Food Fight!!!!

Fair Food Fight Night: A Spectacle of Beef and Beer

Friday, July 23, 6pm till we drop
Rau + Barber Bldg, 4244 Nicollet Ave. S, Minneapolis

GREAT FOOD * FURIOUS DEBATE * LOCAL BEER * MAD DANCING * BIG PRIZES

DEVOUR A bonanza of local foods
Bring cash! Great local, sustainable, and organic fare from: Corner Table, The Modern Cafe, Magic Bus Cafe, Fulton Beer, Equal Exchange Coffee and Chocolate, Nature's Prime Organics.

GET IN THE RING: FOOD Forum with Stephanie March
Enter the squared circle as we discuss real food, ethically raised meat, and animal welfare.

DJ: Danny Sigelman
Formerly of Radio K and The Current, Danny Sigelman has helped cultivate the local Minnesota music scene for years. Music starts at 8:30pm.

Nice of Jax

"They Say It's Your Birthday..."

So it was my birthday last week, I celebrated with my marvelous man, Tim and then again with a group of dear friends. I consider myself so lucky to have all these solid people around me.

The day began with breakfast at Al's, it's refreshing, they don't have a website! We as a family of 4 have tried numerous times to go here only to be faced with a long line no teenage hungry boy can stand for. So, I figured my birthday Tues, March 2nd and breakfast for 2 around 10:00 would be no cause for worry. I was right and so happy about the first meal of my 42nd year...

When we arrived I was shooting away all the visual stimulation of this beat-down diner, the life it's been through and the perfect imperfections. They knew it was my day because of the gift I opened from Tim. So when I ordered as everyone should, the Bacon Waffle, it arrived by a staff of 3 singing to a poorly tuned, "Happy Birthday". If you look hard you can see the candle.


I asked real nice if I could have an Al's order pad, and, maybe because it was my birthday, the nice lady gave me one...

I love that the back has grease on it...


Al's is made up of 13 stools (I think), a crooked counter, a stove, a milk dispenser, a load of pre-paid small yellow handmade notebooks for regulars tabs, locally handmade pottery holding salt, pepper and syrup and a colorful staff - all housed within a 10 foot wide space. It's the best in many ways. Go. Take it in. But not on a Saturday or a Sunday, treat yourself on a weekday, that's when it's just you, your Bacon Waffle and the local heros that have kept it thriving.




Then on to my next feast! I was picked up by my friend and was driven in a crazy route to Bar La Grassa, first clue, she knows direction well. As we parked the other friend inside texted us and said, "I'm not feeling well, meet me in the bathroom." So second clue, who congregates in the bathroom? On our loyal way we went to meet her, and bam! I was greeted with a surprise of 10 pals in the private wine room (near the bathrooms). It was a delight to be surrounded by my mix of friends all in the same room! At my (current) favorite place! And knowing I was about to have my favorite Lobster Bruschetta and the Pasta Carbonara...


Then..... the generous gifts that were thoughtfully thoughtful, mixing all the sides to me that my friends know so well.

Here are some that have a local tie:

The brand is "Modern Radar"(!), purchased at Mitrebox...

Knit chain necklace, a gift purchase at local store, "I Like You":


Earrings from StyledLife...

Some with an arty side:

Babushka photo dolls! I can't stand how cute these are!


And music to my ears, "1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die". A few of the local call outs include: Prince's, "Dirty Mind", "Lovesexy" and Bob Dylan's, "Blonde on Blonde", 'Blood on the Tracks"...

Many from Tim with a food-theme:

This recipe book is not only stunning in it's simple, raw & organic visual approach, but the direction Thomas Keller takes is inviting: "everyday staples, delicious approachable food, recipes that are doable at home." So days later, I was at a dinner with new locals and discovered one, Kathy Lewinski, of A Good Appetite, is cooking her way though, "ad hoc at home", follow along in her "Julie and Julia"-style adventure.


"Alaea Hawaiian" and "Fleur de Sel, de Guerande" from France: Sea Salts, the perfect accoutrement, toss it even on desserts...


Then there's this sweet salt box, made by handy hands in Duluth...


A 6" Wusthof Chef's Knife! Yep! I am at a point where a gift of a knife fills me with joy! Speaking of blades, did you know? Lunds & Byerly's will sharpen your knives for free within 24 hours? Just grab a sleeve in the Meat/Seafood department. Nothing better than a wickedly sharpened knife.

Speaking of blades again, remember too, your local butcher will cut, slice, dice, cube, butterfly your meat anyway you'd like. They live for that stuff, so utilize the pros, save yourself time and everyone's happy!


All the inspiring food gifts came from the local, Cooks of Crocus Hill and are always wrapped so beautifully in boxes that you will hold onto forever or recycle for your own gift-giving vessel.


And still ahead, birthday celebration with more family and friends: Friday night, my first experience at Manny's Steakhouse. Then next week, Italian at Perron's Sul Lago, a must-have to hit in the Southern suburbs.

