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leeniebeanie's Profile

Crispy Fried Beef!

Hello. I'm not sure if this is what you are referring to but Shuang Cheng in Dinkytown has a dish called Beef with Dried Orange Peel. It's slices of beef that are deep fried with an orange sauce. Don't let the orange sauce scare you. We call it "Beef Candy". It's crispy, crunchy goodness.

Foulest flavours...

I stand corrected. You are both correct, it is a texture/origin thing and perhaps because of that, they taste absolutely vile to me. I have tried and tried and I just can't get past it.

Foulest flavours...

Fois gras
Oysters
Veal
Just typing the words makes me woozy. So gross!

Plymouth/Maple Grove

I'm looking for a place to have lunch on Sunday. I would prefer not to eat at a chain restaurant if possible. Has anyone eaten at Ketsana's? If so, what are your thoughts? Any other ideas? I'm open to just about any kind of food. Thanks.

Cooking For Our Four Legged Friends...

I think it depends on the size of the dog and the amount of chocolate. I had a dog that LOVED grapes. I fed them to her a lot. No negative result. Once I read that they were toxic for pups, she never got another one. Why take a chance with your best friend's health?

Gift Card for friends....sort of.

I'd like to purchase a gift card for dinner for a couple that are getting married. They live in Austin, I live in Minneapolis. They are friends of an ex, so I don't want to go overboard. I'd like to stay in the $75-$80 range. I've done a little digging and the places that interest me, are out of that price range (Parkside, Wink, Uchi, Congress). I'm open to just about any type of food, but it would be nice if there were some vegetarian options available. Also, it would be great if it was the sort of place that was maybe a little romantic and not too casual. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.

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Uchi Restaurant
801 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704

Di Noko's - Chicago Deep Dish Pizza

I ordered a pizza from Di Noko's tonight and it will now be my "go-to" place for pizza. Well, maybe "go-to" isn't the right term because you cannot dine-in, only pick-up or delivery. It was that good. First of all, when I called in my order, I wasn't put on-hold or disconnected (I'm looking at you Chris and Rob's). The pizza was delivered within 30 minutes as promised, and it was really good. I got the flat crust, which is between a thin crust and a hand tossed. As stated above, they have four different types to choose from. I added pepperoni and banana peppers. The toppings were plentiful and tasty. There was just the right amount of chewy mozzarella. And by "right amount" I mean a lot of it, but not too much. The sauce had a little bit of a kick to it, which I really liked. At any rate, I am looking forward to my next pizza from Di Noko's.

Red Velvet cake in MSP

Ben & Jerry's has their version also. The website describes is like this: Red Velvet Cake Batter Ice Cream with Red Velvet Cake Pieces & a Cream Cheese Frosting Swirl. I was addicted to it for a couple of weeks this Summer. Luckily, I had to walk a mile to the store and a mile home to get it. I convinced myself that the walk canceled the calories.

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Ben & Jerry's
5134 Southdale Ctr, Minneapolis, MN 55435

foods you ate as a kid (or young adult) that you wouldn't eat now?

We used to make Tang sandwiches. Wonder bread, butter and Tang. Nothing better!

Best prime rib?

Not sure how it is, but Nye's also has it on their menu.

things we keep

I've two bottles of Orbitz Soda that have followed me from house to house for approx. 14 years. I've never tasted it, but when I first bought them I thought they looked "happy". They don't look so cheery anymore but now I'm committed to keeping them. Sad, I know.

Take-out Pies?

My experience with Turtle Bread has been hit or miss. I was recently disappointed in an apple pie purchased there. However, I've never had a bad pie from the Birchwood Cafe. I really, really like their key lime pie.

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Birchwood Cafe
3311 E 25th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406

Pre-Rapture Pig Out

Thanks. Now I can't get the Mr. Creosote scene from "The Meaning of Life" out of my head.

patisserie 46 - Minneapolis

I finally made a trip here last week. Maybe my expectations were too high, but I thought it was just sort of okay. I sampled five different things and thought they batted about 50%. The almond croissant was pretty good - nice and light with just enough almond flavor. Both the ginger cookie and the oatmeal raisin cookie were let downs. The ginger was too crunchy for me around the edges, but nice and soft in the center. The flavor was good, but it probably would have been better dunked into ice-cold milk. The oatmeal raisin was just okay. A slice of lemon pound cake eaten later in the day had a nice light taste. It was pretty good but maybe would have been more impressive if I eaten it earlier. I also had a baguette that had a good crunchy crust and a softer (but not too soft) interior. I liked it, but I didn't think it was anything special. I also bought my pooch a dog treat. He really doesn't care too much about food (would rather chase a ball) and he liked it a lot. Anyway, I liked some stuff more than other stuff. The counter help was really helpful and the dog treat was a hit! Bottom line: If I'm driving past and I feel like stopping, I will, but I don't think I'd make a special trip.

