Chris Mitra's Profile
Colossal Cafe, Minneapolis MN
Colossal's pancake flavor is most definitely the yeastiest (is that a word?) that I have ever experienced in a pancake... and the reason I go back for them time and again. I tend to think of them more as a classic French pastry in pancake form, rather than a traditional pancake. Fermented is a word I hadn't thought of, but I do suppose that could be used to describe their flavor.
If they aren't up CG's alley, then it's probably a personal preference thing. Colossal's pancakes are certainly one of the most unique in the area, so it sounds like this flavor was just not up his alley. Maybe one way to think about it is hoppy vs. non-hoppy beer. Some folks hate hoppy beers, some can't get enough of their flavor.
Woo Dip Harr in Minnesota?
Funny, I just had a conversation with someone the other day about the regional differences between General Gau's, General Tso's, and General Tsao's Chicken!
That would indeed be an interesting map!
MSP Bacon Crawl this Saturday
Yeah, Zumbro has my favorite bacon in the nearby area. That's what came to mind for me.
MSP- We need pie!
That was going to be my suggestion, also -- Byerly's / Lund's Haralson apple pie. So far it's the best I've found in the cities. Otherwise:
Fruit pies - Turtle Bread (especially their blueberry rhubarb)
Cream pies - Birchwood (banana, coconut, and I think I even had an orange (!?) cream pie a year ago that was amazing)
French silk pie - Baker's Sqaure, surprisingly, is still my favorite.
With so many good apple varieties here, I have recently been making apple pies, another thing you might consider. Wedge has had some nice organic granny smiths over the past few weeks. Super easy -- 4-6 apples, ~1 cup sugar, juice of a lemon, ~1 tbsp flour, ~1 tsp salt, cinnamon to taste -- mix it all together, TASTE it and adjust, then throw it in a pre-made pie shell for ~45-55 minutes at 375. Adjust ratios of sugar and cinnamon based on your preference and the types of apples you're using that week. I've found granny smiths to be more tart than haralson.
Ribs? (msp)
Chatterbox Pub has all-you-can-eat ribs for around $17. There are three types of sauces available, one of which is uuber-hot, and I forget what the others are.
This was at the Minneapolis location, but I'm guessing the St. Paul location would have the same menu. (?)
MSP: Greek Yogurt?
That's a great tip about Crescent Moon!!
Word on the street is that Abu Nader in St. Paul may also make their own. Apparently they sell yogurt in little home-packed containers.
[MSP] Cara Cara Oranges (Lunds) & Blood Orange Juice (Spoonriver)
The Wedge had blood oranges a few weeks ago, but I did not see them this week. We typically will mix in a few blood oranges with other juicier oranges if we make juice at home, and the blood oranges tend to add a slightly less-sweet but more complex (tart?) flavor to the mix (not to mention the amazing color). Maybe they will return next week, or maybe their season has peaked. However, I did notice some local Sonny's blood orange sorbet in the freezer case.
I tried the Wedge's Cara Caras also a few weeks ago, and I have to admit they were pretty amazing; not having heard about the PP review, I also (independently) noticed a bit of a berry flavor. It looked like this:
http://www.chezpim.com/blogs/2006/04/ingredient_cara.html
Chinese New Year - MSP
We had some of the Chinese New Year specials at Rainbow last week. We were pretty unhappy with the food experience.
We had first tried Rainbow right after moving here from the Bay Area a few years ago, having heard that it was one of the better Chinese restaurants around. While we liked the atmosphere, we did not enjoy the food too much, and had not been back since. Fast forward to now, we're driving through Eat Street and thinking to ourselves, "maybe we were just comparing it to Bay Area Chinese places. That's not really fair. Let's give it another shot."
Well, yeah, we were really disappointed with our dishes. From the New Years menu, we got the tangerine beef special and the New Years dumplings (chicken and green beans). The dumplings were bland (and the dough seemed too thick, although that might have been an impression due to the lack of flavor); the only taste really came from the dipping sauce. The tangerine beef was just bizarre. Our first thought when it arrived was that it was chicken-fried-steak with marmalade. The beef was coated in some sort of flour and then deep fried, resulting in a dry and cake-y texture which still tasted of the oil it was fried in. The sauce was really sour, and definitely had the look and texture of warm marmalade.
We also had the large wonton soup -- which surprisingly was just served in a large bowl to one of us, rather than spooned into two smaller bowls at the table as we have experienced just about everywhere else. The wontons were pretty decent, but the remaining broth was unappetizing -- too salty.
