Best of
the Twin Cities
Who would have thought you could drive to Belgium from the Twin Cities? You can in just 30 short minutes, or better yet, you could bike it. L'Etoile du Nord is the life's work of Olivier Vrambout, a Belgian-born chef and baker, as well as an avid cyclist and dad. His almost impossibly idyllic Bayport cafe is piece of Belgium in flyover country. Here, Liege waffles meet the best brownie the world has ever seen, plus coffee roasted on site. There is wood-fired pizza, frosty chalices of Belgian beers, and French toast made from brioche. Each and every little thing is scratch made, impeccably sourced, and personally attended to — down to the bike-themed wallpaper that urges you to leave the car in the garage and take two wheels to the St. Croix River Valley. It only takes two hours if you keep a good clip. And the post-ride beer tastes so much better that way.
