and Tex-Mex classics is tasty and comforting, and portions are enormous.

11 Cesar Chavez St., St. Paul; 651-222-8499; bocachicarestaurant.com

Not too fancy

A Sputnik martini on the patio at Moscow on the Hill in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

These restaurants are always great and reasonably priced and have stellar drinks.

Moscow on the Hill: With a list of martinis as long as my arm (I’m a savory, horseradish-forward Sputnik girl) and homey, delicious dishes like cabbage rolls, chicken Kiev and my beloved pelmeni dumplings, this Cathedral Hill restaurant is very often the answer for where to raise a glass (or drown our sorrows) for my bestie and me. Getting a table is usually easy — they do take reservations if you’re thinking ahead — and the gorgeous, multi-level patio here is an absolute hidden St. Paul gem. I’m hungry just thinking about it.

371 Selby Ave., St. Paul; 651-291-1236; moscowonthehill.com

The bologna sandwich at Saint Dinette in Lowertown. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Saint Dinette: I’ve never had a bad meal at this finer diner in Lowertown, which unfortunately might be closing this spring. The drinks here are spectacular and the French-inspired menu changes frequently, except for the standout, butter-spiked burger and fabulous bologna sandwich. Brunch here is on point, too — order the perfect French omelette and a Canadian Cold Press spiked with bourbon for a kick-start to your Saturday or Sunday funday. They’ll even hold your produce from the St. Paul Farmers’ Market in their walk-in cooler while you nosh.

261 E. Fifth St., St. Paul; 651-800-1415; saintdinette.com

Piri Piri Chicken at Estelle on St. Clair Avenue. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Estelle: I can’t decide whether I prefer the excellent wines or the lovingly crafted cocktails at this southern European spot, which also features a killer cheeseburger, delicious, hand-made pastas and my favorite chicken dish in town — the juicy, just-spicy-enough Roasted Piri Piri Chicken. The service here is always warm and attentive, and the newly renovated patio features a roof with overhead heaters built in to stretch the al fresco dining window as far as possible.

1806 St. Clair Ave., St. Paul; 651-330-9648; estellestp.com

Last-minute

Here are two places that don’t take reservations and never let me down.

Potato sopes at Pajarito in St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Pajarito: Fancy tacos on house-made tortillas, some of the best salsas in town and a spicy, cilantro-spiked margarita make Pajarito one of my favorite places to celebrate with friends. Did you get a new job? Pajarito. Did your kid get accepted to their college of choice? Pajarito. Happy hour is a great deal, too, with some of my favorite nachos in town (the freshly fried chips are the star) clocking in at just $8. The entire menu is great (try the wood-fired octopus or chicken or the vegetarian potato sopes if you’re not in the mood for tacos), service is always stellar and wait times are generally low to nonexistent.

605 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-340-9545; pajaritorestaurant.com

A mushroom pizza at Red Rabbit in St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Red Rabbit: From a killer espresso martini to a pretty fab wine list, toasting here is always a good idea, and the solid Italian menu has something for everyone. Their wood-grilled wings and garlic bread cheese curds are sure crowd-pleasers, and the pizzas and pastas here always hit the spot. Between the newly renovated patio and the giant dining room, there’s usually not much of a wait, either.

788 Grand Ave., St. Paul; 651-444-5995; redrabbitmn.com

Budget be damned

Anniversaries, birthdays and other special occasions are always made better at these two restaurants, at which every meal I’ve ever eaten has been spectacular.

Salmon and a glass of French rose at Meritage in downtown St. Paul. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Meritage: Even before I started writing about food, Meritage was where my husband and I celebrated birthdays and anniversaries. The polished service, stellar wine list, fresh-as-can-be oysters and French-inspired menu always make me feel special. They also happen to have the best french fries in the Twin Cities — thin, hand-cut beauties served with a slurpable bearnaise. If you’re really looking for something fancy, try the five-course tasting menu, which changes frequently but always represents the best seasonal produce, seafood and meats that chef Russell Klein can get his hands on. It’s $110 a person and worth every penny.

410 St. Peter St., St. Paul; 651-222-5670; meritage-stpaul.com

A New York Strip at Mancini’s on St. Paul’s West Seventh Street. (Jess Fleming / Pioneer Press)

Mancini’s: When I want a crisp martini and a perfect steak, the only answer to where we are celebrating is this 70-year-old restaurant, which is now run by the third and fourth generation of Mancinis, who can be seen working the dining room and greeting customers nearly every day of the week. The only steak I eat here is the best one — the New York Strip. Perfectly charred and cooked to your liking, it comes with salad, potatoes, an Italian-dressing-soaked relish tray and the best damn garlic bread you’ll ever eat. They serve each table a whole basket, which seems excessive until you taste it.

531 W. Seventh St., St. Paul; 651-224-7345; mancinis.com

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