Latinpig's Profile
Any old fashioned ice cream parlors out there??
Well, I went to the Nook a couple weeks ago (had not been since the fiire). You could not tell there had been one. Everything was great. After, we noticed a line next door. There was a small old time soda fountain (don't recall the name) with phosphates and egg creams ect. It looks really good. Someone should check it out.
Update - It is called Lynden's Soda Fountain in the old Kopplen's space.
http://blogs.mspmag.com/dara/2012/03/introducing-lyndens-soda-fountain/
Where to take some visiting Food Snobs?
Take them to Heidi's. They will not be disappointed.
Looking for the Twin Cities Best Calamari, suggestions?
I would vote for Scusi. It is not breaded but fresh and sauted.
Heartland, Hiedi's, or Ngon's Entrees?
Heidi's. That and Alma and you will be getting some of the best this town has to offer. Not a huge fan of Heartland. I had a bad experience.
Scott Ja-mamas
Gut Grease, I realize not all BBQ involves smoke. I just did not know this place wasn't a smoke house in advance. I agree that taste is all that matters and I can honestly say that this did not taste good.
Scott Ja-mamas
Never been and thought we would give it a try. First, the people were very very nice. Salt of the earth. That's why it makes it so difficult for me to accurately portray my experience. Here goes. The place is a hole in the wall which wouldn't bother me if they had delivered on the Q. We did not call ahead and as best as I can tell, they just reheated some ribs. These ribs were not smoked. No smoke ring. Not even a scent of smoke in the place. They seemed have been baked and then reheated. Without the smoke component these ribs just tasted blah. Because they had been reheated, they got tough and too chewey. Probably the most unsatisfying rib experience I have ever had. It is amazing to me what passes for good ribs in this town. I did like the sauce.
I guess I will stick with the Q fanatic and famous dave ( I like the memphis rub).
Major Ramen craving
Just read about this place opening in NE Minneapolis. They will only make Ramen and Japanese curry. It is an attempt at a Japanese Noodle Shop. They will make their own noodles (I don't think Matsu does but not sure).
Tonkotsu Ramen and Curry House
Heidi's 2.0 Tasting Menu
Just ordered it there. They can do it two ways with all seafood or not.
Northern Suburbs
Thanks for the info. I ended up driving downtown to the Girl and the Goat. Amazing. I will check out M for lunch.
Northern Suburbs
Looking for a great foodie experience in the Northern Suburbs (in and around Highland Park).
Heidi's 2.0 Tasting Menu
Went last night and splurged on the 9 course tasting menu. It is a great opportunity to try a large percentage of the menu items. This was the best meal I have had in 2011. The food was unreal. I don't think anyone is cooking better in this town right now. It started out with a first course caviar sundae. This was the only item on the tasting menu that nobody really liked except me. They use liquid nitrogen to freeze this egg dish topped with caviar. I found it interesting. We then had the Bennie which has been on the menu since they re-opened. It looks like an egg with a yolk but it is made up of some very interesting corn products including huitlacoche or corn smut. This was a really fun and very tasty second course that everyone loved. Everyone opted for the beet dish instead of the tongue option next. It was a very refreshing pallate cleansing course almost like a beet sorbet. Next we had a Marbled Foie Gras Terrine with Spanish paprika, haricot vert and sesame salad, sourdough points. This was just incredible. I wish I had opted to get a glass of Sauterne with this because it would have paried beautifully. We then had one of my favorite items on the menu, the Black truffle pappardelle. It was a touch salty but a real crowd pleaser. Next was a barimundi done in a broth. This was fantastic. the fish was cooked perfectly and the broth was reallty tasty with really interesting seasonings. It reminded me some of one of Jean Georges signature items but executed even better because of the way the fish was prepared. My wife had it prepared with a Hoison sauce instead of the broth and she loved it. Next was the lamb shank - Anise scented lamb shank and a six spice rice rind with orange scented jasmine rice and arugula sauce. It was served in a chinese takeout box with chop sticks. The flavors were amazing. The lamb was a little on the lean side but a really enjoybale and playful dish. Next was Meat and Potatoes. Seared beef tenderloin on creamy potatoes with Raclette cheese, mostarda and green papaya salad. My favorite dish of the evening. Perfeclt prepared tender on a cheesy mashed potato bed. The green papaya salad was really interesting. For desert they made table side vanilla ice cream using liquid nitriogen and topped it with a sweet potato beignet. This was worth the price of admission. Best dessert of the year for me. The ice cream was so amazing. You could tast the vanilla bean and the warm beignet mixed in was just outstaning. We also ordered aNitro chocolate mousse with peanut butter, marshmallow and honey cookie to get a little chocolate at the end of the night.
All I can say is wow. The couple we were with were concerned that the courses would not be substantial. They had just eaten at La belle Vie and had a tasting menu and walked away hungry. Not true of Heidis. We were all full but not uncomfortable. If you are looking to splurge or celebrate, I don't think there is a better tasting menu in the city. I had the pleasure of having the Meritage tasting menu a month ago which was very good but this was even better.
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Rye Delicatessen - Minneapolis
I wish this place was good too. But it wasn't. I hope they figuire it out soon.
Rye Delicatessen - Minneapolis
Stopped in last night for a sandwhich. I do love Delis and have eaten at the best all over the coiuntry. Had an amazing meal at Chompies last week in Phoenix. The pastrami was thinly sliced and just melted in my mouth. Perfectly seasoned. The Matzo balls in the soup were amazing.
