March 14 used to be the day that held national significance for lovers of flaky pastry and mathematical constants alike, but the American Pie Council has declared today, January 23, National Pie Day, and its purpose is to "pass on the love and enjoyment of pie eating and pie making to future gene ... More >>
A healthier hash!Normally we like to go to Zumbro Cafe in Linden Hills for breakfast and fuel up for a walk around Lake Harriet with eggs Benedict or flapjacks. But when all those carbs and cholesterol feel like too much, we turn to the chicken wild rice hash.
Anne Rucker Craving pancakes AND doughnuts? Now you can have both!What could be better than two decadent, sweet and delicious breakfast staples rolled into one dish? With the glazed doughnut pancakes at the Good Day Cafe you get the best of both breakfast treats. Hearty-yet-l ... More >>
Mo PerryA delicate amuse-boucheRinata's eggplant involtini with goat cheese, pine nuts, garlic, and tomato sugo is perhaps the perfect appetizer. Light, delicate, and intensely flavorful, this is no heaping plate of deep-fried calamari or platter of bruschetta dense enough to render the bre ... More >>
Emily UtneIt's finally food truck season!Early this week, we're told, Smack Shack should be rolling its big white truck into its downtown Minneapolis parking spot at First Avenue and Fourth Street North to kick off its outdoor season. (Don't worry, Northeasters, it'll still be at the 1029 Bar ... More >>
Mo PerryEating locally sourced food never tasted so indulgentEating locally sourced food has been all the rage for quite some time now, but maybe you've eschewed the whole idea, thinking it meant stuffy, sparse plates of morally superior greens sprinkled with a few smug flax seeds. Allow me ... More >>
A perfect 10 in taste and looks...The Zuppa Englese torte at Patisserie Margo has a gorgeous multilayered construction that amazes the eyes and seems more precise and perfect than the original Italian treat. When translated, it means English soup, which one theory says came about when Italian che ... More >>
Kei TerauchiDolsot bibimbop: the food pyramid in a stone potIt may be true that fast food provides you the most calories per dollar. But you are paying for processed fat and starch flavored to taste acceptable to the tolerant palate. If you are looking to fill up on healthy and full-flavored ... More >>
Joy SummersHold the ketchup, pass the Bearnaise Everything tastes better in French. Admit it. Would you rather eat mayo or aioli? A loaf of bread or a baguette? Velveeta or a little fromage? French fries or pommes frites? I rest my case. For French cuisine in the Twin Cities, it's hard to ... More >>
The elegance of eggsDoug Flicker has a reputation as one of the best, if not the best, chefs in town. Those who know food, like other chefs and serious food followers, watch his every move. He's earned that respect by cooking his food his way, even if it might not appear to be what's popular with ... More >>
Even those who have lived in New Orleans for decades, where fried chicken is an art form, might find themselves losing years of their lives trying to prepare the dish at home, always feeling some sort of disappointment at the results. It's not always easy to pinpoint what is wrong. Was the batter ... More >>
Take that, White Castle!To think that we once satisfied our late-night snacking urges with the mushy blandness of the White Castle slyder, a meal that's perfectly content to be seasoned with nothing more than steamed onions. Sure, there's comfort to be found in the squishy buns and flat mea ... More >>
Kei TerauchiFollow the finger for yummy tailsThe morning commute is a struggle. With my hair still damp and stomach empty, I head out to catch the bus at Uptown Transit Station. As I sleepily walk down on Hennepin, a sweet and inviting aroma takes hold of all my senses. I look up and see a ... More >>
Mo PerryFiery goodness to make your tongue tingleThere is something other-worldly about Szechuan Spice's chicken with double chili pepper--a haunting quality that hovers on the periphery of your memory and manifests in periodic, sudden, urgent cravings. Maybe it's the chicken, lightly crisp ... More >>
Sara RiceSunny Side Up Cafe knows the way to Santa Fe... French toast, anywayAfter a night out in Uptown, it's important to have your recovery plan in place before hitting the sack for the night so you know where to stumble to when the sun rouses you. There's no shortage of breakfast joints ... More >>
Colorful and tasty tooGood smells waft down Harmon Place when you open the doors to Dancing Ganesha and grab a seat at the bar, it only gets better. Pass by the elephant and settle in to watch the dual TV's -- one showing a Bollywood musical and the other reprising a cricket match with the West I ... More >>
In the plain white dishDespite it's vibrant magenta coat, the radish usually plays the role of supporting garnish or salad accoutrement. Not so at Il Gatto, where the ravanelli makes the taproot of the Raphanus sativus a star, putting it front and center in this simple, yet addicting dish. Served ... More >>
