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Fun Sisters, in South Minneapolis is a great place to visit for fun costume purses & jewelry. They have a great selection of unique, whimical handbags & knock-offs, including Coach, Louis & more. ...
Fun Sisters, in South Minneapolis is a great place to visit for fun costume purses & jewelry. They have a great selection of unique, whimical handbags & knock-offs, including Coach, Louis & more. Also, they have fun costume & "for-fun" jewlery, hair accessories & other accesories.
The hours at Fun Sisters boutique are odd though. They're only open the second weekend of the month, Wednesday through Sunday. So, it's best to call ahead of time to make sure that they are open, and there are no off season times. Also, they don't accept checks, so make sure that you bring plenty of cash because you'll be tempted to spend it all at Fun Sisters.
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Louis XIII
Category:
Food & Dining
2670 Southdale Center Drive
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55473
(952) 746-4938
There are so many wonderful facets of Louis XIII that I don't know where to start.
Is it their wine selection - it's the largest, most extensive selection in Minnesota, boasting a two-story glass...
There are so many wonderful facets of Louis XIII that I don't know where to start.
Is it their wine selection - it's the largest, most extensive selection in Minnesota, boasting a two-story glass wine rack that takes a floor to ceiling ladder to maneuver.
Is it the lushly romantic, yet modern ambience? Their custom made, one of a kind "kissing booths" offer draw back curtains for additional privacy.
Or maybe it's the Sunday night Desperate Housewives party that makes it such a fun spot to enjoy top shelf cocktails including an extensive martini & champagne cocktail selection?
How about the food though? It's a true blend of Asian French fusion, with more focus on the French. The appetizer selection is delicious, if not pricy. But the Prince Edward Island mussels in teriyaki cream sauce will have you mopping up the bottom of the bowl with french bread. And the lobster or shrimp lollipops are crispy, sweet & spicy.
I would stay away from the sandwiches, unless you're there for lunch. But don't go there for lunch - dining at Louis XII is an experience that should be savored, and not rushed.
For dinner, the standouts are their Braised Short Ribs, which are succulent, savory & fall off the bone tender. The nut crusted JonDory (a white fish from off the coast of Austraila) with risotto is excellent and a luxurious entree choice.
By the time the dessert cart rolls around, you'll be rolling your eyes with delight. The offer the ubiquitous vanilla creme brulee, but the real treat is authentic Apple Tarte Tatin.
Go for the atmosphere, rich & seductive. Try the drinks, pricy but tantalizing. Stay for the meal - and you'll go home a changed person.
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Mai Village is a diamond in the rough. Literally. Located in what is not the best neighborhood in St. Paul, just blocks west of the capital, on University, this multi-million dollar building &...
Mai Village is a diamond in the rough. Literally. Located in what is not the best neighborhood in St. Paul, just blocks west of the capital, on University, this multi-million dollar building & restaurant is deceiving on the outside.
Once you step inside Mai Village though, it's like being transported back to a palace in Thailand. The gorgeous, hand carved cedar decor, footbridge with koi pond and beautiful art will leave you expecting $$$$ prices. But don't be fooled, not only does Mai Village offer delicious, authentic Vietnamese food, but it does so at low-budget prices. My personal favorite was the shrimp with mango sauce - their house special beef is wonderful too.
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Fhima's
Category:
Uncategorized
6 6th St W
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
(651) 287-0784
Fhima's, named after wonderful French chef & owner David Fhima, is a great example of why St. Paul is still a sophisticated metro. Going downtown there can be trying, why bother most times? Fhimas...
Fhima's, named after wonderful French chef & owner David Fhima, is a great example of why St. Paul is still a sophisticated metro. Going downtown there can be trying, why bother most times? Fhimas is the answer. With their gorgeous blue lit interior, intriguing wall sculptures, delicious array of fusion French and top shelf martinis, Fhimas is the best reason I've found to fight for parking in the downtown area.
Especially worth noting is their wonderful, friendly, helpful staff!
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Breadsmith, located in St. Paul & Minnetonka, is not your typical corner bakery. With a focus on whole wheats, artisinal, and specialty breads of an organic or whole foods focus, they prove that...
Breadsmith, located in St. Paul & Minnetonka, is not your typical corner bakery. With a focus on whole wheats, artisinal, and specialty breads of an organic or whole foods focus, they prove that good for you bread doesn't have to taste like bricks.
Of special note is their Chocolate Babka, whos very name brings back memories of that Seinfeld episode. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Sunday, Breadsmith puts out their Chocolate Babka & Chocolate Babka rolls. You have to be there quick though, because they do go fast, and once their gone you have to wait two more days to get them. But the outside is twisted & glazed with sugar crumb topping & the inside has delicious morsels of semi-sweet chocolate, that melt in your mouth.
