Lenny Russo

Charlie Awards: Who won big

The second-annual Charlie Awards, an event honoring the Twin Cities and metro area restaurants and key individuals who contribute to our exceptional, ever-expanding food scene, were held yesterday afternoon at the Pantages Theater. Hearty congratulations to all the finalists and winners, but perhaps ... More >>

James Beard benefit dinner brings out the star chefs

Last night, on the bluffs in Mendota Heights, the James Beard Foundation, in conjunction with Le Cordon Bleu and Mpls/St.Paul magazine, hosted a benefit dinner in which eight of the Twin Cities most regarded chefs prepared a multiple-course, roaming tasting menu. Guests could nibble their way from k ... More >>

Meritage Oysterfest: Long lines & a lot of oysters at second-annual event

They came, they saw, they slurped, and often, they stood in line. Meritage hosted its second-annual Oysterfest with sold-out crowds. The restaurant was all hands on deck, with everyone taking a shucking station, including chef-owner Russell Klein and the celebrity chefs who came to compete in the sh ... More >>

Colossal Cafe lives up to its name

From small digs in Minneapolis to a big place and bigger flavor in St. Paul

Solera's Jorge Guzman talks Farm in the Cities

See also: Solera hosts second annual Farm in the Cities Jorge Guzman; many of you know him as the man behind Solera's comeback. His new menus have been met with critical kindness, and his dedication to locally sourced, sustainable products is quickly turning him into a community pillar. Perhaps les ... More >>

Summit at 26 years: 'We're very true to ourselves'

See also: Summit Backyard Bash is Saturday Minnesota has seen a recent boom in local brewers, with startups ranging from Fulton to Harriet to the upcoming openings of Pour Decisions and HammerHeart Brewery. As the local scene gets ever more crowded, City Pages is taking the time to hear what local ... More >>

Top 10 takeout restaurants in the Twin Cities

See also: Top 10 Indian restaurants in the Twin Cities Top 10 farmers markets in the Twin Cities Top 10 street eats in the Twin Cities There's no shame in not wanting to cook. With a frantic pace of life, it's hard to carve out the time and energy to hit the grocery store and slog through the dirty ... More >>

Top 5 butcher shops in the Twin Cities

As the three-day weekend looms, it's time to scrape off those grates and get ready for grilling. The key to a carnivorous cookout is a high-quality cut of meat. While it's not hard to pick up a chub of hamburger from any old grocery mart, buying meat from a butcher shop not only ensures quality but ... More >>

Andrew Zimmern wins James Beard Award

Minnesota food celebrity and TV show host Andrew Zimmern has won a James Beard Foundation Award for Best Television Show on Location. His popular Bizarre Foods show is now in it's seventh season, with new episodes airing on the Travel Channel Mondays at 8 p.m. The James Beard Awards are known as the ... More >>

Paul Berglund of The Bachelor Farmer: A chef in the making, part 3

Today we're wrapping up our interview with Paul Berglund, executive chef of The Bachelor Farmer. In part 1, we heard about his early experiences with food: his childhood in the Midwest, his Scandinavian roots, and his travels abroad. In part 2, we learned how his cooking career evolved after he ... More >>

James Beard Award finalists include Twin Cities names - Updated

​The James Beard award semifinalist list was announced today, and on the list were some familiar names. The awards were established in 1990 and named for chef, food writer, and celebrated lover of life, James Beard. The awards are the highest honor available to food professionals. Part of why the ... More >>

Andrew Zimmern Chef Chat with the Bizarre Foods czar, Part 1

​After traveling the globe, conquering the world one plate at a time, Andrew Zimmern brings the Travel Channel's Bizarre Foods home to roost. This season, which premieres Monday, Zimmern focuses entirely on food in the United States. To kick off the season, he's highlighting food from Minnesota. H ... More >>

