French Meadow
French Meadow is seriously undervalued. This is on the top of my best of Minneapolis list for 2013. I have been here many times for brunch on weekends but it was only recently that I have visited for dinner. Wow!
I had no idea how wonderful dinner was here. Better than brunch. I am a huge fan of breakfast here but dinner is not as hectic as brunch can be.
The ambiance is completely different when you come at night. The lights are dimmed low and candles light each table. It is very romantic but still relaxed.
I started my meal with soup because they had excellent options. I had the tomato soup and enjoyed it because of the real tomato taste. The clam chowder was also very good and it was spicy. Both were perfect on a cold winter night.
For my entrée I had the walleye sandwich. It was crispy and served on a freshly baked bun. I forget how much of a difference that makes. The potatoes that come with it are seasoned well and the sauce that comes with it is light.
My favorite part of the meal was dessert. I wanted to try the bread pudding but they were out. Kudos to the server who warned me about this when I ordered it and explained that they make everything daily. That made me not upset when I had to order something else. I had the tres leches cake that was very good. All desserts are priced from only $4.00-6.50 and are not an after thought. They could stand alone. I am thinking of maybe doing a dessert party there sometime. Each person orders a dessert and then you share. That sounds like a happy hour I would want to go to. I would also love to see a sampler platter for around $10.00 because there were many items I wanted to try. It would be fun if it changed daily.
I like that they have many gluten-free and vegan options because I like to eat vegan sometimes. Plus, if you have someone in your party with dietary needs this place is very accommodating. Hats off to the chefs for creating a menu that has many options, is not too large, and has items with several price points.
When you go here be prepared to order an appetizer, drink, entrée, and dessert. Never skip dessert.
My only criticism is that I wish their happy hour went later. I will never be able to go to the happy hour because it is only Monday-Friday 3-5 PM. Most people are not done with work until 5 including this girl. It would be nice if one or two days a week you extended the happy hour.
because never-ever-ever skip dessert.
@mplsgossipgirl
Rojo Mexican Grill
Rojo has really good margaritas. They are expensive at $9.00 each but you only need about half of one to feel it. I did some shopping after the lunch that I had at Rojo because I needed to walk it off. It was well mixed because I didn’t taste the strong-ness of their margaritas.
I had the lunch special of a torta. I chose the chicken torta with a chopped salad. I made the wrong choice on the salad. It was really not good. But with a few improvements could be good. Firstly, it was made with only arugula which is really strong. Then there were noodles on it. They were like cold Chinese noodles. It was interesting and not a good interesting. It did not add anything to the dish but the addition of the texture of a wet noodle. I do have to say that the dressing was really nice and I liked the avocados that were sliced in it. Good news, Rojo is coming out with some new salads. I am excited to try them.
The best part of this meal though was that the sandwich came with fries as well. It was a nice surprise. We also had chips and salsa to start the meal. This is a nice touch because even if the service is a little slow you have at least something in front of you to eat.
Overall, Rojo is a bit expensive. But, I would go back for the $9.00 margarita. Since it makes me feel like I had a little bit of a vacation. The food is just okay but this is a posh place and I think it would be fun to do a birthday here.
because you should go for the margaritas
@mplsgossipgirl
Tony Bennett at the State Theater
Tony Bennett is truly a master of his craft. I have been a fan of his music for as long as I can remember singing along with classics that stand the test of time. I am not sure why I was 20 years younger than anyone else in the audience but it could be because my generation does not know what a real voice sounds like anymore. We are used to hearing people who have been auto tuned or not singing at all. Remember when Paris Hilton put out a single and Beyonce lip-synced at the Inauguration? Listening to Tony Bennett sing the words, “fly me to the moon,” without a microphone and projecting all the way to the back of the State Theater was a stark reminder of how much talent he possesses. If you ever have the chance to get a ticket to see Tony, do it.
because he melts my cold, cold heart
@mplsgossipgirl
CURE Gala : ACS CURE Presents: The Black and White Ball
On January 26th, 3012 the American Cancer Society Young Professionals will be hosting a masquerade charity ball at Aria at the Jeune Lune.