Breadsmith is a great bakery & their loyal clientelle & the empty bins at the end of the day prove it.
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Bakery On Grand is such a gem. The adorable, vintage, not quite shabby chic, interior makes it a romantic & intimate place for a date that won't scare him off with being too cutesy. Mismatched...
Bakery On Grand is such a gem. The adorable, vintage, not quite shabby chic, interior makes it a romantic & intimate place for a date that won't scare him off with being too cutesy. Mismatched has never looked so pleasing.
The food is amazing, authentic French cuisine, that will impress even the most jaded foodie. The portions are great, and the prices reflect the quality. They have amazing soups, which are probably my favorite in town.
All in all, Bakery on Grand is a great place if you're looking for a little Paris here in MN, or just want to try something new & delicious without breaking the bank.
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Surdyk's
Category:
Grocery Stores
E Henn Av & University Ave NE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55414
(612) 379-3232
Surdyks has to be my favorite place in the Twin Cities, after a long day at work. Where else can you walk in and get gourmet cheese, fresh from the wheel, from just about anywhere in the world,...
Surdyks has to be my favorite place in the Twin Cities, after a long day at work. Where else can you walk in and get gourmet cheese, fresh from the wheel, from just about anywhere in the world, wine from a truly knowledgeable & helpful staff, to fit EVERY budget, & cigars, from their wonderful walk in humidor?
Surdyks is primarily a wine & liquor store, but its the addition of their gourmet cheese & specialty food store and their cigar selection that truly make them standout above the other mediocre liquor shops around town
Their staff is willing to walk you through a wine selection you can be sure to love, and they are great about not pressuring you into a sale you can't afford, but take every budget into consideration. They are very knowledgeable about their products and the nuances of the varieties of wine & liquor they carry, and can always offer an appropriate selection based on your criteria.
Additionally Surdyks offers occasional wine tastings that are sure to enrich an xenophiles repertoire. And their frequent sales make trying new things fun.
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From the outside, I think you can get a fair to moderate idea of just how wonderful Loring Pasta Bar is. But once you get inside, the atmosphere will just blow you away.
Ablaze with rich...
From the outside, I think you can get a fair to moderate idea of just how wonderful Loring Pasta Bar is. But once you get inside, the atmosphere will just blow you away.
Ablaze with rich tapestries, fun decor, babbling fountains and much more to tease your eyes, Loring Pasta Bar is a feast for your eyes.
But the true feast is in the food. LPB offers an array of delicious Italian bistro style pasta dishes & entrees. Their Sunday brunch is exquisite with omelettes, salads, desserts, waffles, eggs benedict and more.
Located in the heart of Dinkytown, this is a great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner with your favorite student, or to bring a date. LPB won't dissapoint even the most discriminating palate.
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Zeno
Category:
Restaurants
2919 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
(612) 746-4170
Zeno has a great location for the Uptown theater crowd. The combination of that, their amazing wine selection and towering, rich desserts makes for a packed house every time.
The food at Zeno...
Zeno has a great location for the Uptown theater crowd. The combination of that, their amazing wine selection and towering, rich desserts makes for a packed house every time.
The food at Zeno is Nouveau Pub, with fun appetizer selections, including brick oven pizzas.
But the real standout at Zeno, is their desserts. The white chocolate rasberry mousse cake towers almost a foot high, and is lush, rich and cavity enducingly sweet. They also have a caramel/turtle dessert that was out of this world. Because of the richness of their sweets, I would recommend sharing.
Also worth noting at Zeno is their wine selection with a balanced blend of California & Australian red's. The Conundrum White is my absolute favorite white they offer, and at $45 a bottle is worth getting the bottle over a glass (at I think around $15).
Zeno is a fun, trendy spot to enjoy something lively after touring Uptown or hitting the theater, and should not be missed.
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Cupcake
Category:
Food & Dining
3338 University Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55473
(612) 378-4818
If you weren't looking for it, maybe you wouldn't see it as you speed down University, heading towards campus. But Cupcake is definitely a spot worth stopping at.
This charming, independantly...
If you weren't looking for it, maybe you wouldn't see it as you speed down University, heading towards campus. But Cupcake is definitely a spot worth stopping at.
This charming, independantly owned local bakery offers a fresh selection of cupcakes and other pastries, as well as coffee & espresso drinks, sandwiches, soups and much more.
But, true to their name, the cupcakes are what Cupcakes is all about. They offer over 30 varieties, including lemon drop, smore's, red velvet, black bottom, carrot, chai tea cake as well as traditional vanilla & chocolate & much more. The cakes are rich & moist, with noticeably homemade buttercream frosting, adorable little miniature decorations on top and some even have lucious cream fillings.
They offer patio seating outside as well as free wi-fi, so if you're in the mood to stick around and lounge you can. But if you do, be prepared for temptation, because at Cupcake, no one can eat just one.
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