Kei TerauchiA hot mess = bubbling pot of seafoodDo you ever find yourself in a Chinese rut? You keep ordering the same old egg roll, sweet and sour, lo mein, sesame chicken, and egg foo young. What? You are ordering pad thai at a "Chinese" restaurant for "change"? Now, that's just desperate ... More >>
Anne RuckerIf nothing else, this dive bar sure has good Coney Dogs.If you've never set foot in the Gopher Bar, prepare to be sent back in time. It's a true, old-time dive bar, complete with politically incorrect, if not blatantly offensive, signage, dingy lighting, and generally grumpy service. D ... More >>
Danielle LenzHummus has been gaining rapid popularity across the country as a healthy and delicious spread, perfect for parties, snacking, and even dieting. Around these parts, however, it's been popular for decades, thanks in no small part to a northeast Minneapolis institution, the Holy Lan ... More >>
Mo PerryA rich, complex, earthy treatEveryone keeps saying spring is around the corner, but it's hard to believe when ice is still encrusting the sidewalks and your skin seems to have taken on a permanent, dry translucence. Still, you know from experience that this is the time of year when y ... More >>
Sara RiceUnlike Skittles, this rainbow has more than one flavorThe Midway area of St. Paul is a veritable melting pot, bringing together cultures from around the world. One point where two of them -- Somali and Ethiopian -- meet, is Flamingo Restaurant.
Lu LippoldGood, and good FOR you.I do not want to hear one more word about you and your cholesterol. Furthermore, I do not want you giving me that look when I say I'm having a giant slab of red meat for dinner with a side of fat-ridden fried potatoes smothered in mayonnaise. You know why? Bec ... More >>
Sasha LandskovWe wish these were always In Season!Though scientists have disproved the notion that oysters may only be safely eaten in months with the letter "r" in their names (May, June, July, and August), it is true that the mollusks tend to posses their best qualities when water temperatures ... More >>
Sara RiceFinding your way to Everest on Grand is a lot easier than climbing Mt. EverestIf you're a curry lover and looking for a change of pace from some of our more standard-issue Indian restaurants around town--or if you're a vegetarian or vegan in search of a dish that doesn't pale compar ... More >>
Anne RuckerLike the can says, "It's never too early to GET SURLY!"Never before has a beverage so delicious been so darnn confusing. Is it coffee or is it beer? Is it acceptable to drink at breakfast, or should it be reserved for later in the day? Why not both?
The best thing to happen to breakfastThe salty. The sweet. The long john. It just all makes sense. YoYo Donuts in Minnetonka has made breakfast an ass-kicking event with the introduction of the maple-bacon long john--and they aren't skimping.
There are way too many situations that restrict us from getting our rib on: One doesn't dare order a rack of bones on a job interview, a first date, or any meal-based meet-up that involves signing paperwork or handshakes. Ribs are for eating in the presence of loved ones who have already pl ... More >>
Shauna YoungeA fiesta in your mouthLet's face it, in Minnesota we like fried food of nearly any type whether it's meat, veggie, or fruit. Even if the idea unusual fried goodness only appeals to you during State Fair season, Salsa a la Salsa's fried chocolate truffle is one fried food not to miss. Th ... More >>
Blue chips are a bonus.Some dishes thrive on flashy presentation, trendy techniques and lofty aspirations. Not so the artichoke melt at Anodyne, which relies on a great cast of ingredients that come together to calm, entertain and feed a busy gal. The bread is grilled to perfection and its conten ... More >>
Chocolate as deep, dark, and loving as a Barry White lullaby, studded with hunks of Hope Creamery butter toffee and dusted with a fine layer of rough-hewn sea salt nubs: These are the simple components that create the complex flavor experience of B.T. McElrath's Salty Dog bar. The Minneapol ... More >>
Lu LippoldLa dolce vita, right here in EdinaRemember that time you were in Rome, awaiting the arrival of your latest Italian inamorata/o at the stazione, and train after train came in, and your beloved failed to appear, and you said (in Italian, of course), "Where is the nearest bar in this t ... More >>
Danielle LenzSpicy, refreshing, addictive.Think appetizers at a typical Chinese restaurant, and egg rolls and cream cheese wontons probably come to mind, maybe a cup of egg drop soup. At Little Szechuan, however, they're doing things just a bit differently. If you're ready to get out of your ... More >>
Sara RiceYou wish your grandmother made meatballs this good Some Italian food falls into the "boring red sauce" category--lackluster canned tomato-like product ladled over pasta in all shapes and sizes served with a side of equally mundane cheese. Aperitif's Nonni's meatballs is just the opp ... More >>
Burn, baby, burnHot, flaming cheese. Does an appetizer get more mouthwatering--or more dangerous--than the saganaki at Christos?