Festa Mangalitsa at Il Gatto serves the pig, from snout to tail

Loved for its lard​Parasole calls the Mangalitsa "the fattest pig breed in production," which is a fine reason to have chefs Tim McKee and Jim Christiansen hold a Festa Mangalitsa at Il Gatto on May 17 at 7 p.m. It's an evening unsuitable for those who get timid at the thought of some unusual part ... More >>

Heartland's Kansas City strip steak: 100 Favorite Dishes, No. 29

Michelle Leon​Over at Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, when it comes to locally sourcing meat and produce, there is no messing around. So when you see the words "Kansas City" on the menu, this might cause a bit of  head-scratching. But according to chef Lenny Russo, the Kansas C ... More >>

Heartland Restaurant will celebrate St. Paddy's Day with a cocktail pairing dinner

Heartland is teaming up with North Shore Distillery to create a cocktail pairing dinner​St. Patrick's Day doesn't intuitively go hand-in-hand with great food. Plenty of holidays are associated with cooking or dining out, but St. Paddy's Day is more likely to conjure images of green beer and g ... More >>

Ten tips from chefs to help you cook more in 2011

dane brian via Flickr.com​If you've resolved to cook more in 2011, you're in luck: The Twin Cities boasts a wealth of chefs with advice at the ready, and they have more to say than just, "Eat out." (Though they wouldn't mind if you did, of course.)The Hot Dish took chefs' tips for home cooks f ... More >>

Derik Moran of Nick and Eddie: Chef Chat, part 1

photos by Michelle LeonHis goal: to make good food accessible to all. ​At 24 years old--a time when most of us are/were still getting lost and found--Derik Moran is celebrating his 14th year in the kitchen. Starting at the age of 11 at a small resort in Wisconsin, he moved into fine dining at the ... More >>

Mayor Chris Coleman offers insider's guide to great St. Paul eateries

Mayor Coleman hits neighborhood haunts​St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman is gearing up for his city to host one of the most food-tastic events in the state: the newly revamped Taste of Minnesota. While you may find the mayor lurking near the Barrio taco truck this weekend, the rest of the year he ... More >>

Best of Hot Dish: June 7-11

Martino!'s/flickr​Happy Friday! This week the writers at Hot Dish have been working hard to make sure you are up to date on the food scene. Here are a few of our favorite things, in case you missed them:~ The ever fascinating Sven Sundgaard talks to Monica Wright about his choice of eats.~Cub take ... More >>

Alex Roberts named Best Chef Midwest at James Beard Awards

​For the second year in a row, a Minnesota chef has been named Best Chef Midwest at the James Beard Awards, as Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma and Brasa took home the honors at last night's ceremony in New York. Past winners aren't eligible to compete, so 2009's winner, Tim McKee of La Belle V ... More >>

Groupon: Star Tribune wonders if discounts bring loyalty

Groupon's believers enthuse about its marketing possibilities, while skeptics blame Groupon for preying on people's fears.

James Beard names finalists, Minnesotans among them

Minnesota represents among the 2010 finalists for James Beard Foundation awards.

Top 10: Restaurant Closings of the Decade

Aquavit? Cafe un deux trois? Are you old enough to remember any of these?

Sea Change's Tim McKee brings sustainable seafood to the Guthrie

Award-winning chef presents creative dining options at the "theatery"

Restaurant Cru, the Kitchen serve the suburbs fresh gourmet

Both restaurants offer distinct takes on sophistication

James Beard Awards semi-finalists announced

Lots of local contenders named for the prestigious national restaurant awards! Drummroll please...

Tim McKee set to revive the Guthrie's restaurant

Readers respond to "Death Cycle"

Dining with RNC delegates

"Mr. Speaker, the great state of Texas wants to know, where's a good place to eat around here?"

In the upper 'burbs, Lake House and Flame stand out

Would you drive 40 miles for dinner? Here are some places that might be worth the trip

Ten Most Wanted

2006 was a tasty, tasty year. Dara goes through her memory book and anoints the stars.

A Very Big Year

2003: The year everything got Big, in both ambition and execution, but pandering lurked darkly in the background

Memphis via Vietnam

A Stylish Statement

Daydream Believer