|
Sustainability. Fresh Fish. Local, homemade ingredients. These are the top pursuits of The Angry Trout cafe that make it a healthy, cozy alternative to Sven and Ole's Pizza when you are...
Sustainability. Fresh Fish. Local, homemade ingredients. These are the top pursuits of The Angry Trout cafe that make it a healthy, cozy alternative to Sven and Ole's Pizza when you are vacationing in Grand Marais, MN.
My husband and I went there to celebrate our one-year wedding anniversary, and wow, were we treated to a fabulous dinner. The servers and hosts are all a bit artsy-punky, and very friendly. We were seated with a perfect view of Lake Superior at sunset, and the hostess even suggested that we sit side by side so both of us would be able to take it in.
Then there is the food. Oh, WOW! While the lunch and appetizer menus offer more variety, the dinners are substantial portions of whatever the catch of the day happens to be. The Angry Trout employs two local fishermen to cast their nets in Lake Superior every day, so whatever they bring back is what lands on the dinner menu. Within barely 10 minutes of ordering, I was handed a huge, delicious grilled trout, served with an enormous salad with seasonal veggies, apples, and grilled squash, with a choice of either wild rice or spinach fettuccine. I chose the pasta. With just a simple blend of olive oil and tarragon, the chefs leave room for the trout to play the leading role in this dinner. They also serve the most savory, moist focaccia bread on the side. The salad dressings are homemade, and when you choose your dressing, they just bring you the entire bottle. That's what the Angry Trout is all about. They make you feel at home and treat you as an honored guest. Dinner was $20/plate, and we were given $100 service and quality, the kind you find in places like The Oceanaire.
If you want to support a Minnesota business with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility, supporting local fishermen, and fantastic service, stop by the Angry Trout--even the appetizers are worth the trip!
Just a Heads Up: The Angry Trout is open seasonally, from May through Mid-October. For more information, check out: http://www.angrytroutcafe.com/
Hide
|
|
Gap the
Category:
Apparel
3000 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55408
(612) 827-2001
I swear, you can always count on the Gap in Uptown to find great variety and hidden bargains. The staff at this particular location is helpful and polite-yes, even for trendy Uptown, and if you...
I swear, you can always count on the Gap in Uptown to find great variety and hidden bargains. The staff at this particular location is helpful and polite-yes, even for trendy Uptown, and if you ever need an opinion on an outfit or article of clothing, they aren't afraid to lend their two cents. Personally, I always ask people at the Gap my opinion--they don't work on commission and have nothing to gain, so they're honest.
Anyway, THE CLOTHES! They are always up-to-date with reasonably-priced versions of the latest trends, skinny jeans and all. While The Gap is a great place for work clothes--especially when you need nice work pants and skirts--you can always find a funky top or dress for going out. They sell a lot of separates that work wonderfully as individual pieces for mixing and matching, or for creating a more cohesive outfit.
The menswear dept. here is really strong, too. On one occasion, my husband totally updated his wardrobe with 2 pairs of nice shorts, 5 polo shirts, and one pair of jeans, all for under $100.
And hey--an extra bonus is that Josh Hartnett is rumored to shop here when he's in town. Even that boy still knows where to find a good deal on clothing.
Hide
|
|
Azia
Category:
Food & Dining
2550 Nicollet Ave S
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55473
(612) 813-1200
Azia is perfect for group dinner and drinks outings, or for just you and your sweetheart. The menu is so diverse that it is safe to bring anyone with a sense of adventure with their pallet or...
Azia is perfect for group dinner and drinks outings, or for just you and your sweetheart. The menu is so diverse that it is safe to bring anyone with a sense of adventure with their pallet or someone who doesn't like surprises on their plate.
To begin, Azia boasts a fabulous sushi menu and raw oyster bar. I happen to be pretty adventurous with my dining, so this new addition made my husband and me VERY happy.
The main entrées consist of wonderful sauces based on the concept of Asian Fusion, meaning that you could order cranberry sauce over chicken, but it would be seasoned, combined with other ingrediants, and prepared in such a way that makes you reach for the chopsticks. Trust me, you won't be disappointed with the wonderful flavors. The best part about the menu is that you the patron makes the choice of what sauce, which protein(steak, chicken, or tofu) and what kind of carb(jasmine rice? noodles?) will go together. There is definitely something for everyone. The portions are generous, so don't let the price tag scare you. This dinner is a wonderful value.
