I had a very mediocre time at the Midtown Global Market today. And it’s really too bad I feel that way because I very much like the purpose of the place. I’ve had some pretty good meals there, too, and enjoyed some seasonal events (their Easter Party, in particular). This morning we finally got the [...]

If you hang around the Creative Activities building at the Minnesota State Fair, you’re probably familiar with the St. Agnes Baking Company. They move into the Betty Crocker-style demo kitchen during the 12-day run of the Fair and sponsor themed culinary exhibitions. This was how I learned about their signature line of artesian breads and [...]

Too late to construct much of a blog post tonight. It’s probably also too late to RSVP for tomorrow’s annual free pancake breakfast with Santa at the Chatterbox Pub (Highland location). I’ve wanted to do a write-up of this family-friendly spot for quite a while. They do a very tasty Sunday brunch buffet (served 9 a.m. [...]

For years we’ve been bringing home a Christmas tree from Frattallone’s Ace Hardware (still $24.95!), purchased on the Grand Meander in St. Paul. We strap it to top of the van and then head down the street in search of something warm to sip on (spiced apple cider at Penzey’s Spices) and to fill our [...]

There will probably be a decent turnout of children flocking to Regina’s Candies this Saturday for a few treats on the house. It’s not a Halloween event per se, but the chocolatier offers anniversary tours of its shop on St. Clair Avenue in late October. This year marks their 86th in business. Tours of the [...]

It was all about apples today at the Gibbs Museum: apple cider fresh from the press, applesauce made from fruit grown in the Heritage Orchard, warm homemade apple crisp in the big red barn. When the kids weren’t eating them, they were playing games with them. And when they weren’t gobbling or gaming, they were [...]

To say that I’m fond of the Minnesota State Fair is as massive an understatement as claiming there might be an adequate turnout when the Fairgrounds opens its gates next week to an estimated 1.7 million people. I am crazy about the place. This year I’ll clock in my seventeenth summer shilling beer for a [...]

“Will there be samples?” Olivia asked hopefully of the Chipotle Edible Garden. She’s ever on the lookout for a snack, that one. I doubted there would be samples, but there were a few sweet surprises at this new seasonal exhibit at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. For one thing, it’s more kid-friendly than Como’s website [...]

It appears I’m on a kick to cool off with frosty treats this month. Last week it was with St. Paul Corner Drug. This week we stopped at FreeStyle Yogurt before picking up more mundane grocery staples at Trader Joe’s next door. Wish I had done my outings in reverse – bring your TJ’s receipt into FreeStyle [...]

Once we hit mid-summer, my mom has a sweet and simple tradition she shares with my children (four of her seven “grands”): Ice cream served the nostalgic way at St. Paul Corner Drug. The independent pharmacy set up shop in 1922 and has since been scooping treats from its old-fashioned soda fountain. Though it’s been [...]