Three Things to Eat: Sept. 5-11

Getting the kids off to school calls for a morning mimosa at these Twin Cities hot spots

St. Genevieve
St. Genevieve. Photo by Tj Turner.

I think we’ve all made it through the first day of school. I mean, the kids would be fine even if they were still covered in sunscreen, week-old Band Aid stick-ums and questionably aged underwear, but parents made sure they were scrubbed down and properly placed in front of the front door to commemorate this moment. Childhood is fleeting, but parenthood is a never-ending revolving door of requests, requirements, and nearly-missed permission slips. In honor of this particularly trying time for all parents, I’m joining with my friends at Twin Cities Live for a little mimosa party. These are just a couple of my favorite picks for bubbly and juice and a toast to another school year kicked-off. Now say the parenthood prayer with me: “The days are long, but the years are short.” Or maybe Ferris Bueller was better: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.” Cheers.

3 Squares
What we all know already is that the Blue Plate Company knows how to put together a killer breakfast. Whether dining at Longfellow Grill, Highland Grill, the Lowry or more, you can trust that a day starts well with one of their meals. But did you know that 3 Squares in Maple Grove has a weekday morning happy hour? And did you know that includes discounted mimosas? Now you do. Mimosas are just $6 every single day from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. 3squaresrestaurant.com

St. Genevieve
Anyone who has tasted a fresh-from-the-vine tomato recently will know that a great ingredient makes for a better dish. That’s why the weekend brunch at St. Genevieve serves such spectacular mimosas. This perfectly casual, stunner has a bar stocked with a dazzling array of delicious bubbly wine. Even those who claim not to be fans can find something to fawn over on this beverage menu. They are open for brunch Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.m. facebook.com

Meritage
Back closer to my home in St. Paul, I’m lucky to have this French gem pouring champagne cocktails. Really, their bar program is criminally undersung and it’s worth tooling around the cocktail menu. Brunch means beautiful takes on classic fare (the butter quotient is so good) and the fluted o.j. and bubbles tastes even better on the waning patio days. Brunch starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. meritage-stp.com

Bonus
Two more bonus spots, just for fun, LUSH in northeast is a gay bar after my heart and liver with a super fun, bottomless mimosa on the brunch menu. I’m telling you, no one mixes a cocktail that erases the pain of last night’s fun adventures like this place. Plus, if you love the add ons of a Bloody Mary, but hate the drink, check out Hell’s Kitchen’s new mimosa bar! Tons of ways to personalize your juice and bubbles.