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?

Take Your Pick

Fall seems to be here, and in MN that means apples rule. Embrace the gratification that comes with hand-picking a food source right from the land. And the local land around is is plentiful. So get your nit-pick on, hit one of the following orchards and enjoy the fruits of your labor:

Aamodt's Apple Farm - Stillwater

All About Apples - Regional map

Afton Apples - Hastings, MN

MN Harvest - Jordan, MN

Minnetonka Orchards

Another local apple I recommend you pick - Happy Apple.

If I had 4 days in St Paul...

I would dine at the following :

128 Cafe - Neighborhood simple with excellent food.

Luci - Italian with a homemade touch.
Heartland - Thoughtful food made from our local land. Stunning, simple wine bar.
Mickey Diner - the server and food provides a mouth full of St Paul old-school culture. 6 7th St W,651-222-5633
The Strip Club - Meat and fish done right in a warm, casually elegant and lively atmosphere.
And shop til I dropped here:
Flirt Boutique - luxurious items all about the lady. 1330 Grand Ave, 651-698-3692
Heimes Haberdashery - Top spot for men.
Paper Patisserie - stunning selection of cards, stationery, pens and all things special. Selby & Dale, 651-227-1398
Storm Sisters - the best personalized skin care service and products for men and women.

And sip with sophistication:
The Lexington - Classic supper club.
Mancini's - The vintage Vegas lounge.
The St Paul Grill - Most beautiful bar in town and top notch service.
WA Frost - St Paul's charm shines here.

Sale Away

Hello,

This is the weekend to take in some mighty fine discounts at a few local boutiques.  Two of which have spawned and spread to additional locations.  Local growth = good.   

Talk about local, this option is all about it.  And, check out these deals - Design Collective

The sweet, sophisticated Stephanie's - and with all profits this weekend going to Breast Cancer Research (St Paul location only), why wouldn't you make a purchase for yourself and an amazing cause.

Heavy on hip - and with a new location in Uptown (1140 W. Lake St), all summer dresses on sale,  Ivy.

The thrill of Victory for sure reigns at this cute and compact store.  75% off all things - candles, pillows, vases, jewelry, and more.  Oh and snacks served in the sweet setting.  3505 W. 44th St, Mpls.  Sale runs Sat, 8/23 from 11 - 5.

Style yourself right, or have a store consultant, it's the best non-pushy customer service in town - StyledLife  - they rock again with a semi-annual sale.  Check out the CDs too, it's a slam dunk gift for music lovers in your life.  

So go get your sale on.  And in the words of another, not-so-small local chain...

Good Buy.

Dog-On Good Deals!

Grab your dog and head to NE this Friday night, August 15th for the NE Dog Days of Summer. There's so much to share - a parade, a pub photo shoot and strolling through stores, restaurants and spas catering to you both! Yes, your furry friend can enjoy an outdoor lavender-scented spa compliments of SPOT.

Anyone would agree, this all sounds like a walk in the park, so do a dog a favor and treat them to a night out in NE.

Take Me Out(side) To the Ballgame

My husband, Tim, has been a Twins fan his whole life, and being from Chicago proves his love is true. From May to September, his vocabulary oozes Twins - from players names, daily stats, to trades, wins, loses, standings, to the locker room antics. Although he loves his Twins, he loathes the Dome. And I have to agree.

This past Friday, Tim brought his son Max and me to our first Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Now I have sat through a few Twins games at the Dome (today in fact), enjoying the sport, but wanting to escape the blue sea of plastic and bad 80s music. And Friday? I couldn't get enough of Wrigley. In every way, this IS how baseball is meant to be played and experienced. The adventure starts with the traffic, the hum of the fans, the buzz of the vendors, the solid pack streaming into the standing room only 94 yr old temple, called Wrigley Field.

Why am I blogging about something anti-local? Because in 102 home games, the Twins will be, like the Cubs, playing baseball like it's suppose to be played, outside, under the sky and in the open air. And I truly can't wait. I hope for traffic, hums, buzzes and standing room only.

Oh and if you're wondering, the Cubs lost, but who cares... it was a day with my family and the summer sky.

Slow Food MN

In 1986 a McDonald's opened in Rome, how sad. But as a result, Slow Food, an international non-profit organization began, and ever since has been defending the biodiversity of our food.

The local root of this organization has several events each year celebrating and introducing local and regional farmers, producers and artisans to an audience hungry for this type of enlightenment. Some recent events have provided benefit to local farmers and food shelves that have been victim to arson and the 07 floods.

A Slow Food MN Event is upon us, An Evening with Jeffrey Roberts. Jeff works in food policy and agriculture in Vermont, as well as international efforts in public education programs and marketing. Jeff also has a huge spot for the art of cheese. The event will focus on local incredible cheeses as well as organic and sustainable American wines. Jeff will be doing book signings and providing his view of all things food. Friday, July 18, 6:30 - 9:00 @ Elsie's in NE Mpls.

Sounds like a yummy evening.