Tickets are $85 or $75 before January 18th. You can buy tickets online HERE.
This is a wonderful reason to get dressed up for a night and support cancer research, specifically cancer research in Minnesota. Also, this is a great opportunity to network with other young Twin Cities professionals.
Entertainment will include music, a photo booth, and also a CEO auction where you have the chance to bid on an opportunity to meet with a local CEO and pick their brain.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) of Young Professionals raise money for ACS and also to fund research at the University of Minnesota. They raised $55,000 last year and are hoping to raise even more this year.
You can even try one of the new businesses in Calhoun Square called For Tonight, they rent cocktail dresses. Also, if you need a mask both Halloween Express in Maplewood and Twin Cities Magic and Costume sells them.
because you can give back and have fun at the same time.
@mplsgossipgirl
Dino’s Gyros
I am not a fast food person. The fastest that I do is Panera and Subway on occasion.
Dino’s is the exception to the rule. This place has some really great Gyros. It is sort of half restaurant and half fast food because they bring the food to your table but you can also do take out as well which makes it “fast”.
This is one of my favorite “fast food” places because they are who they are. They do Greek food, only Greek food (well other than the ice cream machine and the beer).
What they do, they do well. My favorites are the gyro (the normal plain one) and the pita chips and spicy feta dip. It is excellent because they make the gyro eatable with the right amount of meat, tomato, onion, and cucumber sauce (tzatziki). It is all about ratios. It rolls up so you can bite into it without it going everywhere. Not to mention the pita is perfectly soft.
The spicy feta is something that cannot be missed as well. It really adds that kick to the meal and the pita chips that come with the dip are freshly made. I had enough to bring some home to have for lunch the next day.
Dino’s is a great place to go to grab a quick meal. It is good food quick.
Because good food can be fast food.
@mplsgossipgirl.
Best of Netflix – Jiro Dreams of Sushi
I usually don’t share what I am watching. But, Jiro Dreams of Sushi is one of the best movies I have watched on Netflix On Demand for a while. This documentary follows Jiro and his eventual heir in the process of making sushi. For my fellow foodies this movie is an explanation of why we search out places like Sukiyabashi Jiro.
This documentary shows what a perfect meal can look like and what it takes to make that perfect meal.
because being a master of your craft is a lifelong process.
@mplsgossipgirl
Peninsula Eat Street Minneapolis
I always like to go on eating adventures. Eat Street in Minneapolis is one of those places that I like to drive down and pick a place to eat. I like to think of it as dating.
Sometimes I am wonderfully surprised and have found a place that is not on the normal best places to eat list. This time I made a bad choice. Peninsula was like a bad first date.
I was first drawn in by the outside. Malaysian Cuisine, what is that? I must try it. Sort of like online dating, I was drawn in by the idea of this restaurant. It boasts about having the best Malaysian chefs in the country. What could go wrong?
Well, much like the two dates going on next to us, this place bombed. Talking about having relations with your ex while on a first date is usually not a very good idea. Ordering the salted fish and noodles dish also not a very good idea. With 220+ items on the menu I had no idea what to order, but man I really did a horrible job. The server was no help and said that everything was very good. Not true or helpful. What I ordered was not edible.
This is the first time I have been at a restaurant in Minneapolis and after having a few bites not being able to tolerate any more. It tasted like someone had taken a bottle of fish sauce and mixed it with some over ripe fish and put it on a plate with noodles. It smelled like rotten fish that had been left out in the sun. This was nothing like what was described on their eharmony profile.
If this was a date I would have pulled the “oh crap, I have an emergency!” trick and would have run out of there as quickly as possible. Which is exactly what each of those people on the dates around me should have done. But, just like me they sat because there were so few people there and because I couldn’t understand the server very well, I did not send it back or leave. I felt too bad.
