The days may be shorter and cooler, but some of my favorite summer treats and outdoor patios are still available in September.
It is never too late for the lemonade with honey offered by Gardens of Salonica (19 NE Fifth St., Mpls., 612-378-0611). Sip a glass while dining on some gyros or Greek pizza.
The chicken wings that chef/owner Darin Koch serves up in nearly three-dozen different flavors at the new Butcher Block Café (308 E. Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-455-1080) are a bargain and a taste sensation. Koch, formerly of I Nonni, has authentic Italian items and great wine prices to tout as well. The cafe sells box lunches daily and is open for dinner till 4 a.m. on weekends.
Ben Smith’s Glacier’s Café left Wayzata to spiff up a space in the Mosaic Building (3019 Minnehaha Ave., Mpls., 612-746-1504), where chef Josh Weber makes outstanding frozen custard, homemade soups, oven-baked French fries, and sliders au jus. Breakfast is served all day, and the mosaic patio is gorgeous.
I’m thrilled that chef Jim Kyndberg, former owner of the Bayport Cookery, has taken on the stoves at the Kitchen (324 S. Main St., Stillwater, 651-342-1556) in the former Stone’s spot in Stillwater. The restaurant’s owners, Erick Harcey and Ben Hiza, have kept the fabulous cabana patio area but added Jim’s outstanding cuisine for year-round enjoyment.
Sue Zelickson is host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.
