picks

Jeremy Iggers, executive director of the Twin Cities Media Alliance (the nonprofit organization that publishes the Daily Planet), has been writing about restaurants for over 30 years—so he knows food, especially international cuisine. You won't go wrong if you follow him to Gardens of Salonica in Northeast Minneapolis for the Daily Planet's third annual Greek feast, a fundraiser for the media alliance. The menu will include baked Artichoke hearts, traditional paschal bread, oven braised lamb, and more—with a wine pairing to accompany each course. Opa!

Growing up in Milwaukee, Wis. where Miller Lite and PBR are the city's prized libations reared me to be the frugal drinker I am today. That's not to say I don't know and can't enjoy a good beer (I definitely can); what I'm saying is I drink these beers without any irony whatsoever. So starts the 2012 Yelp Drinks on Monday, April 9 for the next seven days where the thrifty drinkers can indulge a bit without opening their wallets too wide. Fine drinking establishments like Barbette, Pat's Tap, and Town Hall Brewery (among many others) are offering a selection of their proudest concoctions for 50 percent of the cost (just mention Yelp Drinks) at any hour of the day (so long as it's open). It's a happy week ahead, indeed.

My friend has the best grandpa + modern technology story; it must be retold. Her grandpa walks into a coffee shop, orders his cup of joe, takes a peek at the bakery, decides on a muffin, and adds, "... and I'll take a couple of those free wiffies too." 

Sometimes, you just don't want to use the Internet connection you're paying for in your home or apartment. Good thing Minneapolis has some great alternatives in which you can make yourself comfortable with a caffeinated drink, get some work done, people watch, and catch some free waves.

You've been inside the Twin Cities' skyways all winter; now that it's warming up, it's time to step out and take a look at the skyways from the outside. Or not...but at least take a glance up from Fourth Street between Robert and Minnesota in downtown St. Paul. You're looking at what is certainly Minnesota's highest skyway, and is believed by many to be the world's first. It was built in 1931, connecting the 17th floor of the First National Bank Building with the 16th floor of the Merchants Bank Building. The skyway's construction was simultaneous with the construction of the First National Bank Building, which overtook the Merchants Bank Building as St. Paul's tallest skyscraper and held that distinction for 55 years—until Galtier Plaza went up in 1986.