I really wish this place would have been better because it has the bones of being a good boyfriend. It just had a really bad first impression oh and the food was bad. It is a great space and the beer was cold. I think if I were Peninsula I would start with a new menu. I would limit it to a few items that I could do very well because over 220 is too many.
I hope this place makes a come back and finds the customers of their dreams.
because who doesn’t love a fairytale ending?
@mplsgossipgirl
2012 in Minneapolis with mplsgossipgirl
What a year 2012 has been. When I started my blog on February 27, 2012 I never thought anyone would read it. I simply wanted to have an online diary to remember what I did in 2012.
But, I was wrong, so wrong. Not only did you start reading but you passed www.mplsgossipgirl.com on to you family and friends. Thank you!
I have enjoyed writing this blog because of all of you. I view this blog as a shared experience. You have sent me ideas, told me about your favorite restaurants, and disclosed some of your secrets of the city. I am incredibly lucky that you have reached out to me and because of you I have experienced the Twin Cities in a whole new way.
If you are a new reader, I wanted to share with you some of my most popular posts of the year. It would be a good place for you to start to explore in Minnesota.
This post had the most views in one day:
Gather at the Walker: I wrote about the fantastic happy hour at Gather. They have 5 dollar small plates and a 5 dollar specialty drink. You can read more about it HERE.
These were the posts that you liked the best:
1. Rainbow Foods: I wrote a post about when Rainbow did UNLIMITED Double coupons and showed you how much money I saved. You can read this post HERE.
2. Duluth, MN: This summer I went on a road trip with my best friend up to Duluth and the North Shore. It was an amazing trip you can read about it HERE.
3. MN Restaurant Week: I love restaurant week because they have fantastic tasting menus. You can read this post HERE. You can also read about how to participate in restaurant week HERE.
These are my favorite posts from 2012:
Wuollet Bakery: I loved visiting Wuollet’s this year to see all the wonderful creations. It is fun to go and see a business that is local and creating a wonderful product. They have my favorite cupcakes in Downtown Minneapolis, Red Velvet is my favorite. You can read about the bakery HERE.
Billy Elliot at The Ordway: This was the best show that I went to see this year. It was unexpected but it kept me entertained and I wanted to go and see it again. You can read about it HERE.
Food and Wine: I loved going to this event. I was able to try food from many of the restaurants in the cities and also drink wine. What could be better than that? I will be posting about this year’s event very soon. You can read about it HERE.
Now my blog has new goals, bigger goals. I want to share with you local non-profits to become involved with, fun events to try, show you local businesses and products that you might not know about, and review new restaurants to wake-up your taste buds. Most of all, I want you to try something new this year.
You can follow along with my list or make one of your own:
If you like my posts, please share it with your friends and family. I would love to hear about what they think I should do next. I am always looking for suggestions. You can leave me a comment or tweet me @mplsgossipgirl.
Lastly, as 2012 has been closed and 2013 has arrived I wish to thank all of the readers, local businesses, and this great state of Minnesota for enriching my life.
because you make my life more fun!
@mplsgossipgirl
If you own a local business, are part of a non-profit, or want to learn about how to work with a blogger you can find more information on my PR tab HERE. Email me and we can talk.
If you don’t know this yet, all opinions on the site are my own. I am never paid to review a restaurant, event, or product in a certain way nor will I ever accept payment to do so. I am offered compensation for my opinions sometimes but I will let you know that in the post, I legally have to do so. This website is 100% me, written only my me, created by me, and will always be my opinion.
Top 20 New Things to Try in 2013 in Minneapolis
Every year I try to make goals, usually they involve weight loss or cooking a meal so many times a week. This year I needed a change, I picked 20 new things to try for 2013. Goals should be fun and it should be fun completing them.
I encourage you to leave me comments or Tweet me (@mplsgossipgirl) to help me on my quest to complete my list. I am looking for suggestions, helpful advice, and items for my list for next year.
Top 20 New Things to Try in 2013 in Minneapolis
1. Brewing Beer– I love to drink it. I should learn how to make it. I would love to travel to Vine Park since I am a bit low on space. Or even try to make my own at home with Midwest Suppy or Northern Brewer. What do you think?
