Did you ever wonder what would happen if the wild and crazy guys behind Travail Kitchen & Amusements opened a pizzeria? Would they, like, create a foie gras pizza? Or a Mussels from Brussels pizza, as a tribute to Jean Claude Van Damme, topped with mussels, brussel sprouts, and chorizo? Or maybe an appetizer made from pig feet and cheeks, and call it … [Read more...]
Soon dubu chigae at the Kimchi Tofu House in Minneapolis
What could be better on a cool rainy day than a hot steaming bowl of soon dubu chigae, spicy tofu stew? The tiny Kimchi Tofu House, 307 S.E. Oak St., Minneapolis, offers about 10 different variations with beef, pork, shrimp, mussels, oysters and kim chi, all priced at $8.99. Served with steamed rice, several panchan side dishes, and a raw egg that you can crack open and stir … [Read more...]
Keefer Court Bakery & Cafe in Minneapolis: What the mahjong ladies order
I try to be discreet about it, but I have this really bad habit of wandering around in Chinese restaurants to see what the other diners are eating—especially if the other diners are Chinese. I always have this suspicion that I am missing out, and that the Chinese customers know about dishes on the menu that I don't know about—or dishes that aren't even on the … [Read more...]
Sure signs of spring: Sea Salt, Tin Fish now open; Bread & Pickle opening soon
CORRECTED 5/1/2013 — Yay! Snow is in the forecast for Wednesday, but who cares? Sea Salt and Tin Fish are now open for the season. Leasing the food concessions at the lakes is one of the smartest things the Minneapolis Park Board ever did.On Sunday, the line at Sea Salt, at Minnehaha Falls Park stretched out as far as the eye could see (well, almost), but the food was, as … [Read more...]
Leftover surprise! Hello Pizza in Edina, and how I got paid to eat White Castle fish and shrimp tacos
What's on the menu this week is leftovers. Hello Pizza. Fish and shrimp tacos from White Castle. Don't like it? Tough. Go read somewhere else. I was out of town for a few days, and so I am dishing up what's left in the fridge.First of all, a visit last week to the new Hello Pizza in Edina. And let me preface this with a few words of wisdom from the old philosopher: so much of … [Read more...]
Burch Steak and Pizza Bar in Minneapolis: Isaac Becker invents the un-steakhouse
A steakhouse in Lowry Hill? Seriously?? A few short blocks from Birdhouse and the Namaste Cafe and the Wedge Co-op and Tao Natural Foods? (Okay, it's also a few short blocks from Rudolph's and Lee's Liquor Lounge, but let's not complicate this story.)The idea is so crazy that it just might work. Actually, to judge by the weekend crowds, the idea is working just fine.Who would … [Read more...]
Northeast Minneapolis taproom tour: Dangerous Man Brewing, Indeed Brewing, and 612 Brew
I came late to the Northeast Minneapolis taproom party—so late that I almost didn't get in. The first taproom in northeast, Indeed Brewing, opened back in August, but I didn't get around to touring the new tasting rooms until last Friday. It was one of those spur-of-the-moment things. The first stop on the planned itinerary was Dangerous Man at 1300 2nd Street N.E. The … [Read more...]
Rincón 38: Terrific tapas in South Minneapolis
Just when I was starting to worry that my palate had become permanently jaded, along comes Rincón 38. Hector Ruiz and Erin Ungerman's new tapas bar at 38th and Grand in Minneapolis is one of the most exciting new restaurants I have visited in a long time.There's a useful distinction to be made here between exciting and memorable. I've had a few memorable dining experiences over … [Read more...]
Smack Shack restaurant: Same great lobster rolls, minus some of the funky charm
I love the original Smack Shack—the food truck that parks downtown on Marquette Avenue during the warmer months and sells lobster rolls and shrimp po boys. The lobster rolls are delicious, and there is definitely a huge cool factor to a gourmet food truck. A food truck isn't literally a shack, but it's kind of the same idea—great food, no frills.I also loved discovering that I … [Read more...]