Gastronomical Adventures: Favorite Eats Part 1

Definition of a Foodie

While I'm certainly not a culinary expert, I do fancy myself a "foodie." If you Google foodie you will get numerous, slightly varying definitions, but basically a foodie is one who has an ardent interest in the preparation and consumption of good food. Yep, that's me. I love good food. And again, as I stressed in an earlier post this week, good food is not synonymous with expensive food. You can spend very little and have an excellent meal; and conversely you can have a very poor culinary experience and spend an exorbitant amount of money.

Case in point: in late August, the four of us piled into our minivan and headed north. Our destination was the Iron Range area of Minnesota {Note: an area not known for culinary excellence}, but we took the scenic route in order to make a favorite stop at Lake Superior in Duluth. Along the way, we made a potty stop, and were lucky enough to be approaching an exit with a gas station when Darling 1 announced he really had to go NOW! This isn't often the case.

When we pulled into the parking lot, we passed by a small picnic shelter with a sign out front and a smoking BBQ grill on the side. The sign said something about the day's special being pulled pork sandwiches and cowboy beans. My interest was piqued, especially when DH and Darling 1 exited the vehicle and I got a whiff of that pulled pork, smoking away in the cooker. I said something to Darling 2 about stretching our legs and we went to investigate. By the time, DH and Darling 1 returned, I had the whole scoop. The two ladies cooking were a local catering company who set up in the picnic shelter on weekends they didn't have events. We ordered two blue plate specials for the four of us to split {Note: we should have ordered 4}: pulled pork sandwich, coleslaw, cowboy beans, a bag of chips and roasted corn on the cob slathered with butter. We ate every lick of it and wanted more. It was clear this food was lovingly prepared by these two ladies who really cared about the quality of what they were making, even if they were serving it on the side of a highway in a makeshift kitchen. This whole meal cost less than $20, which is peanuts in comparison to most meals out regardless of quality, but this is one that will always stand out in my memory as one of the best meals I've eaten.

And the moral of the story: you never know where you'll find fantastic food! So, be curious, yet cautious. You know I was cautious. I asked enough questions, looked at the food and their setup before I ordered from the picnic shelter. And be adventurous, which means being willing to try foods you think you might not like, but haven't tried; or maybe you tried it when you were 5 years old; or perhaps you tried it prepared a different way. I say I don't like ham or bacon, which is true for the most part, but I do like prosciutto {Italian ham} and Serrano ham {Spanish ham}; and in the right dish, I've been known to eat bacon too.

Local Faves

A friend who's in MOPS (Mothers Of PreSchoolers) with me and fellow foodie asked me to contribute a list of favorite local dining spots for our MOPS Mother's Night Out Event; and I decided to turn into a post, as well. So, below you will find my top picks, but by no means exhaustive, list Twin Cities' restaurants {Oh, and before you click on any of the restaurant links, mute your sound if you are at work or the library or your child is sleeping, etc. Some of the sites play music}:

• Bar La Grassa {Lobster & Egg Bruschetta, Anything with Cauliflower. The food is fab. The service is so-so.}
• El Meson {Tapas, Tapas, Tapas, Great Wine Selection, Friendly & helpful wait staff}
• Patisserie 46 {Ham & Gruyere Croissant, Chocolate Chip Cookies & Orange Almond Pound Cake and on and on and on. Lovely staff. I go here a lot~ free wifi and good coffee}
• Spoonriver {Anything on the Menu ~ Lots of Locally Sourced Ingredients, heavy on the Veggies. Great for a pre-Guthrie Theater meal.}
• The Zumbro Cafe {Best Coffee Evah, Huevos Rancheros, Cornmeal Pancakes & Meatloaf Sandwich; Family-Friendly; Perfect for Saturday Brunch. Servers & owner are great with kids & have little boxes packed with toys for each table with kiddos.}
• Grand Cafe {Anything on the Menu ~ Lots of Locally Sourced Ingredients. I have never been disappointed here and never order the same thing. I love the Cozy French Café Ambience too.}
• Barbette {Steak Frites, Butternut Squash Gnocchi and a Million Other Tasty Gems! Dark & Cozy; Open Late; Great for Date Nights}
• Victor's 1959 Cafe {Pancakes are the Absolute Best}
• Cafe Lurcat {Impeccable Service, Well-Executed, Delicious Food. Nothing more to say. Try it. Love it!}
• W.A. Frost {It may sound cliché, but it's still Really Good Food and Excellent Service. In winter warm up by the crackling fireplace and in summer linger outside on the gorgeous and spacious patio. You can't go wrong with the food & I have always found their cheese plate selections to be one of the best}
• Jason's Deli {Eden Prairie and a million other locales, but I can't get enough of Jason's Turkey Wrap {low cal, low fat}. The kids love the free soft serve ice cream with chocolate syrup after the meal. Oh heck, the husband and I enjoy that part too! Many items are made from organic products and they pride themselves on being healthy and fresh. Great place to meet for lunch…or dinner!}

The Scoop

These are many of my local favorites, but later today I'll post my favorites from places I've lived. Talk to me peeps! What's your favorite local restaurant? Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[Amy P.]

In addition to Patisserie 46, I'd add Rustica in So. Mpls(such great texture in their pastries & breads!) and Bars Bakery in St. Paul (scrumptious caramel rolls).

My restaurant faves in MSP include Alex Roberts' two places - Restaurant Alma (fine dining/special occasion, local/seasonal) & Brasa (casual, locally sourced slow cooked foods), plus Isaac Becker's other resto - 112 Eatery (gourmet-y food w/rock & roll atmosphere).

For a special occasion, you can't beat La Belle Vie for spectacular food & service. The lounge there has a swanky atmosphere w/unique cocktails, but more affordable menu - the tasting menu is less expensive than the main DR & the house-made truffle potato chips ($5) are to die for. Truly posh.

[Heidi]

I'm so hungry right now...wish it was GNO and we were all going out!

[Anna]

Amy

Thanks for your comment. I agree with you about Rustica, and before they moved from 46th St, they probably would have made my list. I just don't get up there as often now. Rustica's bittersweet chocolate cookies are the BEST too!

We also love Alex Robert's restaurants and DH was surprised Alma wasn't on the list, but I had to cut it off somewhere!

La Belle Vie and 112 are always on the top of the lists too! Some many to choose from! We, Twin Citians, are so lucky!!!

Thanks again!

Anna

[Anna]

Yes, I know just what you mean, Heidi! I made myself hungry writing these posts!!

Anna