2. Go to a Pop music concert– I haven’t been to one in years but there is something about going to a Christina, Madonna, or Justin Bieber concert that makes your toes tap. Who is coming to town?
3. Take a Class at The Loft. Clearly, I like to write. I have been dying to take a class at The Loft Literary Center for a while. What were your favorite classes?
4. Find a new hole in the wall restaurant. And share it with all of you. Any suggestions are welcome and I am willing to travel anywhere in Minnesota to find a new favorite place.
5. Enter a baked good in the Minnesota State Fair. I love the fair and I love to make baked goods. I am hoping my grandma who is a ribbon winner will help me. If you have any suggestions of what I need to do as well. Let me know.
6. Travel somewhere outside of Minnesota. Love you MN, but I need to do some outside travel.
7. Learn how to can foods. I really like curried pickles which means I need to make them myself. Do you know where I can take a class? Maybe I will enter them in the State Fair too!
8. Discover a new thrift store. I am open to suggestions, please send them to me!
9. Go to a winery. Or maybe a winery tour of many wineries. Where have you gone? Have you been to Northern Vineyards, Falconer Vineyards and Winery, Cannon River Winery, Alexis Bailly Vineyard, or St. Croix Vineyards?
10. Go see an IMax Movie. I know that this is silly but I haven’t been to one yet.
11. Travel to a small town in Minnesota for a weekend trip. Any town suggestions?
12. Go to a Gopher Football game. I want to go to a game in the new stadium and cheer on the gophers.
13. Do live band karaoke. Where is the best place?
14. Run a 5K. Did I mention I cannot run. I prance. So I will prance the 5K. What is the best 5K in the Twin Cities?
15. Go to a show at 1st Ave. I think it would be fun to go and see a band that I might have never heard of. I am open to suggestions.
16. Take a walk over the Stone Arch Bridge. Sometimes it is nice to do something relaxing.
17. Visit the buffet at one of our casinos. Just for fun! What casino has the best buffet?
18. Dakota Jazz Club. I love jazz and I had some of the food from the Dakota Jazz Club at the Food and Wine Show last year and it was delicious. I need to get there. The whole needing to pay to get in to pay for dinner scares me a bit. But, I need to take a jump off the cliff and try it.
19. Go to the Opera! I am hoping to go see a show at some point this year with the Minnesota Opera.
20. Do something uniquely Minnesotan. I don’t know what this is particular goal is… but I will know once I partake in something uniquely Minnesotan. What do you think is something that every Minnesotan has to do?
because 2013 is going to be epic.
@mplsgossipgirl
A Wonderful Place to Take Your Pet- Lyndale Animal Hospital
Many of my loyal readers may have noticed that I haven’t been writing much lately. This is because I recently lost a part of my family. Baby Nugget, my cat sadly is no longer with us. I was lucky to have her in my life to brighten my days.
Baby Nugget became part of my family when she was adopted from the Animal Humane Society. She was perfect for my home because she was independent and like to snuggle. She was a senior cat and even though she was a little bit slower than a kitten she was still ready to come and snuggle whenever I came home. Her favorite show to watch was Maury.
Baby Nugget’s favorite meal was fresh salmon. Her personality of of external indifference was merely a cover for her warm cuddly soft true colors. She would accompany me to cat film festivals, picnics in the park, and keep me company during flu season.
When I first brought Nugget home we brought her in for a check up at the Lyndale Animal Hospital. We went in on a weekend and met Dr. Koppy. Who did a short check up and talked to me about her care.
Dr. Koppy was also very helpful in treating Baby Nugget during her end of life and helping our family make decisions regarding our pets care. I cannot thank all of the staff at Lyndale Animal Hospital for all their help during this hard time.
The care, compassion, and empathy the entire staff showed during my time of need was truly appreciated. Whenever Baby Nugget was brought in the staff always treated her as family member, because that is what she was to me.
@mplsgossipgirl
mplsgossipgirl 