Paint Nite!

Last night I had the pleasure of hanging out with friends at Paint Nite.  I've done similar events with Wine & Canvas and Canvas & Chardonnay.  I've enjoyed every experience.  They are all quite similar - all the supplies are provided and the artist walks you through step by step how to paint the picture.  It's so much fun to see everyone's interpretation of it.  Perfect girls night activity - drink some wine and paint your own masterpiece!

This picture looks more green than it is in person, but here's my finished product:

Pizzeria Lola

I saw it featured on the Food Network.  City Pages raves about it.  It's included in best of lists.  So I finally made it there.  I've been excited for quite a while and finally made it happen!  We met a friend and devoured these three pizzas in all their wood-fired glory:

Sunny Side:

Korean BBQ:

Kimchi:

The Sunny Side was absolutely my favorite.  I love over easy eggs, but man.  Putting them on a pizza is pretty much a match made in heaven.  We also ordered the roasted cauliflower and the roasted brussels sprouts which were also so delicious.  I can't rave about this place enough.  It is the best pizza I've had in the metro.  I think what I really like is the wide variety of choices.  You can order something new and special here that you can't get other places. 

Pizzeria Lola also has a good tap list and small patio.  They seem to always be packed so I plan accordingly! 

Birchwood Cafe

Yesterday we enjoyed brunch at Birchwood Cafe in South Minneapolis.  The food was fantastic.  I loved that they take breakfast staples and kick them up a notch with new and interesting ingredients. 

Savory Waffle:  Kale, quinoa & feta waffle with pineapple pear chutney, lemon rosemary butter, bacon lardoon, sunny-side up egg, Wood’s maple syrup, powdered sugar, sunflower seeds

Eggs Benedict:   Corned grass-fed brisket, braised cabbage, caraway hollandaise, pickled cucumbers, rye english muffin, 2 poached eggs

Quiche:   Sweet potato, dried cranberry, kale, szechuan peppercorn, gruyere

Ling and Louie's

On Thursday I got the chance to enjoy Ling and Louie's happy hour with my family.  First off, Ling and Louie's bar area is very chic.  An entire wall of strategically coordinated liquor bottles line the illuminated wall giving off a very cool and sophisticated vibe.

The Asian restaurant has a wonderful assortment of appetizers, cocktails, mules, wine, and beer ranging from only $4-$6 every Monday through Friday from 4pm-6pm.  The six of us ordered about 10 appetizers and just devoured them...before pictures could be taken.  My favorites for the night were the BBQ chicken flatbread, california roll, Asian nachos, and potstickers.  I also highly recommend the Refresh cocktail.

Veggie Stir Fry

In an effort to increase my veggie intake, I've started making more stir fry dishes.  Let's be honest, when it's chilly outside, it's just hard to have salad with dinner; I'm craving something hot.  Here is my new favorite:

Ingredients:

• Broccoli
• Snap Peas
• Cauliflower
• Carrots
• Zucchini
• Onion
• Minced garlic
• Lentils
• Rice /Quinoa

I just saute everything in olive oil and add ginger, curry, and salt.  It's so easy to throw everything in the pan, and it only takes a few minutes to heat.  Great as left overs too!!

Optional add-ons:

• soy sauce
• Curry simmer sauce
• Peanut sauce
• lime juice
• chicken

Marvel Bar

It's like at the end of the movie "National Treasure" where they actually find the hidden treasure.  All the intrigue and excitement at the end of the road, except you are guided by clues from City Pages, those who have been there, and Google Maps.   Minneapolis' speak easy, Marvel Bar, is well hidden and worth the hunt.    I feel totally wrong just spilling the beans but it's in the basement of Bachelor Farmer...don't be afraid to open random doors...alright I'm done. 

Another venture of the Dayton brothers, Marvel Bar is home to some of the metro's most sought after and celebrated bartenders, cocktails, and alcohol selections.  We had some celebrating to do so we chose Marvel Bar as our venue.  The prices were $10-$14 for a cocktail.  They also do flights of various spirits/liqueurs, they have a featured punch ($5 per glass), wine, and beer.  And don't forget the $1 cheetos!  We went with my sister and brother-in-law and just kind of shared everything.  My favorite drink of the night was the Afterburner, made with habanero, ginger, lemon, etc.  Yum.  One thing about the menu - I had no idea what most of it was. 

This was my husband's Amaro flight. Does anybody actually know what that is?