Kings Wine Bar and Restaurant

Tonight I went to a new place that just opened 2 weeks ago with a few of my fellow Foodie friends. Kings is located on 45th and Grand, directly across the street from Cafe Ena. They have patio seating, which would have been great had it not been so unseasonably chilly this particular evening. (Stay away winter, we are not ready for you!) Even though we arrived at 7:30 on a Saturday night, we only had to wait less than 10 minutes for a table. (woo-hoo!) The ambience inside has a very cozy wine bar feel to it, with some tasteful splashes of glamour (cool crystal art-deco looking chandelier, textured wallpaper, etc.)

Our server was very friendly, but not disingenuous. We started with a bottle of Malbec and split 3 appetizers: house-made tator tots with bacon and gruyere cheese sauce, goat cheese fritters with a shallot relish, and imported Italian artisan salami with stone ground mustard and cornichons. I wasn't blown away with any of the appetizers, but they were each unique and satisfying....I did however, really enjoy the gruyere cheese sauce that came with the tator tots--it was almost as good as the cheese fondue sauce served with the fries at Cafe Maude. The goat cheese fritters were good, but I thought the layer of "fritter" batter was too thick in relation to the amount of goat cheese nestled inside.

Now for the main entrees....the menu here isn't extensive....the number of wines on the menu outnumber the food items by about 5 to 1....but since this is a wine bar, this is to be expected.

I had the salmon fillet with grilled asparagus, orzo, and shallot relish. It was good, but nothing I couldn't have made at home. Nice generous portion of salmon, perfect seared with a slightly crisp crust.

Two of my dining companions had the braised short ribs with mashed potatoes and asparagus. Friend 3 had the spaghetti with chicken meatballs, while Friend 4 had the baked macaroni and cheese.

The unanimous decision at the table was that the braised short ribs was the best dish. In fact, after having the first bite of the short ribs, my one friend could not resist letting out an audible sigh of pure culinary bliss. When I asked my friends for some verbal commentary on the short ribs I heard: "fork-tender....perfect red wine reduction....amazing....I don't even need my knife...." I must admit, I stole several bites of the dish, and it was indeed delicious.

As the rest of us were chatting away, one of my friends who had ordered the short ribs was unusually quiet...turns out he was busy cleaning his plate! Well, I guess there's no better proof he was a fan of the dish! Plus, at only $14.95, the price was not bad for the quality and quantity of food you got. (I could easily see this type of dish going for $20+ at other places.) For dessert, we ordered 3 items to share: a) the blueberry cobbler made with local blueberries, baked with cinnamon and vanilla b) house made chocolate chip cookie with expresso whipped cream and a light chocolate sauce and c) bananas foster. Most everyone loved the blueberry cobbler the best, but I loved the combo of all 3 items. All in all, the group really enjoyed the place and we will definitely be back. It has a great relaxed atmosphere perfect for a leisurely night of dinner and drinks.

Location: 45th and Grand Ave

www.kingsmpls.com/

Price: $$

Galaxy Diner

This place is always packed everytime I drive by, so I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. It is located on Highway 7, just west of Highway 100.


The novel aspect of this place is the exterior set-up. Not only do they have drive-up stations for those who prefer to eat in their car, they also have lots of outdoor seating with several gas fire pits for those who want to make their own s'mores or just warm up. They sell a s'mores kit in a tube that holds everything you need to make s'mores for 4-6 people. The place is also very dog friendly--they have a grassy "pooch playground" area that includes a poop bag dispenser post. They even have a doggie treats section of their menu, including Doggie Burgers (same as human burger, minus the onions and pickles), Doggie Dogs (Vienna beef hot dog), and dog bone treats. Their menu says they offer free soft serve vanilla ice cream cones for four-legged patrons. What about us 2-legged ones?? I saw several content looking dogs hanging out by their owners near the fire pits.

Now on to the food. I got the Earthling Cheeseburger. It was served on a very soft, buttery toasted bun with diced sauteed onions and two slices of dill pickles. The ground beef was very tasty and had that "loose-packed" consistency....very flavorful. I also ordered a side of fries. Nothing to write home about, but they were thick-cut and sprinkled with a healthy shake of paprika or something similar. The cheeseburger was $4.35 and the fries were $1.25.

Would I go back? Possibly....it isn't a bad burger for less than $5, but I wouldn't say it was the best burger I've ever had. It's a little tricky to get to since you can't turn straight in from Hwy 7. The people I saw there seemed to be enjoying the overall kid and dog-friendly atmosphere though....so even if the food isn't the star attraction, it certainly isn't keeping anyone away.

