Top Chef Minneapolis
Dear Bravo Top Chef,
You need to send Top Chef to Minnesota. The Top Chef fans from the tundra have been watching and waiting to host a season here. We swear it does get warm here in the summer.
As you may have noticed the Twin Cities have been popping up in the food world. We have some James Beard award winners, a lively food scene, and food trucks galore.
There are many reasons why you should bring Top Chef to Minnesota but here are some of the highlights:
“Minnesota Nice,” is not just a saying. As you may have noticed, Minnesotans are some of the most loyal people and welcoming people you will ever meet. We love food and we will tell you when we have had an excellent meal.
The cheftestants could do several local challenges. We have many fun food traditions in Minnesota with my favorite being the Minnesota State Fair. You will never see anything like it again in your life. Imagine everything on a stick and even foods that should not be on a stick. I would also love to see them try to beat some of our prize-winning bakers.I know Marjorie will give them a run for their money.
Our churches here even serve some awesome food. Every year during lent churches host fish fry’s with some even serving Lutefisk (best eaten with lots of butter).
We also have many random food festivals during the summer including Kolache days, Potato Days, and Pie Days. These festivals often end with a street dance and lots of beer.
Speaking of beer we have an up and coming beer scene in Minnesota. Ever heard of Surly? Yeah, that is from here. If you haven’t had it, there is another reason to get here now. We also have many small breweries with some imaginative brews.
If you want to throw the cheftestants for a loop have them cook wild rice for a quick-fire challenge. My guess is that many of them have not used this ingredient before in a timed challenge.
Or, if you really want to piss them off make them use Lutefisk.
We have an awesome airport with some great restaurants in it. It would be fun to have the chefs cook in the airport right when they arrive.
Basically, you should come to Minnesota to do a season of Top Chef. You will not be disappointed.
Season 12: Top Chef Minneapolis?
x0x0
@mplsgossipgirl
ps. Please let me come to restaurant wars and rub elbows with Tom.
Travail Chefs at Gather June 2013
I can’t think of a time that I have had more fun eating food. Now I completely understand why Travail Kitchen and Amusements is one of the most popular restaurants in the Twin Cities. Although, it is closed right now for a location change, the chefs were on top of their game as guest chefs at Gather.
Gather is one of my favorite spots in Minneapolis because of the beautiful location, great happy hour, and the creative food from the guest chefs.
The first Thursday in June was particularly exciting since Gather was celebrating it’s second year and because the Travail chefs were there. Mike Brown, James Winberg, and Bob Gerken know how to get people excited about food. The mood in the room was electric.
I had fun learning about their playful dish and the ingredients in it. Have you ever had langoustine before? This was a first for me.
As you can tell, the Travail chefs do things differently. They went around and spoke with each table and showed them how to eat their dish.
I also had the watermelon salad which is on the summer menu at Gather. It was light, a bit spicy, and very fresh.
This cherry and spoon dessert is only at the Gather for a limited time. Yes, you can eat the spoon! It was not my favorite dessert and tasted like it came out of a fridge but it was fun to look at.
You only have one more Thursday to get the guest chef plate with langoustine (google it…) .
because making food fun makes everyone smile
@mplsgossipgirl
What is the most fun you have had at a restaurant in Minneapolis? Where do I need to go?
10 things you should NOT do when you are a server
This post is based upon an experience that I had at a local restaurant recently.
Firstly, I understand how horrible being a server can be. Having to deal with both rude customers and the kitchen can stress even the most calm person out. Most servers that I have encountered in Minneapolis and surrounding areas get most everything right. They would never come close to committing any of the food crimes that I witnessed on this occasion.
This was appalling.
10 things you should NOT do when you are a server:
- Sit down and read a book on the floor when you have people in the restaurant. Even if the restaurant isn’t busy never do this on the floor.
- When a customer asks you a question about selection don’t just point to the menu. You should verbally give them the selections and also suggest which ones you like or which ones are popular. Especially, when it is ethnic food. It is a great way to get someone to try something new.