Service was pleasant, at least. Needless to say, I recommend avoiding those dishes if you happen to try Rainbow for Chinese New Year.
On a related note, yesterday I had lunch at Jasmine Deli. I was happy to learn that Vietnamese New Year coincides with Chinese New Year, as we arrived at Quang to a "Closed Thursday and Friday for Vietnamese New Year" sign. So we wound up at Jasmine Deli, which I had been meaning to try for a long time. Wow, what a great lunch -- charbroiled beef rice noodle salad. What really stood out above other similar dishes I've had in the past was the quality and freshness of the vegetables in the salad. The lettuce was bright green and crisp, the shredded carrots were a brilliant orange and tasted like carrots. Even the bean sprouts were noticeably crunchy and clean. My vegan friend always raved about Jasmine Deli, and now I can understand why. Additionally, the beef was lean and perfectly grilled and seasoned, and the noodles were softer than most. I also left the place very impressed with the low prices of their tasty-looking sandwiches -- $2.95 and $3.95 for most. Overall, a fantastic Vietnamese New Year experience that more than made up for Rainbow last week.
visiting minneapolis from nyc
Oh, yeah, Heidi's is a great suggestion -- and it is new since May. Blackbird is good and new, but not intimate -- tables are very close to each other. Heidi's is perfect.
visiting minneapolis from nyc
Meritage is new since you were last here. Here's a thread about it, which coincidentally seems to mention a few birthday dates:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/461835
NJ Corn Muffins -- looking for recipe
Yes, I think the diners make them this way also! Thanks for the links -- I think this looks promising, and would also love to see Jr's recipe. Thanks!
Indian Recipe. Help!!!
Zenright,
- What kind of onions are you using? Yellow, white, etc.?
- What kind of oil?
- How about the garlic and/or ginger -- are you blending that first?
- Specifically, which spices are you grinding yourself? What other spices are you adding?
- Are you using any pre-mixed curries and pastes?
- Are you making any substitutions? Garlic powder for fresh garlic, etc.
NJ Corn Muffins -- looking for recipe
For years I have been trying to replicate the corn muffins of my youth -- from the Shop Rite Bakery. Yeah, the baked goods section in the Shop Rite supermarkets on the East Coast (specifically, northern NJ). Call it comfort food, but there was always something about them that resonated with me -- twisting off the tops, dipping them in milk, yummm.
I have never been able to come even close with a homemade recipe. Can anyone help?
Specifically, these are super-moist, large, soft, sweet, and probably very bad for you. Almost more of a corn-flavored cake, rather than a muffin. No icing, no corn kernels, no cheese, and (shudder) no jalapeno peppers. Just homogeneous sweet cornmeal goodness, slightly crisp around the bottom and sides. Every recipe I have ever tried is either too dry, too grainy, and/or not sweet enough. I suspect that there is a fair amount of oil used in this recipe, based on the, uhh, shine that reflects off the muffin top.
So chowhounds, any suggestions? Thanks!
[MSP] Cafés with WiFi in Vadnais Heights, MN?
Yeah, I'm with you TDQ on seeking out the independent places, but when I used to be up there it was slim pickings.
Dunn Bros is a Twin Cities chain; plus, each one roasts their own beans, and I think each one has a different selection of food -- so I don't count them as a chain as much.
[MSP] Cafés with WiFi in Vadnais Heights, MN?
When I used to need Wi-Fi around there, I would go to the Panera and/or Dunn Bros on County Road E.
end of the year survey: What were your best 5 meals in MSP in 2007?
I'm pretty sure the spaghetti squash is sadly gone, as TDQ guessed, because it was a seasonal dish in the fall. It was a generously-sized side plate, and the key was the freshness of the sqaush and the simplicty and finesse of its preparation. The thin strands of squash were soft yet chewable to provide a perfect texture. It was lightly cooked with some sort of vinegar -- possibly apple cider vinegar -- which gave it tang, probably a bit of sugar for sweetness, red pepper flakes, and a light sprinkle of shredded parmesan on top for some salt.
It made the top of my list because it was the only dish I had this year which, after taking one bite, I ate the entire plate before even touching anything else I had ordered. It was so, so good. Oh yeah, and $6.
end of the year survey: What were your best 5 meals in MSP in 2007?