A bagel fairy tale comes to life...Once upon a time, in a far-away land called Manhattan, a woman lived a mere three blocks from a shop where she could watch them boil and bake the crusty, chewy marvels known as bagels. The store was cramped, and although they laughed because she wanted butter an ... More >>
Kei TerauchiFluffy, tangy, sweet, and everything nice"You wanna treat?" Within my dog's limited human vocabulary, the word "treat" has a special meaning. His eyes twinkle. And with his tail wagging, he opens his mouth slightly, panting a steady rhythm. A pool of drool starts in the sides of ... More >>
Mo PerryTank Goodness delivers homemade chocolate chip cookies by the dozenTalk about an idea whose time has come. This local Twin Cities company was founded by a couple who decided to quit their day jobs and dedicate their time to baking cookies. Sounds crazy, right? You must not have tried ... More >>
Danielle LenzBeef. It's what's for dinner.Eating at St. Paul's Sole Cafe is like having dinner in the home of the long-lost Korean auntie you never knew you had. In the corner, a television flashes with Korean soap operas, while authoritative and chatty Korean women bustle around your table, ... More >>
Pretty crystals pack a smooth, spicy punchCraft cocktails are rapidly becoming a way of life here in the Twin Cities, and while a welcome trend, it sometimes leads to drinks that are a little too weighty, both in concept and construction. Not so with Porter & Frye's El Pelon, a crisp yet spic ... More >>
Coffee News fish & chipsCoffee News Cafe sits on a bustling stretch of Grand Avenue, just a block from Macalester College, so it's often filled with studied-out refugees and folks from the neighborhood hunched over laptops or engaged in spirited conversation. But the pleasant spot offers much ... More >>
Anne RuckerGooey, nutty, chocolaty goodness in bar form.As you walk into Bread & Chocolate, a wave of warm, sweet air welcomes you. This Grand Avenue bakery is a cozy spot where students and locals meet, mingle, read the newspaper, and sip hot coffee. The expansive bakery case is fill ... More >>
Panna cotta: Good 'till the last bite. The new People's Organic Coffee & Wine Cafe in the Galleria is a great place to stick with a diet, between the crunchy salads, veggie burgers, and "zone" omelets that limit one's egg yolk intake but don't skimp on flavor. All of these things are perfec ... More >>
Sara RiceLayers of steaming hot comfortIf the plummeting mercury makes you wonder how you're going to make it all the way to spring, get to Fuji-ya St. Paul for a bowl of Tofu Don, one of the best ways to take the edge off winter's oppressiveness.
Michelle LeonLike a meal in a glass Some may be spicier, some may be stronger, but no bloody in the Twin Cities can top the Weekender Bloody Mary for sheer scale and ambition. On a recent Sunday morning, one member of a large party waiting at the host's stand enthusiastically explained the fa ... More >>
Danielle LenzPunch Pizza: serving up huge flavors in 90 seconds flatMaybe it's the top-notch ingredients, from the San Marzano tomatoes to the imported mozzarella di bufala. Or maybe it's the crust--thin yet chewy and speckled with char from its 90-second stint in an 800-degree wood-fired oven. W ... More >>
The pie that will ruin your lifeStanding at the counter of the cute little Stockholm Pie Company in the cute little town of Stockholm, Wisconsin, you may not be aware that you've walked into a den of iniquity. The apple-cheeked proprietor asks you in a suspiciously friendly manner what kind of pi ... More >>
Monica WrightVisit Little Pint's home on Lake PepinThis week's punishingly hot weather has us scrambling for places to cool off (or hide out) until the oppressive humidity relents. Naturally, large bodies of water are especially enticing.
Tomorrow is National Pie Day. How will you celebrate the occasion?
Finish with dessert at Stockholm Pie Company—pie so good you'll cry
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