Ann Bauer There’s nothing new here. W.A. Frost has been winning awards for years: from Wine Spectator, Gourmet, various local publications, and Zagat. The newest honor is from Wine Enthusiast Magazine — an award of "unique distinction" for Frost’s nearly Bible-size wine list. And it’s well-deserved. But what strikes me about this restaurant is that. . . … Read more
I think it’s time you knew: I watch a soap opera. Not every day, not even every week, and never, ever in real time. (Not only is it a depressing thing to do at noon, I simply can’t stomach all those commercials for floor cleaning products and maxi-pads with wings.) What I do is record … Read more
One of my favorite restaurants in the world is a vegetarian place called The Red Avocado in Iowa City, Iowa, that occupies the bottom half of a duplex facing Washington Ave. It’s dim and mostly windowless inside. The food is hot and very spicy. It’s definitely an acquired taste: not only do you have to … Read more
This morning, around 7 a.m., a senior White House economist citing unexpected job growth last month pronounced the U.S. economy "still strong" and said he does not believe we are headed into a recession. If you’re like me you’re both encouraged by this news and slightly perplexed. The world as viewed by Edward Lazear, chairman … Read more
The December 3, 2007, issue of the New Yorker contains an article called Red, White, and Bleu, by the hale and cerebral food writer Bill Buford, which focuses on the joys of being a carnivore. In it, Buford "reviews" three books about meat, while weaving in his own questions, philosophies, and conclusions on the topic … Read more
There are things you don’t know, truths you have yet to understand. You may think what you’re experiencing is just a series of events, but there is no such thing as coincidence. The world has a plan for each of us and it’s all in the connections. To become englightened, simply take note. For instance, … Read more
Until last week, everything I knew about Scientology came from Tom Cruise on Oprah, and from an experience I had last summer. I wrote two articles for Salon.com, one in May 2007, the other in June. The first, about a catastrophic reaction my son had to psychiatric medication, resulted in a swell of support from … Read more
A few years ago, all the world was agog over green tea. It was in capsules, body lotions, eye creams, and perfume. While doing an article about the health benefits, I actually talked to a doctor who recommended bathing in it: throwing a couple teabags into a tub full of hot water and steeping, full-body, … Read more
When friends of ours — dedicated and robust red wine drinkers — dropped by last weekend, here’s what I had on hand: A $100 Hartwell Stags Leap District Cabernet Sauvignon (2002) that someone had given me as a gift [because believe me, this is not in my keep-it-around-the-house price range]. A Chilean Merlot from Casa … Read more
When my friends David and Grant moved here from Manhattan during a flat, frigid stretch of January 2006, I assured them there were plenty of wonderful restaurants in the Twin Cities where they could occupy themselves during the winter. Try La Belle Vie, I said. Heartland, Restaurant Alma, Five (now closed), Cosmos, and Fugaise. I’ll … Read more