The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Here at Secrets of the City and MNSpeak, we thrive on the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. We love to feast and be merry with our friends and families...and to exchange cool presents, which is often easier in theory than in practice - especially with all that merriment. But gifts happen, so we prepare! Think of this guide as your brainstorming jump-start: gift ideas, tips for fun shopping efficiencies (oh yeah), and thoughts on how to make your holiday season sparkle in a creative and original way. From decadent drinks to beautiful music, from unique fashion to personal gifts, we've got you covered. We're sharing our most coveted secrets to help your holiday season - and ours - shine a bit brighter!

At the end of this guide, check out our basic shopping tips and ideas for keeping it sane, and submit a comment to offer your favorite tips, stores, ideas, and shortcuts.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Gifts for Anybody
2. For the Boys
3. For the Ladies
4. For the Little Ones
5. Homemade Gifts
6. They Heart Art
7. The Perfect Wine
8. A Very Jazzy Christmas
9. Books - Cracking Spines Holiday Wishlist
10. Holiday Cocktails
11. Entertain in Style
12. Going Out
13. Holiday Fashion Tips
14. General Shopping Tips

 

GIFTS FOR ANYBODY

Holiday gifting is the best excuse to be frivolous. However, finding that delightfully unnecessary gift that will be thoroughly appreciated is often a challenge. Check out our rundown of cool shopping ideas, and remember, sometimes form over function is just what the doctor ordered.

 

ROBOTlove

This darling little specialty boutique on Lyndale Avenue is the perfect destination for the art junkie on your list. Find collectible designer toys (think pieces designed by artists such as Dalek, Obey, and Buff Monster), art books and magazines, clothing, decor, artistic home accessories, and an unbelievable variety of totally hip stocking stuffers. Both children and adults will be charmed and instantly obsessed with ROBOTlove's magical and hard-to-come by inventory of fun and collectible items.

Don't miss the YouWorkForThem book sale December 13^th-14^th featuring a stellar selection of art and design books, all at least 20% off!

ROBOTlove, 2648 Lyndale Ave. S., Uptown Minneapolis. Select items available online at www.robotlove.biz.

 

Minnesota Center for Book Arts

A stop in to the Minnesota Center for Book Arts will surely be lucrative. Find a sweet selection of paper gifts, from handmade cards, designer paper products, books on paper arts, hand bound journals and more. While you're there, ask about their book art-related classes and workshops, an amazing gift for the craft-crazed colleague or friend on your list. For the aspiring scribe, a pop in to the Loft Literary Center www.loft.org  (located about MCBA) may also unearth some interesting possibilities. And if you're looking for more gift ideas in the immediate vicinity, Rosalux Gallery, Big Brain Comics, and CorAzon are all within skipping distance.

Minnesota Center for Book Arts, 1011 Washington Avenue, Minneapolis. Online at www.mnbookarts.org

 

Global Village

The West Bank has plenty of flavor, with its abundance of ethnic restaurants, quirky bars, and specialty shops. One of our favorites is Global Village, a family-run business since 1971, located in the very heart of this colorful neighborhood. The perfect place to discover exotic import gifts for the gypsy, hippie, or hipster in your life, Global can hook you up with authentic and inexpensive gifts from all corners of the world, many of them under $20. Snap up gorgeous clothing (20% off through Christmas), scarves, jingly jewelry, sparkly knick-knacks, home furnishings, sweet smelling oils, and more international treasures than you can shake an incense stick at. Mention Secrets of the City and get 20% off any one item in the store!

Global Village, 406 Cedar Ave., Minneapolis. Online at www.globalvillageimporters.com

 

Familia Skate Shop: Scott Seekins Immortalized on Cotton 

Now you can keep "The Artist" close to your heart all day long with Familia's new t-shirt design emblazoned with the arty one's likeness. You've seen Mr. Seekins roaming the streets of the Twin Cities decked out in his signature black suit in the winter and alternate white suit in the summer; curly sprouts of black hair poking out from a thick headband; dark framed glasses, and a pencil thin mustache. You may have even been lucky enough to be treated to a look-see at his traveling art gallery that he always has in tow. Familia's new t-shirt depicts Seekins in a classic "Obey" brand style that will surely become a Twin Cities pop culture collector's item. Familia Skate Shop also can suit you up with a number of other cool t-shirts, apparel, shoes, and of course, enough skateboard gear to please any totally rad thrasher on your list. 