Location: 3712 Quebec Ave S (off Hwy 7, just west of Hwy 100 in St. Louis Park)
Website: http://www.galaxy-drivein.com/
Price: $

TGIF

I thought I'd start a tradition and offer up suggestions for weekend dining every Friday.

Town Talk Diner- www.towntalkdiner.com This is not your ordinary diner. Be sure to try their distinctly Minnesotan appetizers: fried cheese curds and frickles (fried pickle slices). They also offer tasty "grown-up milkshakes" (spiked with extra goodness). ($-$$)

Brasa- www.brasa.us/ This is one of my favorite places in the Northeast neighborhood of Minneapolis. They call themselves a premium rotisserie, but I like to think it is more of a Southern Creole meets Soul Food. Some of my favorite dishes: rustic style cheese grits, creamed spinich with jalepeno, fried sweet plantains, slow-cooked collard greens with smoked turkey, roasted yams with andouille sausage. I love their open air seating when the weather is nice...they open up two huge steel & glass garage doors to accommodate patio seating ($ to $$)

Busters on 28th- http://www.busterson28th.com/ Not only do they have a HUGE beer list (116 different bottled beers alone!), they also have very reasonably priced food that is a notch above your typical bar menu. Great neighborhood feel...you can tell the place attracts a lot of locals (always a good sign). ($-$$)

Nick & Eddie- www.nickandeddie.com Overlooking Loring Park, this is a nice bar / restaurant....has a slightly upscale feel to it. Wedged right in between Cafe Lurcat and Joe's Garage so you can always do a bit of bar hopping if so compelled. One note of warning: the potato gnocchis are not good! ($-$$)

SW Neighborhood Gem: Cave Vin

I haven't been to Cave Vin yet, but it comes highly recommended by several close friends. I convinced one of them to write a guest review:

Don't let it's location fool you, Cafe Vin is a fantastic little French restaurant tucked away in the southwest Armatage neighborhood. If anything, the adjacent Xerxes market only adds to the mystique of this gem. When you enter, be sure to give your eyes a few good minutes to adjust to the dimly lit room. Soon you will be greeted with friendly and knowledgeable waitstaff, eager to answer all of your "which would you recommend" questions. I'll save you the time with one, absolutely get the Garlic Frites with aioli but proceed immediately home as your breath will certainly offend anyone not dining there that evening. It's not uncommon for the owner to pass by for a quick hello, top off your wine glass (on the house), and recount a recent European adventure. Needless to say, I shall return.

Location: Corner of 56th and Xerxes
Price: $$$ ($6-12 appetizers; $17-25 entrees)
Specials: 1/2 Price bottles of wine on Mondays and Tuesdays

Downtown Lunching

Since I work downtown, I have been to my fair share of downtown restaurants for lunch. Here is a run down of what you can expect in downtown Minneapolis, whether you are being wined & dined on a corporate tab, or if you just need a quick place to grab a bite on the run:

$ (Cheap Eats):

Taco Johns- In the skyway. If you go on a Tuesday, beware of "Taco Tuesday" chaos when their $.69 tacos bring in droves of hungry taco lovers.

Andreas Pizza- Best pizza I've had in the skyway. Tons of different varieties....and Andreas is a big teddy bear.

Sawatdee- This tiny little take-out only place is located in the skyway near the IDS Center. I love the Tom Yum soup.....at only $4 for the small bowl, it also comes with a very generous portion of rice on the side, which you can put into the soup for a tasty and hearty meal. That's right, for only $4 you can stuff your gullet on a very authentic tasting Thai soup!

Potbellies- I have to plug their meatball subs. If you can handle the heat, add onions and peppers. Welcome to heartburn city! (But you will be so satisfied)

$$: (Moderate- expect to pay between $10-$15 for lunch):

Barrio- How could I forget this fun tequileria and restaurant? They have also jumped on the lunch special bandwagon....$10 gets you a different taco each day accompanied by homemade guacamole served in one of those heavy stone mortar & pestles. You don't get as much food here for $10 as you do at Masa, but it is still good and worth a trip.

The Local- I could literally eat an entire bucket of their Chicken Shots. Their Shepherd's Pie is very rich. Guaranteed to give you that gut bomb feel, so don't plan on being too productive after you eat it. They also have a great "Wee Lunch" plate that is just $10.

Masa- They have a great lunch combo special. Pick any 3 mix & match items off their special menu for only $10. I always pick the same 3 items: guacamole, chicken tortilla soup, and their pork carnitas sandwich.

Vincent- Don't let the fancy French exterior scare you away from this place. They have 2 course lunch specials for $12 every day. If you haven't tried their famous Vincent burger, you have not lived....it is stuffed with braised short ribs and smoked gouda. Heaven!

