Shopping around

Macy’s has a great sale coming up – Friends and Family – where you recieve a 20% off coupon good through 12/15

Sierra Trading Post (online) has the 12 days of Christmas – deals every day up to the big one!  Prices change daily. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/

Yellow Mango Brazile has its first store (second one possibly coming soon) in St Paul.  If you go say hello to Iara for me (the owner).

Iara Watney      794 Grand Avenue,  St Paul MN            tel: 651.983.5968

www.yellowmangobrasil.com     iara@yellowmangobrasil.com

Ta’s Salon is offering limited gift certificates $125 for $100 call them directly to inquire 763-503-4792  http://tassalon.com

Pazzaluna in St Paul is offering an incredible deal of buy a $100 in gift certificates get $100 in gift certificates from their partner restaurants – check out their website – http://www.pazzaluna.com/

Parsole restaurants are also offering $125 in gift certificates for $100 – includes Mannys, chino latino, Good Earth, Pittsburgh Blue just to name a few!

Oh and of course mochablue is thrilled to offer $125 in gift certificates for only $100 as well – ours have no expiration date and are good towards service fees, and event fees for our concierge/event services.

Happy shopping!

Taste West coming Saturday, April 26th 2008

A colleague of mine forwarded this from the Hopkins Rotary – they are having their Rotary Taste West Food and Wine experience – just in case you missed the Food and Wine Show this weekend definitely keep this noted on your calendar.  Here’s their website: Taste West

Check it out and keep your calendar posted for April 26th, 2008

Au bon sante!

Like to eat out? Don’t miss this! Best of the Best Restaurant Week

Best of the Best Restaurant Week Feb 24 Sunday -Feb 29 Friday

This week warm up to fabulous three course prix- fixe menu’s for lunch and dinner around the Twin Cities. For example:

Bellanotte $10 lunch
$30 dinners
Oceanaire, Saffron, and many others
$30 dinners
R.Norman’s
$20 lunch
$30 dinners
just to name a few of the restaurants.

Open Table can make your reservations for you if you like as well. They have a listing of the various offerings (lunch or dinner – unfortunately no details to the actual menu’s….) for the restaurants.

Open Table – Online dinner reservations

Turkey talk…

Thanksgiving approaches very quickly and for those who do not always enjoy the prepping of the meal the options to assist you when your hosting your event and definitely growing! NOTE many listed below need reservations between the 17th and 19th so plan accordingly. Of course if you like drop me a line if you need assistance! Cheers!

To be truly pampered – sit, eat, leave – try Open Table

Open Table can assist in making reservations at your favorite local restaurant, national restaurants as well as internationally! Great service!

Hosting but prefer not to cook too much- try your favorite grocery store or restaurant to see the offerings they have. They will prepare the turkey and fixings (par baked) so you just take it home, heat it up and look like the superstar – some favorites?

Innovative Catering Solutions 18950 238th Ave.NW., Big Lake, MN 55309 Ph. (763)528-0380; Fax (763) 262-4849 innovativecateringsolutions@izoom.net Turkey Dinner for 8-10 $95.75 NEED to order by 17th!

Whole Foods
$69.99 Traditional Turkey Petite 2-4 people Large $119.99 6-8 people
$169.99 Organic 6-8 people $ 15.99 Vegan $ 99.99 Ham Dinner serves 6
Rainbow Foods
Turkey Breast Dinner $27.99 4-6 people $64.99 10-12 people
Spiral Ham $59.99 10-12 people
Cub Foods
$ 49.88 serves 8-10 people
SuperTarget
Yup they even prepare it for you! $59.99 serves 10-12 people for Turkey Dinner $59.99 serves 6-8 for Ham Dinner
Restaurants around the cities:
Spill The Wine
They par bake and you bring it home- $89 + tax for 8
Kozlak’s Royal Oak Restaurant
4785 Hodgson Rd ,Shoreview, MN 55126 (651) 484-8484 info@kozlaks.com Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. $24.95 $13.95 (Children 12 and under)
The Lexington 1096 Grand Ave, St Paul, MN (651) 222-5878
Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call ahead for prices and reservations.
Jax Cafe 1928 University Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN (612) 789-7297 Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner $26.95 adults $10.95 children 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m
Keys Cafe (one of Mochablue’s personal favorites- especially Roseville Location) 1682 Lexington Avenue N., Roseville, MN 55113 Tel: 651.487.5397 Fax:651.487.7865 Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner (yes with pie!) To go $13.95 per meal – $84.95 for 6 people with all trimmings + pie
And finally another site to see what others are saying about different restaurants around town…
Chowhound

Happy Thanksgiving! eat, drink, walk, & be very merry!