Familia Skate Shop, 647 Snelling Avenue S., St. Paul. Online at www.familiaskateshop.com 

YouWorkForThem

Internationally loved and locally based graphic geniuses, YouWorkForThem, definitely have a handle on what's cool in the world of design. If you're looking for a lil' something for the graphic design nerd or art lover on your list, it's as easy as a few clicks of the mouse. Snap up sweet deals on items such as beautiful, collectable design prints; books on everything from typeface design to contemporary art; graphic t-shirts designed by YWFT's award winning artists, motion graphics DVD's and more. Seriously, with many amazing gifts priced under $10, you can't go wrong.

Shop online at www.youworkforthem.com

 

Museum Gift Shops

Just like they curate amazing exhibits, magic buyers at the Walker, MIA, Weisman, Mill City Museum, Minnesota History Center, etc., thoughtfully curate these wonderful gift shops. If you're not sure what so-and-so would like, it's as simple as a stop into your local art museum. Find oodles of artsy gifts such as prints, jewelry, books, designer housewares, toys, games, and art and film-inspired pieces that will please anyone with good taste. For the science buff on your list, try the Science Museum of Minnesota's gift shop for some nerdy/cool fun-stuff. A year's membership to any of the aforementioned museums is always a prize as well!

Walker Gift Shop, 1750 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis

Minneapolis Institute of Arts Gift Shop, 2400 3^rd Avenue S., Minneapolis

Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul

Weisman Art Museum, 333 East River Rd, Minneapolis

Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2nd Street, Minneapolis

Minnesota History Center, 354 Kellogg Blvd West, St. Paul

Theater All Year

Give the gift of theater! Presented by Secrets of the City, Theater All Year ticket vouchers offer you an easy and affordable way to enjoy a huge variety of Twin Cities theater offerings, all through the season. (This year's vouchers expire July 31, 2009.) Use the vouchers in any combination to reserve seats for any of the designated performances of over 100 productions by dozens of theaters. There's no standing in rush lines, no hassles, just the opportunity to step out and sample some new stages and theatrical experiences; the perfect gift for the thespian or theatrical appreciator on your list. Available online only.

Click HERE for the Theater All Year page!

 

Northern Sun Merchandise

No sense being in the doldrums now that the elections are over.  There is still plenty to be vocal about, and Northern Sun - the self-proclaimed purveyor of "products for progressives" - is ready to keep things stirred up.  Via t-shirts, hats, posters, banners, bumper stickers, calendars, and all sorts of novelty items, you can put words in the mouths of your friends (or at least plaster some on their T-shirts).  Politics aren't the only game in town; Northern Sun puts words to issues from the environment to peace to diversity to science and spirituality.  And humor.  We're anxious to see if this T-shirt will be retired soon: "Somewhere in Texas there is a Village Missing an Idiot."

2916 E. Lake St., Minneapolis; online at www.NorthernSun.com 

 

Awakenings

We weren't sure whether to place this idea under our Guys or Girls category - we're talkin' about enhancing intimacy - but we know enough not to put it under Kids.  This cool little place in a converted house just off Grand Avenue is as welcoming as other specialty shops are garish.  Check it out on your own or with a group, and you'll find bath and body products, lingerie, books, info on parties, and a separate room for the more, ahem, personal items.  The emphasis is education and products for all ages, so get comfortable and think ahead to the New Year.

32 Dunlap St. S., St. Paul or Online at www.awakenings-ppi.com

 

Dinner and a Movie

The most mundane idea... or the most versatile?  We've found this plan works wonders for everyone on our list.  (And ourselves.)  Dinner?  Easy. Get the Parasole Restaurant Gift card.  They operate a number of restaurants all over town, are still locally run, and you get a bonus $25 certificate when you buy $100 certificate - in any denominations.  For the movie...Check out The Lagoon.  It's close to a couple of the Parasole restaurants, on public transport (in case you are buying for teens), and has plenty of options from art films to the better mainstream flicks.

