nancyd's Profile
Blue Door Pub
I had heard a little about Tin Cup's and it looks worth checking out. If I can get myself to not go to the Nook . . .
Blue Door Pub
Stop the misinformation. The Nook has definitely NOT gone downhill. We've been there numerous times since they reopened and the food is as great as ever and consistent as well. When I'm craving a burger, a juicy nookie is the only thing that comes to my mind. And I find the remodeled space to be more comfortable than before.
Been to the Blue Door a few times. While I didn't dislike it, there was no Wow factor. And the place is too small and cramped for me to feel comfortable.
Fresh Whole Sardines
Coastal is open New Year's Eve 9am to 6pm according to their website.
Good cheap eats near the Ordway
Not too expensive and close to the Ordway: first thought is Jimmy John's. Too fast foody? Bulldog or Senor Wongs would be walkable. And while it would take two parks, I'd opt for Red's Savoy (they don't seem to have a current website).
http://www.senorwong.com/home.html
http://www.thebulldoglowertown.com/
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Senor Wong
111 East Kellogg Blvd., Saint Paul, MN 55101
Ellsworth/River Falls breakfast spots
Taking a road trip tomorrow morning. Was hoping to stop in either Ellsworth or River Falls for breakfast, but did some looking online and didn't see a lot of options. Anyone have any ideas? Note: Perkins is not an option.
Thanks.
Drago's or Acme ................
Acme can be a tourist trap, I agree. But it is still my boyfriend's favorite place for raw oysters and the best place for chargrilled for both of us. Thought Drago's chargrilled were way overrated, not to mention gritty. At least at the one in the Hilton.
Finally.....
Good post. Definitely The Nook! I've lived in St. Paul my whole life and finally got there a few years ago. I can't believe all those Juicy Nookies I could have eaten.
La Crosse WI question (and Chippewa Falls and Spooner)
Going on a motorcycle trip to Wisconsin and have a few questions that hopefully some Chowhounders can help with. The first night, we will be in La Crosse. Haven't been there for a few years. I thought I had heard that Mr. D's had closed. Was hoping to do breakfast there; anyone know if it is open? Also, any other places of note to go in La Crosse?
The next 2 nights will be spent in Chippewa Falls and Spooner. Never stayed overnight in either town. Is there anything in particular to check out?
Thanks.
(MSP) Sea Salt or Brasa open July 4th?
Hoping to eat at either the Nook, Sea Salt or Brasa on the fourth. Read in the paper that the Nook (and Shamrock's) is closed. Anyone know if Sea Salt or Brasa will be open? And yes, I know I can call and find out if necessary.
Thanks.
Chef Jeff Project on FN
I agree with chazmo that it should be "Go away Adam." And possibly "Go away Shante" as well. But not necessarily for the same reason. Their attitudes and lack of respect compared to the others is beyond acceptable to me. And besides, if they don't want this chance and aren't willing to make the effort, there are hundreds, probably thousands, of other willing to step up.
What's new Duluth MN and Superior WI?
We just got back from a few days in Duluth. From both friends and online, we checked out the following places:
1. Anchor Bar for burgers. Awesome place, a definite experience. Dark doesn't quite do the description justice. Burgers were very good, but beware of the blue cheese burger. No actual pieces of blue cheese, just sauce and very messy,
2. Sammy's Pizza. We promised a friend who is a diehard Sammy's fan that we would check it out. Very good pizza. Not spectacular, but I'm a big fan of the thin crust, square cut style.
3. Judy's Cafe in Two Harbors. Not a lot of breakfast choices in Duluth. We thought about Hell's Kitchen but got some negative feedback from friends who had been there. And I thought their prices were way too expensive for breakfast. We'd been to Judy's before and it hasn't changed. Just a very comfortable small town diner with very good food.
4. Fitger's. While we didn't eat there, we did drink there. Since we were staying at the Fitger's Inn, it was very convenient. Their beers are excellent, especially the Apricot Wheat.
All and all, a darn fine weekend. And I would highly recommend Fitger's Inn. Beautiful place, great service and perfect location.
nancy
MSP: New Thai restaurant alert
Not sure about delivery. Their website is not done, but you may want to check here in the future.
http://mangothaimn.com/
MSP: New Thai restaurant alert
Jeepers, give them a break. They opened Monday.
I will miss the people who ran Thai Delight. They were incredibly friendly and pleasant. While their food wasn't earth-shattering, it didn't suck and the prices were right and the servings huge.
I saw the menu for Mango and it almost looks like too much for a little neighborhood place. A lot more seafood and duck as well as a variety of salads. The prices are higher, which is fine with me if their food is good. I will keep my fingers crossed and keep an eye out here for further reports.
Suggestions on authentic mexican in MSP
Not so. Last time we were there we sat in the new back room with wait service and beer. Service was pretty slow, so I would probably opt for the cafeteria counter next time.
Bucantini all’Amatriciana with Guanciale (NYT Recipe)
Too big, obviously. I think if we had also cooked it longer as mentioned it would have worked better.
Bucantini all’Amatriciana with Guanciale (NYT Recipe)
What went wrong?
We followed the New York Times recipe. It didn't say exactly how long to cook the guanciale nor did it say to trim the fat, which I assumed was part of the rich flavor of the guanciale. What we got was fatty, inedible pieces of pork that we had to pick out. After that, it actually was pretty good, but obviously we shouldn't have had to pick it out. We are not weenies when it come to rich or fatty gaminess; we usually love those type of flavors. The guanciale was ordered online from La Quercia Artisan Meats in Iowa and seemed to be fine. Anyone have any idea what we did wrong?
