I was saddened when I read this today, and I blogged about it on my other blog:
JP’s American Bistro Closed. Tragic.
I don't know anyone who ate there and DIDN'T enjoy it.
JP Samuelson has a fancy for local ingredients and always featured fabulous seasonal dishes. I, for one, wanted to kiss him the last time we were there.
It wasn't the food that caused jP to close. It couldn't have been the food. The food was so darn tasty.
In Dara's blog, JP is quoted saying:
The construction [endless, at Lake and Lyndale] finally got to us. With the economy, the construction, Minneapolis property taxes—after our first year, because the property had been redone, our taxes went up by three-thousand dollars a month. Nobody had budgeted for that. The construction was supposed to happen in one year, but they came back and started on Lake Street, and at some point you have to cut your losses.
----------------
You can read the following statement on the jP website:
We are sorry we have to announce the closing of jP American Bistro after 5 and 1/2 years of serving our community. We want to thank all of the countless people who graced our doors and gave us a chance to serve them. It was a privilege and an honor.
Please stay tuned to our website for future updates. We are sorry we won't be able to serve you this holiday season but for those looking for holiday gatherings contact JP directly.
Once again, from all of staff past and present, thank you for sharing all of your memories, weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, hopes and dreams. With the deepest repsect, Namaste.
jP, Cheryl and Evie
-----------------
BOO! I say, BOO!
[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Reetsy's Dreamy Destination: Canoe Bay
I lived most of my life in Wisconsin before relocating to Minneapolis a few years ago. As much as I enjoy shaking my tail feather in the Twin Cities, sometimes I do miss Wisconsin and my friends and family there.
On top of having countless numbers of friends and family to visit in Wisconsin, I now have a new vacation destination: Canoe Bay Resort.
The amenities are all there, and some bonus features I've noted include: a library, 3 private lakes, and a number of green construction building practices: "In addition to recycling bottles, paper, etc. and using virtually no synthetic products of any kind, we have selected the most advanced and efficient products for everyday functions at Canoe Bay."
A cabin at Canoe Bay - photo from Forbes Traveler
But wait one second. Isn't this supposed to be a blog about sustainable foods?
CHECK IT.
"Since the inception of Canoe Bay our mission has been to procure for our guests the finest indigenous, naturally-raised foods."
Canoe Bay is hitting pretty heavy in local, chemical free foods in their dining room. Their produce suppliers neither use insecticides nor pesticides and, in most cases, are certified organic. Canoe Bay sources meat producers use free-range or grass-fed pasture raising methods, and, (not surprisingly) all of their meat is served up free of antibiotics, growth hormones, and chemicals. Located in Wisconsin, it makes sense that their dairy products (milk, eggs, butter, cheeses) come from local, organic producers.
Check out the nearby producers sourced by Canoe Bay:
I would be pickled tink at the opportunity to spend a night or two at Canoe Bay, but it's just not in my budget right now. *sigh*
Guess I'll have to start saving my pennies, or selling lemonade!
[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Wisconsin, Minnesota]
On top of having countless numbers of friends and family to visit in Wisconsin, I now have a new vacation destination: Canoe Bay Resort.
The amenities are all there, and some bonus features I've noted include: a library, 3 private lakes, and a number of green construction building practices: "In addition to recycling bottles, paper, etc. and using virtually no synthetic products of any kind, we have selected the most advanced and efficient products for everyday functions at Canoe Bay."
A cabin at Canoe Bay - photo from Forbes TravelerBut wait one second. Isn't this supposed to be a blog about sustainable foods?
CHECK IT.
"Since the inception of Canoe Bay our mission has been to procure for our guests the finest indigenous, naturally-raised foods."
Canoe Bay is hitting pretty heavy in local, chemical free foods in their dining room. Their produce suppliers neither use insecticides nor pesticides and, in most cases, are certified organic. Canoe Bay sources meat producers use free-range or grass-fed pasture raising methods, and, (not surprisingly) all of their meat is served up free of antibiotics, growth hormones, and chemicals. Located in Wisconsin, it makes sense that their dairy products (milk, eggs, butter, cheeses) come from local, organic producers.