Flash forward to last night. What I would call one of the worst deli meals I have ever had. I ordered their specialty sandwhich with pastrami and a schmear of chopped liver. First, the bread was very dry. It tasted like cardboard. But what was really bad was the pastrami. They cut it thick. They served it somewhat cold. It was tough and chewy. The thick I don't have a problem with. Way back when I really liked Louis Habbit when they cut it thick because it was so tender and juicy. This was the consitency of shoe leather. There was a little appealing smokey flavor ("smoked meat") but it did not resemble pastrami's flavor profile to me. Something is wrong with their execution. I will not be back. The chopped liver wasn't bad.
Surdyk's Liquor infuriates Surly Nation!!!
Surdyks is one of the best wine, cheese and liquor stores in the cities. If you are a serious wino, you shop at Surdyks. Their pricing is outstanding for the area. They get the entire Terry Thiese portfolio and sell it below msrp. I am not a beer drinker so I cannot comment on the Surly issue other than to say I am certain Surdyks will survive it. Knowing Jim, he probably will not respond either. If you want to see high prices, check out France 44 or Haskells.
San Diego Foodie coming to MN
112 Eatery is downtown. I would add Saffron and Blacksheep for pizza.
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112 Eatery
112 N 3rd St, Minneapolis, MN 55401
Rinata
Had a great meal there on Sat night from start to finish. First, we had a great waitperson. This made a huge difference. We brought some wine and he was very enthusiastic about our choices. We offered to share which he liked a lot. We started with 4 antipasta items. All were vey good. The egglplant Involtini and Bruschetta with heirloom tomato really stood out. We then shared a Margarita Pizza. I thought it good but not great. Probably the only item I had that night that wasn't outstanding. We then tried 3 pastas. All were fabulous. The Ravioli with butternut sqush was really amazing and very rich. Great browned butter sauce on it. I also really liked the parpadelle they offered as a special. I loved this place. The pastas were homemade and fresh. The prices were very reasonable. I will be going back. For dessert we had a tiramisu and a dark chocolate lava cake. Both were excellent. The coffee was brewed at too high a temp or it would have been better. This place is a real gem. It is in the old Giorgio location on 24th and Hennepin.
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Rinata
2451 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Best chips and cheese in town?
I know Mad Mad Mexican has been closed for years but I loved their chips and cheese. They made their own chips and used a ton of really good cheese. Little Tijuana has been the closest thing since for me but they have been closed for a while. I have been searching but have not found anything close. Anyone?????
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Little Tijuana Restaurant
17 E 26th St, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Travail: Bon Appetit's 4th Best New Restaurant in the US
Went on Saturday night. Awesome!!!
Smack Shack
Walked over there on Friday. Ordered a lobster roll. It was really outstanding. The real deal. Lots of lobster. Great texas toast. Really flavorful. Highly recommended.
Little Szechuan - West End - Review
Went twice, Beautiful build out. Great ambience, The food portions are small and expensive. The first trip we had the tea smoked duck, Chung King Chilie Chicken and the spicy beef short ribs. The chicken was incredibly salty. The beef was gamey and too chewy. The tea smioked duck just tasted weird. Everything just seemed a little off to me. I was really disappointed and vowed not to go back for a while.
Well I went back. This time we had the chicken lettuce wraps, kung pow chiken and sesame chicken. This time I said no msg. Evrything was less salty but still very bland with not much flavor. The sesame chikcen in particular was very disappointing. It was a fried chicken nugget with some sickly sweet sauce poured over it.
I think it is the curse of the West End. I have not had good luck at the venues there.
Osaka (Golden Valley)
I went there last week to try their sushi. I did not have high hopes going in. I figuired, chain in a location that has been cursed, not very good odds. We sat at the Sushi bar (did not try the Hibachi).
We ordered a bunch of their specialty rolls. I was pleasantly surprised. The prices were really reasonable and the sushi was a level up from what they are serviing at Benihana.
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Benihana
850 Louisiana Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55426
Bourbon vs. Tennessee whiskey
I agree about Jack being overated. I am a big Kentucky Bourbon/Rye lover. I do not like any of the Jack offerings. I happen to really like the Buffalo Trace Antique offerings and the Jim Beam stable of offerings a lot. I cannot say enough good things about Beam. I even like there Rye for mixing in drinks a lot.
Fantastic Jim Beam offerings.
1) The black label in my humble opinion is one of the better value Bourbons out there. I can get a liter for about $21. This Bourbon is aged for 8 years and is 86 proof. Still it delivers like a more expensive sipping whisky.
2) Knob creek - Single barrel reserve - go out and try this. It is the new knob creek bottling and it rocks. It is aged 9 years and 120 proof. Let the ice melt for about 15 minutes and you will be in heavin. Bravo to Beam!!! Vanilla, sweet and nutty.
3) Bookers - my favorite (although not by much) of the Beam line is the Bookers. Aged 6-8 years and 121- 127 proof, I like this a hair more than the Knbb Creek SBR because it is a little spicier and less sweet.
The "Antique collection" I love them all. They have gotten pricey going from $55 a few years back to the mid 70s. At first, I was drawn to the two aged bottlings (Sazerac and Eagle Rare). But this year, my favorite was the George T. Stagg. Weighing in at over 140 proof, this bourbon is magnificent. I have a bottle of the Weller (uncut unfiltered wheat recipe)but I have not tried it yet. It is all really good.
William Larue Weller, 63.3%
Sazerac Rye, 18 year old, 45%,
George T. Stagg, 71.5%
Thomas H. Handy Rye, 63.45%
Eagle Rare, 17 year old
For every day sipping, I also like the new Makers Mark 46
As for Jack, I have tried to like it but just cannot. It is fine in coke but that is it. I don't even care for their more expensive bottlings and they don't make good mixed drinks either (I had a genltemen Jack manhattan once that was almost undrinkable). I have heard that their new Honey Liquere is good but have not tried it.