- Don’t hover. Yes, I do want to order but give me a second to sit down and look at the menu. I know you want to sit and read your book. But, I am not ready to order yet.
- Set down the food and run away without explaining what it is. Tell me about it.
- Try to turn everything into a joke. It really isn’t that funny that you are really horrible at your job.
- Act like you own the restaurant. Bossing other workers around and being loud in the kitchen while you do nothing makes you look like an idiot.
- When bringing the bill try not to say anything about your tip.
- Don’t blame others. If something came out of the kitchen incorrectly get it fixed.
- Put a carafe of water on the table and tell the customers that you will not be refilling their water glasses because you put that carafe on the table. You jokingly say that it is because you are too lazy. Well, they know you are too lazy.
- Blame the customers for your low tip because they are cheap. It might just be you.
Andrew Zimmern doesn’t always get good service either which makes me feel a little bit better. He wrote about a Sushi Restaurant in NYC recently in @mspmag titled When Restaurant Service Goes South. It is a great read.
Cheers to all those servers out there that make dining out an enjoyable experience.
Because serving takes talent.
@mplsgossipgirl
Have you had any bad experiences with service in Minneapolis? What are the best service experiences that you have had? One of mine was at Twin City Grill.
Republic – Uptown
I was very happy to hear that a restaurant would be moving in to the old The Independent space in Calhoun Square. I was a huge fan of the Independent because of the location. It was a bit tucked back in Calhoun Square and you needed to know that it was there to be able to find it.
I love Uptown but I really have a hard time enjoying the bar atmosphere of some of the restaurants during weekday meal times. They sometimes can be filled with non-working- inappropriately dressed- I am just here to get really wasted because they have super cheap happy hour specials. Oh yeah and I am going to screech at the top of my lungs every time I see someone I know and invite them over to my over-crowded table filled with empties. And I NEVER tip.
You can tell that I have some pent-up frustration with some of the frequent loud day drinkers of Uptown. Not that I didn’t used to be one of them partaking in the happy hour deals when I got off of work early. I did always tip though.
Republic in Uptown is the perfect chill, relaxed, and calm bar destination. I was able to visit during a weeknight and was able to have a conversation with the person next to me, enjoy a drink, and eat some fantastic food. This is not your normal bar menu.
If I lived in Uptown. This would be my go-to bar.
This bar has an everything menu. It has bar favorites plus items for someone who chooses to eat a bit healthier. The salads are not your typical house salad with ranch either. You have choices of a kale salad with a white balsamic and another with asparagus ham and even manchego cheese.
When I visited, I tried the Minnesota Po’Boy sandwich. It was a walleye sandwich with a really nice tartar sauce or as they call it a lemon aioli.
I would also highly recommend the burgers because they are grass-fed beef. It always makes a burger more tasty and delicious. Next time, I will be trying the brie and red wine reduction burger. Yes, I know that sounds fantastic.
Save room for dessert. This is a salted caramel pot de creme. Yes, it was as good as it sounded.
You should follow them on twitter because they are always changing out their taps and they tell you about them. One of the best beer selections that I have seen in the cities so far. Cocktails are also good, so give them a try as well. Republic also has a Seven Corners location in St. Paul which has a different menu. That should be worth a try also.
because this is my new favorite bar.
@mplsgossipgirl
Reve 324 -Stillwater Restaurant
Reve 324 is a cozy restaurant located in Stillwater, MN. As you can tell from reading many of my recent posts, I love to visit Stillwater. It is one of those places that you can get lost during a warm summer day by going shopping, walking near the river, and eating delicious food. It is a Minnesota foodie destination because of the beautiful surroundings.
One weekend I found myself at Reve 324, it was a place that I have walked by a few times but had not eaten at before. I was pleasantly surprised by the dinner menu and the different options. It certianly was not what I expected. It is called a bistro bar and has the feel of a secluded resturant on a bricklined street.
They have bottles on their wine list that are affordable. I had a bottle that was new for me. It was called HandCraft and now has become part of the rotation in my house because I liked it that much.
