Mini Gastronomes United

Last night's Jr Gourmet Club was a-buzz! Amongst the two, three and four foot connoisseurs were moms, dads, aunts, friends and oh, the Star Tribune.



My little gal pal, Kate, had her adventure on. She went after the walleye corndogs and inhaled the french fries with bernaise sauce, but was slightly stumped by the feta on her watermelon. By then what she chose to gobble up was, Claire, who became her fast food friend.



By the time the main course of chicken meatballs arrived, Kate was food focused again. A tad spicy for her, but she did find them tasty.



During dinner, with the sounds of the Atlantis Quartet in the background, co-owner Lowell Pickett chatted with the kids about the Dakota's history, music and food philosophy. He also made sure the kids were enjoying their food. He even sent Claire a salad more to her liking after she constructively-critiqued it. Then Chef Jack Riebel came out, along with his pastry chef, who was the hit of the Q&A. She made one incredible ice-cream sandwich for dessert.
Oh and local food blogger, West (YouSaidAMouthful), was there with his family. He was taking notes, I'm sure the Star Trib will have some quotes from this wise one.


It was a grand night of food, education, family and new friends. As you can see Kate found even the mini menu worthy of a hug.


Next Jr Gourmet will be at Solera on July 2, maybe the Food Network will be there?

Calling all Photogs!

And that means YOU. We all seem to have the access to point and shoot, whenever and wherever we are. So here's a chance for you to submit your own snapshot for a chance to win a surprise prize.

Geri Wolf of Style Laboratory, the event planner of all event planners (and the hardest working Minneapolitan I know) thought of yet another creative idea to put on her plate - "Shooting Showdown". It works like this - there will be a list of subjects that will be shot for each week of the contest. If your photo is in the top ten during week one, you will advance to the next week. Subjects range from your favorite restaurant sign to a city skyline.

First challenge is due this Friday:

Week 1 Subject:
* the signage of your favorite restaurant (top ten photos advance)
* submission is due on May 29, 2009
* images to be posted on blog by 8:00 a.m. June 1, 2009
* voting by judges and reader comments announced on June 2, 2009

So who's judging your Diane Arbus? Along with Geri, will be:
• Sara Glassman, Star Tribune's Fashion Writer & owner of PopFizz Daily
• Heather of GigiGuide
• And, Moi'

For more details, see "Shooting Showdown" under Geri's blog Eventful Ramblings.

Get out there and shoot-em-up now!

Kombucha, no not Sambuca, Kombucha

My friend, Nicole, who is my go-to gal for all things organic and alternative when it comes to what I put on and in my body, recently told me about Kombucha, which is, "a fermented drink made from sweet tea & Kombucha mushrooms. It claims to have many health benefits. During the 30 day process of fermenting the drink forms active enzymes, probiotics, amino acids, antioxidants and polyphenols."

If I haven't scared you off yet, and you aren't up for self-creating this potion yourself - I was recently at Lucia's Wine Bar, and a guy brought two bottles to the bartender and said these bottles are "for Lucia", so my nosy self asked what they were, and yep, Kombucha. I then introduced myself to the creator, Bryan Bertsch, and "Deane's Organic Kombucha" can be found at Traditional Foods. Bryan is focusing his marketing efforts on local restaurants, coffee shops as well as the local co-ops, direct selling and farmer's markets.


So have you had your Kombucha today? If not, sounds like Bryan will be spreading the Kombucha love around, so be sure to try this good-for-you drink at a local spot near you.

Jr Gourmet Club + Music!

The next Jr Gourmet Club comes with a bonus, MUSIC! This Thurs, May 28th, grab your wee ones and head to the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant. Your family will be guided through a food and music tour to promote and engage food and family.




Bill Summerville slid me a copy of the menu, here's a sneak peak:


Call The Dakota now 612- 332-1010, to book your spot for a night of food, family and fine tunes.

Memorial Day Weekend, aka Summer is Here!

Noooooooow, it feels like we've arrived. Summer, the season we all deserve, after that, that winter...

Here's Radar's kick-off of suggestions on seeing, doing and making this summer in the cities memorable.

Starting with this weekend:

It's Memorial Day, we know what that means. Take time to do just that. If you've have never been through Lakewood Cemetery, it is stunning, peaceful and filled with Twin Cities history. Lakewood will hold a service on Monday, 10.30 a.m. at the Soldiers Memorial. Following the Ceremony will be guided walking tours of the cemetery, horse and carriage tours, children's art activities, historical presentations, and music. The event is free and open to all.

Historic Fort Snelling hosts a Memorial Day tribute Timeline of the American Soldier on Monday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Costumed staff will help interpret United States military history, with characters from 225 years of history. There will be firing demonstrations at the fort.

