When you go somewhere that's known as a gastropub, they've got to be prepared to defend that title.

Enter Victory 44, a new restaurant in the Victory neighborhood of North Minneapolis. Start with Scotch eggs ($4.95), which are medium boiled, surrounded by sausage and then Panko-breaded and fried. It's a sort of chi-chi gourmet egg McMuffin. (One-upping is an important part of a battle plan.)

Then there's an early favorite dish -- the Reuben ($8.95). The oversized classic has thick and tender corned beef, non-sour red cabbage sauerkraut, Russian-style dressing and gruyere. A combo that out-sandwiches any deli.

You'll notice the menu is a meat/pork-a-palooza. The credit for that goes to Erick Harcey and Ben Hiza, the Nicollet Island Inn alums who own the spot that has became an instant neighborhood hangout. (A charming patio undoubtedly helps with that.)

Of course once a victor is declared, you know what happens... And these are spoils we look forward to eating again and again.

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