Another must order when you visit Reve 324 is the Artisan Cheese Plate. I enjoyed the selection of cheese as well as the other items that came with the plate. The honey was magnificent and if Reve would be willing to share where the honey is from they will have a new customer as well.
I tried several selections from their dinner menu that night but a few items that stood out for me was the side of wild rice salad. It was fresh and a nice option besides the normal side items that are options at restaurants.
The beet and goat cheese salad was also a highlight. The pecans and the bacon were a nice change for a beet salad, I liked the salty taste of the bacon without being too fatty and overpowering.
A surprise was the burger that I tried. It was perfectly cooked and juicy. I am a sucker for a burger with an egg on top.
The service at Reve 324 was also notable as well. Our server was attentive but not over powering and did a great job explaining dishes to us.
because something that is as simple as a cheese plate can be amazing because of the ingredients
@mplsgossipgirl
What is your favorite Stillwater restaurant?
Cooking Classes- Williams Sonoma
Did you know that Williams Sonoma offers free cooking classes at your local store? I have attended a few of them at the Roseville, MN store and found them very helpful.
The complementary technique class that is pictured here was about learning how to make pasta. This was my first time using a Kitchen Aid to make pasta.
To get signed up for a class all you need to do is call your local store to sign up. Topics are usually seasonal and fairly short.
Click this link HERE. Look under complementary technique classes, use the drop down to see current class selections, and locate your nearest store.
because learning to cook is fun!
@mplsgossipgirl
Twin City Grill- The Best Restaurant at the Mall of America
Twin City Grill is my favorite restaurant at the Mall of America. It is cozy, has great food, and is reasonably priced. I think that it is the best place to eat at the Mall of America because the menu accommodates many different eaters. They have salads, burgers, flat breads and walleye.
My last experience there deserves special recognition because not only was the food delicious. The service was above par.
Whenever I eat at Twin City Grill I get a flat bread and salad. I love the duo. I also am a fan of the salt and vinegar fries. Order some for the whole table.
The reason that I say that the service was above par was because of a miscommunication that I had with my server. It was very loud and busy in the restaurant that night and he thought that I had said that I did not want my leftovers. I did actually want them. Seriously, the flat bread is great to eat cold the next day.
He apologized and ordered a new one from the kitchen and it was out and in my hand within 3 minutes, just like he said.
I was floored that he handled this situation the best way that he possibly could have. Unfortunately, it looked like one of his managers was giving him a hard time for it. Well, people make mistakes and the situation was corrected. It showed that this restaurant cares about their customers.
Because great service makes me come back
@mplsgossipgirl
What is your favorite place to eat when you go to the Mall of America?
Luna Rossa – Stillwater Restaurant
Luna Rossa is a restaurant I frequent when I take a trip to Stillwater. The food here is always great and they have the best Penne Carbonara that I have had in the cities thus far.
This trip was especially disappointing, not because of the food. But, because our server clearly had not been trained. It took the attention away from celebrating a birthday to dealing with trying to get our food and drinks.
I did appreciate that our server let us know right at the beginning of the meal that she was new and that it may take her a little longer. I actually don’t blame her at all. I blame the restaurant for putting a server on a shift when she was clearly not ready.
We started by ordering our drinks. I ordered a bottle of wine from the wine menu and others ordered beers. After about 15 minutes of waiting around our server came back to the table to let us know that they did not have that wine anymore and asked if I would like to pick out another. Unfortunately, she did not have a current list of wines to know which wines on the menu were no longer available.This all would have been solved if there was an updated wine list.
It took over 30 minutes to get the wine but thank goodness I did pick one that was on the current wine list.Unfortunately, our server did not know how to open the bottle of wine. I gave her and everyone at the table a tutorial on opening a wine bottle. I really like wine.
We also recieved one beer but it was not the one that was ordered. The other beer never came. We asked the hostess if she could go get them for us. She replied with an answer of no and walked away with no explaination. We went to the bar and picked them up ourselves.