The new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, Minnesota's Greatest Generation, celebrates the World War II generation. A three-day opening weekend has family activities every day. On Monday, veterans are remembered with a Color Guard ceremony, World War II veterans, WWII re-enactments and short plays.

Memory Lanes Block Party!



Cliche, will hold an art reception for photographer, Laura Hallen, and offer 10% off storewide.



FiveTwoSix Salon, featured artists, including MJ Heubach and Booka B will collaborate on a painting while spinning original music, and MCAD grad student Aron Taylor will be making experimental sculputres/paintings. FREE

MCAD will host, Wizard of Oz according to Graham Rawle, "Using handcrafted miniature sets, carved sculptures, found objects, and other unusual materials (such as Pringles cans and spray-painted asparagus), celebrated British artist Graham Rawle crafted dynamic and oftentimes surreal illustrations for his re-imagining of L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz, including original characters and scenes that will be unfamiliar to those who have only seen the cinema classic. This exhibition features Rawle's Oz works--illustrations that "come alive in the strangest of ways."

Last weekend for the Ten Minute Play Festival at Bedlam Theater.


Bella Music Festival, here's what Chris Riemenschneider has to say: "this small but adventurous three-day jam bash makes up for its lack of big-name headliners with a familial vibe (carried over from its predecessor, the Big Wu Family Reunions) and its proximity to the Twin Cities (about 90 minutes south of town). The third annual lineup is loaded with acts from San Francisco’s hazy scene, including rootsy jammers Tea Leaf Green, former Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann (partnering with swamp-rocking Texan Rastafarian Papa Mali), DJ/musician/producer Bassnectar and quirky but truly funky indie-rap hero Del the Funky Homosapien. Minnesota groups range from twangy favorites Pert Near Sandstone and the White Iron Band to hip-hop stalwarts Heiruspecs and Dessa, to the usual psychedelic pack, including the Big Wu, God Johnson, Pleasure Pause and the Feelin."

Farmers Markets, visit one, buy from one, this helps local farmers and our community.

Visit the Lake Harriet Elf House - on the south side of the lake, if you have your own little people in your life, they will love to imagine what this official "little man" is all about.

(my God-daughter Grace & lil' sis, Kate)

Como Zoo - and go not just for the animals, hop on the classic carousel, which is a perfect backdrop for a beautiful photo. Here's a couple I shot for a wedding:


And the Como Zoo rides, which now make me sick, especially while taking a photo:


Rent an Ice Cream Truck for your party! Or at least follow Blue Bell Ice Cream on Facebook. Friending Blue Bell saves you the time from running after the truck! Although that feels more like summer.


Other ice cream you don't have to run for:
Sonny's, 466 Hamline Avenue So, St Paul 55105


Adele's Custard, in the quaint town of Excelsior.

Liberty Frozen Custard, yum, yum, yum and in a retro, renovated gas station.

Other casual eats that scream summer:

Brasa, which opens in St Paul this June!

Chef Shack, always at the Mill City Farmers Market on Saturdays:


But you can follow the Shack's other where-abouts on Facebook and Twitter here:



Now fairs, any kinds of fairs may not be your thing, but how about looking at them for their charm? Or for the time spent with family and friends. My Dad and I have been going to the MN State Fair together since I was 13, it's one of those events that I love, more so each year because of who I'm with:






We have a fair/festival almost every weekend this summer, make one an event with those you love. Fairs/Festivals


Well, how's that for a start to the summer? Get out, stay local, buy local and love local, it's good for you.

Bring Your Lunch to Work in Eco Smart Style!

Radar E-Tail Finds: The Unexpected for Less Than You Expected!

Re-usable Lunch Packs:

Snack size is 6" X 4" closed, Radar price $6.00 ea
Sandwich size is 8" x 6" closed, Radar price $7.00 ea




Email Jen with your order, jen@radar-msp.com

Guys, want the softest shirt ever?

The Platinum Hamilton Shirts have arrived in Mpls! "Platinum, a bold, new collection of highly covetable shirts from 126-year-old Texas-based shirtmakers Hamilton. The family-owned business has already survived one Depression and Thomas Mason, the British mill that has been making the world's best fabrics since 1796. Since fit, as ever, is king, you'll have to submit to being measured before making some potentially life- altering decisions: Button-down collar or spread? Button cuffs or French? Stripes or solids?



Then you'll pick through swatches that demonstrate just how supple your shirt will be. The cotton is sourced from Egypt, where we're told the Nile's fertile delta helps produce the softest stuff in the world. (Only a handful of mills can produce 240-count yarn—this year, Mason introduced 300.) And with more than 1000 patterns available, you can have almost any style you want—stripes, checks, a full array of colors."

