Crave Rooftop Happy Hour
If it ever stops raining… the Crave rooftop has an excellent happy hour.
Grab your sunglasses and cute sundress and check out the hotties who heat up this patio. Seriously, the crowd here is always good looking. I would recommend coming a bit dressed up but not wearing shoes that are hard to walk up stairs in. You have about 3-4 flights to walk up.
After a long day at work or a beautiful day walking around Minneapolis head over to Crave and try a few items off the extensive happy hour menu. If you like sushi, this is the place for you, they have many options to try including the Philly roll, and tuna roll. It is not the best sushi I have ever had and they do these weird sculpture with the veggies on some of the rolls that is unnecessary, but, when it is hot it hits the spot. I also saw some ladies enjoying burger sliders and steak bites and they seemed to like them. I went for a few of the fresher items on the menu. Try the edamame, it has a saltiness to the outside and tastes great with beer.
It was busy on a Tuesday night which is a great sign that people like this happy hour. Get there early.
*Beware the menu they list on the website as their happy hour menu has items that are not included on the menu on the rooftop.
My only wish is that they would add a few more beers to their tap list. They do have Lift Bridge which is the best on the tap list.
because it is a pretty view of the city.
@mplsgossipgirl
I do have to add a little bit to this post. I decided to share this place with some friends and CLIENTS, after a Twins game. After seeing people on the rooftop having a good time we wanted to get up there and join. When we got inside they told us we couldn’t go up there since they didn’t have servers.
But, we could sit in the bar downstairs. It ruined my experience and was awkward for the clients. PLEASE use common sense move severs from downstairs which was empty to upstairs instead of telling us we couldn’t go up there. Also, we would have been happy waiting up there if you gave us some peanuts or something to hold us over. You ruined the flow of my meeting and you lost a ton of business from us.
Dining in the Dark
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to try and eat your dinner without seeing it? Well, if that sounds appetizing or appe-teasing to you, you have a chance to try it out this Wednesday, May 23rd, at The Marquette Hotel.
The Foundation Fighting Blindness is hosting Dining in the Dark to give foodies the unique experience to drown out the sense of sight at the dining table. They will have to rely on their sense of touch and taste for the meal. The event runs from 6-9PM and tickets start at $250. You may also want to put the blindfold on when you write the check for the meal as well…
More information can be found here: www.blindness.org
Because it’s fun to try something new.
@mplsgossipgirl
Loring Kitchen
Did you know that Loring Kitchen has a new Happy Hour? It’s from 2-6PM and 9-Close daily.
Since they had this new happy hour I decided to see what it was all about. I have been before and had horrible service. Seriously…HORRIBLE. Let’s just say one time I was there the power went out and we didn’t see our server for 30 minutes. They didn’t tell us this was going on. They asked us to leave. I vowed never to go back.
But, since it is a neighborhood place, the outdoor seating is great, a new happy hour, and I was so hungry that I didn’t want to walk into downtown I made the mistake of trying it again. I really want to like it.
I should start off by saying that it is never the food. All the food that I have had there has been good. I like the steak salad which is on the happy hour menu, the pizzas are good, and the veggies are always done correctly. I won’t speak about what I had this time but, it was very good.
The beer, wine and other drinks are a great deal during happy hour. I ask you why on beautiful day the place isn’t packed?
The reason why I dislike this place and why I think people don’t go here is that the service is bad. bad. bad. This time the power was not out but we were not greeted by a server for over 20 minutes. We were finally greeted not by a server but by someone who looked like the manager. She could see the frustration on our faces and took our Happy hour order. We arrived with about 30 minutes of Happy Hour left but by the time this manager took our order there was only about 5+ minutes left.
The bad service kept going with the whole flow of the meal. It took awhile to get the food it took longer to get the check. Overall, it was another let down. It bothers me most because I know how great this space is and this is what is holding it back from being a really nice restaurant to go to and bring other people to have a great dinner.
So, I beg of you, Loring Kitchen please please please work on your service and timing. Otherwise you are going to keep losing customers like me.
because good service can make the meal.
@mplsgossipgirl
Have you had good experiences there? Have you had similar ones? Let me know..
GrillFest @MNMO
You know it is the start of summer when you fire up the grill for the first time. This past Saturday, I attended GrillFest which was put on by the lovely folks of Minnesota Monthly in downtown Minneapolis. This was the first time that they put on this event and hopefully it will not be the last because I think it will only grow in popularity over the years. Let me tell you, this was a great way to spend a leisurely Saturday afternoon, food, wine, beer, and interesting presenters.
This event goes to benefit Minnesota Public Radio, so if you are a fan this is a great way to support the station and get to eat really great food at the same time.
Here are some of the Hits:
1. The Burger from Macys. Holy Crap… that was a delicious burger. A pretzel bun with blue cheese, onions, burger perfectly cooked and a whole lot of love made this the best thing I ate that day.