Modern Times Cafe

The Modern Times Cafe is located on 32nd and Chicago Ave. S. If I remember correctly, many, many years ago it was a dry cleaners. When I was a kid, we used to pass it on our way to the Sears on Lake Street. I still remember how great the popcorn and roasted nuts smelled when you first walked into the store. Am I dating myself?????

Modern Times Cafe

Has anyone been to the Modern Times Cafe in Mpls? If so, what are your thoughts? Thanks.

Rick Nelson Star Tribune reviews

SarahInMinneapolis states " Rick Nelson is severely handicapped in honestly reviewing restaurants. That's no slam on Rick, but it is what it is. Nelson knows all the chef players and probably knows many of them (and/or their families and friends) have bet the bank on new restaurants. He also knows that a bad review from him -- because he is the only major food voice at the state's newspaper of record -- is likely the kiss of death."

If we are to believe that is a true statement, what reviews can one find truthful and unbiased? In no way am I discounting the miserable experience that she had at Heartland, but because one's experience differs from a restaurant critic's, does that mean the critic is unethical? This is a small town and I would guess that most chefs and critics would, at some point, become acquainted. Probably doesn't stop either one of them of doing the job they were hired for.

Breakfast in Uptown

I like Our Kitchen a lot, wonderful hashbrowns and super-friendly staff. BUT be prepared to wait, both for a stool at the counter and for your meal. I've been there approx. four times and it took over 45 minutes once we had ordered. So, if you're not in a hurry or dying from hunger, it's worth a try.

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Our Kitchen
813 West 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408-4107

Best Bakery -- not refined, not French, just good donuts

I second the Maple-Bacon long john at Yo Yo Donuts. I picked up a box of donuts for a meeting at work and only choose one of them. The plan was to divide it into pieces so that more than one person could have a taste. I ate the whole thing myself and didn't feel bad about it in the least!

Juniper Berries

Hi, does anyone know where I can find Juniper Berries in either Mpls. or St. Paul?

Best atmosphere for martinis?

Next time he comes to town, let me know. Just thought I would throw out something other than Bradstreet.

Best atmosphere for martinis?

I vote for The Lexington on Grand Ave. in St. Paul. Old school vibe.

Blackbird is Open.

I liked it a lot. Cool vibe, sort of neighborhood-y, sort of hip. I loved the walleye po' boy sandwich and thought the fries were good too. Brunch was good, but always crowded on the weekends. Hopefully, they will have more room in the new space because the tables were pretty crowed. Having said that, I am looking forward to visiting the new spot.

Red Velvet Cake

We ended up at the Queen of Cakes in Edina and I am happy we did. The Cream Cheese Red Velvet cake was a real hit with my now twelve year-old niece. The cake was very moist and the frosting was great. They were very helpful. They asked who the cake was for and how we would like it decorated. They gave us lots of ideas but we pretty much let them design the cake. My niece loved the lime green and purple polka dots and the birthday wish that adorned her special cake on her special day. All in all, a very good experience.

Great place near Minnehaha Falls!?

Hi Neighbor! I hope that you have tried Busters. Avoid the fish tacos (much better at Sea Salt) but I've like everything else that I've tried on the menu.

Red Velvet Cake

Hi - I am looking for a Red Velvet cake for my nieces 11th birthday. Any suggestions? I live in the Southwest Metro, so if there is anything in that area, that would be good. I seem to remember that this was discussed previously, but dang if I can find it. Thanks

Best High End Money No Object Steak Dinner in MSP??

I am a huge Manny's fan. I usually dine there once a month or so. However, my brother is a huge Capitol Grill fan. He treated me to a birthday dinner back in June and I must admit (and it kills me), he may be right. The steak was as good, if not better than Manny's. I would maintain that I like the side dishes better at Manny's. Both have good wine lists. I feel as though Ruth Chris has declined steadily over the past few years. Not a fan of The Strip Club.

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The Strip Club
378 Maria Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55106

Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives might be returning to Minnesota

I am not a fan of The Lion's Tap, but if it redirects some of the Newbies from The Nook...I'm all for it!

Is Leann Chinn still decent?? [Moved from Minneapolis-St. Paul Board]

I used to like their Peking Chicken. I had some not too long ago at the Highland Park location. Be afraid, be very afraid.... Seriously, it was awful and I only ate about a quarter of it.

Restaurants You Love - And Nobody Talks About

I love Ruam Mit Thai in St. Paul. I am addicted to their Spring Rolls and Rad Na with chicken. The black bean sauce is so good that I sop up of all of it with sticky rice. Everytime there is a thread about Thai food, I look for a mention and never or rarely see one. Sometimes the service is lacking and the tables not cleaned fast enough...but I love it.