Twin Cities Daily Planet (https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/author/john-bailey/)
I learned about Ha Tien Market (353 University) from an article last month about University Avenue businesses that have successfully renovated over the last couple years. Honestly I hadn’t heard of it, but I knew that cool building. It looks like an old, single-screen theater. For whatever reason, I thought it was more grocery than deli so I hadn’t bothered to go inside. Continue Reading
The West Bank can be a difficult place to love. Urban renewal did quite a number to its street network and, I presume, several historic buildings. But it actually has some of my favorite retail shops (Midwest Mountaineering, Freewheel Bikes), music locales (The Cedar), and theaters (Mixed Blood). Oh, and I suppose my son was born at Fairview which was a pretty important thing. Continue Reading
I admit that I was skeptical when Señor Wong’s (111 Kellogg Blvd) opened up. I worked in downtown St. Paul at the building across the street when it opened a few years ago, and the name threw me. It seemed a little too kitschy, and honestly there is a lot of bad chinese and mexican food out there. Would this be far less than the sum of its parts? Continue Reading
I’ll confess: commercial districts near universities tend to not to be my first choice for a night out. That’s why I was pleased to learn about the Taste of Stadium Village event last Thursday night. It was a good excuse to get me out of my comfort zone. (And the $1 food and beverage choices at participating restaurants was a successful incentive.) Continue Reading
I just had a great meal at the brand new Daily Diner in Frogtown. But before I go much further, a couple of acknowledgements are needed. Continue Reading
Can you not bear to throw away your used yogurt containers? Will St. Paul ever catch up with the times and allow curbside plastic #5 recycling? (I know…First World Problems.) Continue Reading
On Sunday night I took my children to see “Lights of Victoria,” which is the latest project emanating from Irrigate-the unique artist led placemaking initiative spanning the six miles of the C Continue Reading
I’d heard of this mini-trend (a trendlet?) of food truck chefs opening bricks-and-morter restaurants. Continue Reading
Today I finally made it to Big Daddy’s. I love BBQ and have been lucky enough to eat at some great places in difference places. Continue Reading
I’m cheating a bit as Hmongtown Marketplace is not technically on the Green Line, but it is still within the 1/2 mile walking range of the future Rice Street station so I feel OK about this. The market has been on my to do list for a few years, but I never managed to make it over until Friday afternoon.