2. The Jerk Chicken. Yum. I had a roommate once from Trinidad and she would have liked this jerk chicken. It gave that slow burn that you look for. Plus the guys serving it were awesome as well. They are new in the market and they were seeing if people other then themselves liked it. I did.
3. Surly. Need I say more. They had their Bitter on tap and well, I could have stood by that booth all day and hung out with the roller girls.
4. Captain Ken’s Baked Beans. Made locally, these beans are really great. You can even find them at Kowalski’s in the frozen food section.
5. Schell’s Brewery. Zommerfest. Thank goodness someone is making a summer beer without all that fruit in it. It is a lighter beer perfect for a hot day.
6. My South African friends with the Boerewors. I miss the wonderful meats that they have in South Africa and it was so nice to be brought back by the meat you were serving! Thanks to Von Hansen’s meat market for making it special for the event. I can’t wait to have my own Braai.
7. Local foods section. They had the Jelly’s that are delicious on meat. Also, a new simple syrup that was very good as well. I would have bought it if I didn’t have to lug it home and yes you should start to sell it in stores. It was good.
8. Tents in-case it started to rain.
9. Dr. BBQ. What a guy. I learned some helpful tips and I was entertained by his witty nature and jokes. Who knew to put in apple juice? Not this girl.
10. A speaker system that worked even though it was really windy.
11. Great Location. Easy to get from light rail to the parking lot as well as on bus routes.
12.A great crowd. Even some local celebrities. (Jason Matheson)
Some of the Misses:
1. Lack of seating and tables. COME ON. SERIOUSLY. Please supply these for your events. It is very uncomfortable to try and eat while holding your drink and multitude of other items. Its awkward and my satisfaction with the event would go up 100% if I could have set my drink on a table while I ate.
2. Better food trucks with more options. The food truck I ate at was not good. I tried it because I hadn’t had it before and the person taking orders was raving about the food. It was not a gyro, and that curry had curry powder that was not good. Hint hint: the food truck I ate at took all of my coupons and my partners coupons even though the sign said just one per item……. I thought I would be able to try one other truck as well. I think I may have been tricked….
Also, the food trucks could have done food that was not grilled more fresh food as a change from all the other food being served. There were a lot of shredded pork sandwiches. I want to eat what your food truck does really well.
3. Would have liked to see more more competitions. Just for fun.
The hits definitely outweighed the misses at this event. You really can go wrong when you are eating good food and drinking good beer and wine. I will bring a few friends along next year to enjoy the event as well. Keep on keeping on Minnesota Monthly and if you ever need someone to help with your events…. hire me.
because there is something in that BBQ sauce.
@mplsgossipgirl
If you were there as well, let me know what you think!
Dining Out For Life
Go out to dinner tonight? Why? Because it is Dining Out For Life where restaurants all around Minnesota are giving a percent of profits to The Aliveness Project. You are going to have dinner anyways right?
Check out the list of restaurants HERE
Because you should.
@mplsgossipgirl
Angel Food- New Bakery from Hells Kitchen
If you haven’t heard yet…. Hell’s Kitchen is opening a new bakery called Angel Food. That will be located above the current restaurant site.
Although, Hell’s Kitchen is a successful restaurant, Angel Food will be a completely separate venture started by the same people. So, to off set costs they are promoting some deals on the KickStarter website: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/angelfoodmn/angel-foodbakers-from-hell
Everything looks delicious. And not only will you get some good deals like for $1,000 a cup of coffee a day for life or for $500 be a baker for a day, you will be helping kick-start a company. How cool is that?
As for me, I am going to get some cupcakes for 10$.
because who can resist a cupcake.
@mplsgossipgirl
Minnesota Breweries
I am not sure what I love most about Minnesota. I know of something that comes close. BEER. I am proud of craft brewers of Minnesota because they are making some wonderful brews. Call me a beer snob but, enough of the Budweiser and light crap, I would take a Minnesota beer over those anytime, anyplace.
I am also proud to call Minnesota my home because of the push to get these wonderful beers in our restaurants and the work that is being done to let them open tap rooms! The more beer the merrier or at least that is my opinion on it.
Here is a list of a few breweries I haven’t been to but I am hoping to make it there sometime soon.
1. Castle Danger Brewery
In Northern MN on the way to the Gun Flint Trail you will drive through a small town called Castle Danger. This is the greatest name for a town and I want to buy a cabin there eventually.
This is a production brewery and only puts out a few different beers at a time. It is a one- man production. The family who owns the brewery also own the Castle Haven Cabins. Sounds like a great weekend trip to me. They are already booked for summer but have some availability in the next few weeks.
Growlers are available every Wed, Fri & Sat from 4-7pm at the brewery filled with your choice of beer that we currently have. Now Available: Danger Ale, Camp Depression Lager & George Hunter Stout.
