It’s here, and I can’t wait to get in there and visit all of you and all of the great restaurants, winemakers, and vendors at the 2023 Minnesota Monthly Food & Wine Experience. It’s at a new venue, with some new exhibitors bringing some new energy.
It can be overwhelming, though, with so many places you want to visit. Here are a few tips:
- Pace yourself. Drink lots of water. Visit food vendors between wine and other alcohol tastings.
- Don’t just go for the most expensive bottle on the table. That’s a rookie move. Ask the vendors questions. What wines are exciting you right now? What’s under-appreciated? What’s showing best? How’s the weather affecting your crop? What’s changing where you are?
- Have fun!
Here are some of my must-visit displays at the Food & Wine Experience:
Food
El Sazon Tacos: This amazing couple opened a taco shop inside an Eagan gas station.
Cafe Latte: The tres leche is a Food & Wine Experience icon at this point.
Mr. Paul’s Supper Club: It’s the hottest spot at 50th & France right now.
Mucci’s: Frozen pizza and lasagna has never tasted this good.
Pajarito: It’s the other hottest spot at 50th & France (and St. Paul).
Farmer & the Fishmonger: We love this outpost of the south metro’s hottest restaurant group.
Devil’s Advocate: I just wrote about their new strategy.
T-Rex Cookies: I mean, they’re giant delicious cookies.
Wine
J. Lohr Vineyards: It’s always a favorite.
Willamette Valley: I’m excited to try Luisa Ponzi’s wines, but this region is producing some of the best Pinots and Chardonnays in the world.
Small Lot Wines & Bronco Wines: Two great importers, they always bring great stuff.
Parley Lake Winery: This label is one of my favorite Minnesota producers.
Batroun Mountain Organic Winery: Minneapolis Lebanese-Americans Assad and Katy Hark are making wines in Lebanon, and their daughter Rita distributes it here. You can taste it at Fhima’s and Em Quie Viet: I can’t wait to try their wine at the event.
Lange Twins, Lake County California Wines, Bogle, and 7 Vines Vineyard are on my list, too.
Beer/Seltzer/CBD/THC
This may be your first chance to sample some CBD and THC drinks. I’ll be visiting Modist, Surly, Clr!ty, and BLNCD. There will be tons of spirits and other exhibitors, too. The whole list is online.
And if you don’t have your tickets yet, get on it!