Ms. Fennelbulb's Profile
Best fruit in winter?
A few days ago, I saw "Aurora" apples for the first time at the Produce Exchange. They are medium-size, yellow apples shaped like Delicious apples. I bought a couple, and they were sweet and crisp.
Two years ago around November, PE carried "Orin" apples from Canada for a short period of time. They were green, fragrant and sweet - almost pear-like. Last year, Whole Foods in SP had them, again, for a short period. Even though I spoke to the staff at both places about bringing them back, I have not seen them anywhere since.
Bakery for birthday cake St Paul
turtlebella,
Since this is a cake for your toddler, depending on the cake you order, you may want to ask the staff at Bravo about the use of food coloring. I love their cakes and have purchased many whole cakes for different occasions. But, I think their mango cake, for instance, has a little bit of yellow food coloring in the whip cream, and I don't know if it is natural or artificial. Their green tea cake's color may be from green tea powder. And yes, their cakes are often decorated with many, many sprigs of parsley!
Fresh figs
A week and a half ago, I bought some Turkish and Black Mission figs at St. Paul Whole Foods. I wonder if Holy Land may have some.
Trung Nam bakery now serving pho ($4.99 through tomorrow)
I failed as a Chowhound! When I walked in, I saw a white board on an easel next to the counter that listed only "traditional pho," ox tail pho and bubble tea flavors. I was so happy to see ox tail pho that I told the server that was what I wanted and sat down. I overheard her mention a menu to other customers. So, perhaps they serve bun and other dishes. Half a dozen or so other customers were all eating either pho or bahn mi.
Trung Nam bakery now serving pho ($4.99 through tomorrow)
I happened to notice a "grand opening" banner today on Trung Nam French Bakery's chain link fence. So, I had to do an u-turn to find out! I learned that they had started serving pho about a month ago and the grand opening price of $4.99 continues through tomorrow (Saturday). I had an ox tail pho (which was not a part of the opening sale; $7.99) that was delightful. The broth was just a bit oily but clear, fresh-tasting and not over-salted. It had a subtle but distinct scent and taste of star anise. It came with 2 large and 2 small pieces of ox tail. I don't know their old hours, but a very friendly and attentive young female server made sure I knew that they are open til midnight every night except Sundays when the shop is closed.
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Trung Nam French Bakery
739 University Ave W, St Paul, MN 55104
MSP: Puerta Azul is closed (SOB!) Where can I get my black bean fix?
nsadr09,
Please convey to your mother (who was the chef, I believe) that I can't wait to taste her tamarind chicken again! Thank you very much for this post!
Kaffir lime leaves
Today, I saw a large basket full of kaffir lime leaves at Dragon Star in SP (Dale and Minnehaha)! The basket was placed by whole young coconuts.
Peking Garden - Midway Center?
I actually do not know which soups are distinctively Toisanese and which ones are Cantonese-Toisanese. To keep this post relevant to the MSP board, I should probably say that what I consider "Toisanese soups" (i.e., "Mom's soups") are served at places such as PG and Mandarin Kitchen (and now-closed Jade, whose owner, Carl Wong, is also Toisanese) and are not on the menu. They are usually referred to as the "house soup (of the day)" and served on the house when you order 3 or more dishes. (If they know you, they usually offer it even when you order 2 dishes.) They are thought of as humble, down-home stuff that non-Chinese/non-Cantonese/non-Toisanese people would want to have, and hence not on the menu. So, if you are not/look Chinese, they may not offer it unless you ask. Chicken feet soup, lotus root soup and "thay-may" (meaning "4 taste") soup are often served at the above-mentioned places.
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Mandarin Kitchen
8766 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55420
Peking Garden - Midway Center?
PG is a really popular place because of its buffet. It is probably not in the category of a gourmet Chow-heaven. But, my Toisanese husband and I go there because the family, who owns PG, is also Toisanese and they are always very happy to make things not on the menu for us. It's where we go to have food "just like Mom used to make." From the menu, we like things such as "steamed pork loaf with salty fish," bitter mellon with chicken and black bean sauce, and watercress with bean curd sauce.
Marla's Caribbean
I know that CH is about the quality of food first and foremost. But, I wanted to share a wonderful experience my neighbor's son had recently with Marla. He went there for dinner with his mother to research Caribbean food for his school assignment. Marla not only spent a lot of time explaining things to him but also gave him enough jerk paste and instructions to cook jerk chicken for his entire class. He was thrilled!
