Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Reetsy Reviews: Trotter's Cafe and Bakery
Sometimes it ain't easy for restaurants committed to local foods to advertise their local vittles. Since so many local foods are available on a day-by-day basis, printing menus ahead of time, or posting them online can be almost impossible.
Trotters Cafe and Bakery makes it easier for themselves by advertising aplenty once you walk through the door.
And trust me, Trotter's loves how you walk. At Trotter's, every Saturday is Locals Night. Receive 10% off your meal simply because you live within two miles of the cafe. Another 5% off if you walk, bike, or bus it.
Trotters is located in St. Paul, just a short distance from the Lake Street bridge. Like other cafes and bakeries, Trotters rokks the handwritten signage all over the place - but they take it to an insane degree, and I like it (i.e. each cookie in the case has an ingredient list posted over it). Locavores can meander around the cafe learning about the foods they're about to consume, and there's no shortage of local foods at Trotters.
You can find the following at Trotter's most of the time, all served with a local flair:
breakfast (including organic oatmeal and free range eggs)
sammiches
soups
salads
baked goods
pizzas
pastas
burgers
nachos
quesadillas
home made granola
I recently enjoyed a locally sourced, free range poached chicken salad sammich and a wild rice salad for lunch. I also nibbled on a grilled ham sammich with pasta salad. Both were served on organic, whole grain bread. All of it tasted great, and while I was eating it, I felt fortified.
Worth noting:
-their breads are made with organic grains,
-their cheeses are local, including everything from chevre to cheddar
-their produce is local and seasonal,
-their ice cream is local from Pumphouse Creamery,
-they feature Minnesota Cannon River wines and New Belgium beers,
-they use pure maple syrup and local Minnesota honey as sweeteners in some dishes
-they feature Beeler's All Natural Pork out of Iowa
-they've got plenty of vegetarian offerings
I cannot express the awesomeness of the baked goods at Trotter's.
Right now they have Strawberry Rhubarb Streusel Pie on the menu, and I'm about to freak out if I don't have a piece in the next 3 hours. Hate refined sugar? No problem. Trotters has you covered in their bakery; their Okee Dokee cookie contains no refined sugars, and their muffins are are sweetened with pure maple syrup and local Minnesota honey.
And yes, for all of you cupcake freaks out there, they have cupcakes - drizzled and frosted, and delightful.
Be delighted!
Trotter's Cafe and Bakery
232 Cleveland N. Ave.
St. Paul MN 55105
651-645-8950
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Friday, June 6, 2008
Reetsy Reviews: Tanpopo Noodle Shop
On a cool afternoon in June, gerg and I decided a big bowl of noodle soup would hit the spot. Tanpopo Noodle Shop had been on my radar, and with that, we headed there for lunch.
Tanpopo offers home-style Japanese cooking, and according to their website, "We use organic ingredients as much as possible, and, in keeping with Japanese food traditions, we feature seasonal dishes using locally grown produce from the St. Paul Farmer's Market."
Local, organic foods meet Japanese techniques? Heck yes!
Walking in, I was charmed by the spaciousness of the dining area. Small tables fit gracefully in the large room. I was also charmed by gerg, who looked dapper seated behind a gigantic peony arrangement.
That is not to say big parties aren't welcome at Tanpopo. They have a gorgeous table that seats up to 10:
This table looks like the perfect place to celebrate something or other. The flowers scattered throughout the restaurant were fresh cut peonies - so lovely this time of the year.
NOW. ONTO THE FOOD.
It was our lucky day! The daily specials included spicy shrimp sushi rolls and pork and nappa dumplings!
I love me some dumplings! These dumplings were beautifully made with well seasoned pork, and a bit of cabbage (they were far more pretty than this photo depicts). They were hand pressed, tender, and flavorful. They were served in a sauce chock full of lime juice and green onion, and they came plated with rice, miso soup, a salad, and a small dish of Tsukemono. It was a lot of food, especially for lunch, but it was tasty.
The Nabeyaki Udon Noodles were served in a served in ceramic ‘nabe’ bowl. A small dish of spices accompanies the soup, which you can add to taste.
The noodles float in traditional Japanese soup stock with shrimp tempura, chicken, shiitake mushrooms, fish cake (meh), Japanese omelet, green onion, and wakame. The chicken and the omelet were both quite tasty. I didn't have the opportunity to ask where they sourced their chicken and eggs, but the flavors of both were top notch. That's some darn fine poultry!
