turtlebella's Profile
Where to take some visiting Food Snobs?
Meritage is more of a French bistro in ambiance and style of food. La Belle Vie is definitely more fine dining and I think might appeal more given your description of your uncle. I don't really know/have an opinion on Foie Gras as I don't eat it, generally speaking. The only I I've had it was at The Strip Club, I thought it was wonderful. But I have no frame of reference! I do like the idea of having foie gras from Au Bon Canard.
Personally, I prefer Meritage but I am 1) much more of a casual person and 2) probably not in the majority of the population in this opinion!
La Belle Vie not far off of 94 at all, maybe less than a block!
Alma is my favorite restaurant in the Twin Cities so I'm never not going to recommend it. If you can get in on a Saturday that's when Alex Roberts is in the kitchen, but the food is wonderful all the time. Just extra fun to have the Chef in the house. Lots of local produce and meat is the star, nice presentation, not crazy fancy in terms of ambiance, more industrial decor. Great service. (Service is very very very good at La Belle Vie and just fine at Meritage)
St. Paul Food Trucks - 2012 Season
Potter's, The Cave, and Home Street Home were at Mears Park (Wacouta & E 6th ST) two Thursdays ago. I got a gyro, chips, and pop from The Cave. Pretty decent, nothing earth shattering, but solid yummyiness. And the people are really great, friendly, prompt. The chef came out a little after I got my food and walked around Mears Park, checking in with people who had bought their lunch from him and seeing if they were pleased. On his way back to the truck he noticed that I had finished and offered to take my trash for me. Very sweet. A little extra customer service like this goes a long way! Unlikely to happen if they are slammed I suppose but still, it'll make me go back.
Jalsa -- Indian fast food
Sigh. Why do all good Indian "fast food" places have to located approximately a trillion miles away from me? This place looks great and I will likely never try it. Because I go to Columbia Heights/HIlltop (I've never even heard of Hilltop but to be fair lots of people have never heard of where I live either!) ... well, never.
Best Hero/Sub Sandwiches in MSP (Not Counting Subway and other chains)
Yes, I agree.
Buon Giorno Express' chicken parm sub was the closest thing I could find 'round here to a Connecticut chicken parm grinder. Don't know how that compares to NY/NJ. I'm still sad sad that they closed. They had darn good tiramisu too. Ah well...
Perhaps I will give the subs at Buon Giorno a try one of these days.
Lynden's Soda Fountain in St. Paul
I have often thought about stopping there but am generally always in a rush with no time... have to MAKE time... May be I will stay away from the phosphates and try something else...
Bakeries and restaurants in/near St. Paul
That block is DANGEROUS! I mean, in a good, foodie way! Izzy's ice cream, Sweets bakeshop, Kopplin's, Trotter's Cafe around the corner... and Choo-Choo Bob's if you have children obsessed with trains... If I lived in walking distance, we'd be in big trouble. :) Actually, I really like the Merriam Park neighborhood...
Lynden's Soda Fountain in St. Paul
I'd love to be able to get a good egg cream! I usually regard that as one of those things that you only get in NYC. But I'd love to be wrong about that. I hope they go vintage with an old-fashioned soda fountain with a counter, even with the "modern twist" - that would be fun. As a kid my dad would drag me all over creation to visit the last few drug store soda fountains that still existed. He loved those places (he was born in 1910) and now so do I!
Joan's in the Park
Curious, TDQ, about what made it not friendly for kids? Is it the quiet/cozy aspect? Or is the staff not generally welcoming? Price point/menu options? "Looks" from other patrons? Or some combination or other?
I wonder if the patio & brunch would be better. I feel like a lot of places that are inappropriate for small children at dinner time are much easier to do at brunch if you'd like to eat out with children. At the least, that has been our experience, we go lots of places for lunch or very early dinner that we might not go otherwise with her. I know people just want parents to get a babysitter, but I take a very different approach, part of my daughter's life is restaurants, she is learning how to behave and be in a restaurant. Helps that I have a fairly easy-going kid though and that we are willing to pull the plug if a melt-down starts.
But I always like to know/am generally curious what makes one place kid-friendly and another not.