Best places to eat and buy ramps (MSP)
Yesterday, I happened to be near France 44 and stopped by there for a sandwich. One of their specials was wild ramp pesto. I had never had ramps before, but knew about them from this thread. I had the pesto in my sandwich and also bought some to go. It had a wonderful, fresh green herby flavor. Thank you to the contributors of this board for posting great information!
Savaga/Burnsville dinner spot?
Thank you, all, for your suggestions! Great to have some options!
Savaga/Burnsville dinner spot?
Dear MSP Hounds,
I need to find a restaurant in Savage/Burnsville/south Bloomington (approximately the mid-point between South Mpls and Prior Lake) for a casual dinner meeting on a week night. That is not exactly a gourmet land, I know, and in fact, I am not looking for a fancy place at all. Grand Szechuan in Bloomington may be too spicy for some in the group. I think we will do fine at Buca di Beppo in Burnsville. Is Roasted Pear in Burnsville any good? I am considering Parick's Bakery and Cafe on Bloomington, even though it is a bit more north than some in the group would prefer. Thank you in advance for your suggestions!
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Roasted Pear
14200 Nicollet Ave, Burnsville, MN 55337
Kaffir lime leaves
Friends School Plant Sale catalog lists kaffir lime trees as a new offering this year.
www.friendsschoolplansale.com
They will be sold in 1-gallon pots ($15 each). According to the catalog, the plant is "well suited to container growing...can bloom year-around."
Millbrae/Burlingame private dining room for business dinner?
I am looking for a restaurant in Millbrae/Burlingame area with a (semi-)private dining room for business dinner. Not looking for fancy, expensive dinner. The room does not have to be completely secluded from the rest of the dining area; we will be talking throughout dinner and need to be able to hear each other comfortably. Thank you in advance for your recommendations and tips!
MSP: Good salad options near airport-Mac/Groveland area?
How about Cafe 128 (across the street from U of St. Thomas on Cleveland) or Jay's Cafe (a little out of the way from your specified area: on Raymond by University)?
Rec near Kramarczuk's (MSP)?
Thank you, karykat. It really helps to know about the noise issue.
Rec near Kramarczuk's (MSP)?
Thank you all for detailed and informative recommendations. MSP Hounds always come through! I plan to recommend to the group Butcher Block, Nea, Black Sheep, Toast, Modern, and Wilde Roast and see what they say. If Mpls Brasa is anything like the one in SP, I am afraid that the noise level is too much. I think Red Stag is bit pricey for this very casual work meeting. Again, thank you!
Rec near Kramarczuk's (MSP)?
I am supposed to meet some people for a very casual business meeting over dinner in a couple of days. I just learned that Kramarczuk's, where the group agreed to meet, closes at 8 pm during the week, and this will not give us enough time. I would appreciate recommendations in the area near Kramarczuk's that are casual and moderately priced. Thank you!
Ethnic Desserts in MSP area
Patel's Groceries (1835 Central Ave NE, Mpls and 7837 Portland Ave S, Bloomington) carry Indian sweets made in Chicago. They are in a chilled display case and sold by a piece or a pound. Peda is made with milk, sugar and nuts. They also have gulab jamun (fried dough balls in sweet syrup). I cannot remember if they have ras malai.
Caspian Bistro Market (2418 University Ave SE) is a Persian/Iranian restaurant with a small but well stocked grocery store. They have an assortment of Persian cookies and baklavas. I love the baklavas with cardamom; they are very different from Greek baklavas. They also sell their homemade saffron-rose water ice cream in the freezer.
I second Quang's for Vietnamese desserts and Keefer Court for Chinese (mostly Cantonese) pastries. Keefer Court will carry moon cakes through this Saturday for the moon cake holiday.
Moon cakes for Mid-Autumn Festival [Minneapolis]
Ummm,
Thank you for the information about the "ice-skin" moon cakes. I learned something new! Unfortunately, Keefer Court does not carry them. As for the banana-flavored sweets, Keefer Court has log-shaped sweets made of pounded, sticky rice. I don't know what they are called in English or Chinese. They are faintly sweet and have a distinct (artificial) banana flavor.