To the mushroom lovers out there, Tanpopo offers a Wild Mushroom Noodle soup with shiitake and enoki mushrooms, wakame and slices of Japanese omelet. You can even have the soup made with mushroom broth to maximize the mycological meal (I can tell you're excited).
To the vegetarians out there, Tanpopo offers vegetarian mushroom broth in place of the traditional Japanese broth. In fact, they also offer an entire vegetarian menu that is updated on a monthly basis (which means, YES, vegetarians can eat again and again at Tanpopo).
Gerg enjoyed green tea and I sipped a sweet Reed's ginger brew during our meal, but they do have Sapporo, Asahi Super Dry, Kirin, for those who enjoy thinning their blood a bit.
It was a lovely lunch on a not-so-lovely day.
Help yourself to a lovely meal.
Tanpopo Noodle Shop
308 Prince Street #140
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-209-6527
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Tanpopo offers home-style Japanese cooking, and according to their website, "We use organic ingredients as much as possible, and, in keeping with Japanese food traditions, we feature seasonal dishes using locally grown produce from the St. Paul Farmer's Market."
Local, organic foods meet Japanese techniques? Heck yes!
Walking in, I was charmed by the spaciousness of the dining area. Small tables fit gracefully in the large room. I was also charmed by gerg, who looked dapper seated behind a gigantic peony arrangement.
That is not to say big parties aren't welcome at Tanpopo. They have a gorgeous table that seats up to 10:
This table looks like the perfect place to celebrate something or other. The flowers scattered throughout the restaurant were fresh cut peonies - so lovely this time of the year.
NOW. ONTO THE FOOD.
It was our lucky day! The daily specials included spicy shrimp sushi rolls and pork and nappa dumplings!
I love me some dumplings! These dumplings were beautifully made with well seasoned pork, and a bit of cabbage (they were far more pretty than this photo depicts). They were hand pressed, tender, and flavorful. They were served in a sauce chock full of lime juice and green onion, and they came plated with rice, miso soup, a salad, and a small dish of Tsukemono. It was a lot of food, especially for lunch, but it was tasty.
The Nabeyaki Udon Noodles were served in a served in ceramic ‘nabe’ bowl. A small dish of spices accompanies the soup, which you can add to taste.
The noodles float in traditional Japanese soup stock with shrimp tempura, chicken, shiitake mushrooms, fish cake (meh), Japanese omelet, green onion, and wakame. The chicken and the omelet were both quite tasty. I didn't have the opportunity to ask where they sourced their chicken and eggs, but the flavors of both were top notch. That's some darn fine poultry!
To the mushroom lovers out there, Tanpopo offers a Wild Mushroom Noodle soup with shiitake and enoki mushrooms, wakame and slices of Japanese omelet. You can even have the soup made with mushroom broth to maximize the mycological meal (I can tell you're excited).
To the vegetarians out there, Tanpopo offers vegetarian mushroom broth in place of the traditional Japanese broth. In fact, they also offer an entire vegetarian menu that is updated on a monthly basis (which means, YES, vegetarians can eat again and again at Tanpopo).
Gerg enjoyed green tea and I sipped a sweet Reed's ginger brew during our meal, but they do have Sapporo, Asahi Super Dry, Kirin, for those who enjoy thinning their blood a bit.
It was a lovely lunch on a not-so-lovely day.
Help yourself to a lovely meal.
Tanpopo Noodle Shop
308 Prince Street #140
St. Paul, MN 55101
651-209-6527
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Reetsy Reviews: The Grand Cafe Brunch
A sunny May Sunday morning started out with a lovely Lake Superior Kayak Kolsch...possibly my favorite item on the Grand Cafe's brunch menu.
The Grand Cafe "utilizes the best local and seasonal product to craft such dishes as house-smoked sausages and Kobe beef brisket, Home-cured duck proscuitto, hand-rolled gnocchi, pasta, crackers and flatbreads."
The fact that I loved my beer is not to say I didn't enjoy my food on Sunday morning, but Lake Superior Kayak Kolsch happens to be my favorite beer, and I know of only one other restaurant in the Twin Cities serving it currently - The Happy Gnome (please notify me of others).
We were waiting for a couple of late arrivals on Sunday morning, so I ordered my favorite beer with an atrisan cheese and fruit plate. The cheese and fruit went over pretty well at the table. I didn't get a chance to sample much of it, but I can tell you the slice of brie I had was satisfactory and the slice of pear I had was also satisfactory. Not really enough cheese and fruit for 5 people though. My bad.