ZakeMN- Used to be called Musashi. They offer 30% off your lunch tab if you are a Target team member. Yes, you read that right--30 percent!!! They have tons of lunch items including hibachi, bento boxes, teriyaki, etc. for between $8-$12.....then you deduct the 30%!! Most of their lunch specials come with miso soup and a salad. What a deal!!

More to come as I think of them....right now I need to go get some LUNCH!!

Jeanie's Top 10 List

So I've only lived in Minneapolis since May 2007, but I can honestly say I have eaten out at more places than alot of the locals around here! I love exploring a new city through its restaurant scene. Here is my top 10 list of places you must try (in no particular order):

1. Broder's Pasta Bar- Located on the corner of 50th and Penn Ave. Family owned and operated for decades. You will not find a more scrumptious plate of fresh, handmade pasta anywhere this side of Italy! I could literally eat here every week, if I knew I would not blow up like a house. Two of my favorite dishes are the Fettuccini Bolognese and the Pasta Stringozzi with house-made spicy Italian sausage. As an extra bonus, in the summer they have a $28 special before 6 pm: Olive appetizer, 2 salads, 2 pastas, and a 1/2 carafe of wine for just $28! This special begins at 8 pm during the winters. (Sun-Thurs only for this special)


2. Blackbird Cafe- Located on 50th and Bryant. Owned by a married couple (he's the head chef, she's the gracious hostess). This place is a neighborhood gem. Very cozy and ecclectic with amazing, unique dishes. You can get everything from a Vietnamese Bahn Mi sandwich to a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin with yukon gold mashed potatoes and collard greens. Breakfast here is fantastic as well--the huevos rancheros are amazing!112 Eatery- I'm sure you've all heard about this place, tucked away in the Warehouse District. I have just two words: cauliflower fritters


3. Blacksheep Pizza- Located in the N. Loop area directly north of downtown. Best pizza I've eaten outside of NYC!!


4. Quang Restaurant- Located on Eat Street (Nicollet Ave) just a few blocks south of Azia. This is the real deal people....huge, steaming bowls of pho...fresh summer rolls stuffed with shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, basil, mint, and sprouts. I love their beef & springroll salad...slices of grilled beef on top of a pile of vermicelli noodles, with all kinds of fresh Vietnamese greens and sprouts....then then throw on some chopped slices of fried spring rolls for good measure! Be sure to also try their many varieties of "bubble tea".


5. Tum Rup Thai- Located in Uptown, on Lake Street. Arguably one of the best Thai places in town. Their green curry will make your head spin.


6. Cafe Lurcat- Must try items: Apple, Cheese, & Chive Salad; Sea Bass marinated in Miso; Homemade mini-donuts dusted in cinnamon sugar (served warm!)


7. Cafe Maude- Located at 54th and Penn Ave. Live jazz on Fri and Sat nights. Great atmosphere and inventive dishes that are made for sharing. You cannot pass up the house-cut fries with truffled fontina fondue dipping sauce. You will be licking the sauce dish clean!


8. La Chaya Bistro- 46th and Nicollet. Mediterranean & Mexican fusion.


9. The Nook- legendary St. Paul dive specializing in their own version of the Juicy Lucy, the "Juicy Nookie". Their chicken wings are also killer!!


10. It's All Greek To Me- Corner of Lake and Lyndale. I adore their Avgolemono soup!

Victor's 1959 Cafe

Welcome fellow Foodies!

The inaugural blog entry in Fast, Fun & Foodies is affectionately dedicated to one of my favorite new discoveries in SW Minneapolis--Victor's 1959 Cafe. (www.victors1959cafe.com)

Nestled on an unassuming corner of 37th and Grand, you might actually drive right by this delicious little Cuban dive if you aren't paying attention.

The owner of this slice of heaven on earth is actually Greek, but she learned all about Cuban cuisine from her ex-husband. My very first experience at this restaurant was actually on my 34th birthday, so I will never forget it. With so many tantalizing options on the menu, I decided to go for one of the house specialities, "Ropa Vieja", which literally means "old clothes". Luckily, it tasted nothing like its literal translation!

This dish is shredded flank steak simmered in the house made, sherry-spiked Spanish red sauce. Served with sweet plantains and your choice of a rice side, it is pure happiness on a plate. Here is a picture to whet your appetite!

Two of my other favorite dishes are include the Masas de Puerco and the Cuban Picadillo. You can even order the picadillo at brunch when it is called "Cuban Hash" and served with eggs!

I love going to brunch here as well as dinner....it is super affordable and tasty, so you'll never feel ripped off after a meal here! One note of warning, this place is literally a tiny little dive, so be prepared to wait, especially for patio seating on a nice day! Also, be sure to check out the episode on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" featuring Victor's Cafe!

Hope you all get a chance to experience this little slice of Havana right here Minneapolis.