Just as this was resolved our food came out. It was a bit confusing because we had ordered an appetizer and salads for before the meal. We had to explain that we never got them. Other staff then brought out the salads after the main course was served. It was clear that food was not fired properly. We gave up on the appetizer that we never recieved.
As always the food was great! It was just too bad that everything was over shadowed by the server who needed more training. We felt horrible for her; she was almost in tears because so many things were going wrong at her tables because of things she simply did not know.
I beg you to please train your employees! You can have wonderful food and still lose customers after experiences like what happened to our celebration. This is a restaurant that I want to stick around, please, please, please update menus and make sure your employees know your menu and procedure before they are working a busy shift. Your fans are begging you to do so.
because it is important to train your workers
@mplsgossipgirl
Sound of Music Sing-A-Long – The Ordway
Guest Post: mplsgossipgirl’s Mom
If you thought you were going to the Ordway to just watch “The Sound of Music” on a big screen and sing along to all those beautiful songs that you already know by heart, you were very surprised. Not only were theatergoers encouraged to dress in costume, (my favorite was the ten women who dressed as the goats) but you were also given a goodie bag with props to use at different parts of the movie. They included a piece of edelweiss, cards to hold up during the song “How do you solve a problem like Maria” and best of all, a party popper to pop the first time that Maria and the Captain kiss.
Erin Schwab was the host for the movie and before the movie started she came out on the stage and gave the go ahead for the frequent audience participation parts of the movie; cheering whenever you saw Maria, booing at the Nazis and the hand motions for Do Re Mi. This got the audience whipped into frenzy for the start of the movie. It had the feeling of an Austrian Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Even if you weren’t into all the participation parts of the movie, it was wonderful to see this beautiful movie on a big screen. Most people under the age of 50 have only seen the movie on their television screens. The beautiful scenery of the Alps and Salzburg definitely was conducive to seeing it on a big screen and it didn’t disappoint. So, if this is one of your favorite movies make sure you put the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long on your list of shows to see.
because it will definitely become one of your favorite things
@mplsgossipgirl
Why Marriage Equality is Important to Me
I don’t usually share very personal stories or events on here. I thought that this would be a good time to share with all my followers something that is important to me.
A few years ago my partner and I decided that we would wait to get married until it was legal in Minnesota for the LGBT community to marry as well. This is not something that we share with everyone or really anyone. In fact, at the last wedding I was at I was asked by a handful of people why my partner and I have not married yet. It is a common question since we have been dating over 6 years now. We say that we are just not ready yet.
While that is true, we are waiting until those of our friends who are gay are able to get be married as well. How thankful we are that we even get to choose when it is we want to marry. We discussed that it did not feel right to us to be married, while others do not get to make that choice.
To us marriage is a legal document that allows us specific inclusions under the law. Even though we are not married yet, does not mean we have a different relationship from other married couples. Like many of our LGBT friends, family members, coworkers, and neighbors we have a committed relationship. Us, like many other committed unmarried couples are already living the, “until death do us part.” We believe that our relationship is no different from that of two men or two women; we are all entitled to the equal protection under the law.
When we finally do choose to get married we want to be able to have a celebration that we can invite all of our friends and family members to share the special day with us. It will be a day that reaffirms our relationship and creates a support system of people who share in the love that I have with my partner.
We also will then have the opportunity to use all of the protections that marriage gives us under the law.
It doesn’t seem right for us to invite our friends who do not get to make this choice to come and celebrate. They are not able to have the same protections that our marriage will have.
My hope is… that very soon this will change. Yesterday showed me that it is close. Soon my partner and I will not have to think about this as part of our decision to get married. Undoubtably, the discussion will then center around cost.
Even with this monumental change. It will not change the mind of everyone.
I know there are still opponents to gay marriage and people who are not supportive of LGBT people. They say because of their religious beliefs that they cannot support it. Well, until it is your child, your grandchild, your cousin, your best friend, your neighbor, your co-worker, your aunt, or your parent I doubt you will change your mind. But, when that does happen it is how you choose to react that will define you. Don’t look back and regret how you have treated another human being.
because it is time
@mplsgossipgirl
mplsgossipgirl 