October 2008
October 28, 2008Halloween Insider: Scott Seekins Look-Alikes & Circuses!
Here’s some good news for hard times: Nick and Eddie, the Loring Park restaurant, is now hosting after-dinner circuses. Seriously. Doug Anderson, Nick and Eddie’s impresario, tells me that the restaurant has installed equipment to allow aerial work. “Aerial work?” I gasped. “There’s a bar across the width of the restaurant that’s removable, and using a big metal ring and fabric, the girls can hang off and do aerial acts.” The girls in question are the ones from Le Cirque Rouge, the burlesque and cabaret troupe, who will be performing every other Friday night starting at 10 p.m. or so, and going till 1:30 a.m. or thereabouts. The next performance is scheduled for this very Friday, Halloween night. The circus will be... Read more » Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 in Dara & Co | Permalink | Comments (1) |
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October 24, 2008Sneak Peek: moto-i
I didn’t see this one coming. The first micro-sake-brewery restaurant in the whole entire country has opened on the corner of Lake Street and Lyndale Avenue in south Minneapolis. Really. The country’s first. Or so say the publicists behind moto-i. And since I don’t know differently, I pass it on to you. The place is the brainchild of Herkimer owner and founder Blake Richardson, and it opened Monday night. I went last night and it was sort of at the next level of a soft opening. Brown paper was still taped to all the windows, staff and customers hidden inside, as if illegally on site. The place doesn’t have all its art up on the walls yet—I’m told sumo-wrestler photos are forthcoming—but even bare-walled, it’s pretty cute. Wooden... Read more » Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008 in Dara & Co | Permalink | Comments (2) |
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October 17, 2008Sneak Peek: La Belle Crepe
When I saw what looked like an honest-to-god French creperie being built on the ground floor of the Medical Arts Building on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis, I was beside myself with excitement. In a pre-opening interview with the Strib, owner Alain Lesse said, “Everyday for the past few weeks, we've had 80 to 100 people poke their head in and ask, ‘When are you opening?’” I think I was at least six of those people. So, I ventured in today for lunch. I know they’ve only been open for two weeks, but it was…not so hot. The décor is not the problem. It actually looks quite French, with a big brass chandelier and granite counters in a teeny tiny chocolate-and-buff room. I kind of felt like I was in Paris, if off... Read more » Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008 in Dara & Co | Permalink | Comments (4) |
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October 9, 2008Happy Sweet Chicago Birthday
Jennifer W. writes: “I am taking my husband to Chicago for his birthday later this month and am looking for somewhere special to take him to dinner. He is a former pastry chef, so somewhere with a fabulous dessert menu would be great. Do you have any suggestions? I know you know the great places in Minnesota to dine; do you know any in Chicago? Thanks!” The first place that leaps to mind is Alinea, the ground-breaking Chicago restaurant of Grant Achatz. It leaps to mind because I’m anxiously awaiting receipt of Achatz’ new cookbook, “Alinea”; I paid $50 on the restaurant website so I could get a signed copy, but I now see my copy hasn’t yet arrived and the book is currently available on Amazon for $30. (Ah, now you know the heartbreak... Read more » Posted on Thursday, October 9, 2008 in Dara & Co | Permalink | Comments (8) |
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October 6, 2008Farm in the Market Closes
Thought the Twin Cities food scene had taken a major step backwards with JP’s closing? Brother, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Farm in the Market, the year-round meat-and-dairy farmer’s market that Laurie Callister, the chicken lady, ran in the Midtown Global Market, has also shut its doors for good. What’s the next step after heartbroken? Bereft? I’m bereft. Farmer’s Market has been one of the principal joys to living in Minnesota these last few years. I luxuriated in getting restaurant-quality pork from her from Pastures A’Plenty, and the experience of getting fresh, never-frozen chickens from Callister’s own farm changed my life. Also, my son has eaten Farm in the Market chicken meatballs just about every day of his life... Read more » Posted on Monday, October 6, 2008 in Dara & Co | Permalink | Comments (3) |
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October 2, 2008JP’s American Bistro Closed. Tragic.
I’m heartbroken: JP’s American Bistro closed Sunday night. JP’s has long been one of my all-time favorite Minneapolis restaurants. It was my husband’s and my go-to place when we wanted to celebrate but didn’t want a hulaballoo. It was my favorite bar to meet friends at during happy hour. In fact, we had a piece scheduled for the November issue of the magazine that included this passage: “Every discussion I’ve had about restaurants in the last six months seems to lead folks to bring up one point: ‘You know what’s really good, but no one talks about? JP’s.’ It’s true: JP American Bistro, the LynLake restaurant by J. P. Samuelson, a one time saucier at Bouley in New York City, is the best, least-buzzed about... Read more » Posted on Thursday, October 2, 2008 in Dara & Co | Permalink | Comments (8) |
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