For my meal, I ordered the House Cured Gravlax with Poached Egg served over a Toasted Bagel with Herbed Mascarpone and sauteed Asparagus. The Gravlax (raw salmon cured in salt, sugar, and dill) was indeed lovely as was the herbed marscapone. However, I was disappointed with the bagel. It was unremarkable, and I was hoping to be wowed.
Gerg ordered the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with Minnesota Maple Syrup and Whipped Butter. The Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with Minnesota Maple Syrup were delicious and spot on. Fluffy, tender, and sweet. The whipped butter was nowhere in sight; the butter served up was a hard pat - a bit of a letdown for the butterlovin' gerg.
A daily coffee cake made with tart cherries and a Grand Mariner icing drizzled over the top was a home run! Now I know I said I loved the Red Stag's coffee cake, and I won't take that back. It's just that the two coffee cakes differed in preparation. The Red Stag's coffeecake is traditional and perfect. The Grand Cafe makes a jab in a booze filled icing direction, which I can also appreciate.
The double cured bacon was another home run. That was some darn fine bacon.
If we ever go there for brunch again, I'm ordering beer, bacon, and coffee cake for breakfast. Who needs the fancy stuff?
3804 Grand Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 822-8260
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
The Grand Cafe "utilizes the best local and seasonal product to craft such dishes as house-smoked sausages and Kobe beef brisket, Home-cured duck proscuitto, hand-rolled gnocchi, pasta, crackers and flatbreads."
The fact that I loved my beer is not to say I didn't enjoy my food on Sunday morning, but Lake Superior Kayak Kolsch happens to be my favorite beer, and I know of only one other restaurant in the Twin Cities serving it currently - The Happy Gnome (please notify me of others).
We were waiting for a couple of late arrivals on Sunday morning, so I ordered my favorite beer with an atrisan cheese and fruit plate. The cheese and fruit went over pretty well at the table. I didn't get a chance to sample much of it, but I can tell you the slice of brie I had was satisfactory and the slice of pear I had was also satisfactory. Not really enough cheese and fruit for 5 people though. My bad.
For my meal, I ordered the House Cured Gravlax with Poached Egg served over a Toasted Bagel with Herbed Mascarpone and sauteed Asparagus. The Gravlax (raw salmon cured in salt, sugar, and dill) was indeed lovely as was the herbed marscapone. However, I was disappointed with the bagel. It was unremarkable, and I was hoping to be wowed.
Gerg ordered the Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with Minnesota Maple Syrup and Whipped Butter. The Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes with Minnesota Maple Syrup were delicious and spot on. Fluffy, tender, and sweet. The whipped butter was nowhere in sight; the butter served up was a hard pat - a bit of a letdown for the butterlovin' gerg.
A daily coffee cake made with tart cherries and a Grand Mariner icing drizzled over the top was a home run! Now I know I said I loved the Red Stag's coffee cake, and I won't take that back. It's just that the two coffee cakes differed in preparation. The Red Stag's coffeecake is traditional and perfect. The Grand Cafe makes a jab in a booze filled icing direction, which I can also appreciate.
The double cured bacon was another home run. That was some darn fine bacon.
If we ever go there for brunch again, I'm ordering beer, bacon, and coffee cake for breakfast. Who needs the fancy stuff?
3804 Grand Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55409
(612) 822-8260
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Monday, April 21, 2008
Reetsy Reviews: Red Stag Brunch
An anonymous poster commented this weekend on my Spoonriver post, regarding a disappointing brunch at Spoonriver. Unfortunately, I haven't yet sampled Spoonriver's brunch, so I can't offer much to the poster, other than the fact that I've heard mixed reviews.
However, I thought this would be a good opportunity to share my thoughts about the Red Stag's brunch.
Our server was gracious and delightful. I especially loved her eye-enhancing eyeliner, which made her blue eyes twinkle in the morning sunshine. Don't go for her. Her husband is handsome and has killer moves.
The Red Stag
509 1st Ave
Minneapolis , MN 55413
(612) 767-7766
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
However, I thought this would be a good opportunity to share my thoughts about the Red Stag's brunch.
Sunday Brunch at the Red Stag
I enjoyed a simple daily scramble with seasonal veggies and toast. The toast was not buttered, nor was it served with preserves. I topped it with my eggs, and found the pairing to be simply sufficient. The hash browns were much too greasy for my tastes, but the Minnesota milled grits with goat milk butter were spot on. Go for the eggs and grits.