Minneaplis suggestions for family of 5
Better view at Nicollet Island Inn, for sure. I've never been blown away by their food but haven't been disgusted either. It's good for large family brunches, we used to do that, until my mother finally admitted that their interpretations of classics were too modern for her (when she orders eggs benedict she doesn't want the hollandaise to be anything other than plain old-fashioned hollandaise, for example). But it's a lovely old space and I'm never sure, exactly, how they survive.
We did mother's day brunch and Grand Cafe in Minneapolis last year and that was really nice. Basically a neighborhood (Lyndale? Kingfield? I'm a little fuzzy on south Minneapolis neighborhoods!) spot, not in downtown. I always like to see different neighborhoods when I'm not in my home town .... and this includes Minneapolis since I live in St Paul (ha!).
Otherwise, +1 for Brasa. Depending on if your kids like Asian food, I'd recommend one of the Pho places - perhaps Quang on Nicollet, weekends they have the sea bass pho that everyone raves about. I don't know how much Vietnamese you have in Madison but we do it very well here in the Twin Cities! that strecth of NIcollet is called "Eat Street" - lots of good places. Maybe if the teenagers want to eat somewhere else... ??? don't know how old they are! :) have fun!
Penuche- where to find?
I'm looking for a local source of Penuche (light colored "fudge"). My mom is having surgery with a very long recovery time and she grew up loving penuche but doesn't get it very often any more and I thought it would be nice to surprise her with some. St Paul source would be great, although Minneapolis one would do.
Any recommendations?
PS I know I could make it myself - using locally sourced, high quality ingredients bought at a local co-op! - but I don't want to. ;) Thanks though!
Baby and toddler friendly, St. Paul & Minneapolis
yep, never been wild about the food. But their kid's space is nice!
Also did anyone upthread mention Gandhi Mahal? They have a little kids play area that is AWESOME, my daughter loves it. I had no idea it was there cos we always sit in the other room and only found it cos she had to go to the bathroom.
Brief but delicious return to MSP (Brasa, Pho Ca Dao and assorted odds and ends)
sounds like you had a yummy time! I am wondering which east side st paul school that is and since I live over here whether I can get my kid into the school while the parent who makes the tamales is still there... homemade tamales are the best.
I just wanted to add as a tip for anyone heading to Brasa soon- on a recent trip to Brasa (Grand Ave location), we had the carmelized brussel sprouts that were on special and they are DIVINE. Possibly one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth! We talked to the restaurant manager and he said they'd be sticking around for awhile cos people seem to like them. YOU MUST ORDER THEM! Even if you don't like brussel sprouts, you will like these!
Baby and toddler friendly, St. Paul & Minneapolis
Sea Salt IS fun for whole family. Especially since they also have great beer. And ice cream (Sebastian Joe's? I think that's right). We also like to walk down to the Falls and maybe take a ride on the rentable bike surrey thingdos. Definitely an exciting day out, gets everyone good and tired out!
Baby and toddler friendly, St. Paul & Minneapolis
Yes, the bars particularly seem to lack changing tables (perhaps they never thought babies would be amongst their clientele?). I seem to remember one time when mtullius was at Town Hall with a young baby and looked in the men's room for a changing table...nope. Not sure if he tried the women's room, but it hasn't got one either....kinda a bummer if you have a kiddo that has.to.be.changed.RIGHT.NOW. We didn't have one of those kiddos.
Saigon doesn't have a bathroom?! Is that even legal? I wouldn't have thought so...
And yeah, the bathroom at Ngon...I really hate that it's down those stairs... kind of scary even if you aren't carrying a baby or holding the hand of a toddler who wants to do it ALL BY HERSELF. I'm not really sure how their bathrooms pass muster with Americans with Disabilities Act but I suppose it has to do with being grandfathered...
I forgot to add two other very child-friendly chowish spots-- Trotter's Cafe and Birchwood Cafe. Both have changing tables and the Birchwood even has a little step-stool so little ones can reach the sink (I LOVE this!!! Do you know how annoying it is to lift a dangling two/three year old to wash their hands, try to turn water on, put soap on their hands etc etc all while they are squirming and saying that your holding them is HURTING. argh. Note to restaurants-- you should all invest in a fairly cheap little step stool, it will make all your parent customers weep with gratitude!).