Parasole Restaurants
Figlio, Chino Latino, Good Earth, Muffuleta, Manny's, Pittsburgh Blue, Salut Bar Americain
www.parasole.com

Landmark Theaters
Lagoon Theater in Uptown, or Edina at 50th and France
www.landmarktheatres.com

 

FOR THE BOYS

Kramarczuk's Sausage Company

They say, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach," and in our experience, it's absolutely true. This year, give the gift that disappears quickly, but is greatly appreciated: Meat. Northeast Minneapolis family business, Kramarczuk's Sausage Company, will fulfill your favorite professional eater's holiday wish, with a wide variety of handmade sausages and specialty meats. Not sure what they like? Get a gift certificate!

Kamarczuk's, 219 E. Hennepin Ave., Northeast Minneapolis. For a selection of products visit www.kramarczuk.com.

 

Stogies on Grand

Now, we certainly don't condone smoking, but we figure a cigar here and there isn't going to kill ya. Not only do cigars embody a sexy, old-time glamour, but they smell nice, too, and suggest a level of self-satisfaction that we strive for. It's that image and the tradition of sharing a celebratory stogie with 'the guys' that charms our nostalgic bone. The connoisseurs over at Grand Avenue's smoking haven, Stogies on Grand, know their stuff and can help you select from their international array of smoke-able offerings - on any budget. Remember, ladies look good with a cigar in gloved hand, too, so this one is not just for the boys!

Stogies on Grand, 951 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Online at www.stogiesongrand.com

Northern Brewer

The closest thing to the chem lab or woodburning kit you wished for as a kid, the home brew starter kits offered by Northern Brewer supply everything needed to get your buddy started on a tasty new hobby. There's no doubt you'll be invited to sample the final products, so what's not to like about this idea? Also check out the winemaking or soda or liqueur kits, all with lots of variations to match the interests of your recipient.  If full-blown home brewing seems a little ambitious for your lounge-about, you can opt for some fine pint glasses to savor the store-bought stuff.

Retail hours seven days a week at Northern Brewer.

1150 Grand Ave., St. Paul, or online at www.northernbrewer.com  

FOR THE LADIES

Two Bit Bling

Local fashion and jewelry designer Molly Roark knows how to create decadence on a shoestring budget. Her jewelry line, Two Bit Bling, is "adorably cheeky collage and mixed media jewelry," that blends irony and dazzle in just the right way. Made with everything from laminated images of jewels and baubles, to handcrafted pieces that incorporate the creative touch of such artists as Deuce Seven, Two Bit Bling is just the thing for the fancy pants in your life whose eyes are bigger than your wallet.

Available at Soo Visual Arts Center www.soovac.org and Cliche www.clichempls.com. Two Bit Bling will also be for sale at the Caffetto Craft Sale on December 14^th.

 

Hooked Studios Skincare

For those who seek a glowing complexion, Hooked Studios Skincare is here for you. Give the gift of supple skin this holiday season with this Secrets of the City-tested, all-natural skin care product. Each organic ingredient is selected based on a history of proven results, dating back centuries. A blend of ground oats to soften skin, absorb oil, and to soothe; garbanzo powder to cleanse and exfoliate; tumeric spice to aid in remodeling of damaged skin and to leave your epidermis with a healthy, sun-kissed glow; and finally ground flax seeds, which improve and prevent symptoms of acne, psoriasis, eczema, and dry skin. Our skin has never felt so fresh, thanks to Hooked Studios - a product that should be on every girl's holiday wish list!

Available online at www.hookedstudios.etsy.com or by e-mailing hookedstudios@gmail.com

 

Intelligent Nutrients Multi-Functional Aromatics

Horst Rechelbacher knows beauty. He also knows the environment. And when you factor together these two components, you get Intelligent Nutrients: Rechelbacher's line of organic and luxurious beauty products. Made with plant and flower essences, IN products always smell amazing, and the Multi-Functional Aromatics line is no exception. With aroma therapy attributes, these seven individual fragrances with names such as "Nurture," "Seductive," and "Innercalm" smell as soothing as they sound. Safe to use on both skin and hair and, apparently, as an aid to thwart jet lag. You'll score good taste and green points with these naturally precious potions, or anything from Horst's line of eco-fabulous products.

Available at Intelligent Nutrients: 983 E. Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, or order online at www.intelligentnutrients.com.