Gerg opted for the brioche French toast filled with candied walnuts, peach preserves, and farm cheese. Sarah Williams, the Red Stag pasty chef, bakes their goodies and breads. The brioche bread was good. The toast bread was good. The coffee cake starter plate was AMAZING. Best coffee cake in the Twin Cities. There, I’ve said it. When I tasted it, my eyes lit up. It was an experience. Go for any of the baked goodies.
Our side of Fisher Farms bacon was prepared perfectly - crispy, but not scorched. Go for the bacon.
Our server was gracious and delightful. I especially loved her eye-enhancing eyeliner, which made her blue eyes twinkle in the morning sunshine. Don't go for her. Her husband is handsome and has killer moves.
The Red Stag
(612) 767-7766
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Friday, April 11, 2008
Reetsy Reviews: Minnesota Homegrown Cookbook
This is a little cross-posting action with my other blog, but this book is worth posting twice.
Minnesota Homegrown Cookbook: published by Renewing the Countryside
Renewing the Countryside et al have been busting their butts for the past three years working on a cookbook that features 100 recipes from 38 of Minnesota's crucial chefs and restaurants who are committed to locally grown, organic, sustainable food.
I got my hands on a pre-press copy a few weeks ago, and thought the the book was goooooorgeous then. I now have a copy in my office, and I love it even more. It will certainly take center stage on your coffee table and your kitchen counter before it hits the cookbook shelf.
Recipes of interest for me include: The Birchwood's Strawberry Rhubarb Cornmeal Cobbler, El Norteno's enchilada sauce, and Heartland's Green Gazpacho.
Other recipes come from Lucia’s, Café Brenda, Spoonriver, Heartland, New Scenic Café, Angry Trout Café, Restaurant Alma, Brasa, Bryant Lake Bowl, Barbette, Red Stag, Bayport Cookery, Birchwood Café, Hell’s Kitchen, Nosh, Heartland, New Scenic Cafe, Minwanjige Café, and several more Minnesota favorites.
Buy it here.
[where: 55406]
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Minnesota Homegrown Cookbook: published by Renewing the Countryside
Renewing the Countryside et al have been busting their butts for the past three years working on a cookbook that features 100 recipes from 38 of Minnesota's crucial chefs and restaurants who are committed to locally grown, organic, sustainable food.
I got my hands on a pre-press copy a few weeks ago, and thought the the book was goooooorgeous then. I now have a copy in my office, and I love it even more. It will certainly take center stage on your coffee table and your kitchen counter before it hits the cookbook shelf.
Recipes of interest for me include: The Birchwood's Strawberry Rhubarb Cornmeal Cobbler, El Norteno's enchilada sauce, and Heartland's Green Gazpacho.
Other recipes come from Lucia’s, Café Brenda, Spoonriver, Heartland, New Scenic Café, Angry Trout Café, Restaurant Alma, Brasa, Bryant Lake Bowl, Barbette, Red Stag, Bayport Cookery, Birchwood Café, Hell’s Kitchen, Nosh, Heartland, New Scenic Cafe, Minwanjige Café, and several more Minnesota favorites.
Buy it here.
[where: 55406]
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Monday, March 31, 2008
Reetsy Reviews: Cooqi
At some point this past winter, Alton Brown (Food Network) did an episode about gluten-free baked goods.
Not having a gluten allergy myself, I've never gone out of my way to seek out the gluten-free goods. But then I heard Alton say that gluten-free brownies are possibly better than traditional flour brownies because they are gooier.
BETTER?!!?! Color me interested.
(Photo from MarysBlueBook.com)
We live a hop, skip, and a jump from Cooqi (Gluten-Free Delights) on Marshall in St Paul. The place has a eye-catching window art, and I had been curious about it for awhile. So when Alton suggested that their brownies might be better than traditional brownines, I just had to check it out.
Plus, Cooqi has a commitment to sustainable foods:
"We source local and organic ingredients, we limit the packaging we use, and we strive to minimize our use of non-renewable earth resources....We ardently support local economies, local communities, and local distances for our suppliers and customers to travel."
I sampled the Outrageous Nut Butter Brownies (Zebra Stripes)
Ingredients: Gluten-free organic dark chocolate (contains soy), sweet cream rBST-free butter, organic evaporated cane juice, gluten-free flour mix (organic brown rice flour, organic millet flour, organic sorghum flour, potato starch, tapioca starch), free-range eggs, unsweetened chocolate, organic cashew butter, organic tahini, organic sunflower butter, fair trade organic coffee, pure vanilla, gluten-free baking powder, xanthan gum, sea salt.
