Late night eaters of Powderhorn rejoice! There’s a bike-fueled taco delivery business called Taco Cat that just popped up on the radar. They have no walk up service—delivery only from 6 p.m.—1 a.m. Since I don’t live in the delivery region, I can only delight in their cleverly written FAQ section.
It’s no secret that I’ve got a thing for bartenders (having married one). So, I love to see great drink makers getting their due. Dan Oskey, the creative brains behind the imaginative flavor combinations at Joia Soda and Easy & Oskey make your own bitters is leaving his long-time job behind the bar at The Strip Club Meat & Fish. His long-time friend Birk Stefan Grudem is about to open Hola Arepa alongside Christina Nguyen. Oskey will be working the bar there. He’s been at The Strip Club since their inception 6 1/2 years ago, which is like half a century in bartender years.
In other drink maker news, Adam Gorski is leaving Eat Street Social to work behind the bar at La Belle Vie. I had a sneaky peak of him training there and have sampled his work and I must say, this is some fantastic news for the sophisticates who love to hang inside that stunning lounge area. (Might I recommend you also order the fried chicken? Chef de Cuisine Mike DeCamp spoke with Jason Ross about it a while back and it is a spectacular plate of food).
While I don’t mind that I missed the first couple of Twins games, I was a little sorry that I wasn’t soaking in the sunshine and horking down a sausage from Butcher and the Boar. There are several new food bites out at Target Field, including selections from Andrew Zimmern’s AZ Canteen and some porketta “sluggers” from Valentini’s, a taste of the Iron Range in the heart of Minneapolis. There’s also Izzy’s ice cream. The food options keep getting better out there, I might just have to try to become a baseball fan.
Speaking of creamy frozen treats, Stillwater’s Nelson’s Ice Cream, home to a cone that will induce a strong desire to forgo all fear of brain freeze and lick with reckless abandon is opening a shop in St. Paul. Their second location is expected to open May 17th at 454 Snelling Ave. in the former Palumbo’s Pizza.
Now that we’ve finally had a taste of spring, I can imagine that one day, summer will come. One reason to look forward to those long, sun drenched days is Northern Spark, It’s the most incredible mash up of art, Minneapolis tour, and a playground. If you’ve never been, get this on your calendar. Last year I brought my little boy and it was one of best memories of the whole summer. For those who can make it through all night (or get up early the next morning), there will be an unprecedented pancake feed inside Aria theater. On June 2nd, Chef Paul Berglund of The Bachelor Farmer and the iconic Al’s in Dinkytown will team up for a massive breakfast featuring a performance by TED artist Miwa Matreyek plus The Current’s Jacquie Fuller of Teenage Kicks will be spinning records. Tickets won’t go on sale until May 9th, but you can get in on the fun by contributing to Northern Spark’s Kickstarter campaign.
