Gastron's Profile
Twin Cities best onion rings?
Yep-Hubbell House are realllly good.Town & Country Club (private though) are off the charts.Buttermilk batter,yet not thick dough-nuts.Grandma's does them right.A touch of seasoned sour cream never hurt either.
Blueberry Beer in Minneapolis?
If thats the one near Fenway,I've had it too.They put the blueberries in it and they float/drop like a beery lava lamp? I'd check Blue Max in Burnsville,Zipps in Mpls or a Cellars location-most should have the Wild Blue by Anheuser Busch at most places.
Looking for Oatmeal beer (MSP)
Head to Trader Joe's and get their house brand (made by Goose Island) and enjoy.
The Nova/Hudson WI
I'd searched the archives for any posts,but there wasn't many.So...my wife and I made a Saturday road trip to Ellsworth to load up on fresh cheese curds at the creamery.They sell
so fast that they are put out on a table,unrefrigerated.
On the way back,we decided to give The Nova in Hudson a try.If you come into town below the hill heading north,take a right at the first stoplight (Dairy Queen) and its about a quarter mile east,up the hill.
We were also dog-sitting for my in-law's,so the first test was to ask if our dog could join us
outside on the patio.We had a leash,and the dog is well-behaved,but they didn't know that.
It wasn't a problem!
They have a great wine and beer selection,so my wife had a Seaglass sauvignon blanc (sp?)
and I had a tap Surly Furious.MMMMMMM.We started with a Mexican flight,which was 2 house made salsas and a bowl in the center of homemade queso.The chips were either freshly made or hot (round yellow corn) and everything about this app was delicious.One salsa was either a bean or lentil and the other may have had some fruit elements.NOT typical bar fare by ANY means.We both liked it a lot.
My wife had a grilled cheese and I had a chicken alfredo 7 in. pizza.My pizza was fresh and had a terrific meld of crunch,contrast and taste.Sorry,I don't have the flowery adjectives or descriptions here,just know it was GOOD.My wife's sandwich was on a ticker foccacia (?)
and she had the fruit for a side.Not the typical melon,but plump grapes on the vine and big,sweet strawberries.
The waitress was great.Asked if we needed a bowl of water for the dog,wasn't in your face with the syrupy "and how are WE doing today!?" kept our water filled and was a pro.
Will we be back? Guaranteed.My wife thought it would be a "new favorite"
E-Noodle Cafe, Roseville/St Paul (?) MN
Its in the strip mall that houses SETZER (think Brian from the Stray Cats) DRUGS and PAWN AMERICA on the WEST side of Rice St.Its on the corner of Rice and Larpentuer....
Best Thai on east side on Twin Cities
East Side Thai on Payne Ave in St Paul has 0 ambience,but I love their food!
[MSP] Where in Twin Cities to buy six-packs of obscure, unsual, even funny beers?
Head to a place where you can hand select your own six pack.You'll get the best bang for your buck with 6 separate brews,and you can pick a funny six pack holder too.I'm basically piling on the monkey pile,but Heritage Liquors on Frost Ave. in Maplewood,Blue Max in Burnsville,Cellars in Roseville,Dennis Brothers in Cottage Grove are a few that come to mind..if you have a theme in mind,I can give you brands,etc to look for.
Cassanova's and Chiccones in Hudson are terrific too.
Looking for a place for a meeting in Eagan, Burnsville or Apple Valley, Minnesota
Brianno's
MSP--- Green Chili...? ? ?
Zantigo's is what came to my mind too-I'm not sure if you can get a bowl,but the burritos are great.I have a weakness for the hot cheese chilitos too.We used to make after bar scarf-fests at the hilltop location in Mankato.(which is now called Zanz-complete with the washed out 1980's lit menu boards inside)
MSP Lenten Friday Fish Fries
My girls will be accompanying Grandpa and Grandma to the PAC again tonight (Polish American Club-1000 Arcade Ave in St Paul) A few weeks ago they had a 16 oz. dark Polish beer that was very tasty...
Suribhi Indian rest. 98th/Lyndale (MN)
Its located in the former Shinders location in the Oxboro strip mall in the SE corner of Lyndale and 98th.They used to be located in the Szechuan Express location visible from 35W on the east side,but have relocated.
My child bride and I stopped by last night for dinner,and heres a report...
The decor is nice-12 ft. ceilings,walls painted a nice color,sparse wood decor here and there.
(As a beer lover,they had a good dozen to choose from-Kingfisher and Taj Mahal from India and your usual US brands)
I can't wax eloquently on subtle tastes,so I'll just say-if you order the "dinner" rather than ala carte,you'll be taking leftovers home.As a big guy,I rarely meet a meal I can't deal with,but I'd bet I have an equal amount of food to eat tonight.
I ordered their Surabhi chicken (hot) and it was terrific.They dinners come with a beer tray sized dish which contains 4 smaller (hockey puck size) dishes filled with a yogurt/cucumber sauce,lentil soup,another spicier soup and a sweet tapioca pudding type dessert.The center bowl is filled with basmati,and I mean filled!I think a single dinner would be perfect for two people actually.You also get a basket of hot naan.
Yeah,I'm spoiled by Kabobs,which is much cheaper,but its nice to have options.Especially if you want a nice place to sit down and enjoy a meal.Service is not hurried,but once we ordered,our meals were there in about 5-7 minutes.