Available at:
Hubert White
IDS Center, DT Mpls

Softest AND designed by you, wear it well and wear it proud.

This Weekend - Art, Beer, Fashion, Pony Rides, Theater, Architecture, oh and more Art!

ART:
Art-A-Whirl - Northeast's gallery and studio tours of more than 600 artists. May 15 - 17th


Fox Tax Studio is hosting More Is a Four Letter Word, Opening Reception: May 15, 6-11 pm
On View: May 15th – June 12th, 503 1st Ave NE, Mpls

Minneapolis College of Art and Design MFA THESIS Exhibition 2009 , Reception at Soo Visual Arts, May 15, 6-9 pm, 2640 Lyndale Ave S, ride the reception shuttle: MCAD > Soap Factory > SooVAC, departing MCAD every 45 minutes.

ALL ABOUT BEER:
Into micro and craft beer? Then Saturday, beginning at 1 pm, you should check out The Beer Dabble, in (my hometown!) Burnsville, 1128 Burnsville Center. They'll be bands too, E.L.nO and Dewi Sant. Sun, beer, tunes and toss in easy parking and that's a fine Saturday.


FASHION:
Stephanie's - Recession Obsession Sale, 80% off everything beginning today at 10:00am - May 17th. 758 Cleveland Ave S, St Paul. And according to Sara Glassman's PopFizz, "Wait till you see the jeans...They go on forever."


HOME:
ASID Home Tour, Saturday May 16 - Sunday June 14 . This year it's a mid-century modern and green renovation theme.

KIDS:
FUN FEST, Sunday, May 17th. It is from noon to 6:00 p.m., Stillwater
A close friend, Erin Lisle, chairs this family-filled event at the Church of St. Michael in Stillwater. Check out all the the fun - inflatables, climbing wall, pony rides, petting zoo, games, crafts, etc. for the kids. (An all day wristband is $8 with a family cap of $25). For the adults there is a Silent Auction, beer garden, meat raffles, bake off contest, Are you smarter than a St. Michael's 5th grader game and lots more. The Men's Club is grilling and the Lisle's favorite restaurant, Acapulco, will be serving tacos, etc.

And another reason to head east, the Stillwater Art Fair is going on downtown by the River.


THEATER:
Red Eye Theater will celebrate its 25th anniversary by throwing an "All Tomorrow's Parties" gala at Fallon, $25, May 16, 7-11 p.m., 901 Marquette Ave., Mpls.


MISC:
The M Party honors The Basilica's French architect, Emmanuel Masqueray, and features socializing, cocktails, dancing, an after party at The Chambers, and live music by Stuart D'Rozario and the Gear Daddies. And if you want to go black tie, pony up for the coinciding Masqueray Ball ($250). Both events benefit The Friends of the Basilica of Saint Mary Foundation. $50, 8 p.m.-midnight, The Depot, 225 3rd Ave. S., Mpls.


Whatever you may choose, lap it up!

Hey Mom's- Radar E-Tail Find, Dinosoles, $20

Radar E-Tail Finds: The Unexpected for Less Than You Expected!

Dinosoles, $20, regularly $35

Fun details like dinosaur-tread soles make these kicks one of a kind. Seen on the likes of Maddox Jolie-Pitt and other celeb kids, Dinosoles are already taking off in Hollywood. And don’t worry parents: these shoes are fun and comfortable, making them perfect for your little paleontologist-in-training.





Toddler sizes from 4-8. Sales ends May 15th! Email Jen with your style and size - jen@radar-msp.com

Raar!

Radar E-Tail Find, Umbrellas!

Today it's raining, are you prepared Twin Cities? Umbrellas don't have to be a boring, shoved under the car seat or the "where is it" accessory. No! Umbrellas can make a rainy day feel swell.

So here's some Radar E-Tail Finds: The Unexpected for Less Than You Expected! If interested in ordering, please email Jen@radar-msp.com

Might as well have a friend to hold hands with, $40:



Star Wars Fan? Your very own Lightsaber! $50:



Ultra Feminine Umbrellas, red, pink, silver and purple, $20:


Straight from Paris, this lace number is $400 (remember the dollar sucks against the euro)

The Ultimate Eco Umbrella by Eco Brolly, can't find a price unfortunately:

Classic Clear Bubble Umbrella, (the one and only reason I was glad it rained on my wedding day) $20

Or just wear a t-shirt of it, $25:

Samurai Umbrella for all you tough guys, $40

"Singing in The Rain", literally, Karoke Umbrella by S Design Unit, no price listed:

Dog hates the rain? Or you hate the rain on your dog? $30



Can't say I can make this for you, but if you're feeling adventurous click on the photo:



If anyone needs me to run to London and check out this shop, I'm on a plane today:


And then there's the Polite Umbrella in the next post...