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Birchwood Cafe
3311 E 25th St, Minneapolis, MN 55406
Baby and toddler friendly, St. Paul & Minneapolis
YES!!! For some reason I can't get Pat's TAP in my head, always go with "Tavern" instead. I think I don't like the palindrome-ish-ness of Pat's Tap. Or it's too short or something. Anyway, will change that in my post, thanks for the head's up, bob s!
No parking lot as far as I remember. We parked on the street right in front, close-by parking doesn't seem a problem in that neighborhood.
Baby and toddler friendly, St. Paul & Minneapolis
We just had brunch at Pat's Tavern this weekend. And while the food was so-so (my eggs benedict was fine and the hash browns were great but the pancakes, eaten by husband and 3 year old were not good at all- kind of stale and not fluffy or tender...), the skee-ball was a great hit with the three year old. There was one other toddler there at the time, also enjoying the skee-ball. And there were two babies there as well. In fact, almost all the tables that were occupied had a child, now that I think about it.
Oddly enough, this is true of most bar-restaurants around here. We take our kiddo to Town Hall, the Lowbrow, Muddy Pig, Happy Gnome (she particularly likes the jazz on Sundays for brunch!).... albeit for lunch or early dinner, but still. Everyone is always very welcoming.
Also, just about any Asian place. Most have a special doo-hickey that you can put the infant car seat into (not just upside down high chair) and in general are very child and family friendly. As well as loud which makes things easier if the kids start getting loud. Extra points for those places with fish tanks. Our kiddo has been to Quang, Saigon, Jun Bo, Mandarin Kitchen, Tea House, Little Sezchuan.... Chopsticks are very entertaining.
We've also taken the toddler to Ngon Bistro. I feel like dinner gets a bit on the fancy side but we've done it without any looks and the staff is certainly welcoming. Our daughter likes the sweet potato fries.
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Muddy Pig
162 Dale St N, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Happy Gnome
498 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Mandarin Kitchen
8766 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55420
Link to Khyber Pass!
I agree whole-heartedly. When the baby/children's shop Peapods was down the road, I'd always go to Khyber Pass for lunch when I stopped in to buy some more diapers, etc. but lately I just haven't gone. I would be sad for sure if they didn't make it. Will go tomorrow!
Agreed that best hummus!!!
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Khyber Pass Cafe
1571 Grand Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55105
Our State Fair 2011: it's the Best State Fair in our State!
I had a gyro from Demetri's last year, upon recommendation from a 'hounder (perhaps you Db!) and enjoyed it quite a bit. It's off my beaten path when it comes to the fair - we tend to hang out farther north by the kidway and well, the John Deere place (my daughter would be quite happy to go no where else, frankly) and the eco-experience or whatever it's called or over by horticulture. But I made everyone trek over to Demetri's last year. And I was happy.
Our State Fair 2011: it's the Best State Fair in our State!
We're going to try the Horchata, cos it's my daughter's favorite drink ever. So, Horchata at the Fair?! Heck yeah! (I think it's new this year? yeah?)
I had the cream puff last year-- yup by Heritage Square. I remember it being good but not fantastic. However, I really only like cream puffs when they are small, almost bite-sized and I can eat several of them. Otherwise I just make a big mess and this negatively affects my enjoyment.
I am also a Mouse/Mouth Trap cheese curd girl (I refuse to learn which is the right name, actually, it's just my brain that refuses to learn, I try but it just doesn't happen and since the fair only comes 'round once a year, I don't get enough practice!).
We also usually get the lingonberry sundae thingymado, near the Hort building. (I never know the name of most of the vendors, just *more or less* where they are, this is the reason we are very happy to have new iphone app for the fair)
Where to take a non-Westerner for the most "American" food experiences? Must be baby-friendly.
+1 on Brasa. Very baby/kid-friendly, especially the St Paul one, although back when our baby was really little only the Mpls one existed and we went there with her plenty. Depending on the age of the baby & feeding-of-baby custom, the kiddo can even eat. Ever since our daughter started eating solid food, she's eaten Brasa (spinach, grits - no longer on the regular menu, beans, chicken....).
