Summer + Sipping Sangria = LOVE

What's better than sipping a sangria in summer? Especially for Minneapolitans, where our time of sipping this jumbled up beverage is limited. In the last week I have sipped at a couple spots I had not been yet, Ena (46th & Grand, Mpls) and Birchwood Cafe (3311 E 25th St, Mpls). Ena's sangria, oranges and lemons afloat a dark, earthy red, very fitting for the sexy Spanish setting. Birchwood's was on the lighter side, white wine crowed with peaches, cherries and my favorite, pomegranates. Where will the next wonderful glass of Spanish enjoyment be??? If you have a favorite, please share....

FIrst Date, Last Date.

I'm sad. I found out earlier this week that after 11 years, Cafe 128 in St Paul was closing. Another 11 year run has been my relationship with my fiance, Tim. Our first date was dinner at 128 Cafe back in 1996. We had our last date there Saturday night. Cafe 128 was my first real localvore experience, a chef/family run kitchen, a small intimate setting, a staff that knows you and food that is locally raised and consistently savory. Tim and I have been in love with these types of restaurants ever since. So much so, our long-term goal is to open a restaurant of this type.
Last night, we did our Cafe 128 date right. I brought my camera, and captured walking up to 128 for the last time. A women eating outside took our photo by the door, she mentioned that we were one of many couples and families who were going through the same nostalgic evening. We sat in the same room as our first date. We ordered our favorite starter, our favorite salad, Tim order the full-rack of ribs and I the pork loin. We ordered just to order, we weren't that hungry. It was sentimental dining. I stuck our food, wine and desserts menus in my bag to stare at later, maybe in 11 years? There was a sweet, thank you message on the bottom of the menu from the staff.
We then sat, listened and observed what an intimate restaurant goes through when it comes to an end. We watched as the staff gathered, we chatted with two emotional 8 year-run dishwashers as they ate their last meal and said how much they loved their jobs. And then we heard the chef for the last time call out to his servers, "last call for food".
We were the last ones in the room and wanted to be, this is where we started. 128 gave us our first "taste" together of our passion for local, casually elegant dining. So all we could think to give the staff was a round of applause, and we did...