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One of the Best Meals of the Year: Surly Brewer’s Table

Originally I thought Spoon & Stable was going to be the biggest thing of 2014-2015, launching a new era of food tourism to the Twin Cities. No doubt among a certain set of food tourists, S&S is the thing. People will fly here to try Chef Gavin Kaysen’s food. And they’ll leave happy and they’ll brag about the great food in Minneapolis and St. Paul. But I now believe that far more people will come here to visit Surly’s Destination Brewery, and the impact will be even wider.

The brewery is gorgeous. The beer is top notch. And the food: perhaps shockingly fantastic. The food in the Beer Hall is full of flavor and pairs nicely with the variety of beer Surly makes. But the new restaurant on the second floor of the brewery, Brewer’s Table at Surly, is incredible.

I blogged about it at Mpls St. Paul Magazine:

My wife and I shared five courses—we selected a lamb taco snack ($5), vegetables with an abalone mushroom that looked like a giant hunk of foie gras ($16), the gorgeous and irresistibly Instagrammable tea egg ($14), an octopus dish shaped like Stonehenge ($17), and the rich, fatty, decadent pork jowl ($23).

Read more of my First Bite at mspmag.com.

 

5 Great Places To Eat At Target Field

Target Field has set the standard when it comes to stadium food. They’ve embraced local, original restaurants and set them up inside the stadium – giving people a chance to really experience some of the best of Minnesota. If you’re headed to a game this summer, here are my can’t miss spots inside Target Field:

  • Hot Indian Foods (Section 120)- chicken tikka rice bowl  is awesome, but the vegan Aloo Gobi is my favorite. Spicy and delicious. ($11)
  • AZ Canteen (Section 114) – The incredible hunk of pork belly sandwich ($10), the smoked meat is killer ($12), but the new Korean Chicken Sandwich is my fave. ($13)
  • Red Cow (Section 126) – 60/40 burger: 60% beef, 40% ground bacon, topped with cheddar, beer mustard, and candied bacon. Yes. ($8.50)
  • Butcher & The Boar (section 140) – perfect BBQ rib tips ($14), get it served with a can of Indeed beer and a shot of whiskey.
  • Kramarczuk’s (112, 117, 312) – The brat is wonderful, the Polish is better. Get it with kraut, peppers and onions. ($8)

What are your favorites? Add them in the comments!

6 Great Restaurants for Twin Cities Locavores

Locally-sourced ingredients are so common now, they almost don’t seem worth pointing out. You see farmers listed on restaurants of all kinds: from fine-dining to casual counter service. How awesome is that?

I got this email from Doug, a bellman at a hotel in Bloomington:

I have a guest that asked me for a restaurant.  I am turning to you for ideas.  Not a Chain,  Something she can’t find anywhere else.  Locally sourced organically grown items. I am hopeful you might have some ideas.

Do I ever!

  • Wise Acre Eatery in South Minneapolis: nearly everything in the restaurant comes from their own farm. Something like 80% of what they serve. It’s crazy! Nothing like it in the country. And original. [WCCO Story]
  • Spoonriver is near the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis: organic, locally-grown everything Lots of vegetarian and fish dishes there, absolutely delicious.
  • Corner Table Restaurant in South Minneapolis: incredible menu, extremely talented chefs, also very committed to local sourcing.
  • Strip Club Meats & Fish in St. Paul: Grass-fed beef, beautiful pork, best hospitality in town, just a fantastic restaurant.
  • Lyn 65  in Richfield: a casual, tavern-environment (near the hotel) with great local farmers, another great spot.
  • Tilia in South Minneapolis: no-reservations neighborhood restaurant with locally sourced and organic food, prepared by some of the best chefs in town.

What are your favorite places committed to local sourcing and organic ingredients?

38 of the Best Burgers in St. Paul and Minneapolis

My goodness, people are passionate about burgers. And why not? They’re delicious. When you ask someone: “What’s the best burger in the Twin Cities?” you get a crazy range of answers.


Some point to a chef-created $14 piece of art. Others point to a $6 fast-casual burger. Others go to an iconic burger that created a category or reminds them of their youth.

I find all of those measuring sticks equally valid. A good burger should take you somewhere, should give you a taste of the grill, of the beef, of the bun. It should be a little pink, a little salty, and the bun needs to have weight so it doesn’t get soggy from the juices.

I asked your input on twitter, and I will include some burgers on this list that came from enough of you that I trust your word, even though I haven’t tried them. I’ll indicate those burgers with an asterisk.

Chef-Driven

Steakhouse

Bar/Pub

Iconic

Fast-Casual

There are great resources on burgers: I love this piece by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine on great burgers from 2013. Rick Nelson’s Burger Friday is awesome.

And I’m certain this list is completely wrong. Some burgers shouldn’t be here. no doubt I’ve forgotten your favorite. Print out the list! Correct the record in the comments! Go enjoy the greatest sandwich ever created — the burger!

3 Great Sushi Spots in Minneapolis

I love answering questions on Twitter, either @DeRushaJ or @DeRushaEats – Patrick asked about my favorite sushi places in Minneapolis:

She deserves some sushi, Patrick! Here are my three favorite spots for sushi in Minneapolis, plus one I need to visit.

  • Origami: traditional, creative, huge selection of extremely fresh and delicious sushi
  • Masu: fun vibe, reasonably-priced rolls, high-quality, wide selection of robata and ramen noodle too
  • Fuji Ya: incredible, premium sushi. Go omakase, and have the chefs pick for you

Plus one bonus selection based on reputation and the fact that I have to get there:

  • Kyatchi: sustainable seafood up and down the menu, pressed sushi, plus hot dogs!

Patrick tweeted his choice and his verdict:

What’s your favorite sushi spot in Minneapolis?

Better Beer Food: 9 Great Minneapolis and St. Paul Restaurants With Amazing Beer Lists

A lot of times I want a chill place to eat, where I can have a delicious pint of beer. But not just bar food: delicious food. Luckily, Minneapolis and St. Paul are overflowing with well-developed, interesting beer lists AND creative, quality food. Here are some of the best in the cities:

What did I miss? Add your favorites in the comments!