Craving comfort food? Bring your taste buds to Brasa

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Ah, rain—finally! Rainy days and Mondays always get me…in the mood for comfort food. Fortunately, I have found a new favorite supplier: Brasa, in the spot formerly occupied by Betty’s Bikes and Buns at 600 E. Hennepin. The brand new, budget-conscious brother of Restaurant Alma, Brasa bills itself as a premium rotisserie and serves, bless their hearts, only two main dishes: Marinated & Spice Rubbed Rotisserie Chicken ($11.50-$14) and Slow Roasted Berkshire Pork Shoulder ($11.50-$14), with a combo plate for $14.50. I’m a fan of the limited menu. Continue Reading

Sample Circuit

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If you enjoy dining out but like to try before you buy, here’s your chance to be in-the-know about new restaurants without breaking your budget. Continue Reading

One bridge story

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Okay, so I was on the bridge that collapsed in Minneapolis on Wednesday during rush hour. I shouldn’t have been there, but I have a bad habit of chatting on my cell phone while driving, and, involved in conversation, I missed my exit. Decided to take University/4th Street instead—which put me bumper-to-bumper with a couple of hundred other souls encased in sheet metal on the ill-fated 500-foot span. I was on my way to a Sample Circuit event at one of my favorite new venues, Spill the Wine, on Washington Avenue. Traffic was heavy coming into downtown because of the Twins vs KC Royals game, and I was running a few minutes late. Continue Reading

First Yvette, then Sophia, now Picosa…a “nuevo Latino” bistro joins the roster on the river

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Wednesday night after a meeting of Ladies Who Launch at Aster Café, I was walking to my car, and my stomach growled just as I passed by Picosa, the Latin American restaurant newly opened in the former Sophia space. Naturally, my stomach and I made a U-turn. Also lining up to nosh were Chef Andrew Zimmern and his accountant. That told me the place would be affordable. Nobody takes their accountant to a pricey place, as there will be no chance of ordering any wine over $10. Continue Reading

Recommended: Jeffrey Hatcher’s “Mrs. Mannerly” and Cafe Ena

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There are certain events you just don’t want to miss. For some, it is shopping on the day after Thanksgiving. For others, it’s the 4th of July fireworks. For me, it’s the opening night of a Jeffrey Hatcher play.The current Hatchery is an amusing slice of autobiography showcasing super-funny Phyllis Wright as Jeffrey, age 7, and the wry and witty Barbara June Patterson as the playwright’s real-life etiquette instructor and title character, Mrs. Mannerly. The dialogue drew a steady rhythm of chuckles from the audience as well as from Hatcher himself—evidence that the actors did justice to his work.Among its themes, Mrs. Mannerly deals with dueling desires: wanting to be recognized as special—to be judged “the best”—and hoping to fit in with one’s peers, so as not be judged at all. Continue Reading

Chambers, Solera, Manhattan’s and Bank

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This Tuesday evening restaurant tour sounds like a law firm but it’s strictly for epicures, not esquires. My friend Deb is new to Minneapolis, by way of New York City and San Fran, so first impressions are important. When she asked where I’d like to have dinner, I pulled out the big guns right away. (With apologies to my #1 fave 112 Eatery and close second La Belle Vie, plus art venue-ensconced Cue and 20.21…we’ll get her to all of you next time around.)”Meet me at Manhattan’s,” I said into my cell phone as I bolted from work around 5:30. This new resident of the LaSalle Plaza space formerly occupied by Zeno’s will open tomorrow, but I tend to show up early for the sneak peek. Continue Reading

‘Get Ready’ for an entertaining evening

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Ah, media night at the theatah! Tonight’s show: Get Ready at the Penumbra. Here is Dominic Papatola of the Pioneer Press, chatting it up with Penumbra founder Lou Bellamy. There is Rohan Preston of the Star Tribune, pointing his camera at choreographer Austene Van. The rival reporters circle the lobby back-to-back as if they haven’t seen each other, like the cop and the detective in a Laurel and Hardy comedy. Continue Reading