Prices range from 10-14.00 for most entrees.I'll be back....
THE GREAT KOLACHY HUNT
Franke's (kolachy) bakery in Montgomery MN is frozen in the 1940's.High back wooden art deco booths,and old Coke clock on the wall,slanted glass bakery cases full of yeasty goodness...and you may get a chance to chat with Mr. Franke himself,who was born before bread was sliced.
Its worth the trip-buy some to freeze.Stop at Chester Retka's little 3.2 bar a few blocks north at lunch hour for homemade soup and a cheap tap beer...
MSP: Belgian glassware?
Head over to Blue Max in Burnsville-east on 42 about a mile past 35E.They also have TOO MANY great beers (um,about 1000 to fill your glass with)
[MSP] to TDQ, discovery in White Bear Lake (north of St. Paul)
As a beer lover,dining (okay,drinking) on the patio and people watching is fantastic.Wish I hadn't eaten before we stopped in August.I'll be back!
[MSP] Aribel's: Guyanan in Richfield
I stopped in last night around 6:00 and was the only person there.Took your recommendations and had the Poulaise (sp?) with tamarind sauce.A bargain at 3.50 for 10 chickpea hushpuppies and homemade tamarind sauce,which was tart and tasty.
I had the beef pepper pot,which was a bowl of tender,cut with a fork beef chunks in a brown broth served with a plate of rice and shredded fresh cabbage towards one edge.
Washed down with a Heineken,all for 16.00.
Yep,I'll be back to try their other offerings!
[MSP] Mandarin Kitchen
I think its been about 3 weeks.They now have a koi pond in one corner and a visible "oven" with various meat hanging in it (along with a lobster tank) when you go in now.The tables for two are WAY too big,you'll be lucky to grasp your partners hand across the middle!
And the prices went up considerably-the only thing under 10 bucks at night is the Vietnamese soups,and they are only served after 9 PM.
I miss the lunch buffet too-it was a Bloomington bargain!
MN State Fair Style Cheese Curds?
For the naked variety,make the road trip through Hudson WI,take the River Falls exit and keeeep drivin' over to Ellsworth.The creamery is nirvana-dairy fudge,a quartered lb. of butter for 1.75 and 4 varieties of curds.They sell so fast that they aren't refridgerated,which makes them extra squeaky.Its worth the trip.
Kabobs Minneapolis
I had the chicken 65 last night,and it was getting busy with take out orders.The owner asked me about naan,and said I should have it with my order.I waited while they made it,and the above poster is dead on-its huge and delicious.The Chicken 65 was ALL chicken,spiiicy and darn good!I had the leftovers this morning.I'll have to explore some of the other eateries in this strip mall.
Can't wait to try more of Kabobs stuff.
MSP April Mid Month UPDATE
Made it a point to seek out Satay 2 go in Apple Valley Saturday.Its really hidden in the nondestrip mall on the north end of Home Depot.Now that I'm progressing to this important second sentence,it hits me-I can't remember the exact name of what I had.Okay-they were wider noodles with chicken,shrimp and assorted veggies.The guy at the counter was extremely helpful.Everything entree/side is pictured,along with a nice description below it.I ordered "hot" and said I'd like to sweat a bit.When I told him it was for take out,he smiled and joked about how I'd have no recourse if it were too hot.
I will be back.It was fresh,tasty and spiced well.Worth seeking out,hounds.
Old School Minnesota Flatbread Pizza Cut in Squares
Nope-its undergone a few transformations since then.I think its a tattoo parlor now.The best pizza in Owatonna is at the Rose Street Cafe,which is above the Blast (soft serve ice cream at half the price of Dairy Queen)
Bloomington eateries
Aw heck...its Zantigo's.The original is in Mankato,and THATS called Zanz.My fault-but their chilitos are my guilty fast food addiction.Its in the shopping center on the NE corner of Lyndale and 98th ST (with Domino's,Subway,Leanne Chin)
Bloomington eateries
Yes-
Tandoor Indian food is pretty good.They have Surly beer on tap and a few others that match up well with their foods.
Kinkaid's-if you are on the expense account.
Wally's roast beef on 90th St west of 35W-a great little retro place with fantastic sandwiches
Mandarin Kitchen-the standard for chinese around the area.Sunday Dim sum is lined up outside the door.
Zanz-fast food,but their hot cheese chilitos are a weakness of mine.
Do a search,you'll find a lot more!
MSP Lenten Friday Fish Fries
The Polish American Club on 1000 Arcade in St Paul has one.I went for the first time 2 weeks ago,and ended up full while becoming a member! They have a different group "host" the fry each week,and you have a choice of batter fried or plain (in butter?) You can dish up your own veggie or beans,bread and fixins' They have a dessert table with a hand lettered sign that said
.50 apiece for homemade goodies.Very quaint-I guess they used to have a line out the door in the old days.8 bucks for adults-$4.00 for kids.
And yes-a full bar.I had a Zwyiec beer from Poland.They also have a Hamms moving water sign behind the bar.Now if THAT isn't Minnesotan,what is?
(I'll be there Friday night with my 2 girls.Because this time we're gonna' POLKA afterwards)
MSP - End of the month Update for your fellow chowhounds!
Kate-Amen on that one.When I heard the name,I was skeptical and knew I had to try it.Its good-no artificial nanner taste.And-if you like dark coffee like beers,their Retreating Darkness is REALLY delicious!