+1 Dari-ette for old-tyme drive-in ambiance, and their Italiano ... awesome Italian-American (never in my travels in Italy have I ever seen/eaten anything like that, so I think it's pretty damn American, maybe American-Italian...) and ice cream. They usually close in early-mid October (and that's a sad sad day in our house), so you might possibly make it, depending on the timing of the visit.
You could do Day by Day for breakfast. The food is not spectacular but I like the funky vibe and if it's still warmish you could sit in the garden. I love that garden/patio.
Depending on age of baby, Al's is do-able. If baby is able to hold up head, etc and parent is able to eat with one hand... well, that's what we did! :)
First date suggestions for St. Paul?
+1 on Tanpopo. Quiet so you can hear each other speak. Not overly uber-cool but not staid either. I think it strikes the perfect balance between casual and not-casual. I love their udon. Since they have limited their service to only dinner I haven't been (when you have to pay a babysitter...) but I miss it.
st. paul suggestions
ha! I never take my daughter (2.5 years old) to Bon Vie cos I always think of it as being too nice of a breakfast place for a toddler. I don't feel that way in general about a lot of places but somehow Bon Vie just never feels like a good fit for a little kid. Space too small, no noise reduction etc... no way for people to be able to ignore an annoying-to-them kid. So it's funny that you have experiences a lot of children there! I agree that there aren't great breakfast recs in St Paul. We end up at Day by Day but mostly just by default. The food is just okay, in my opinion. But the patio is nice in the summer! We need better breakfast/brunch-that-starts-early options in St Paul...
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Bon Vie
518 Selby Ave, Saint Paul, MN 55102
engagement dinner--LBV, meritage, other?
I believe that red37 is proposing before dinner sometime. Regardless, letting the restaurant know that this is a special occasion dinner is a great recommendation.
I've only been to LBV once for an anniversary dinner and while the food and service are absolutely top tier...I'm not sure that I consider their dining room to be particularly romantic, per se. I find it rather ... cavernous. Tables are not particularly intimate. But I think lots of people disagree with me, so take that with a grain of salt. And red37 may not actually be looking for something incredibly romantic, but more celebratory in nature.
My automatic response to this post was Alma. But thinking more logically about it, Alma is not particularly romantic in ambiance, either! Decor is rather industrial modern and the view....well, no. (I like sitting near the kitchen and watching the dance of a well-run kitchen but that's just me). I think of Alma as romantic because I've had a number of wonderful meals there with my sweetie (in fact, we've never eaten there with other people!). The two-top tables are cozy and intimate. And the service is very very good. I happen to adore the food, it has ranged, over the number of visits over the years from very good to downright fan-fricken-tastic. And the chef's philosophy appeals to us, so it's a perfect fit for ME and my sweetie. But I recognize that my experiences there have colored my perception of it as a romantic place. If you've gone their with friends or business associates you prolly don't get the romantic vibe that I do!
In any case, congrats to red37 and his sweetie! I hope you have a wonderful day and a great dinner and that they are both the first of many to come in your lives together!
Buon Giorno closing
oh noooooooooooo! no no no no. That's the only place I could get a chicken parmesan sandwich that was anything like near the chicken parm grinders I used to get in Connecticut when I was in college. Darnit. And they had great tiramisu too. This is terrible news.
st. paul suggestions
I feel a bit bad saying this as I've never eaten there but I've never heard anything remotely good about Pazzaluna. I'm thinking Boston has about three trillion Italian/pizza places that are a lot better.
Any of the others are much much much better choices
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Pazzaluna
360 St. Peter St, St. Paul, MN 55101
West Saint Paul
El Amanacer, across the street from El Burrito Mercado, is pretty good. Not as good as Los Ocampo, which is in my 'hood, so we don't go there often, but I like it better than EBM actually.
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El Burrito Mercado
175 Cesar Chavez St, St Paul, MN 55107
Special Easter treats
So funny! I just got a FB update from Golden Fig Fine Foods (Grand Ave in St Paul) saying they just got in chocolates from their favorite Chicago chocolate shops, made from antique molds. Bunnies and roosters. First I've ever heard of chocolates made using vintage/antique molds- seems like a fun idea.
