Bits & Pieces...

Big news in Walker world (not Walker, Texas Ranger... Walker Art Center)... Wolfgang Puck's 20.21 is making way for another iteration of the D'Amico empire. Word has it that 20.21 will close in the next month. No word on whether the fabulous Spoonbridge & Cherry-inspired dessert will survive the takeover.

PS: I will buy a drink at the new Walker restaurant, whatever it's called, to anyone who can explain the title of my post ;)

Spring Restaurant Week 2011

It's back! Minneapolis Restaurant Week, Spring 2011 version. February 27 - March 4, 2011.

There are a lot of places on the list that I want to check out... some of my notes:
Al Vento--but they have a great date night every Tuesday (3 course meal for $20), so I will probably just do that sometime.
Amore Victoria--one of those that I always say I want to go to and then forget about
Cosmos--had one of the best martinis of my life at a friend's bachelorette party when we stopped here...
D'Amico Kitchen--supposed to be excellent and I've not been there yet, inexplicably.
Fogo de Chao--best deal of restaurant week, if you ask me. I'm up for putting a group together.
Red Stag Supper Club--always intending to spend more time in Northeast.
Saffron--in my neighborhood, and yet I'm a little intimidated as I know little to nothing about middle eastern food...
Sea Change--a good seafood restaurant downtown? Yes please.

Now taking reservations! And by that I mean--I am now open to making plans to visit any of these places :)

Chains, Chains, Chains

I try to avoid chain restaurants. I even grumble about "high-end chains" like Crave, especially when they replace old guard restaurants like Palomino.

But, this strikes me as good news, that something new is going into City Center: Rosa Mexicano.

Making the City Feel More Like a Small Town

A few weeks ago, it was my boyfriend's 30th birthday party. We hosted a beer tasting at North Loop Wine & Spirits to celebrate.

I knew that one of the liquor store employees also owns a farm in Wisconsin, and sells at the Mill City Farmer's Market.

After the party at NLWS, we headed across the street to Haute Dish to continue drinking some quality beer. A little after we got there, the guy from the liquor store walked in the front door, with his arms full of produce that he was bringing for the kitchen. I knew the restaurant sourced locally as much as they were able, but it became so much more real to me--this guy that sells us beer and wine also provides the great ingredients for the wonderful dinners we've had at Haute Dish. And in turn, the liquor store prides itself in stocking wines and beers that the local restaurants have on their menus.

There's something so charming about that--so neighborly--that I fell in love a little more with my neighborhood right then and there.

Minne Links 10.20

Sad day in downtown: Palomino is being turned into yet another Crappy Crave. RIP 90's decor.

Happy day in NE: the former location of Pop!! is being turned into... something. Update: Hazels! Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in NE.

More happiness, October-style, in NE!

Pop psychology at its finest: go see the SuperFreakonomics author speak! And go see the movie at the Uptown theatre, too! This would be a great first date idea, if you can't find something to talk about after this--just stop trying.

Speaking of theatres in Uptown, I may have to check out the midnight movie on November 5-6... I saw it at midnight a few years ago at another great independent theatre in NYC and it was a blast!