Moon cakes for Mid-Autumn Festival [Minneapolis]
Dear Ummm,
My husband is an American-born Cantonese and I can read some Chinese characters. But, I am not familiar with "white" moon cakes and neither is he. Can you describe them?
St. Paul late night dessert spot?
MSP Hounds,
I am looking for a dessert place to go in St. Paul on Saturday after seeing a play that ends probably around 9. I learned that Bravo Cafe Bakery will be open until 10. Cafe Latte will be open until midnight. I would consider going to Ngon Bistro for their dessert, and they close at 10. Ice cream places will not work because we want to sit down and talk. Any recommendations? Thank you.
Moon cakes for Mid-Autumn Festival [Minneapolis]
Anne,
Sorry, "green bean paste" is not made with green beans as in skinny, long, green veg! The "green bean" in green bean paste refers to green-colored legume. Funny how I am realizing for the first time that, to those who are not familiar with the stuff, "green bean paste" does sound like cooked down green beans. That will not make a tasty filling for moon cakes!
Moon cakes for Mid-Autumn Festival [Minneapolis]
I bought some the other day at Keefer Court Bakery Cafe on the corner of Cedar Ave and Riverside Ave in Mpls. They had a good variety: red bean paste, lotus seed paste, green bean paste, and nuts. If my memory is correct, they make red bean and lotus seed ones with 1 yolk, 2 yolks and without.
Pea shoots in Minneapolis?
I have bought pea tips at Trader Joe's. They are densely packed in tiny plastic containers and found near bags of salad greens. They cost a lot more compared to Asian grocery stores. But, Asian grocery stores tend to package the shoots in huge amounts, which I cannot consume fast enough in a household of 2. So, TJ's version is convenient. You may know that there are 2 different kinds of pea shoots - "big" ones and regular ones. The "big" ones have larger leaves and hollow stems. I was taught by my Chinese in-laws that the "big" ones are considered to be better because they are more tender, whereas the regular kind is crunchier. I like both. TJ's carries the regular kind.
MSP: New Restaurant(?) - Grand Szechuan in Bloomington
My husband and I ate at LS sometime in July. At that time, we knew no more than that the head chef had been replaced. We ordered 3 dishes and found the flavoring to be different. We also felt that all the dishes were sloppily put together both in terms of cooking and plating. But, we attributed our observations to "We are being hyper-sensitive to any sign of change because we didn't want any change. It must be all in our heads." Another thing we found strange was that none of the wait staff we were familiar with was there, and this made us wonder if the ownership had changed. Our conclusion was, "Let's not go back until we hear reports of 'all is well again (or better)." I guess that is not happening (anytime soon.) We are glad to know where we should go instead.
Minneapolis ETHNIC Food Snobs, Your Help Is Needed!
Hello Ummm,
(Sorry for the not-so-timely response:) Have you been to House of Wu at 1250 Highway 13 W in Burnsville? I haven't been there myself for quite some time. But, assuming that things are still the same, on weekends only, they sell Cantonese "BBQ" meats including roast pork and char siu by the pound, roast duck and soy sauce chicken (whole). I have a vague memory that they may also have some organ meats and things like cuttlefish. You walk through the dining room to the back of the restaurant and order what you would like at the counter. I don't know where they get their chickens from, but they are huge and succulent! My husband, who grew up in the Bay Area and whose family is originally from the Toisan area of Canton and HK, thinks that these cooked meats at House of Wu stand up to what he used to get in SF Chinatown.
Keefer Court in Mpls nowadays has soy sauce chicken (available whole or half) and roast duck almost everyday. I haven't tried the duck. But, their soy sauce chicken is pretty good although not as good a the one at House of Wu.
Mandarin Kitchen in Bloomington also started to sell a variety of Cantonese "BBQ" meats a while back. But, I have not tried any, and in fact, have not eaten there since the cooking went down the hill after the remodeling/expansion.
India House St Paul - WTF?
misterpatrick,
Now I want to visit Southwest Asia. Could you please provide the address?
I like rose water very much; I pour it on my yogurt. But, some of my friends tease me about my love of Earl Grey tea by saying, "Why do you want to drink tea that smells like a bar of soap!?" So, I can relate to your comment about hand-lotion-flavored sweets!