Mickey’s Diner- W 7th

Mickey’s Diner has been a icon for years.  Built within the confines of one street car sitting on w 7th and there someone came up with the idea of a restaurant.  Small? Yes.  Packed?  Yes!  Great food?  Maybe… Depends what you order although when I went for breakie had steak and eggs- yes I know – not the healthiest choice – I had to send my steak back 3 time for them to cook it medium well.  The rest of the food was very good.  If I was allowed to eat those wonderful gluten filled waffles, french toast or pancakes would have definitely as they were flying off the griddle due to the demand of the crowd.

Highly recommend Mickey’s if your over in St Paul.  Great food and even better people watching!  Just keep an eye on the steak.

Mickey’s Diner

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• Interested in contributing to Wikipedia? •

Jump to: navigation, search

Mickey’s Diner
Mickey’s Dining Car
Location:	St. Paul, MN
Built/Founded:	1939
Added to NRHP:	February 24, 1983

Mickey’s Diner is a classic Art Deco diner car restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was prefabricated in New Jersey, shipped to St. Paul by rail, and installed downtown just before World War II. It looks much like it did then and is still open 24 hours a day. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 as the only building of its kind in Minnesota. It is shown in several Hollywood movies, including The Mighty Ducks, Jingle All the Way, and A Prairie Home Companion, where it is featured prominently in the opening and closing scenes.

There is an additional location in the West 7th/Sibley neighborhood of St. Paul that is decorated in the manner of a 1950s diner rather than the rail-car diners of the Great Depression and the Second World War.

[edit] External links

• Mickey’s Diner at the National Register of Historic Places

Mango mojito anyone…

Hubby (his birthday!), and another couple (their first anniversary) and I decided to go out on the town for dinner. We dined at the fabulous Palomino Downtown Mpls – they have these sinfully good drinks that sneak up on you so be careful with the libations! I tried the Mango Mojito and instantly fell in love all over again with both the Mojito and hubby (not in that order of course!). Appetizers- fried calamari- preferred the red pepper aioli over the tomato dipping sauce- you be the judge! The brushetta came out and was quickly gone with the four of us dining. Entrees- capellini with tomatoes, basil and olive oil- of course garlic and bit of fresh ground pepper- yum. Hubby tried the special fish- which he enjoyed so much last time- (monk) over risotto and has now proclaimed that the only thing he will ever order again is their fish special. Definately one to check out as I preferred it overall as well! Portions were large and filling and somehow we managed to request dessert- three were tried – peach cobbler- creme brule and tiramisu. Their Creme Brule was incredible as was the Tiramisu! The latter being their signature dessert. Service as always was spot on- patient, attentive and welcoming all around from the moment the hosts/hostesses took our name to our very brief wait in the cocktail lounge. Highly recommend the Palomino! 4 out of 5 stars due to the one dessert.

Cake!

Let’s talk cake… two that are unfortunately too close to Mochablue’s neck of the woods making it awfully convenient to stop look and taste the works that come out of here are Cakebox (New Hope) and a standard Wuollet’s (Robbinsdale).

Back a few years ago when we needed to order cake for our wedding we went to Roseville Bakery.  Their fudge frosting was just yum- pure bliss- to anyone who likes dark chocolate frosting with a very moist cake (we had raspberry filling for one layer on chocolate cake and coconut frosting, pineapple filling for the other layer on white cake) — yup a bit high maintenance but worth it all the same because that cake was talked about for quite a few years among our family so much so that when our anniversary comes around so do more visits!   Why the heck am I rambling about cake from 2003?  Simple.  Cakebox and Wuollets are now contenders as my personal favorite cake places.  Trust me it takes a lot to make me waiver on changing cake stomping grounds….

Cakebox has tastings on Saturday afternoons if your in the area-Roxanne is the pastry chef and very friendly and informative with beautiful examples of her creativity on display.

Wuollet’s makes a almost hostess cupcake but much much better that I’m fond of! Similar to the one above at Roseville-

One that I didn’t mention here recently but really really should- Yum Bakery in St Louis Park has incredibly coconut white cake & frosting.  They make a custard between the layers and its soooo good if we were getting married again would sub that in or better yet have a buffet of cakes from each and everyone above!

All above are 5+ stars

Lyon’s Pub Downtown Mpls

Lyon’s Pub and Lyon’s on Sixth
16 South Sixth Street (across from City Center)
Minneapolis, MN 55402Lyon’s Pub: 612-333-6612
Lyon’s On Sixth: 612-342-2828

Open Monday – Saturday, 11:00am to 1:00am. Kitchen Hours: 11:00am to 11:00pm.
Happy Hour: Monday – Friday, 3:00pm to 6:00pm

One of my clients was recently looking for a spot for her fiance’s 30th surprise birthday party and Lyon’s Pub met ALL of both their and Mochablue’s expectations! They went above and beyond in making sure our clients were treated with VIP status- from decorating to food & drinks. Staff was spot on in taking care of our clients.

