Food

I always like exploring new restaurants in the Minneapolis area. Sometimes it’s fun to go to old favorites, but there are so many places to try out that it doesn’t happen very often. Along with that, the story behind a restaurant can make the experience even more inviting. Located in the Riverplace building in the St. Anthony Main area, Mattie’s on Main is a new addition to the neighborhood with its modern day saloon vibe, various types of entertainment and...

Americans are a fortunate nation of blended cultures and freedoms. Our great grandparents and grandparents lived much different, culturalized lives than we currently experience. While it is true we are certainly a blended cultural mixing pot, what can we say culturally defines American traditions? If our traditions had to be represented in one image (of food) what would we see? Unfortunately, some of our generational traditions (related to food and otherwise) have been lost. While our children may uphold a grandmother’s or grandfather’s name, much of their experiences and cultural traditions have been lost...

We all know the story. 400 years ago in one of America’s first colonies, Plymouth, the Thanksgiving tradition began. It started with an unlikely alliance between the Pilgrims of the Mayflower and a Native American Pawtuxet tribe member called Squanto. Without the assistance of Squanto, the Pilgrims may not have survived the winter of 1621. Squanto taught the pilgrims how to survive in the foreign, unforgiving land they settled in -- how to cultivate corn, what plants to avoid, how to extract sap from trees. He also helped them...

October is the month for a multitude of national awareness campaigns. We have begun to expect crowds running and walking in swarms of pink and orange and to see our favorite sports team accent their shoes or gloves with a special color for a respected cause. However, in spite of this monthly participation, do we recognize and acquire the awareness we are expected to have regarding each plight? Each campaign is connected to an organization or person who holds a story connected to a disease, personal loss, or social and labor injustices. The awareness...

It is easy to find the very clear, yet invisible, line drawn between consumers’ stance on the recent General Mill’s $82 million Annie’s Homegrown acquisition. A simple stroll through the web will all at once land you in a pile of consumer outcry and applause. You can find simple words of thanks and praise for hopes of affordability and great availability down to petitions of protest and disgust surrounding Annie’s “sell out” betrayal. This dispute poses significant questions. How critical should we be regarding food company acquisitions and takeovers? Each year, independently owned companies shrink to a...

Recent polls indicated more than 90% of Americans support mandatory labeling of GMO foods. Oregon’s Measure 92 hoped to demonstrate this support through the election polls on November 4 (the proposition was voted down with a 51% against) . The measure would have required GMO foods to be labeled beginning January 2016. As a result, any manufacturers and/or retailers who violate the regulation can be sued. Of course this has sparked controversy among manufacturers. Measure 92 attracted a record amount of financial support and opposition from large companies on both sides of the labeling campaign. While the percentage of Americans...

If you’ve been hanging around Northeast Minneapolis in the last week or so, you may have had the following conversation: “Wait a minute, is that a giant, pink and green Ferris wheel?!  When did they build that, AND HOW SOON CAN I RIDE IT?” After being overcome by a fit of childlike glee, you probably pulled out your smartphone to Google the latest developments in the construction of the soon-to-be restaurant extravaganza, Betty Danger’s Country Club. Leslie Bock, the owner of Minnesota’s favorite tiki bar, is at it again; she has re-purchased the former Psycho Suzi’s building and is planning another themed restaurant. ...

Living on the Eastside of St. Paul, my attention has been brought to Payne Avenue and the rising of restaurants and little shops along the route. Following an East Sider residents's Facebook group, the new restaurant Cook St. Paul has been getting quite the hype on lots of posts. Cook St. Paul is owned by two cooks, Eddie Wu and Charles Cook. Their restaurant sits where Serlin's Cafe grew to popularity for multiple decades until the owners closed down for their retirement. I decided to check it out this new place, and interview owner Eddie Wu. The restaurant is on...

The Great Minnesota Get Together is just two short months away, meaning we are all just two months away from fun in the sun and of course, food. There will be an even greater variety to choose from this summer -- the Minnesota State Fair has announced 28 new foods. In true State Fair fashion, the foods range from interesting twists on well-known items to some of the crazier options. Some highlights below:

Beer Gelato

 Two American favorites: Ice cold beer and ice cream (well, gelato is close enough). Why not put them together? The gelato is made on site and blended with local craft beers. Find this one at ...