halomie's Profile
La Mei Zi (Spicy Sister) taking over Zen Restaurant.. Gooo!
Authentic Chinese restaurant in Uptown? Yes please! As their website indicates, they now serve Hunan and Szechuan style Chinese food. No more Asian-fusion.
Background: Hunan cuisine is similar to Szechuan as both regions enjoy spicy foods, but Szechuan folks love the oily, numb-spicies (ma-la) while Hunan enjoys a drier , more balanced spice.
We started off with Dan Dan Noodles, al dente noodles in a gorgeous pool of red spices, bits of stir-fried ground pork and sesame paste. Warm and entirely satisfying on a cold night. This is the best I've had, no joke.
Next up a bowl of fish and pickled vegetable soup, flavorful with notes of sourness from the pickled vegetables, tons of garlic, and tender pieces of fish. Again, a winner.
Cilantro stir-fried lamb, tender slices of lamb, tons of cilantro and szechuan red peppers. Andy, the restaurant owner recommended this one and said it everyone's favorite. I enjoyed it too.
We also ordered the Hunan Eggplant to round out our meal. I can't say that was my favorite, but I think it's because I'm not a huge fan of the eggplant texture. The spices/flavors were spot on though.
It's so exciting for Minneapolis to finally get some authentic Chinese cuisine, now if we could get a Northern Chinese style dumpling house....
I want to try every single dish in the Hunan Specialties section and szechuan style hotpots! Chowdown soon?
When in Doubt, Go to Brasa (MSP)
Go there for brunch! They have a 2 eggs (fresh, awesome), toast (meh) and 2 sides for $7.50. I had delicata squash and black eyed peas last week and everything was yummy.
MSP pumpkin/squash season.. what's your favorite?
Yes, it's pumpkin/squash season, what have you eaten lately that features this fall favorite?
I'll start:
- pumpkin white chocolate chip cookies from Great Harvest bakery
- pumpkin ice cream from Izzy's
- pumpkin bar from Gigi's cafe
- pumpkin (or squash) curry from Chai's
I'm looking forward for suggestions on butternut squash ravioli, or pumpkin pancakes.
Happy fall!
ps: it was great to meet so many of you during the last chowdown, can't wait for the next one!
Summer in MSP!!!
Mussels, frites and oysters at Barbette's outdoor seating..perfecto!
MSP: Chai's Thai Restaurant (Cedar/Riverside)
I go to Chais for their papaya salad, singapore noodles and green curry..
Oh the Singapore Noodles! I was skeptical when the lovely waitress recommended that dish as her favorite. Now I'm hooked. It's served with wide noodles, flavorful scrambled eggs and jumbo shrimp with perfect Singapore/Satay spices. You don't get much on a plate, but it's quality stuff.. mmm
MSP - Salted Caramel ice cream sighting @ Izzy's
Stopped by tonight, they should have some tomorrow?
I bought two pints! In addition to a pint of 1/2 soy peanut butter, 1/2 cream cheese.
weird but so yummy.
Hope this helps someone!
[MSP] Tianjin preserved vegetable--where to buy in Twin Cities?
Ahh one of my absolute favorite foods of all time. Also check out Shanghai Market on Como, near Snelling. They carry a couple different brands. The one I like is in a silver pouch, already shredded.
My favorite breakfast growing up was plain congee eaten with little dishes of savories including shredded zha cai, thousand year old egg drizzled with toasted sesame oil, you tiao (fried dough). I still request it every time!
HTH~
MSP: Dong Yang Korean
Did you already go?
If not, definitely get the seafood pancake, the best in the cities. For winter, duk mandoo gook is great, rice cake with steamed dumplin soup.
HTH!
MSP - Cafe Lurcat?
Try their chocolate cake, it's my favorite chocolate dessert in town. Good luck on your race!
What's the best thing you've eaten recently? [MSP]
-Irish Moxie (Coffee Ice Cream, Jameson, Oreo, Toffee) Ice cream @ Izzy... I always get a pint, just enough for a couple days :)
-Appetizer Plate @ Shish .. falafel, babag, hummus.. Mmmm
-Frickles @ TownTalk
-Sea Salt Chocolate Cookie @ Lucia's Bakery
BYO in MSP?
I think Shish is BYO. Saw a couple folks drinking beers outside with their food but the place doesn't offer alcohol.
MSP: Little Szechuan is back!
Heard this from my Mom..one of the chef from Tea House moved to open Little Sichuan, that's why you taste the difference.
MSP - Mid Month Update - Post a Review of places you've dined at in Jan 2007!
Town Talk - ate at the bar, fabulous service and food. Had the grilled cheese with avocado, yummy. Folks next to us ordered the Beet Salad and a some kind of lamb stew. Looked delicious!
Crescent Moon - had a spinach pie, very good, want to try the pizzas next.
Food Court @ United Noodle - This is my favorite place for homestyle chinese food. Had beef noodle soup as well as several deli items including Lion's Head (chinese style pork meatballs), tea-soy eggs, garlic rice, and sticky rice (SO GOOD! reminscent of the stuff you get in the banana leaves in dimsum, but better IMHO) plus I got some smoked fish and stewed duck wings to go.
Korea house? forgot the name, but the fairly new korean restaurant in Stadium Village. Had the duk mandoo gook, which is rice cakes with dumplings in a beef broth, so good for the cold.