The happy hour, which runs from 4-6 and later; 10-2, is one of the best in town. The appetizers run cheaply, and the wine and beer even cheaper. I'm a huge wine freak and always take advantage of their half-priced bottles. It is a classy and economical way of celebrating an anniversary, birthday, or simply the end of the week.
Overall, Azia can get a bit pricey, but even if you stuck with happy hour, you can get a LOT for your money!
The decor is also fabulous. Lots of modern Asian accents and good use of plush furniture in their adjacent Caterpillar Lounge.
Hide
|
|
Stillwater is barely an hour east of the Twin Cities, a quaint and charming town right along the St. Croix River. This sweet little getaway has excellent restaurants, funky antique stores, and...
Stillwater is barely an hour east of the Twin Cities, a quaint and charming town right along the St. Croix River. This sweet little getaway has excellent restaurants, funky antique stores, and lovely bed & breakfasts. You feel so far out of the city, and yet won't need to eat up your weekend on the road. I would guess that this time of year is a perfect time to drive there and check out the fall colors!
Hide
|
|
Jasmine Deli is located on 26th & Nicollet and is easily the one thing I miss most about moving away from the Whittier Neighborhood in Minneapolis.
This restaurant/deli is about the size of...
Jasmine Deli is located on 26th & Nicollet and is easily the one thing I miss most about moving away from the Whittier Neighborhood in Minneapolis.
This restaurant/deli is about the size of someone's living room and is owned and operated by a friendly and very funny Vietnamese family. Their daughter sometimes brings her puppy to the restaurant, which only adds to the charm.
The menu includes a variety of delicious, freshly made sandwiches, made from either grilled pork, grilled chicken, or mock duck. They are stuffed with fresh cilantro, thinly sliced carrots, an amazing sauce that I can't identify, and served on a perfectly crunchy baguette. And they cost about $3.00.
If you thought the sandwiches were the highlight, think again. Jasmine also boasts a wide array of noodle salads, made with vermicelli, tons of veggies and bok choy, and your choice of chicken, pork, mock duck, or shrimp. It comes with a homemade dressing of garlic and vinegar, and is absolutely amazing.
For those in search of spice, the newest addition to the menu is small variety of curry items, of which my husband Sam is a huge fan.
Stop by and order take out, or stay and watch the people from every culture and age group come in and sit down. Jasmine Deli is casual, laid-back, and has something for everyone.
Hide
|
|
If you want to try something a little different, but with cozy, comfortable ambiance and delicious food, look no further than Moscow on the Hill.
Located in the lovely Cathedral Hill neighborhood...
If you want to try something a little different, but with cozy, comfortable ambiance and delicious food, look no further than Moscow on the Hill.
Located in the lovely Cathedral Hill neighborhood in St. Paul, Moscow on the Hill is owned and operated, as well as well-attended, by Russian Americans. Now THAT'S when you know the food will be authentically Russian. Everything from the herring, borscht(served warm or chilled), and endless selection of vodkas makes you feel as though you are in an opulent restaurant in a sophisticated neighborhood in Moscow. The difference is that while this might be a bit higher end dining than what I am used to, the prices aren't terrible. The average entrée can run from $10-$20 dollars, and there is a wide range of selections. My favorite is the Siberian Pilmeni--simple, delightful meat-filled dumplings with sour cream and vinegar on the side. One plate can easily serve two people. Order this with a bowl of hot borscht and you have the perfect Russian dinner.
A word of caution to vegetarians/vegans: you might just want to stop by for dessert and drinks and skip dinner. The vegetarian options on the menu are few and far between
Speaking of which, the dessert menu and martini list alone make the trip to Moscow on the Hill worthwhile. Check this place out for a unique date night--the neighborhood is lovely for a romantic, post dinner stroll.
Hide
|
|
You can't help but love a place whose motto is 'Saving the world one pizza at a time!'
Their mission is to adopt environmentally-friendly practices to run the best darn pizza place in Minneapolis. ...
You can't help but love a place whose motto is 'Saving the world one pizza at a time!'
Their mission is to adopt environmentally-friendly practices to run the best darn pizza place in Minneapolis. They start by making homemade-style pizza crust, homemade sauce from organic tomatoes--oh, did I mention you can customize a pizza and choose what kind of sauce & combinations of toppings you want? Ever have vodka sauce pizza? You might want to give these guys a call and try it!
