Two new Comforts in S Mpls

There's a couple spots, one not-so-new and one very new in S Mpls. The opening of any local business right now makes this local lover skip with joy.

Broder's Pasta Bar has always been a solid choice and a neighborhood fan favorite. (We secretly wish we owned this gem that easily has a waiting list Monday nights by 5). Anyway, they expanded their offerings this summer with their outdoor Antipasto Bar. We've been driving by for weeks attempting to try this wise addition. This past Saturday, the antipasto bar had two stools and we practically ran and jumped on them.

The Chef, Laurel, came from the Broder's deli across the street. She was at the helm of the outdoor grill, and very happy about it. We had her order for us, and she proceeded to create in seconds - Blistered Shishito Peppers, Garlic Bruschetta, Calamari alla Griglia, Grilled Italian Sausage with Grape Balsalmic Reduction. Tim and I watched with jealous joy her instant, simple concoctions. Then she highly encouraged the Grilled Peaches, Marscapone and Toasted Almonds for dessert. All was outstanding, fresh, with an appropriate burn.

These last few summer nights have been ideal, with weather reminding me of CA Wine Country. I highly recommend going to Broders Antipasto Bar, before you know what's going to be covering that lovely patio, the "s" word!


The other new spot in S Mpls is a much needed neighborhood bar, Kings Wine Bar. Located at 45th and Grand, across from Ena and smack dab in the middle of a neighborhood. Kings reminded me of the vibe you get in NE Mpls, a clientele of all kinds, old to young, representing the homes walking distance away. I like that.




We had the Marsalas Meatballs on their small bites menu, we liked them so much, we ordered them again. The menu is creative, comforting. The Chef, Peter Maccaroni, came from the Sample Room and owners, Molly Barnes and Samantha Loesch are sisters. Decor is simple, modern with a warm palate. There is a lounge-like space that is quite small, but is a softer choice for those that want to hang in comfort.



After our meatballs, we tried the Asparagus in Balsalmic Reduction, excellent. And from looking and hearing the reactions of our bar neighbors, I think it's safe to say you can't really go wrong with the food offerings. I do think the staff needs a bit more time to settle in and get in a grove. I wish Kings well, and will be back!

Happy Bastille Day!

"On this date, 320 years ago, the French proletariat liberated the Bastille prison from the hated monarchy; then they all went and ate escargot. Or something like that."

If you missed our local celebrations around town on Sunday (Barbette, Brits), you still have options to celebrate in true French-style tonight.

Vincent, A Restaurant offers a Daily Happy Hour from 4:30 - 6:30 with:

Small Plates to Share for $4.00
Selected Champagne Cocktails & Martinis $5.00
All Beer & Selected Glasses of Wine only $3.00
And the Vincent Burger is only $8.00!

Vincent also offers a 3 Course Prix Fixe Dinner Menu for $30, Mon-Thurs from 5:00-9:00 pm.


Who is Vincent? Vincent Francoual was born in Puy-L'Eveque, in the Cahors region of France. He began culinary school in Souillac at the age of fifteen. Four years later, Vincent earned his diploma C.A.P. of Cuisine and C.A.P. in Pastry. Vincent spent a summer working in a French resort town on the Atlantic Ocean where he began his love for seafood preparations.


Today, at Meritage in St Paul, the staff returns from their all-staff 2-week holiday - which ran from the "American independence to the French Resistance". Chef and Owner, Russell Klein's menu is a combination of New American with French influences.


Meritage offers 5, 7 and 9 course tasting meals nightly from $65 - $95. My personal favorite way to experience Meritage is sitting at the sweet, 4-stool bar and enjoying several of Russell's "Amusements":

If you're in the mood for dining "l'extérieur", it's a beautiful setting in St Paul.


Feeling even more Frenchie? Did you know, we have the Alliance Française in Minnesota, which was was started in the 1920s by a small group interested in the language and culture of France. Led by University of Minnesota Professor Jacques Fermand, the group became a member of the Federation of French Alliances, and the AFMSP (Alliance Française de Minneapolis-St. Paul) pays annual dues to them. By the 1950s, the chapter had approximately 100 members. Currently, the AFMSP has approximately 975 members.