To my friends and family, thanks for welcoming in this new year with me and all the local and thoughtful love that went into the day!

NYE Offer!

STILL NEED PLANS TONIGHT? Grad your Sorels and Sequins!

NEW YEAR'S EVE
FARM DINNER IN THE CITY!

New Year's Eve
December 31st, 2009
Reception starts at 6pm
Dinner at 7:00pm
$150.00 per person, RADAR OFFER: $110.00 per person**
5 course with beer and wine

At Corner Table for New Years Eve, Scott Pampuch has worked with the city to close off 43rd street and set up a farm style dinner table in a heated tent. "If you attended the dinners this year, this is a great way to end the year. If you missed this year, this could be the best dinner yet, so please join us"!

Tickets only available online at Tour de Farm

**Corner Table will reimburse you a $40 giftcard if you sign-up online @$150. Otherwise,email, information@TourdeFarmMN.com to let Scott know Radar referred you and he can arrange the $110 payment separately.

A NYE like no other...

Just announced:

NEW YEAR'S EVE
FARM DINNER IN THE CITY!

At Corner Table for New Years Eve, Scott Pampuch has worked with the city to close off 43rd street and set up a farm style dinner table in a heated tent. "If you attended the dinners this year, this is a great way to end the year. If you missed this year, this could be the best dinner yet, so please join us"!

New Year's Eve
December 31st, 2009
Reception starts at 6pm
Dinner at 7:00pm
$150.00 per person
5 course with beer and wine

Tickets only available online at Tour de Farm

It's what you'll Crave

Event-planner extraordinaire, Geri Wolf w/StyleLaboratory, invited Radar to the Crave West End private preview party on Saturday night. This St Louis Park location is the 3rd Crave restaurant to open for this local mini chain, other locations are the Galleria and MOA locations.

I wasn't sure what to expect at this party as Radar is a newbie to this type of invitation. But knowing Geri was involved, I was confident it would be a hit, and it was beyond that. It appeared Geri's Rolodex was in attendance. Tim and I arrived to a buzzing outdoor scene, valets, red carpet, pumping DJ music.



Once inside the energy was as big as the expansive space and food offerings of this St Louis Park hot spot. Menu ranges from classic creative American to sushi and much inbetween. All food focuses on fresh, local, organic and locally grown. We sampled the Nigiri and Maki sushi (delightfully fresh), the Chicken stir-fry with Vegetables, fantastic spicy flavors, and was displayed is perfect food fashion with Chinese to-go containers at the ready...


tried to nab the Mini Burgers, but they flew by, the pasta bar was a hit with creamy and classic options - Baked Truffle Macaroni, Roasted Chicken and Penne.


Drinks were flowing from the bar as well, complete with flat screens at every angle. My favorite design element was the large scale glass-enclosed wine cellar.






The new West End area seems to be a home-run for SLP. And whether you want to dine with friends, employees, family or just stop in to catch the unstoppable MN sports scene, after one visit, I bet you will thirst for, desire, long for, jones for Crave West End.

So many food events, so little time!

Ok, the MN State Fair food fest is over, now let's focus on food from our local farm land. Here are a few events that offer nothing on a stick, but do offer more meaning to what you're eating.

Tomorrow, get it while you can:

Celebrating Local Food, Creating Permanent Community Spaces - Gardening Matters and the Midtown Farmers Market host a two-part film event: “Celebrating Local Food, Creating Permanent Community Spaces”

Who: Gardening Matters and Midtown Farmers Market
What: Movie screenings of Scott Hamilton Kennedy’s The Garden and Chris Taylor’s Food Fight (Twin Cities’ premier).
Both film showings will include a post-film discussion panel.
Where: The Riverview Theater, 3800 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55406-3504
When: The Garden: Wednesday, Sept 9th, 7-9pm
Food Fight: Wednesday, Sept 16th, 7-9pm
Ticket Information: $10 at the door, no advance sales. Doors open at 6:30pm.

Cheese lovers!
Lucia's is proud to present a special free cheese tasting from Shepherd's Way Farms . The tasting will take place in the Wine Bar with a selection of their award winning cheeses, each of which are handcrafted just outside Northfield, Minnesota. Come support a great local farm and enjoy a glass of wine and some delicious food.
When: This Friday, Sept 11th, 5:00-7:00 pm


This Sunday, local food org, Simple, Good, and Tasty will hold it's September local food dinner a little bit different - "the biggest, best, funnest local food Pot Luck that the Twin Cities has ever seen. SGT will provide the pig - you bring your family, friends, and a dish to share. This is a great, inexpensive opportunity to meet local food enthusiasts, cook up your CSA/farmshare bounty, and eat great food."

The meal will be held at Minneapolis' Boom Island Park. Boom Island is conveniently located near downtown, and features a playground and great views of downtown Minneapolis.

