mesafoodie's Profile
Craving a Mai Tai
No idea why I'm craving a Mai Tai after all these years, but I am. Anyone know of a restaurant in the Twin Cities that offers them? I checked Psycho Suzy's because I thought I remembered they featured Mai Tais, but no luck. Many Polynesian drinks on their website but no Mai Tai. Help!
Best Banh Mi?
I like to search out the best banh mi wherever I go. Where are your favorites?
Best Croissant?
Hmmmm, I REALLY like Rustica's croissant as I stated but now you've "forced" me to try Patisserie 46. Probably as soon as possible.
Best Croissant?
A simple, plain, perfect croissant has been my quest for years. Light, shatteringly crisp and buttery - I can tell you with authority that such a thing doesn't exist in Louisville, the last place I called home. Most of the croissants I tasted there were more like airline croissants, which in turn are more like hot dog buns. Anyway, we're lucky to have an abundance of great bakeries here in theTwin Cities and I just had a perfect croissant at one of them this morning - Rustica Bakery in St. Louis Park. Who would you vote for?
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Rustica Bakery
816 W 46th St, Minneapolis, MN 55419
All-Butter Puff Pastry
Further update on puff pastry from Trader Joe's - I made mini chocolate turnovers and normal-sized apple turnovers with it. Both were disappointing. I felt the pastry was tough and did not rise as much as good old Pepperidge Farm. Won't buy again.
All-Butter Puff Pastry
I googled it and the Dufours puff pastry site came up. Recipes for napoleons, chocolate straws, etc. Yum! Also noticed a website that discussed a poached pear galette on homemade chocolate puff pastry. If you try it, please post your thoughts.
All-Butter Puff Pastry
Update on puff pastry at Trader Joe's - I just walked over (gotta love city living) to the SLP store and they had a big stack in the freezer case. The cashier said it just came in about 10 days ago and will be carried at least through the holidays. TJs has carried it as a season item but she said they've had so many requests for it off-season that they're hoping to carry it year-round. Sugar is listed as an ingredient, but it's second-to-last behind salt so I have to think it's taste impact is minimal. $3.99 for two flat sheets in a pizza-shaped box.
All-Butter Puff Pastry
Thanks! I read an old post from 2007 that expressed disappointment in their pastry because they added sugar. Do you know if that's still the case?
All-Butter Puff Pastry
Anyone know where to buy all-butter puff pastry in the Twin Cities area? I have a recipe for french apple turnovers that calls for it, and I want to see if there's really a noticeable difference from standard puff pastry.
Best Bread Bakeries?
What is your favorite bread bakery in the Phoenix area? Please include farmers market purveyors as well. Thanks!
Best Place to Buy Seafood?
We're making a special seafood scampi birthday dinner that involves lobster tails, shrimp, scallops and crab. Any suggestions regarding best place to buy the seafood?
Seville Oranges
Thanks Anne! I have a friend who's obsessed with Seville Orange marmalade. Now I know where to buy them to make a batch.
Seville Oranges
Does anyone know of a source for Seville oranges in the MSP area? I know they're not available until December/January but want to make sure I know where to find them. thanks
Review: St. Francis - Phoenix, Arizona
Checked out the pictures on your blog - you're either a professional photographer or should consider becoming one. Composition and lighting were great, particularly considering the challenging lighting conditions in most restaurants. Nice blog!
Good burger close to the Science Museum ?
Believe it or not, I had one of the best reubens of my life at the Science Museum cafe. Cooked fresh to order on a griddle while I watched, it was perfectly prepared. They have an extensive menu and a large, bright sitting area with huge windows overlooking the river. We watched eagles soaring over the water while we ate. if the burgers are anything like the reuben, you'd have a great meal!
msp: curry 'n noodles hopkins
First person who goes, please give us a review, an idea of prices, and whether you have to wait for a table. thanks!
Individual Brioche?
I'm looking for small (approx 4" diameter) brioche buns that are shaped like a traditional brioche - fluted sides and a top knot. Has anyone seen these in any bakers around town? thanks
Anybody eaten at the 2nd floor restaurant/lounge at the Movies at West End in St. Louis Park?
The lounge offers pizzas and paninis that look interesting, has anyone eaten there that can give us a review of the quality?
Spring Training in the Phoenix area
When i see "high end dining" I think of Kai at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass. Was just there two weeks ago and it's still excellent. Pricey, but well worth the experience. One of only six 5-star restaurants in the country, and the top rated Native American restaurant in the country. Your serious foodies will be impressed! Yes, it has white tableclothes, but many of the diners were dressed in what I consider casual clothes. Check their website - i think they ban short and sandals. It's a truly unique Phoenix restaurant.
Best Cafes I Wish Were in My Neighborhood
You gotta try Gigi's - great quiche in the morning, great sandwiches the rest of the day. Not sure if you're a bad person, but certainly a lucky person............
Staying in St. Louis Park
Crave is also at the Shops at West End, like Cooper (right next to your hotel). My best tip, though, would be to go to the restaurant/lounge on the second floor of the movie theaters in that same West End complex. It's open to the public, and serves pizzas and paninis. i haven't eaten there, but checked out the menu last Sunday when we went to a movie. Looks interesting, and most items are $10 or so. It it's too busy you could always end up at one of the other restaurants in the area.
Best Cafes I Wish Were in My Neighborhood
Why are all the great cafes in someone else's neighborhood? Oh well, I guess I'll have to make it a mission to drive to the best of the best to try them out. By "great cafe" I mean really good food, very casual atmosphere, cheap prices (sandwiches/entrees under $10). Some of my favorites:
1. Gigi's
2. Crema Cafe
3. Cafe Maude
Yours?
Verde open yet?
Could someone tell me more about the La Vida Locavore food truck? Sounds intriguing. Does it travel to the various farmer's markets? thanks!
Mesa - Peruvian restaurant on Alma School?
I checked Rincon's menu online because I really enjoyed Aji de Gallina (chicken with sauce) while in Peru. My understanding is that it's a fairly famous Peruvian dish so I was surprised to see Rincon doesn't offer it. Does anyone know if the other Peruvian restaurants mentioned in this thread offer it? thanks
PHX Ranch Market essentials
Are the nopalitos fresh or canned? if fresh, do you need to cook them before putting on a salad? thanks
Where to buy the smallest chickens in Mpls?
Thanks, you made me laugh. In the meantime I called Whole Foods and they claim to have chickens as small as 2.75 - 3 lbs, will stop by tonight. We're going to make the Zuni recipe for the first time this Sunday as a Valentines dinner.
Where to buy the smallest chickens in Mpls?
This might sounds like an odd request, but I want to try to make the famous Zuni Chicken recipe and it calls for a 2.75 - 3.5 lb chicken. I've found 3.5 lb chickens at Cub, but was wondering if anyone knows a source for a smaller chicken in Minneapolis. Any suggestions appreciated!
BEST cup of coffee in the Twin Cities??
A new entrant into the competition is Bull Run Roasting Company in Uptown - they share a retail space with Rustica, one of the twin Cities' top bakeries, on the other end of the strip mall that houses Burger Jones. It just opened in the past month or so. Their website lists the brands of their roasters, grinders, etc. so I guess they're serious. All I know is that it's good stuff.
