Minneapolis Must Eats

While I happen to be on this no restaurant challenge…. how about a list of favorites?

A recap of some of the places I love. Places you must visit. Places to pencil in on your next Minneapolis trip 🙂

Here are a few of my favorites according to random category selection. You know, the categories my restaurant deprived stomach is yearning for. My list could go on and on, to the point you’d stop reading and never come back.

So here are just a few!

Small Plate Sharing Heaven

Victory 44

Rincon 38

Best Pork Tenderloin Ever

Café Ena

Pasta Inhaler

Borders

La Grolla (ok ok, I know this is St. Paul, but I’ll drive there for great pasta!)

Pork Belly Bowl Me

Left Handed Cook

Grits. Enough said.

French Meadow

Beyond a Sandwich.

Cheeky Monkey Deli (Don’t be fooled by Deli. Yes the soups and sandwiches are amazing, but I also had one of the best steak frites here in the twin cities)

Burger Battles

Haute Dish

Bulldog NE

The Kenwood

Minneapolis Neighborhood Feel, (I.e. were I want to buy a house/condo)

The Kenwood (and again. Brunch, dinner, burgers, just go here)

Tilia

Brasa

Wise Acre Eatery

Sushi

Wakame Bistro

Cold weather? Pho me!

Lotus

Curry me stat!

Gorkha Palace

I’ve Had One Too Many Beers and Need Some Lobster Mac

1029 Bar (PS sing a few songs and play the wheel while you’re here)

My Burning Love of Food Trucks

Hibachi Daruma

Simply Steves

WSK

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(and because every blog post needs a picture, here is the view from my grocery store, you know, because I cannot go to restaurants….)

What are your Minneapolis/Your City must eats?

Happy Weekend!

The No Restaurant Challenge

Have I mentioned that I do not like losing?

That I have a competitive side?

If you challenge me, it is difficult for me not to accept.  Cliffdog knows this. Which is why I think she presented the challenge. Cliffdog challenged me to a entire month of not eating out at restaurants. She was willing to give me four “cheat” days within that month, and a carve out for alcohol.

The purpose: Shed more light on my monthly food costs.

A month of no restaurants?!

I would fail. I literally could not do it. I will not take on a challenge I know I will lose.

But I will agree to two weeks. Two weeks of no restaurants. This is still a challenge for me, as I eat lunch out at least twice a week, and multiple dinners out.

And again, Cliffdog graciously is giving me carve outs. 1) I am allowed to eat out with my aunt who will be in town 2) If it happens to be a date

The challenge starts today. Heres to the menu planning!  Wish me luck 🙂

Have you ever given up restaurants for a period of time?

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10 Reasons Iggy Makes Me Happy

Sometimes you go to concerts and only know like three songs.

Sometimes you don’t know much more about an artist, other than that she’s taught me…

I’m so fancy, but you already know!!!

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And since I’m basking in my fancy concert afterglow.. here are a few reasons an Iggy concert makes me happy:

1. Overalls and plaid were everywhere. You will never again catch me in overalls but the whole return of the overalls provides me endless giggles. I just want to say Oshkosh B’gosh over and over again!

2. Men wearing overalls were grinding on hand rails. What?! The creator of overalls never contemplated this…. I’m sure.

3. Fanny packs. We wore these and it was normal!

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4. Iggy brought back the movie Clueless for another generation. Pretty sure the freshman here were born a year after the movie came out?? #asif

5. Eddie Murphy clips during a concert?! Yes.

6. Plaid shirts tied around waists everywhere. Yes! I can totally hide the beer baby I have going on at this concert right now…

7. We are both all about that bass. Twerk, drop it low, booty bouncing love. For 45 minutes, she can make me feel the love for my pear shape 🙂

8. She just made me want to keep the party going… with strange hats that is…

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9. The opening act was all hip hop from the late 80s early 90s…. My anaconda don’t want none… you know rest 🙂 Middle school dances anyone?!

10. While the concert and this post were slightly ridiculous, I felt like a college kid all over again. And what could be better than reliving some of those glory days?

As it was such a blast and treat, I’m linking up with Becky for Treat Yourself Tuesday!

All About that Skyline…

No not the one outside my window.

The skyline I’m talking about, is meaty, noodle-y and spicy (sort of) with a hint of chocolate.

Confused yet?

I am talking about Skyline Chili.

If you are from Ohio, have gone to school in Ohio, or just have happened to be at the airport craving some chili…. you know what I mean.

There is something about pasta, drenched in chili, with shredded cheese and onions on top. Induglence with a side of extreme unhealthy. But hey, indulgence with a side of exterme unhealthy is warranted sometimes! It is especially warranted when JT wants to celebrate with nosolgia, i.e. Skyline Chili.

For good measure, heres a photo of Skyline, by the skyline 🙂

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(Photo cred friend AT, though I wish I could take credit)

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And a little indulgence should always be paired with Champange.

Because, why not?!

Now thats what I call a successful Wednesday night. Cheers to JT and cheers to Skyline.

Have you ever tried Skyline Chili?

My Happy Place

The boxes are mostly unpacked. The pictures leaning against the wall crying to be hung. The kitchen is somewhat organized, though I can’t remember where I put anything.

I keep going to the left for the trash, though the trash can is definitely under the sink.

We are getting to know our new place. And by we, I mean the roommate and I. Neither of us have had roommates in quite some time, however with all this space and the mutual desire to up our travel budgets, here we are 🙂

Despite my inability to navigate our kitchen, the kitchen is still my happy place. Where I go immediately after a rough day. Where I go to show my love for family and friends. Where I find my calm.

Lets just say I am enjoying my extra counter space! And a live in person to cook for again.

I played around with this recipe a bit, and treated us to a move in meal!

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And because this meal was such a treat, I’m linking up with Becky.

HOW HAVE YOU TREATED YOURSELF THIS WEEK? WHERE IS YOUR HAPPY PLACE?

I Cave for Brunch…

The other day, somehow.. somebody convinced me a 6:30 am workout on a Saturday was a good idea.  I was all signed up for a later morning class, but once the words brunch and waffles were used, I caved.

I guess my willlpower is nonexistant once the word brunch is uttered.

So for furture reference, when trying to get me to do something, say brunch. And if said brunch happens to be a new location, I’ll be even easier to convince.

So post early morning, its still dark out, I raised my hand when the trainer asked if anyone was still asleep, drag me into class workout, the brunch came. Off we were to the Linden Hills area for a new to me breakfast.

Hello Zumbro Cafe.

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This was everything my muscles and rumbling stomach were screaming for. A simple, perfect, open faced steak breakfast sandwich.

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And an almond latte to round it out.

Where is your favorite brunch spot?