My top 5 "wow" food experiences that I can recall from 2007 (in MN):
5. Dinner at Harbor View Cafe
4. Poached Lake Trout, at Lucia's
3. Cappuccino at Kopplin's (thanks breadman, I would've forgotten this one)
2. Pancakes at Colossal Cafe
1. Spaghetti Squash at 112 Eatery
Honorable mentions: Raspberry Mint adult milkshake at Town Talk Diner; Beer Primer class by Myzurgy.
Good Pubs in Edina?
Good suggestion, but I don't think it's open yet. The Cafe Bicko sign is still there (and I heard Chatterbox is supposed to be moving into their space).
I'm surprised that nobody has suggested Cafe Maude yet. Relatively close to Southdale, great atmosphere, good food, non-chain, always seems to be packed. Again, not so much a "pub" as a bar/restaurant, but it might be a good option anyway.
Red Velvet cake in MSP
I just wanted to report that Sheela from Miel & Leche had red velvet cupcakes again today at Letterbox, and I agree that they were amazing. So moist, interesting, flavorful, and fun.
Also, Sheela mentioned that last week she catered a wedding with a red velvet wedding cake!
(While we're on the topic, here's one other tip: next week's cupcakes will apparently be holiday themed flavors.)
good places in MSP for raw oysters
Barbette has oysters on both their regular and happy hour menus.
Salut has a raw bar featuring a variety of oysters which change based on availability:
http://www.salutbaramericain.com/menu.html
Good Beef Stroganoff in MSP?
Occasionally, Lucia's To-Go (counter service) has beef stroganoff as one of their (two?) daily entrees. It's classic... thin strips of tender beef, wide egg noodles, creamy yet somehow not-too-heavy sauce with a tinge of *something* (alcoholic?) that gives it a depth well beyond cream of mushroom soup.
After considering it now, I think Lucia's was the best I have ever had. My previous favorite was a Russian deli that we used to go to in the Bay Area; I have not tried the local Russian establishments (other than their drinks), so maybe their stroganoffs are comparable.
You can probably call ahead to see if Lucia's has it this week. Note that it is written on the chalkboard, *not* displayed in the sample case.
[MSP] Blackbird Cafe?
We went to Blackbird for dinner during their first week, and yeah, I ordered the Longhorn. I think it was around $10.95, more than their other sandwiches by a few dollars, but the description sounded too good to pass up. The brisket was nicely done, very lean, and fell apart in the sandwich with every bite. I think the bread was from New French Bakery. I couldn't taste too much of the horseradish, but next time I might ask for more.
The rest of the menu was eclectic. Sandwiches and entrees, ranging from Texas (the Longhorn) to Vietnam (Bahn Mi). (Sandwiches are available for dinner as well as lunch, Kate.) Prices seemed reasonable.
When we went, it was a Wednesday, but the place was packed with locals from the neighborhood who probably had been watching expectantly as the place was constructed. I do think there was some confusion about this possibly being the new Woodman restaurant.
I seem to remember a good wine list, but only one beer on tap (Bell's Oberon that week) plus some bottled selections. Our service was surprisingly good, especially for the first few days of being open. Smoother than our first week experience at Maude and Levain.
The interior space is... interesting. The most striking characteristic is the abundance of antlers on the walls. Lots of them. Really bizarre and unexpected, not my favorite decorating technique. Doesn't seem to go with the rest of the decor, which is kind of bistro-y. Tables seemed pretty tightly packed together -- Kate was right in that the space feels a little small, but yes, it does curve around the back a bit. (We didn't go back there to see how far.)
My dining cohorts pointed out that there were limited vegetarian main dish options. This, combined with the antler theme, would seem to make Blackbird not the most veggie-friendly place.
Blackbird is slated to serve pastries and coffee in the morning, which might draw some foot traffic away from Rustica/Java Jack's, previously the closest option for many. We haven't tried them yet, but they will have a hard time beating Rustica in the pastry department. Their small bar in the front of the restaurant looks like it would be a nice place to stop in for a coffee, though.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Cafe Levain, Blackbird, Cafe Maude, and (in theory) the new Woodman restaurant all opening up within a few months of each other in overlapping neighborhoods. Clearly someone perceived a need for this kind of place down here -- but four of them? I find it especially interesting that two of these places (BB & Maude) have opened up with the same sort of model -- open all the time as a coffee shop / bar, but also serving food at meal time. Both outwardly encourage "lingering" and "casual leisure." Kind of European... I like it, I just hope the traffic can sustain that kind of thing.