Single -- $2.75
½ Dozen -- $14.95
Dozen -- $29.00
The brownie was insanely gooey with stripes of cashew butter over the top. I will say this; if you like your brownies insanely gooey, you will like this brownie. If you do not, sample at your own risk.
The gluten-free granola from Cooqi is da bomb, using McCann's Irish oats as the base ingredient.
1-lb bag -- $8.95
Concocting a gluten-free baking base can be a bit complicated, so Cooqi makes it easy for you by selling pre-made gluten-free cookie dough and baking mix.
Feel like giving gluten-free products a try? Interested in an insanely gooey brownie?
Cooqi
2186 Marshall Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
phone (651) 645-4433
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Not having a gluten allergy myself, I've never gone out of my way to seek out the gluten-free goods. But then I heard Alton say that gluten-free brownies are possibly better than traditional flour brownies because they are gooier.
BETTER?!!?! Color me interested.
(Photo from MarysBlueBook.com)
We live a hop, skip, and a jump from Cooqi (Gluten-Free Delights) on Marshall in St Paul. The place has a eye-catching window art, and I had been curious about it for awhile. So when Alton suggested that their brownies might be better than traditional brownines, I just had to check it out.
Plus, Cooqi has a commitment to sustainable foods:
"We source local and organic ingredients, we limit the packaging we use, and we strive to minimize our use of non-renewable earth resources....We ardently support local economies, local communities, and local distances for our suppliers and customers to travel."
I sampled the Outrageous Nut Butter Brownies (Zebra Stripes)
Ingredients: Gluten-free organic dark chocolate (contains soy), sweet cream rBST-free butter, organic evaporated cane juice, gluten-free flour mix (organic brown rice flour, organic millet flour, organic sorghum flour, potato starch, tapioca starch), free-range eggs, unsweetened chocolate, organic cashew butter, organic tahini, organic sunflower butter, fair trade organic coffee, pure vanilla, gluten-free baking powder, xanthan gum, sea salt.
Single -- $2.75
½ Dozen -- $14.95
Dozen -- $29.00
The brownie was insanely gooey with stripes of cashew butter over the top. I will say this; if you like your brownies insanely gooey, you will like this brownie. If you do not, sample at your own risk.
The gluten-free granola from Cooqi is da bomb, using McCann's Irish oats as the base ingredient.
1-lb bag -- $8.95
Concocting a gluten-free baking base can be a bit complicated, so Cooqi makes it easy for you by selling pre-made gluten-free cookie dough and baking mix.
Feel like giving gluten-free products a try? Interested in an insanely gooey brownie?
Cooqi
2186 Marshall Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
phone (651) 645-4433
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Finding a Good, Sustainable Eatery
Having trouble finding a local foods restaurant in Minnesota?
Want to travel to the countryside but fear not finding "green" folks?
Good news!
The folks at Renewing the Countryside have developed a pretty cool map of "green" places in Minnesota.
From the site:
The Green Routes website is an easy-to-use tool to help you find one-of-a-kind places to eat, play, shop, sleep, and learn. Use the map to find a destination, or add filters by clicking the categories above.
According to Jan Joannides, Executive Director at Renewing the Countryside, in addition to the web page, "Seven Green Routes glove-box maps, featuring 180 destinations, were developed and printed in conjunction with regional partners. Nearly 28,000 glove-box maps were distributed. In 2007, 350 people signed up to take the Green Routes challenge, committing to visiting at least five Green Routes destinations within a year. We also launched the monthly Green Routes e-newsletter in the summer of 2007..."
Unfortunately, the maps don't show places in the Twin Cities, but as far as the rest of the state goes, there's a lot to offer on the map.
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Want to travel to the countryside but fear not finding "green" folks?
Good news!
The folks at Renewing the Countryside have developed a pretty cool map of "green" places in Minnesota.
From the site:
The Green Routes website is an easy-to-use tool to help you find one-of-a-kind places to eat, play, shop, sleep, and learn. Use the map to find a destination, or add filters by clicking the categories above.
According to Jan Joannides, Executive Director at Renewing the Countryside, in addition to the web page, "Seven Green Routes glove-box maps, featuring 180 destinations, were developed and printed in conjunction with regional partners. Nearly 28,000 glove-box maps were distributed. In 2007, 350 people signed up to take the Green Routes challenge, committing to visiting at least five Green Routes destinations within a year. We also launched the monthly Green Routes e-newsletter in the summer of 2007..."
Unfortunately, the maps don't show places in the Twin Cities, but as far as the rest of the state goes, there's a lot to offer on the map.
[where: Local Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
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