5 + star rating from Mochablue- will definitely be visiting again and again for clients as well as for Mochablue events!

El Loro- Crystal

El Loro- Crystal

By: Michelle Thayer

Category: Opinion > Other

Read the article on Judy’s Book.

Must haves- tostaguac (my favorite- guacamole, chicken, tostada yum!)
Fajitas- any of them very fresh and fast

Service is always top notch and friendly- I now understand why they control the majority of mexican restaurants in the TC area!

PF Chang’s Southdale

PF Chang’s Southdale

Review of: PF Changs Bistro, Food & Dining

By: Michelle T. on Judy’s Book

Rating: 4 stars

Read review on Judy’s Book.

Service C
Food A
Ambience B-
Price B

I finally made my way over to PF’s this past week. On arrival the hosts were very quick and professional with their greeting. Great job of welcoming you and checking in on your reservation. Our server was friendly and quick to our table as well. The evening was fairly busy for a Monday eve! We ordered the wonton soup, lettuce wraps, Sichuan from the sea (shrimp and scallops), wok seared lamb, mongolian beef, brown and white rice. Drinks were sake, and green tea.

Food was top notch. They accomodated our requests (shrimp and scallops vs just one or the other). The wonton soup was a new hit for us with chicken and shrimp along with large wontons. The wraps were very fresh with a mix of sweet, salt and crunch of the crisp iceberg lettuce. We could have used a few more wraps (lettuce leaves) but that may be due to us – we may have not put enough filling in our wraps. The sichuan had a very nice kick! The lamb was flavorful as was the mongolian beef.As the evening got a bit busier service slowed down a bit. The beef was tender and very flavorful as well. Highly recommend all 3 dishes.

Beverages- the sake was warmed and fairly nice- personally have had a better sake at another restaurant but this one was enjoyable all the same (B) per my tastes… The hot green tea was wonderful! Great cleanser of the palette before the next tastes. Light and smooth in flavor.

To our server’s credit she was new and trying very hard. Needs to practice a bit more to get the flow of things and she’ll be a fabulous server! Couple of errors that occured at the end of the meal with the billing but it was resolved.

Ambience- why a B minus? This is my own personal preference- just not swayed by overly dark restaurants with high ceilings- too much noise- difficult to have a conversation. Among my favorite things talking and eating are up there. Due to the popluarity of the place though it isn’t holding it back per se…

Ciao!
Mochablue

Would I go back – Yes! Next time have to try the noodles and see if they are equally as good!

2 locations- Maple Grove and Edina – Reservations suggested.

Fashionista Macy’s

Fashionista Macy’s

By: Michelle Thayer

Category: Opinion > Other

Read the article on Judy’s Book.

Two gals and I went to our first Fashionista show and had a simply enjoyable time. Fashionista offered all of my favorite things- freinds, food, drink, shopping and pampering! Here’s some of my favorites…

Fresh- a ‘new’ line http://www.fresh.com has a sampler pack of 15 signature scents ($80-95) that you can use individually or layered over each other…. like- orange chocolate with patchouli- yummy. Sugar and Sake are also two of their new scents- I’m partial to Sake.

Philosophy http://www.fresh.com has a care line for skin, color and scents. Check out their supernatural line of lip glosses ($15.00 pink, mauve and ruby) as well as the shower gels ($16.00) in scents of mimosa, margarita and raspberry took me to the tropics just by the smells alone.

Bobbi Brown http://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com found a new love with thier chocolate shimmer gel ink for $18.00 the ultra fine liner brush $18.50-

Clinque- a old time favorite has a sexy compact palette of lip colors. $32.00 http://www.clinque.com and eye colors palette color surge eye shadow quad $25.00

INC’s new line is very smart looking- youthful but tasteful as is my new favorite designer nanette leopore- she offers unbelievable fabrics perfect for fall http://www.nanettelepore.com/nanette_lepore_site/index_new.html
Kenneth Cole Reaction http://www.kennethcole.com and 9 West http://www.9west.com have respectful showings as well for autumn.

Premier Salons – Macy’s salon offerings- were on site and thank goodness! They treated us to parafin hand wax treatments, 5 minute back massage, hair style tips and eyebrow waxes. Didn’t have a chance to try the latter two but all were ‘abuzzing’ about their services as well.