Tickets for the event cost only $10 (to cover the cost of the pig and the park shelter), and kids are free.Because this event requires an upfront investment on the part of SGT, we're asking attendees to pay in advance.
When: Sun, 09/13/2009 - 5:00pm

Also on Sunday, the Black Dog Café pairs up with innovative St Paul Chef, Shelagh Connolly, from the infamous Mildred Pierce restaurant, to bring you market dinners at the Black Dog Cafe. To ensure the freshest quality, Shelagh will purchase ingredients on Sunday morning at the St Paul Farmers Market located across the street from the Black Dog Café. Come and join us as Shelagh accepts the challenge of what is fresh andhow to cook it in the limited kitchen available at the Black Dog.

The Black Dog Café has long been a supporter and regular user of the St Paul Farmers Market. Look for daily specials using market produce and products. As a long time patron purchasing produce and products from the Market over the years The Black Dog has decided to take this one step further and prepare a full wine dinner.

Vegetarian and Meat options are available. Reservations are highly recomended. Seating is limited and tables may be shared. $40 includes dinner and wine. Tax and Gratuity not included.

When: Sun, 09/13/2009 - 6:00pm

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!

Ready for a (Sea) Change?

I am clearly not alone in my love of Tim McKee's food. The James Beard Foundation likes him too, so much so, he won the "Oscar's" of the food world award for "Best Chef in the Midwest".

Tim's had quite a year, his on-going successful La Belle Vie restaurant continues to thrive, as well as Solera, then this year he opened Barrio Mpls, Barrio St Paul, Smalley's in Stillwater, 423 Main St S # A Stillwater, MN 55082-5180, (651) 439-5375 and the official opening today of Sea Change, at the Guthrie Theater, 806 Second Street S. Minneapolis, MN 55415.

I've been to Sea Change twice already. Fine, I'll admit to stalking Tim, I know I'm not alone in this either. So of course, Tim seems to know his seafood. My first visit to Sea Change, I focused on my favorite way to dine, ordering several small plates. So the bar menu was ideal for this - there were options of intensely fresh seafood, as well as other unique meat options. I tried the Beef Tartar, Tempura Chicken Wings, Ahi Tuna and my personal fav - Shrimp Linguini w/truffle oil. All betw $8-11, crazy prices for Tim McKee-quality food.

My second visit, we had the Octopus, charred with a variety of salsa verdes, the Tuna with watermelon, mint, jalepeno and lemon-infussed oil.



Sea Change offers a 3-course, pre-theater dinner, designed to get you in and out to your show in plenty of time. Also, daily fresh West and East Coast Oyster Bar.



Then I checked out their lunch menu, below, prices between $8-$13 for Tim's cooking, wow!


Outdoor dining also available, this time along Second St, in front of the Guthrie. The space is surrounded by beautiful flower pots and green umbrellas.


Decor has been enhanced with a modern green color accent, which after the second visit I really took in and fell in love with. The large dining room has been given the right attention, bringing an intimacy to the space with several warm wood bookcase-like dividers. The space overall is cozier. And my husband Tim, was thrilled to see the flat TV screens, which do not over-take the bar, but allow a more homey feel.




So if not for today's opening, please go to Sea Change, and once you have tasted this man's food, you'll start stalking him too.

A taste of local inspiration, a la Geri Wolf.

I met event planner extraordinaire, Geri Wolf, just over two years ago while looking at sites for our wedding reception. She showed us FIVE, which was not a match to what we were looking for. So we said thank you and started to head out, then Geri rattled off about 17 other event space options in 3 minutes. I listened in amazement at her determination to help and her knowledge of her "territory". After each option, my picky head would shake no, but then she mentioned, Theater Jeune Lune, the non-traditional event space which I had already tried. Geri, of course, knew the owners and said she would talk with them. And she did, in a matter of a day she had contacted them, and got back to me, her "non-client". That was my first taste of Geri's work ethic, professionalism and connections.

That day, Geri also inquired about Radar, which was in infancy. And, since then she has been an excellent source of support, networking and inspiration.

For example, last week Geri emailed me, "I'm cooking in Chambers Kitchen on Wednesday from 3 to about 6". Me, "What?". Geri, "To learn how to be better at my job, sometimes I take on unpaid internships."

So when she invited me down to the Chambers to have a taste of her creations, I was on it. And sure enough, there she was in chef whites surrounded by stainless steel and Executive Chef Chris Damskey and his staff. Geri brought out her rice cracker encrusted tuna, had a sit and chat with me, and also introduced me to Chef Damskey.




Yep, that's Geri, the "firm believer that if you aren't learning something new every single day, you're not living up to your potential". So she's been doing unpaid "internships" with some of her vendors to learn other parts of the event world.

To be inspired yourself and hear direct from Geri about her Chambers Kitchen experience and her many other "to dos", check out her blog, Eventful Ramblings and her event-planning business, Styled Laboratory.

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!