First, a preface: I am not a foodie. The blander the better. Nourishment, for me, is achieved by daily ingestions of oatmeal and honey, cinnamon-raisin bagels with peanut butter, salted popcorn, and, as of late, Odwalla Bars. I’ve enjoyed these very much because, well, they’ve made it easy on me—“No Refined Sugars,” say the labels. … Read more
If you were casting the role of Tea Lady, you might choose a soft woman with a doughy nature. Maybe you’d pick a spinster who has a serious passion for bone china and a pension for plushy chairs and quiet nights by the fire. Maybe she has cats, lots of cats. Mrs. Kelly of Mrs. … Read more
DANCEZenon Dance It’s a big month for Zenon Dance Company. For one, they hop aboard the holiday treadmill with their premiere of The Nutcracker According to Mother Goose on December 15. But the company’s signature aesthetic—athleticism and precision, not to mention sophisticated musical tastes—will be better displayed this weekend, at its twenty-fifth anniversary program. Five … Read more
A while back, my editor informed me that blog readers enjoy hearing about the author’s personal life. While I remain suspicious about this online axiom, I will admit that I read car magazines. I peruse so many car magazines and sites in a week that it leaves little time for discretion. Because of this, I … 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
Oh, and this other thing: What. the. hell. is with this year’s selection of holiday dresses? The New York Times ran a piece this morning, alleging that the year’s holiday dresses are better tailored than last year’s and, again, that the "baby-doll dress is dead." But everyone I go, I am confronted by ads of … Read more
For the women on your shopping list: You might have luck at these two shopping events. First off, there’s No Coast Craft-O-Rama at Midtown Global Market. I was cruising the list of vendors and was happy to spot all sorts of great local jewelry-, clothing-, and crafts-makers as well as the clothing/ephemera designer with the … 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
Road Game #6: Minnesota 103, Dallas 109 Season record: 2-11 1. The McCants/Jefferson Axis The extent to which Rashad McCants and Al Jefferson create synergy on offense is perhaps the dominant storyline for the Wolves in this young season to date, and figures to remain that way at least until Randy Foye returns from his … Read more
My family had always been a remarkably insulated and self-contained unit. Despite my parents’ divorces (they divorced when I was eight years old, remarried two years later, and divorced again just after I graduated from high school) there really hadn’t been much in the way of drama or anything you could call real tragedy in … Read more