Brooklyn Park Mad Jack’s restaurant

Brooklyn Park Mad Jack’s restaurant

Review of: Mochapick’s

By: Michelle Thayer

Rating: 4

Read review on Judy’s Book.

A collegue and I met for dinner- early- at Mad Jack’s recently. It was 4 out of 5 stars- ( I rarely give 5 stars- Palomino 5 stars-Oceanaire 5 stars- Mojito- 5 stars…) at any rate Mad Jack’s is very ‘guy’ oriented in its display. Dark woods, overstuffed leather chairs, large roomy seating AND a flat screen tv at every table! My husband would be in heaven if we had gone together!
The hostess was friendly, smiled when we entered and seated us quickly.
The food was very good, portions really are for 2 people. I ordered the chicken quesadillas off the appetizer menu and had enough for leftovers. The lemonade was average to below average- just tasted as if it came from a soda fountain… they might improve it simply by adding a lemon slice. Service was quick, cordial- our waitress was attentive but didn’t smile when she approached- very matter of fact. But I’ll give the place another shot when I visit a 2nd and 3rd time.

Mad Jack’s is located off Brooklyn Boulevard West and East of 169 North on the North side of Brooklyn Boulevard West. 8078 Brooklyn Boulevard, Brooklyn Park, MN 763-424-9919

Market, market off to the market

One of the wonderful things about summer is the abundance of our local farmer’s markets for fresh produce, flowers and so much more from jewerly, gifts, candles, crafts, clothes, and more. Here’s a small listing of the current ones Im aware of – if you happen to know of others please let me know so I can include it on my list!

Anoka County- 2nd Ave & Jackson Anoka 763.792.4025 OPEN AIR/SEASONAL July-October Thursday 2 pm-6 pm

Anoka County Growers/St Timothy Church Blaine 707 89th Avenue NE Blaine 763.792.4025 OPENAIR/SEASONAL May – October Tuesday 2 pm-6 pm Sat 8 am-12 noon

Anoka County Growers/Immaculate Conception Church 40th & Jackson Street Columbia Heights 763.792.4025 SEASONAL May -October Thursday 2 pm-6pm
Burnsville Farmers Market Diamondhead Senior Campus 308 WEst Burnsville Parkway, 651.227.8101 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 7 am-1 pm

Burnsville Farmers II Mary Mother of the Church 3333 Cliff Road, 651.227.8101 OPENAIR/SEASONAL May-October Thursday 12 noon-5 pm
*Excelsior Farmers Market- 16 9th Avenue South, Excelsior 952.474.5330 OPENAIR/SEASONAL May-October Thursday 2 pm-6:30 pm

Falcon Heights Farmers Market 2025 Larpenteur Ave, Falcon Heights OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Tuesday 8 am-12 pm noon

*Hopkins Farmers Market 16 9th Avenue Market South, Hopkins 952.922.7703 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 7:30 am-12 pm noon

Maple Grove Farmers Market MG Community Center, Parking Lot 12951 Weaver Lake Road 763.494.5955 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Thursday 3 pm – 7 pm

Aldrich Arena Farmers Market 1850 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood SEASONAL May-October Wed 8 am-12 noon

Midtown Public Market Lake Street & Hiawatha Avenue, Minneapolis 612.724.7457 OPENAIR/SEASONAL July-October Tuesday 3:30 pm-7:30 pm Saturday 8 am -1 pm

Minneapolis Farmers Market I-94 Exit 230 East, Minneapolis 612.333.1737 OPENAIR/SEASONAL April-December Daily 6 am – 1 pm

Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market University and 7th Avenues Minneapolis, 612.788.0950 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 9 am – 1pm

The Kingfield Farmers Market 43rd Street & Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, 612.832.5980, ext 3, OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 9 am – 1:30 pm

Richfield Farmers Market Veterans Park 6400 Portland Avenue, OPENAIR/SEASONAL Saturday 7 am-12 noon

Rosemount Farmers Market 13885 South Robert Trail OPENAIR/SEASONAL July-September Tuesday 2 pm-6 pm

Shoreview Farmers Market- Shoreview Community Center 4600 North Victoria Street 651.490.4631 OPENAIR/SEASONAL July-October Tuesday 3 pm – 7pm

Jackson Plaza Farmers Market 375 Jackson Street, St Paul OPENAIR/SEASONAL June – September Wednesday 10 am-2 pm

East St Paul Farmers Market Payne & Sims Avenue OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-September Tuesday 12 noon-5 pm

Seventh Place Mall Market St Peter & Wabasha Streets, 651.227.8101 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Tuesday-Thursday 10 am-2 pm

