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Thursday, December 17, 2009

Twin Cities Taste: Cold Comforts

Did you know that some of the most memorable restaurant experiences in Minnesota can only be had once the snow starts to fly?

Icy Happy Hours

In the colder months, the snazzy Chambers Hotel turns its sexy, sculpture-filled courtyard into a bar made of 12,000 pounds of crystal-clear ice into which lights have been frozen. Women in miniskirts and parkas flit from fire pit to frozen ice table clutching signature cocktails that never warm. Last year’s visitors will notice some changes, including Italian food from the new D’Amico Kitchen, available in the adjacent restaurant. Also, the ice bar is now less weather dependent, thanks to built-in, on-site freezing technology. Barring July in January, it should be open now through mid-March.

During the St. Paul Winter Carnival, held January 21 to 31, ice sculptures will grace Rice Park. Stroll through the beautiful display, and then nip into the bar at the St. Paul Grill for a warming dram of whiskey. Better yet, reserve a table at one of the front windows and treat yourself to a perfectly cooked steak in view of the sparkling ice marvels.

» Chambers Hotel 901 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-767-6999, chambersminneapolis.com
» St. Paul Grill 350 Market St., St. Paul, 651-224-7455, stpaulgrill.com

.  .  .

For the rest of this article, read "Cold Comforts" in Minnesota Monthly's January issue.

 

Posted on Thursday, December 17, 2009 in Permalink

Comments may be edited for length, clarity, or appropriateness.

Reader Comments:
Dec 30, 2009 10:26 pm
 Posted by  ski

pretty sure they had the same technology last year year to with the ice shed. never understood why people are so amazed. its a fancy version of an ice house with expensive drinks? go to lake minneatonka with a six pack and make a few new friends for alot less hype........

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Dear Dara is the place where Minnesota Monthly readers can interact with our dining critic and senior editor Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl. What makes her so special? She’s been reviewing restaurants and covering food and wine in the Twin Cities since 1995, most notably asCity Pages’ restaurant critic, but also for Gourmet, USA Today, Wine & Spirits, Bon Appetit, and Saveur. She’s been included in five editions of the Best Food Writing anthologies, and been nominated for seven James Beard Awards – though, to tell you the truth, most of the time the medals from her four wins are buried under a pile of chocolate wrappers at the back of her desk. This blog will be where she’ll answer your questions, (though probably not all of them), dish on her latest discoveries, reflect on breaking news, and generally bring the plate to the page.

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