the twin city triplets…

This past Monday (March 24, 2008), three Minneapolis chefs were nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Award for “Best Chef Midwest.” I am lucky to say that I ate at all three of their restaurants on a recent, butt-bitingly frosty visit to the Twin Cities. How’s that for foresight? Despite all good intentions to write about that […]

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the twin city triplets…

This past Monday (March 24, 2008), three Minneapolis chefs were nominated for the James Beard Foundation’s Award for “Best Chef Midwest.” I am lucky to say that I ate at all three of their restaurants on a recent, butt-bitingly frosty visit to the Twin Cities. How’s that for foresight? Despite all good intentions to write about that […]

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review: a reunion at life…

Amuse Bouche: Brandade and Local Tomato Jam You know the gnocchi are good when the woman sitting next to you turns to her husband and says to him, “These gnocchi are nothing like yours! These are actually very good!!” And, all this time, she thought she hated gnocchi. To kick off my birthday weekend in […]

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review: a reunion at life…

Amuse Bouche: Brandade and Local Tomato Jam You know the gnocchi are good when the woman sitting next to you turns to her husband and says to him, “These gnocchi are nothing like yours! These are actually very good!!” And, all this time, she thought she hated gnocchi. To kick off my birthday weekend in […]

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james beard awards, 2008

Congratulations to all of the finalist nominees for the 2008 James Beard Awards. I’m pleased to announce the nominees from my region, four of whom’s cooking I’ve had the great pleasure of experiencing first hand: BEST CHEF: MIDWEST (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI) Isaac Becker 112 eatery Minneapolis Colby Garrelts bluestem Kansas […]

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james beard awards, 2008

Congratulations to all of the finalist nominees for the 2008 James Beard Awards. I’m pleased to announce the nominees from my region, four of whom’s cooking I’ve had the great pleasure of experiencing first hand: BEST CHEF: MIDWEST (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI) Isaac Becker 112 eatery Minneapolis Colby Garrelts bluestem Kansas […]

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review: hot diggity doug’s…

My friends and I were expecting a large meal at Avenues later that evening, so among the three of us (one being pregnant), we tried to be responsible and ordered 5 dogs (yet we still managed to hit a tacqueria on our way back) (You can see pictures of and read more about my lunch […]

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review: hot diggity doug’s…

My friends and I were expecting a large meal at Avenues later that evening, so among the three of us (one being pregnant), we tried to be responsible and ordered 5 dogs (yet we still managed to hit a tacqueria on our way back) (You can see pictures of and read more about my lunch […]

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review: encouraging gluttony…

Tagliatelle with Foie Gras Meatballs Originally uploaded by ulterior epicure 112 eatery I had the great pleasure of gluttonously stuffing my face at 112 eatery a little over a month ago. It was *freezing* cold outside, which awakened the hearty appetite in my friend and me. Despite having had a nice a three-course lunch at […]

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review: encouraging gluttony…

Tagliatelle with Foie Gras Meatballs Originally uploaded by ulterior epicure 112 eatery I had the great pleasure of gluttonously stuffing my face at 112 eatery a little over a month ago. It was *freezing* cold outside, which awakened the hearty appetite in my friend and me. Despite having had a nice a three-course lunch at […]

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best dishes of 2007…

2007 saw a noticeable change in food trends. Our nation’s culinary drivers began to consciously steer us away from fine dining and toward casual fare. This de-emphasis on luxury in favor of the humble meant that caviar and foie gras became out-paced by brussels sprouts and short ribs; the fascination and wonder with molecular gastronomy […]

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best dishes of 2007…

2007 saw a noticeable change in food trends. Our nation’s culinary drivers began to consciously steer us away from fine dining and toward casual fare. This de-emphasis on luxury in favor of the humble meant that caviar and foie gras became out-paced by brussels sprouts and short ribs; the fascination and wonder with molecular gastronomy […]

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eating on the cheap…

Butter Lettuce Salad at bluestem I eat out a lot.  More often than not, I’m eating multi-coursed meals in higher end establishments.  When I’m not eating out, I’m usually recipe testing or cooking something up (inevitably, in batches too large for one) at home. A by-product of eating “fancy” so frequently is an indelible craving for the casual, the sloppy, […]

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eating on the cheap…

Butter Lettuce Salad at bluestem I eat out a lot.  More often than not, I’m eating multi-coursed meals in higher end establishments.  When I’m not eating out, I’m usually recipe testing or cooking something up (inevitably, in batches too large for one) at home. A by-product of eating “fancy” so frequently is an indelible craving for the casual, the sloppy, […]

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review: cork-covered rusticity…

Sardinia Ristorante I was pretty set on taking the family to Talula for dinner on my last night in Miami. The main reason for that decision was that my mom, who turned 60 (and for whom the trip to Miami was taken), greatly prefers gentle, quiet, and linen-serviced restaurants to those that are more boisterous […]

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review: cork-covered rusticity…

Sardinia Ristorante I was pretty set on taking the family to Talula for dinner on my last night in Miami. The main reason for that decision was that my mom, who turned 60 (and for whom the trip to Miami was taken), greatly prefers gentle, quiet, and linen-serviced restaurants to those that are more boisterous […]

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review: genuine food, genuine drink…

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink I was pleased to spy Chef Michael Schwartz as my table was seated to dinner recently at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, the trendy new eat place in Miami’s heretofore rather quiet, but apparently up-and-coming, Design District. Michael Schwartz recently garnered a bit of press as […]

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review: genuine food, genuine drink…

Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink I was pleased to spy Chef Michael Schwartz as my table was seated to dinner recently at Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, the trendy new eat place in Miami’s heretofore rather quiet, but apparently up-and-coming, Design District. Michael Schwartz recently garnered a bit of press as […]

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review: joe’s stone crab…

Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant Joe’s “Select” Stone Crab Claws My family and I had a simple, light lunch at Joe’s not too long ago. It was our first time in Miami, and thus, at the original. I’ve been to Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks & Stone Crab in Chicago, a collaboration between Joe’s Stone Crab and […]

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review: joe’s stone crab…

Joe’s Stone Crab Restaurant Joe’s “Select” Stone Crab Claws My family and I had a simple, light lunch at Joe’s not too long ago. It was our first time in Miami, and thus, at the original. I’ve been to Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steaks & Stone Crab in Chicago, a collaboration between Joe’s Stone Crab and […]

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