St Luke’s Farmers Market St Luke’s Church Summit & Lexington Street, St Paul OPENAIR/SEASONAL May-October Friday 1:15 pm-5 pm

St Paul Downtown Farmers Market 290 East 5th Street 651.227.6856 OPENAIR/SEASONAL April-November Sat 6 am-1 pm Sunday 8 am – 1 pm

Stillwater Farmers Market 2rd Street & Pine 651.439.8793 OPENAIR/SEASONAL June-October Saturday 7:30 am- 1130 am

Signal Hills Farmers Market Signal Hills Shopping Center Butler & Robert Streets W. St Paul 651.227.8101 June – October Friday 8 am-12 noon

City of White Bear Lake Farmers Market Highway 61 & 4th St on Washington Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN SEASONAl July – October Friday 8 am – 1 pm

Woodbury Farmers Market Centreal Park/YMCA lot Radio Drive 651.227.6856 July-October Sunday 8 am-1 pm

Rainy days- perfect for The 50’s Grill

One of the things Minnesotan's must adapt to even if it is reluctantly is the weather- it is our most talked about event daily because it can change so quickly.  This wonderful time of year brings color back up to the North in pinks, greens, browns, yellows, reds and every other color out there.  It also brings a lot of RAIN- if were lucky- nothing worse than August at 120 degrees with humidity factored in… yuck! I digress- the reason I speak of the rain is that it also brings out the need for comfort food- and no one does that better than the 50's Grill located in Brooklyn Center and a main stopping ground for homestyle cooking.  Now one may or may not appreciate the goods here at the grill but goods it has from their thick shakes, homemade desserts, fabulous hamburgers, a more traditional swiss steak or hot turkey with mashed potatoes.  A selection of salads, sandwiches, entrees and specials will keep you coming back.  Don't forget to try their homemade pies and cakes.  Two of my favorites- Brazillian Coconut Cake and Strawberry Rhubarb Pie- Yum!

Biaggi’s Maple Grove

First impressions last – thats why I am definately planning to go back here for lunch and dinner in the near future.  Lunching with the ladies last week I was able to sample the soup and salad option.  Bread selection was varied- some mutligrain (my favorite!), ciabitta, french- with olive oil, parmaesan, and fresh ground pepper for dipping.  The soup was a nice rich broth of old italian Tuscan Minestrone- highly recommended.  Spinach salad was tossed in a sun dried tomato-bacon dressing. Topped with gorgonzola cheese, red onion and shredded hard-boiled egg (had never seen a shredded egg before… but it was ok).  The salad was very flavorful although in the future I will opt for my dressing on the side- sorry Im a bit high maintenance with my food- as the toss seemed to be sitting a bit longer than I prefer – Service was friendly but a bit slow at first- we had to remind twice for waters and bread- this is forgiveable in the sense that we were a rather large group and it was the beginning of a bit of a rush at 1:30 pm.  It would have been nice to have the waters and bread waiting for our group instead of asking since we did reserve with them.  Ambience was very contemporary/modern- bright colors- easy music.  Not so good was the vaulted ceiling made it into a very difficult to talk in our group unless they were immediately next to us- even across the table was a bit dicey with conversation due to the echo's.

Price spot on 4/5 !  Food very good- 4/5 stars!  Service 3/5- average- friendly staff – could use some improvement on delivery and keeping glasses full once party has ordered.

Over all 4 stars out of 5- will need to go back a few more times!

http://www.biaggis.com/maplegrove.htm

to see their menu's, directions etc…

Tacos and leather

Tacos

After meeting with a colleague at Cafe Latte we decided to skip the extremely long line (it is well known in St Paul as excellent food- even at 2 pm!) to try Axels bonfire across the hall in the old Ciatti's spot.  Service and food was top notch!  After enjoying a mild lemonade on came the tortilla soup which hits your palette with that latin zing to wake you up!  Very flavorful and nice heat.

For the entree I was partial to the chicken tacos, hard shell, 3 medium sized on a platter- no kidding- of lettuce and the fixings.  My associate went for the chopped salad highly recommended by the waiter- she reports it was very tasty.  Prices $$ not to low not to high ranging from $7-$11 for a late lunch with some slightly higher entree options.

They have a few locations throughout the metro- I will definately be visiting the one up north when I get the chance.  Someday soon I'll try and wander over to Cafe Latte to see if its still has the great food it is known for or if its all hype.

Leather

New trend offshoot from those 'cute' rubber bracelets with sayings… now you can get one that is a bit longer lasting right in St Paul.  Check out this link http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/14390268.htm from the Pioneer Press. 

Thats it for now!

Cheers!