Montreal to Minneapolis: Rye has smoked meat, matzoh balls and He’Brew

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The first thing you might say to yourself when you walk into Rye, the new Jewish deli and bar in the former Auriga’s / Becky’s Cafeteria location is, “What!  No pastrami! A shonde! (disgrace, scandal, shame).” But this is not just any Jewish deli – it is (though they don’t advertise this fact) a Montreal-inspired Jewish deli, and in Montreal, the Jewish delis don’t serve pastrami, they serve smoked meat, which is sort of like pastrami, but without all the sugar. Continue Reading

Krungthep Thai: Authentic Thai Cuisine comes to Minneapolis!

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Good news for lovers of authentic Thai cuisine: you no longer have to cross the Mississippi to find authentic Thai cuisine. The owners of Bangkok Thai Deli, 315 University Ave. W., St. Paul,  which has become a pilgrimage site for lovers of authentic Thai Cuisine, have opened a new outpost, Krungthep Thai, at 2523 Nicollet Ave., in the former Seafood Palace location. (in case you are curious, Krungthep is the Thai name for the capitol city of Bangkok. Actually, the full name, according to Wikipedia, is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Phiman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit.) Continue Reading

What’s New: Social House, Krungthep Thai

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First, some exciting news for lovers of authentic Thai food who live in Minneapolis: you no longer have to trek all the way over to the far end of University Ave. to enjoy really authentic Thai cuisine. The owners of Bangkok Thai Deli and Supermarket  have opened a second location, Krungthep Thai Cuisine on Eat Street, in the former Seafood Palace at 2523 Nicollet Ave. Watch this space for a full review. Continue Reading

The new Muddy Waters Bar & Eatery: Everything a gastropub should be

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The hottest new trend on the Twin Cities dining scene is the gastropub, which combines a big selection of craft beers on tap with a menu that’s several notches above traditional bar fare. In the past year or so, we’ve seen the arrival of Pat’s Tap at 36th and Nicollet, Republic on the West Bank, the new Muddy Waters Bar & Eatery at Lake & Lyndale, the Amsterdam Bar and Hall in downtown St. Paul, and the Pig and Fiddle at 50th and France. The New Lowry Uptown Cafe also fits the format pretty well. Continue Reading

Media Tools for the New Normal: a public forum for the 99%

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As the executive director of the Twin Cities Media Alliance, I would like to extend an invitation to all Daily Planet readers to attend our 7th annual Fall Media Forum, Inform, Connect, Organize: Media Tools for the New Normal. 

Budget cuts and a tough economy threaten many of the things that Minnesotans value most – the quality of our schools, the vitality of our neighborhoods, even our jobs and livelihoods. This free public forum, on Saturday, November 12 at the Central Minneapolis Public Library will focus on new media tools and information resources that can help citizens, communities, and business inform themselves, communicate and work together more effectively as they face the challenges of the New Normal.

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Dine well, do good: Four food events that support worthy causes

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Dining well is one of life’s great pleasures. But knowing that the money you spend for dinner also supports a worthy cause can make the experience even more satisfying. Here are four upcoming events that support worthy causes: 

Friday, November 11: Taste of Thanksgiving

Time: 6:30 p.m. 

Location: Cretin-Derham Hall High School, 550 South Albert Street, St. Paul Continue Reading

Grazing along the Greenway: Freewheel Midtown Bike Center Cafe and the Sonora Grill

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I have been biking a lot lately, and taking the opportunity to explore some of the hidden gastronomic gems along my favorite bike trails.  I bike to work regularly along the Minneapolis Greenway, which runs east to west from Lake Calhoun to the Mississippi River Road, which means I ride past the Midtown Bike Center all the time. But until recently I had never really bothered to explore the offerings at the Midtown Bike Cafe. Continue Reading

Fete du Vin at Theatre de Jeune Lune on November 17 – buy tickets by Monday 10/17 and save

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Chefs from eight top French (or semi-French) restaurants, including Vincent A Restaurant, the Grand Cafe, and Haute Dish will offer samplings of their cuisine, and wines from eight top wine regions of France will be poured at the 1st Fete du Vin, to be held on November 17 (the traditional release date for Beaujolais Nouveau) at the Theatre de la Jeune Lune. Continue Reading