Alliance Française offers language classes, free French movie nights for the whole family, a library of books, journals and magazines, as well as social events.

And heck, July 6 - July 12, 2009 is "Minnesota French Heritage week" as declared by Governor Tim Pawlenty at the request of the Alliance Française!



Feeling less Frenchie? Here are Radar's recommendations for dialing it down:

Blue Door Pub, offers a "Frenchie" hamburger - stuffed with Swiss cheese and caramelized onion on a toasted, buttered, super fresh bun and served with a side of au jus.

For the best French Fries in town:

Burger Jones' "Try-Fry Tasting Tower" - hand-cut russet fries, maple-bacon sweet potato fries and parmesan waffle fries

Convention Grill and Fountain, 3912 Sunnyside Rd. Edina, MN

Edina Grill's sweet-potato fries!

Lurcat

The Nook

Or please submit your favorite fries!

Get out and be "Frenchy" today, if not in what you eat, then in what you wear - put a scarf around your neck or a beret atop your head!

Célébrer!

Early Bird, Not So Special for Me!

But it's not about me. What does though, make me happy, is when local businesses are thriving. And such was the case when my husband, Tim and I went over to St Paul's Strip Club Meat & Fish on Friday night. We arrived at 6:30, much earlier than our normal clock, thinking we'll waltz right in, up to our favorite perch, the bar. So much for that, it stopped at the waltz, which was even interrupted by a bustling staff. Each and every seat was occupied with a wait list I was thrilled to see.

We happily waited in the warmth of the space and the staff.



The burger went down so fast, all that was left to photographer were the lone fries.

Hate Love?

Dreading tomorrow and all that lovey-dovey stuff? Let your loathe go at one of these events:

Midtown Global Market's - Shred The Love.

First Avenues Valentine Day's Massacre


Maybe you'll love this, Black Forest Inn has beer flavored chocolate.

Bryant Lake Bowl Theater's drop dead funny show, "Adventures In Mating".

St Paul's, James J. Hill House, Victorian Poetry Slam. Although nothing to hate about this historic beauty.

Here's to a hateful holiday!

Sustainable Wine at Lucia's

Green to the max and quite tasty. (And stop in for Lucia's nightly 9-midnight happy hour, the warm setting makes you forget it's cold outside.)



And the endearing Hennepin Lake Liquors is where I found a "TetraPak " of my own.

The Tricks and Treats This Week

For those in the masquerade mood....

Spooky Spots:

The Soap Factory's Haunted Basement

Trail of Terror

Nightclub Party Stops:

Twin Cities Nightclubs

No Cover Costume Contest and Entertainment - 331 Club

Costumes and Props:

Buffalo Exchange

Ragstock

Twin Cities Magic and Costume Company

Whatever or whoever you're going to be this week, be scary safe!

Barrio - Bravo!

Mexican/America made by Tim McKee with many options under $7? What more do you need? Oh throw in a hip, romantic goth decor and your night is set at Barrio.

Who is Tim McKee?

7 motives for leavin' early today...

Azia:
Daily 3-6:
$3 Tap Beer, 1/2 priced Sake, Specialty cocktails, & $5 Appetizers

Barbette:
Happy Hour 3-6: 
$3 Taps, $4 Select Wines, Champagne, $5 Select Appetizers

Indio:
Daily 3-6:
$2.50 Taps, $3 Wines, $4-5 Cocktails/Margaritas, and $3-5 Appetizers

Joes Garage:
Mon - Fri, 4-6:
Happy Hour: 1/2 Rails, House Wine, ALL Taps, & most Appetizers

Red Stag:
Mon - Fri, 3-6:
$3 Wines, $3 Select Taps, $4 Cocktails

Town Talk:
Tues - Sat, 4-6:
$2 Domestic Beers (includes Summit), $1 off Wine, $3-4 Small plates

Vincent:
Mon - Fri, 4:30 - 6:30:
$3 Select Wines, All Beers, $5 Champagne and Signature Cocktails +
Discounted Appetizers and Select food ($2.50-8)

Super Tuesdays, hold the politics

Tired of the candidates? Here's other topics to take in on Tuesdays:

Triple Rock Social Club, The Weekly Triple Double, 2-4-1's and no cover.