More information here on their website: http://www.castledangerbrewery.com/
2. Boom Island Brewing Company
Owned by a french horn playing couple Boom Island sits on the banks of the Mississippi. This is a Belgium style brewery with strange named beers like thoprock.
You can contact the brewery for tours. I believe that it is pretty small. Otherwise, you can find their beers on tap at places like the Happy Gnome and Pig & Fiddle.
Check out their Website here: http://boomislandbrewing.com/home.html
3. Harriet Brewing
If you are looking for a brewery in Minneapolis look no further than Harriet Brewing. They have a newly open taproom which has been getting a lot of attention lately. Plus, you can take the light rail there.
They focus mostly on European style beers specifically German and Belgium. It was started in a garage on lake Harriet hence the name and has grown into it’s new space. If you go to an event hosted by them you will notice the local art and music.
They currently have a home brew and label competition going on to help their delivery man Andy who hurt his hand.
Check their website to see when the tap room is open: http://www.harrietbrewing.com/
It is usually open Friday and Saturday nights.
4. Surly Brewing Company
Starting as a home brewer in 1994 Omar Ansari most likely never thought he would own a brewery like he does today. Surly is one of the fastest growing names in beer not only in Minnesota but around the country.
Surly is a term coined by the company that means the anger that is fueled by not being able to find a good beer. Good beer is the name of the game at Surly, who taunts people who don’t drink it by posting their tag line, ” Good beer is an acquired taste, get some.” Omar is credited for working to get tap rooms a commonplace around Minnesota.
Surly is soooo popular that you need to actually sign up online to take a tour of the brewery. Check out the website here and sign up: http://www.surlybrewing.com/brewery/tours.html
5. Lift Bridge Brewery
Their mission is simple. To create fine beers for you to enjoy. I picked lift bridge to make my list simply because Stillwater is a must in the summer. It is a wonderful place to enjoy a beer. Plus, I love the farm girl brew.
You have to sign up online to go on a tour of Lift Bridge Brewery: http://www.liftbridgebrewery.com/tours.aspx
I was inspired by another blogger to write a post about Minnesota Breweries after seeing the wonderful pictures on his page. I hope this helps get more people to visit breweries and try some craft brews that are local. Check back later to see pictures from my brewery tours.
Thanks Cameronkarsten for your post Odin Brewery. http://cameronkarsten.wordpress.com/
Because beer is a beautiful thing
@mplsgossipgirl
My recent restaurant experiences…
After re-reading several of my recent posts about restaurants, I clearly have not been happy with my experience at several of the places I have been.
This is horribly sad for me. I don’t mean to be a crank. But, I figure if I tell the truth and the restaurant reads it maybe they will make some changes. I also want to make diners aware of what kind of experience they could get if they go there. No fake Amazings!!! here. I love food and love to appreciate the food in Minneapolis and surrounding areas. If I say something was AMAZING, I feel that way wholeheartedly.
Most of my rank comments have been about the service and I have been pondering why I have gotten some not so great service these last few weeks. Is it because I am younger than most of the servers, my lack of fashion, or because I do a lot of happy hours? I don’t know what exactly it is. I always tip over 20%.
I should also mention that none of the restaurants know that I write a blog. I try not to be too descriptive in my posts to let them know who I am. That way my experience is not skewed by what they want my experience to be that might be different than a normal customer.
Come on restaurants! I am just like any other person who wants to have a reason to come back again. My wish right now is that I could write more complementary posts about the restaurants to get more patrons in them.
My challenge to you:
I am ready to be redeemed by a restaurant… Please let me know if you know of any restaurants with great service. I will go there and let you know about it.
Macy’s Flower Show
Macy’s in Minneapolis is holding it’s annual flower show March 25th-April 7th during their normal store hours in the 8th Floor Auditorium.
Their theme this year is Brasil and it is going to be colorful one.
During this show there will be many events and demos at Macy’s that you could participate in. I love a good food demo! The two that sounded interesting to me were with The Public House and Samba. The Public House demo will be about desserts and Chef Anelisa Ponpes will be leading the demo on March 28th at 12:00PM. Samba will be hosting Monday, April 2nd at 12:00 PM where you can learn how to cook a Brazilian dish. Both demos are held in the Culinary Kitchen in the lower level.
Find more information on other events and demos HERE. They have over 16 in store events during the show.
because if I can’t afford to go to Brasil at least I can feel like I am there
@mplsgossipgirl
Key’s at the Foshay
Key’s at the Foshay is one of the best kept secrets in Minneapolis. Not only do they serve breakfast all day, they also have amazing desserts.
The best part of this restaurant is their staff. They greet you and remember you from past visits. Ask you how you like items on the menu. Tell you stories. But, most importantly, make you laugh.
Be prepared Key’s you can’t get rid of me now!
Because Key’s knows how to treat a customer and friend
@mplsgossipgirl
mplsgossipgirl 