We'll be back; we can walk there pretty easily. I can see myself stopping in for coffee or pastries in the morning (especially in the winter when the Rustica walk just seems a little too far) and for casual dinners occasionally. The first week experience seemed like a pretty good start -- but I really hope they lose the antlers.
Sorrento
I am going to be in Sorrento for a week pretty soon, and I will need to entertain myself during the day since my wife will be at a conference. Can anyone recommend good places to eat *alone* (cafes, etc.) which also have good, local, authentic chow? Most of the recommendations I've seen on this board focus on sit-down dinners/etc.
Bonus points if it's the kind of place I might be able to hang out for a while and work on my laptop -- but mostly I'd choose good chow first.
I'm also interested in any sort of culinary tours or excursions which might exist. I will not have a car, but I would consider renting a scooter or taking public trans if necessary.
Twin Cities Ice Cream/Custard Stands
Fendel, have you tried Crema's signature ("crema") flavor?
Twin Cities Ice Cream/Custard Stands
I love Pumphouse, and we also go there all the time since we too are close, but I have always felt that Crema's sorbets stand out as the best in the area. What sorbet flavors do you think are particularly good at Pumphouse?
On the topic of chocolate chip mint: I also am continuously on the hunt for an excellent traditional CCM, but so far can't find the right combination. My gold standard is Welsh Farms (pre-Parmalat acquisition), which you may or may not have tried in other locations (not available here).
I did find one really good chocolate chip mint in the area, but it was not completely "traditional" -- it used spearmint as its base, instead of peppermint. Oh, and it was pale blue instead of pale green (or white, if you prefer). It was actually from the U of MN St. Paul campus -- one of the departments (I assume related to dairy?) makes and sells their own ice creams in the summer, I think one day per week. Not sure what building they sell it from, but if you ask around I'm sure someone on campus will know.
As far as retail shops, I agree with Jordan that Grand Ole Creamery's CCM is probably the closest. In general, they *do* do a good job with the traditional flavors. I know for a fact that I did not like Edina Creamery's take on CCM -- too sweet.
But anyway, having failed to find the perfect traditional combo, I've actually been making my own. I still have yet to find a source for the perfect texture/size chocolate for this (I usually chop my own from a bar) -- but I think the mint base is spot on. If you're interested, email the address in my profile and I can send you the recipe.
I agree with you on Liberty's frozen custard -- I'm not sure I see the appeal, from a purely chowish point of view.
[Edit: I should mention that I think the U of MN's flavors vary every week, without any advanced warning. I think they only do two different flavors per week; and this week's CCM might be different from last week's. It was two summers ago when I had their blue version. So, yeah, this one might be kind of hard to come by.]
MSP: Cafe Levain Opens Tuesday 6/12
I would like to echo these sentiments. The place has a ton of potential to be a nice addition to the neighborhood. The menu is great -- I felt like I could have ordered any of the entrees and enjoyed them -- which is a terrific trait for a neighborhood place that you might visit frequently. Nothing too daring, but just a whole bunch of classic French staples.
As Raka mentioned, their price point is at least a few dollars per entree below similar dishes at other places around town. I believe their most expensive entree was $18, and that was for a steak frites. (For comparison, Barbette's steak frites is... $29? Not knocking Barbette, just saying.) They have a nice wine list, a nice space, and a good location.
I don't fault them for the dishes coming out "good" instead of "mind blowing," just a few days after opening. I plan to return in maybe a month, after they've had some time to work on perfecting the details.
Twin Cities Ice Cream/Custard Stands
Funny that Crema is serving a Banana Caramel flavor. Pumphouse also just started featuring a Malted Banana Caramel flavor, and I have to admit that I think it is my favorite flavor at Pumphouse, ever. There's something about the caramel which seems to bring the flavor together better than just plain banana, and the malt adds a bit of depth -- all the while tasting like a very fresh banana, with none of that artificial "banana flavoring" aftertaste.
MSP: Grand Ole Creamery #2
I just saw that they're opening a second Grand Ole Creamery at Cedar and Minnehaha Parkway in Minneapolis.
It's replacing a Dairy Queen. Nice upgrade! It seems like a good location for an ice cream shop, but dangerously close to Pumphouse. I hope that it doesn't hurt Pumphouse's volume! But I do hope that it will be another late-night ice cream option on this side of the river.
MSP: Cafe Levain Opens Tuesday 6/12
I just called the number for Turtle Bread -- 612-823-7333 -- and they put me through.