Half-price Wine:
Amore Victoria
Birchwood Cafe
Downtowner Woodfire Grill
Duplex
Highland Grill
La Bodega Restaurant and Lounge: 3005 Lyndale Ave S, 612-823-2661
La Cucaracha, 36 Dale St S, 651-221-9682

Metro Magazine's Twin Cities Supper Club, One Tuesday a month $35 equals 2 drinks, appetizers, several family-style entrees, networking and conversation with other locals all while exploring some of the cities best restaurant options.

Mpls St Paul Magazine E-Newsletter - Get your beauty tips, fashion trends, and the latest must-have products every Tuesday.

These get my vote.

Restaurant Week is here, restaurant week is here!

Really people, this is a great way to take in the tastes of our towns. Participating restaurants generously provide lunch fares that include two courses and is either $10 or $20, and dinner that includes three courses and is either $15 or $30.

Details here: Mpls/St Paul Magazine Restaurant Week

Need help with the list? Here's where I plan to partake:

Upscale experience:
D'Amico Cucina, my second favorite lounge in the Mpls, and that's where I choose to chow. If you go on the weekend, a little jazz trio plays! I get hearty just thinking about it! This is the spot for elegant Italian.
La Belle Vie and this special menu is offered in the lounge-only, even better, it's the best in Mpls bar-none. The menu is creative and adventurous, challenge yourself, please.
Vincent A Restuarant, an elegant, open, airy dining room. Skip Chipotle, this is a lovely and bright spot for lunch. And for $10, you would spend that on your football burrito anyway!

Casual choices:
Town Talk Diner, love this joint! Offering brunch and lunch this week. For a creative, posh, state-fair style adventure.
Red Stag Supper Club, the first LEED-certified restaurant, so consciously cool! So there's two reasons to go. When else will you have lobster egg salad this week, let alone, this year?
Herkimer Pub and Brewery, the one offering beverages to their Restaurant Week menu. Hey the Herk knows some of us are more thirsty than hungry. Oh, and mini burgers AND mini fries! All I can say is, cute!

Another dining out perk to offer you - Open Table, it's a national online reservation site that I use whenever I can. Why? You receive points each time you reserve and dine, those points add up and can be used at participating restaurants. Here's the link for reservations specifically for Mpls/St Paul Restaurant Week.

Go eat.

Music, time to listen up.

We have ourselves scores of musically talented locals. Have you been out to support one? Here's a couple to catch.
New on my list - Makeready, playing this Friday at the Terminal Bar, 9pm, with The Melvilles and The Slacks.

Then the sweet steady sounds of Quarter Arce Lifestyle, playing Tuesday, March 4th, 8 pm at The Fine Line. And then you have another chance at their CD Release Party, Nomad World Pub, Friday, March 21, 9 pm. For other QAL "local" shows? Head to Auckland, New Zealand, where the two founding brothers are originally from. But, think of the money you'll save if you just catch them here.

New Music Venue: The Hollow

Nyo way? Or way? An ancient dining art form arrives in Mpls...

I saw in the Strib this week and just received my email blast below from Temple Restaurant, here’s what’s going on in local sushi:

Temple has been noted for its unique and beautiful presentation of Sushi. Now Temple continues in its pursuit of presenting sushi as a true form of 'Art.' Nyotaimori and Nantaimori are accepted traditions in Japan of serving sashimi and sushi off of the body of a woman or a man. It has been practiced for centuries, initiated as an art by the Geisha Community.


We are pleased to announce that Temple Restaurant is now taking reservations for Private Nyotaimori and Nantaimori Events for both small and large groups.

For further information or to book an event, please contact our Event Coordinator at info@mplstemple.com or
call 612-813-5418.

Temple Restaurant and Shinto Lounge
1201 Harmon Place
Minneapolis MN 55403
612-767-3770
www.mplstemple.com

I'm still debating on trying this myself. I'm an art and food lover, but not sure if I can take them lying down. How about you? Take my poll ---->

Things I love this Valentine's Day

I'm a sentimental, romantic mush. So Valentine's Day is a holiday I love. So cliche I know, which I don't love, but whaddya do...

Here's my list of lusts:

• Skyways - no other city has 'em like we have 'em, they are true angels this time of year aren't they?