MSP - Buster's on 28th Report
Mark and Paul no longer have any connection to the Gnome. They are the owners of the Muddy Pig only. Which by the way, just got some spiffy new hardwood floors and some new flat screen TVs (No, Paul, this is NOT a sports bar!!). Great neighborhood place. Won't comment on the Gnome; I think enough has already been said.
Nancy in St. Paul
St. Paul Farmer's Market Cheese
The website for Bass Lake doesn't show anything like bandage wrapped goat cheddar. The mystery continues . . .
St. Paul Farmer's Market Cheese
When I googled it, it did indeed sound like a cheese from Carr Valley. They are not on the St. Paul Farmer's Market website as one of their vendors. Can anyone verify either way?
By the way, the cheese is absolutely amazing wherever it comes from. And as far as the Lovetree Farms cheeses go, I would recommend them as well.
St. Paul Farmer's Market Cheese
We bought some cheese on Saturday at the St. Paul Farmer's Market. We thought it was from Lovetree Farms, but according to their website, they only do sheep's milk cheese and we bought a bandage wrapped goat cheddar. I don't believe Eichten's does cheese like this. Can anyone tell us who was selling this cheese?
Thanks,
Nancy in St. Paul
Near Millennium Park
Just wanted to say thanks for the info. Especially the Intelligentsia suggestion. Totally convenient to where we were staying, excellent coffee and wonderful atmosphere. Also appreciated the directions to Hot Doug's. It is sooo out of the way to get to, and yet, so worth it. Highly recommended. Frontera never ceases to amaze me. Manage to fit in two absolutely fantastic meals there. Noteworthy were an awesome ribeye, ceviche trio, a tomatillo salsa (best salsa I've ever had), killer Topolo margaritas, and incredible mashed potatoes (I want the recipe for those!) Also, Portillo's Italian beef rocked. Not a Chicago style pizza fan, but Gino's East was great. And lastly, had some of the best gumbo ever at Heaven on Seventh.
What a great trip. What a great town.
Thanks,
Nancy in St. Paul
Near Millennium Park
Thanks for the info. If it helps, we are staying east of Michigan Ave. on South Water.
Just a few more questions: Is Hot Doug's walkable? Also, the link above listed mostly brunch places. Looking more for basic breakfast or really good coffee place very close by.
Thanks again.
Nancy
Near Millennium Park
We are staying very near Millennium Park this weekend and early next week and I am not real familiar with Chicago. We prefer to do a lot of walking and I am wondering what is walkable. We are planning on going to Hot Doug's, Frontera Grill, Portillo's, and possibly Geno's East and Hopleaf. Also, probably hang out at Murphy's Bleachers during a Cubs game.
Also, how far are Chinatown, Greektown and Little Italy?
Have no ideas for breakfast or coffee. Prefer as close as possible for this. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Nancy in St. Paul
St. Paul old Chico Chica space
Yes, I am sure the tortillas were handmade. When we got there, there was a woman in the front window patting out the tortillas from a big hunk of dough. They may have gotten the masa mix from somewhere, but they were hand formed.
Someone needs to find out what the orange-cheesey looking salsa is.
Nancy
Bring back the Hungry Detective
I wanted to contact the Food Channel, but I could not find anywhere online to contact. Any ideas? Anybody?
And a question for Chris: What have you tried at Hot Doug's? Did you get to taste the fries cooked in duck fat? I can't wait until I get to try this place next month!
Nancy in St. Paul
St. Paul old Chico Chica space
Went to El Patio Mexican Grill for lunch on Saturday. And I will be going back. Appearance-wise, it looks pretty much the same as Chico Chica did. But that's where similarities end. Free chips with a fresh salsa and another sauce that I couldn't identify. Looked like a thin cheese sauce, but didn't taste cheezy. Had a great kick to it. Tasting-sized bowls of a Mexican noodle soup also came with the chips. Very comfort-foodish.
Their menu is very extensive and mostly geared towards complete meals with beans and rice versus a la carte. There is special section of very hot food on the very back of the menu that I had to try. I got the hot version the camarones (shrimp), which were prepared in a very spicy chile-flavored cream sauce with hints of what may have been tequila. The shrimp were slightly overdone, but still delicious and plentiful. My dining companion got the pork tamales and they were fantastic. Even the presentation is worth mentioning. Margaritas were decent, but nothing special (I will have to wait until I go to Frontera Grill next month to get my margarita fix). Also worth noting, are the homemade, as in still warm, white corn tortillas they serve. Wow, I could have made a meal out of just them.
Go check it out.
Nancy in St. Paul
Bring back the Hungry Detective
I really like Chris Cognac on this show. I saw that he was doing a show on Chicago next month and so am I (going to Chicago that is). I checked the Food Network and saw that the only time the show is on is Friday, Mayy 11th at 10:30am. What the heck? He was on prime time and he should be on prime time. And not to "bash" but why don't they replace the Ace of Cakes with the Hungry Detective? Actually, why don't they replace the Ace of Cakes with anything!!
Nancy in St. Paul
St. Paul old Chico Chica space
I had heard that the Taco Morelos owners were taking over this space on West Seventh and calling it something like Mexico Patio Grill. Supposed to open in April some time. Anyone heard any updates regarding this?
Decent Mexican food in this gorgeous space would be a welcome addition to this neighborhood.
Nancy in St. Paul
Peppadew recipes
I recently saw and tried a recipe for Peppadews stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in prosciutto and baked. They were incredible. I was hoping to find more recipes for Peppadew, but searching the Internet only turned up variations on the goat cheese version. I am thinking of some kind of meat stuffing maybe. Any ideas?
nancy d
[MSP] All foods at the State Fair (more or less)
Am going to the fair on Saturday and this will come in mighty handy. Thanks so much for putting it together.
