Market Frenzy

Like many food tourists, I’m driven to seek out local markets—public, farmers, indoor, outdoor—everywhere I travel. Invariably, I end up wandering the aisles awash with both wonder and jealousy. In Vancouver, the booths and stands crowded into the Granville Island Public Market nearly bring me to tears with their spectacular selection of fresh fish and … Read more

How's it growing?

I’ve been to the Mill City Farmers Market over the last two weekends. I’m very happy with the blue sheep’s cheese from Shepherd’s Way Farms and the great-for-ice-cream milk from Cedar Summit Farms. I was going to give it one more weekend and blog about my planned yak’s meat purchase, but now there’s Gertrude. I … Read more

I Scream

One of my kids looked over the ice cream machine, as it was loudly cranking away, and hesitantly asked what flavor I was making. The answer didn’t please him and his reply was, “You never make normal ice cream anymore.” I have become a mad alchemist in search of the perfect formula. Chefs all over … Read more

F is for Fhima

Louis XIII in Southdale is dead. Closed. The sign reads: Unfortunately, Louis XIII as a concept has failed and we’re forced to close our doors. We hope to open soon under a new concept. Huh. The “concept” has failed. We’re “forced” to close our doors. It’s really not our fault, we’re actually brilliant, it’s you … Read more

It Takes a Rat

What if I take my kids to see Cars and they turn into NASCAR fans? I don’t want them to set up lawn chairs and coolers in front of the TV and start shouting “Don’t bogart the Cheese Whiz!” I was afraid after Babe that we’d have to forego the piggies’ gift of bacon, but … Read more

Food Fests

Gather, ye friends! And look upon the pronto pups of our youth. Oh yea, it is the time of the fest. June 15 Viola Gopher Count Viola, MN. Besides the “famous grilled cheese hamburger” I’m betting there’s a lot of beer at this one. June 17 SPAM Museum Jam 2006 Austin, MN. How can you … Read more

Magic Stix

I usually mistrust gimmicky food things. I don’t own an avocado slicer and I’ll never buy an adjustable hambuger press. But that doesn’t mean that, every once in a while, something super cool can’t be found. I know that this week everyone is eating out at spectacular restaurants to help fight hunger, but think ahead … Read more

Of Witches and Ice Cream

It’s hard enough to find a good Ice Cream Social anymore, let alone an Ice Cream Social associated with a beautifully enigmatic water tower. The familiar icon of the Prospect Park/East River Road neighborhood is locally referred to as The Witch’s Hat and Friday is its day of days. One day a year the tower … Read more

Tasty Reads

By the way, that’s not me, that’s my Tummy-Double. Yes, I read cookbooks from cover to cover, like a novel. Truly, I snuggle down into the couch with a big glass of wine and read them, skimming the recipes while conjuring events and parties that might support my new creations. Now that June is upon … Read more