• Monte Carlos wings - hands down the best in town. If you've never had them, go get your love-affair started...


• The city lakes - As I walk Lake Harriet, often I share the love with some guy ice fishing while listening to his transistor radio. Opposites really attract.

• Hunt & Gather Antiques for their vast supply of vintage Valentines.


• Our bouquet of diverse talent. A day doesn't seem to pass that I don't meet a local with some sort of creative talent. From a stained-glass aficionado to a secret seamstress.
• The Valentine card that arrived today from my Mom and Dad. It was our first card with the words "daughter and her husband". What I love is knowing how happy it made my Mom to send and seal it with a kiss.
• Our lovely dining options that set the Cupid mood - Grand Cafe, Lucia's, Georgio, Crema Cafe, Heidi's, Cave' Vin. Limited on food, but unlimited on romance, Bev's Wine Bar.
• Those damn conversation hearts.

• MSP International airport. It's the launch pad to escapes and dreamy destinations. And it's the home base when I'm ready for the comforts of home.
• That I will once again be celebrating the day with my husband, the mushiest of the mushes...

So what do you love this Valentine's Day? Whatever it is, celebrate it.

2008, what are you going to do with it?

Resolutions are everywhere, you have 362 days ahead, pick a few to do something different:
You want to read more this 08. Here's a book club that expands your mind and your brew buds. Check out: "Books and Bars", a monthly reading club that shares view and brews at a local fav, Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St, Mpls, booksandbars.com
It's not a resolution without exercise, but here's a trainer that comes to you, homfit.com

Need to get organized? Orgtoday.com

Want to update or personalize your style? Here's a couple mavens: Linda Froiland, she works with local celebs and locals like you and me. There's also StyledLife, an upscale boutique store and consulting service in one. Gaviidae Common 2, 6th and Nicollet, 612-5400.

Looking to improve your beauty routine? Did you ever think your lip balm was unsafe? Guess what, I hate to be a downer, but... The US does not require the FDA or any other government agency to approve the safety of our cosmetics and body care products. The European Union now bans more that 1,100 chemicals found in these types of products vs. the US ban of only 10. Check this site to see what's in the products you are using everyday: CosmeticDataBase.com. So where can you go for safe options? Becky Sturm of Storm Sisters Spatique believes in a 100% organic approach and will match what's best for your skin, hair, nail and body type. Labels may be unfamiliar (many are from Europe), but they are safe and thoughtful products for your body's health. Storm Sisters, 635 South Smith Ave, 651.221.4668

Want to DO more?
Hey, there's snow, snowshoe.

Go listen to music, Cafe Maude, The Beat Coffee House, Artists Quarter, 331 Club.

Looking for an artsy, ice-fishing style venue? Can do, The Art Shanty Project.

Dress for yourself and get noticed. Here's some inspiration from local eye-catchers and the blogger that snaps them, Minneapoline.

Sip Afternoon Tea at the St Paul Hotel.

We have Wineries, go on a tour.

Learn how to curl! St Paul Curling Club.

Take in local Fashion in a fiesty way, become an M-Club member and get your tix to: Fashion Fight Night.


Support up-and-coming chefs. Lunch is open M-W, 11-1 in the Gourmet Gallery, the Culinary Student Department of the Arts Institute International.

Grab 14 friends and be the first fools in April, take a PedalPub Tour.
Go and see art, even better buy it, MplsArt.com.


So resolve to be, do, see, shop, listen a little differently this year. It will do you and our fine cities some good.

The Commanding Caskettes

Some things you have to leave to the pros. Like singing. There's a group of 4 local sisters who are secretly singing in basements, bars, and anywhere they command, like our wedding this summer....


Yep, they are the Caskette's, and they play command performances, but only when they command it! They recently were highlighted on NPR's Weekend America, have a website (currently being updated), and lucky for me booked a surprise performance in December in our living room for my Mom's birthday. I can't wait, my Mom will flip at the sweet, harmonious sounds of the sisters and be wowed by their perfectly matching, often feathery attire.
If they are in the mood and feeling commanding of your time or basement, book them for your next event. Or head to Nye's Polonaise, 112 E Hennepin Ave, you may just find them ruling the piano bar.