Check out the nearby producers sourced by Canoe Bay:
-
Cedar Summit Farm
— Organically produced milk, cream, butter, yogurt, pork, and chicken. This is our choice for milk at home. The glass bottles are returnable at our co-op for store credit. -
DragSmith Farm
— Specialty produce like heirloom tomatoes, arugula, savory -
Eichten's Hidden Acres
— Natural cheeses and bison. We've given the bison bratwurst from Eichten's as gifts, and people raved about the quality and flavor of the meat. -
Upland's Cheese
— Raw milk farmstead cheese -
Sweetland Farm
— Free-range chicken, and duck; organic butter and eggs -
Sherwood Farm
— Foraged and cultivated mushrooms
-
Talking Oak Farm
— Raw honey, shallots, garlic -
Green Pastures Dairy
— Pasture-raised beef and cheese -
Zumbro Herb Farm
— Fresh herbs such as thyme, chervil, rosemary and lemon balm
I would be pickled tink at the opportunity to spend a night or two at Canoe Bay, but it's just not in my budget right now. *sigh*
Guess I'll have to start saving my pennies, or selling lemonade!
[where: Sustainable Food, St. Paul, Twin Cities, Wisconsin, Minnesota]
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Reetsy Reviews: The Citizen Cafe
Gerg and I decided we wanted to upload some of our wedding photos while dining on a patio during our week off.
Fortunately for us, Michael McKay recently opened Citizen Cafe in our neck of the non-woods, so we had an opportunity to sample (pardon the pun) some new eats AND sit at a patio.
Citizen Cafe is located in the former Sweet Loraine's spot in South Minneapolis. A lot of elbow grease and some new decor have brought the place to life. Nothing too charming or over the top, just a nice little cafe (with neato light fixtures). The patio features a view of the gas station across the street through some pretty potted plants.
They are committed to slow food at Citizen Cafe, and so you'll find items such as house made sausages, braised short ribs, roasted pork, house-cured gravlax, meat loaf, roasted chicken, and house made mustards. According to Molly Priesmeyer, "Chef-owner Michael McKay, who also owns the Sample Room in northeast and worked at Chez Paul and the Loring Café, even makes the ketchup from scratch, ensuring you won't get any high-fructose corn syrup mixing with your plate of organic fried eggs and hash browns in this cozy 38th Street spot."
For an appetizer, we cheerfully ordered their daily fresh sausage: chicken and apple sausage with spicy apple brandy mustard.
I love the daily fresh sausage concept, as I'm a lover of the link. Their sausage was tender, and nicely cooked, but it could have used a bit more seasoning. The mustard was fantastic. We both liked it a lot. I recommend ordering anything made with their house made mustards. Very very.
I ordered the pulled pork sammich for my meal. The pork was a bit dry, IMO. The pork was seasoned lightly and mixed with tons of bell peppers. The flavor was nice, but I wanted the pork to be a tad more tender. It was served with their house made crispy potato chips, which may be the best potato chips served to me at any restaurant ever. We both agree that those are some darn fine chips!!
gerg took the plunge and ordered something wacky - the "Citizen Joe" sammich.
The Citizen Joe is the cafe's version of a sloppy joe. Similar to a pasty in construction, the savory ground beef is wrapped in delicate pastry dough. It is then baked until gooey, wrapped in wax paper, and served with their house made chips or fresh fruit. The photo above was taken on my cell, and doesn't do the Citizen Joe justice. If you're the kind of person who likes messy, saucy sammiches, the Citizen Joe is a home run. It isn't dainty. It isn't easy to eat. It's saucy meat wrapped in pastry dough, dude. The flavor was new and different and familiar at the same time, and we both were delighted to try it.
Citizen Cafe doesn't have a url, so I can't link it yet.
We went there for a weekday lunch, and there was plenty of seating, but apparently it gets pretty busy on the weekends.
I wish I knew more about their producers. They don't mention any of them on the menu.
Citizen Cafe
2403 E 38th St
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: (612) 729-1122
PS - We're getting iPhones this weekend, which should mean better photos for this blog!
[where: Local Food, Minneapolis, Twin Cities, Minnesota]
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]
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)