Galactic also has a huge variety of veggie and vegan pizzas, or just really creative pizzas with Thai chicken and peanut sauce, or just a simple sausage and pepperoni pizza for the less adventurous. My personal favorite is the bison meat and wild rice pizza, known as the Paul Bunyon. See, you don't have to drive up to Sven & Ole's to get a North Shore flavor in your pizza; just call up this fun-loving place on 28th & Lyndale and before you know it, a guy in a superhero costume will drive to your place in a little electric car and deliver it to you. I kid you not--the delivery folks dress as superheroes. And these delivery guys LOVE what they do. They are friendly and sweet and help make the entire experience of getting a Galactic Pizza so much fun.
Hide
|
|
On a recommendation from my sister, my husband and I started bringing our neurotic male cats, Morty and Jack, to Lyndale Animal Hospital for their yearly check-ups. Specifically to Dr. Grindal. ...
On a recommendation from my sister, my husband and I started bringing our neurotic male cats, Morty and Jack, to Lyndale Animal Hospital for their yearly check-ups. Specifically to Dr. Grindal.
The building looks very plain and clinical, but the moment you walk in with your furry friend, a receptionist greets you at the desk while a lovely old calico looks on from the counter. I was automatically treated like an old friend, feeling comfortable asking any questions I had about my cats.
The actual appointment with Dr. Grindal was so much easier than I could have ever imagined. My cats are both terrified of the vet to the point that they have been downright vicious and have even drawn blood from many a vet tech in the past. We heard that Dr. Grindal had a "gentle touch," and that he "baby-talked" to animals to calm them down. Well, the rumors are all true, folks. Not only was he friendly and accommodating, but he treated our animals with such gentle care and respect, always seeming to understand the anxiety they were going through and never making me feel humiliated for having such high-strung felines. Even though our cats were still pretty angry that they had to be at the vet, Dr. Grindal gave them a full examination and still managed to keep them very subdued, without having to endure any swats or biting. This guy is amazing!
A major bonus is that Dr. Grindal works every other Saturday, so you don't even have to rearrange your work schedule to bring in your furry friend for a check-up.
Hide
|
|
The Riverview is fabulous. The retro decor is well-preserved, the popcorn is worth the calories, and you cannot beat the $3.00 price of admission.
One other thing that sets this theater apart...
The Riverview is fabulous. The retro decor is well-preserved, the popcorn is worth the calories, and you cannot beat the $3.00 price of admission.
One other thing that sets this theater apart from all the others in town is the audience. It might be that I favor the 9:50 show time and get the post-bar crowd, but I have had a blast watching people heckling cheesy moments in serious films with a sardonic, "oh COME ON!!" and cheering on movies like 'The Motorcycle Diaries' with a hearty "show us the revolutionary!"(since the film was about Che Guevara). I have almost always participated in a big round of applause for the crazy epic features like 'King Kong.' This isn't just a night at the movies; this is an EXPERIENCE. I can't imagine what a party 'Snakes on a Plane' will be at the Riverview!
Hide
|
|
The Wedge is an absolutely wonderful resource for organic food, top-notch quality produce, free-range meats, and an amazing selection of cheese. For all you amateur chefs who believe in making...
The Wedge is an absolutely wonderful resource for organic food, top-notch quality produce, free-range meats, and an amazing selection of cheese. For all you amateur chefs who believe in making everything from scratch, check out The Wedge Co-op to get the ingredients for your next masterpiece.
You do not have to be a member to shop there, but membership does have its benefits. For instance, the more you spend as a member, the larger the dividend you can receive at the end of the year. Also, you can qualify for all kinds of coupons and discounts. I would recommend joining only if you plan on committing to making The Wedge your primary grocery store, as the prices are a bit steep(but worth it).
To sum it up:
Do expect to find fresh salads and pre-prepared entrées in the deli. Do not expect to find overly processed, cheap food.
Do expect to find eco-friendly cleaning products. Do not expect to find Dawn or Tide on the shelves; as I'm pretty sure they only carry the safe stuff. The same goes for any other basic cleaning supply.
Do expect to be tempted by all the fresh bakery goods. Do not expect perfection out of the vegan selections, however.
Do expect friendly service at the deli counter and checkout lane. Do not expect them to question you if you borrow your friend's member number and use one of their coupons!
What can I say? I love The Wedge and everything that they stand for; sustainable farming, social justice, and high quality food. If those values are important to you, then check out this happy little co-op.
Hide
|