Sunday, October 26, 2014

Its Time to Enjoy Minneapolis Again -

Melody and Mike spent nearly a week up in Minneapolis during October 2014.  Our son, Dr. Dane, has already moved from University of Minnesota on to his new job in Burbank, California so we had the place to ourselves.  Mike had a few days of business meetings and Melody hit the town for some shopping.  Shopping stops included Whole Foods, Ikea, and Mall of America.

On the way up we had lunch with college student and daughter, Mariah, at Ginger Thai Cuisine in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  Spring rolls were the best.  Mike had the usual Pad Thai which was very tasty. 

 
For supper on our first night in town we ate at one of our favorite spots - French Meadow Bakery and Cafe  in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  You can't go wrong with a built in bakery.  Melody had a wonderful salad and I had a scallops risotto dish.  We split it up and enjoyed.  The service, drinks, and food were great.


We always go shopping at the Wedge Coop.  This time we also shopped at Kowalski's Market both on Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis.  Check out the mushrooms from the Wedge - out of galettes and they were pumpkin filled. 





Supper on day 2 was at the Lowry (burgers, whiskey, oysters, eggs) also on Lyndale South.  We had the jalepeno cheese curds with blueberry ketchup to get started.  Melody had a pork tenderloin dish and Mike had a fried oysters pooboy.  No complaints at all - the service was better than fantastic (hats off to Jo Jo), gin and tonic right on, and the food was fantastic - loved the busy atmosphere too.  They do a great job here.  We will be back.



Day 3 was back to Thai food.  Can't get enough of it.  We tried the Roat Osha on Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis.  Spring rolls very tasty.  Melody had a glass noodles dish with scallops and Mike had the Mee Kah Teeh (rick noodles with red curry).  We loved both dishes.  The drinks were great too.




So how did we stay hungry with all of this great food?  We took nightly hikes around a lake near our hotel (Crowne Plaza) in Bloomington, Minnesota.  The fall colors were beautiful. 



Now we really liked our day 4 stop at the Salut.  Its a French place in Edina.  This was the full experience.  Nice set up, warm staff, good drinks, and a tasty main course.  Melody got the chicken special and Mike got a walleye dish.  Oh yea, dessert was great too.  Looks like you can't go wrong here.





The last full day we went exploring.  We stopped at the Mid Town Global Market on Lake Street in Minneapolis and had lunch at the Sonora Grill - South American dishes.  Been there before and always like it. 

We then hit a couple of old house resale shops - Bauer Bros. Salvage and Architectual Antiques both in north side of Minneapolis.  These two places were amazing.  Lots of neat old goods. 

We took a late afternoon stroll at Logan Park, Minneapolis.  We ate supper at Wise Acre Eatery on Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis - award winning farm to fork establishment.  Melody had a chicken dish and Mike had a homemade sauage and pasta dish.  Very good eats.  What a fantastic day.

Mural in the Mid Town Global Market
Peruvian Rice and Empanadas

 





Logan Park

 Wise Acre Eatery



The way home was fun too.  Stopped to visit with college student and son, Charlie, at Hickory Park in Ames, Iowa to enjoy one of their fresh ground burgers.  Of course we had to stop at the Wheatfield Coop in Ames too.



 Here's to hoping that you also enjoy yourself in Minneaoplis.

Happy Trails...