 

reVamp Salon Spa

The old standby gift of sending your sweetie (or mom, or gal pal) to the "spa" certainly applies this holiday season; though at reVamp Salon Spa, the generic "mani/pedi" routine is played out. Once featured on Oprah for their comprehensive pampering services, reVamp is equipped to indulge your favorite lady's vanity with a wide variety of fancy beauty treatments. Opt for makeover or spa packages that include such services as luxury facials, body treatments, wardrobe consultations, makeup applications and lessons, haircuts and coloring, waxing, massage, manicures, pedicures and more.

reVamp Salon Spa, 2910 Hennepin Avenue S., Uptown Minneapolis. Gift certificates and a menu of services and packages are available in-store as well as online at www.revampsalonspa.com.

 

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Do it Yourself Art Baskets

There is nothing better that watching children develop creative talents. They're like little sponges that soak up everything in their vicinity (including accidentally uttered curse words). Encourage the budding artist in your life by creating a colorful gift basket crammed full of cool art supplies. Start out by finding a pretty storage basket, preferably with a secure cover to guard supplies, at either a thrift store or Ikea (they have oodles). Then have fun putting together a comprehensive creative kit! Visit warehouse district art supply mecca Penco to stock up on everything from mini canvases, brushes, paints, pastels, pencil sets, and just about anything arts-related under the sun, at reasonable prices. What's better, is that Penco also runs a huge online store, so you won't even have to leave the warm, cozy comfort of the internet if you don't want to!

Penco,718 Washington Ave. N, Minneapolis. Online store at www.artsuppliesonline.com

Utrecht Art Supply, 1601 Hennepin Avenue S, Minneapolis. Online at www.utrechtart.com 

For St. Paul-ites: Wet Paint, 1684 Grand Avenue, St. Paul. Online at www.wetpaintart.com

 

Kaleidoscopia Coloring Books

Minneapolis artist Kendall Bohn's pen and ink work comes to life in his Kaleidoscopia Coloring Book series for children. Bohns' distinctive line drawings cover topics such as dinosaurs, undersea adventures, fantasy, and abstract design. Aimed at kids who are old enough color within the lines, these skillfully arranged books encourage detail and imagination with color. The perfect gift with a local artist's touch for the young creative in your life, Order online, or visit the artist's studio in the California Building in Northeast Minneapolis, open by appointment daily!

Kendall Bohn Studios, 2205 California St.NE, #305, Northeast Minneapolis. Schedule an appointment by calling 612-789-5193 or e-mailing kendall@kcfineart.com Order online at www.kendallbohn.com

 

Creative Kidstuff

Don't overlook what might be the most obvious gift destination around: Creative Kidstuff. With six locations here in the Cities, we forget that this store is the envy of many cities, and the prototype for untold numbers of toyshops across the land.  Just the store flyers are engaging, gift-wrapping is free (c'mon, you DO have time for a glass of wine or an ice cream cone while you wait; and NO, you do NOT prefer to do it yourself), and there is absolutely no reason you need to have children on your list to shop there.  Shop for the fun of it; shop for yourself; shop for charity.

Numerous locations in the Metro area. Click HERE to find one near you.  Online at www.creativekidstuff.com

 

HOMEMADE FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Sometimes it's the thought that counts, as you well know. However, that paper plate with macaroni glued to it probably won't cut it this year, even if you do switch up the design. Use our personally tested D.I.Y. gift ideas that have always been major hits with friends and fam. If your budget is tight, here are plenty of non-cheesy gifts that will easily become the most talked about items under the tree.

Family Cookbook

Old family recipes are a comforting and familiar ingredient to every gathering with your loved ones. Take Grandma or Mom's collection of well-used recipe cards into the digital age by transcribing her signature dishes for the whole family. Grab your trusty laptop and spend an afternoon creating a family recipe book that you can print off, bind, and share. Three-ring binders/recipe books are available at most drug stores - and even dollar stores - on the cheap, so it's really just a matter of time, not cash. The family will truly appreciate this keepsake that keeps on giving, and may reward you with additional recipes, variations, or a meal at their place.

 

Feed the Beasts

People love to eat, and what better way to say "I love you" than with food! We have the perfect tasty idea that will have your friends laughing at its absurdity - in a good way. Whip up a batch of your best soup, stew, chili, or liquid-based what-have-you, pour into ziplock bags, and place the plastic bags on a flat surface in your freezer. The result is frozen slabs of homemade goodness that can be fancily wrapped and doled out to your nearest and dearest. They'll be especially appreciated by the bachelors in your life. No one will ever guess what's inside this weirdly presented, affordably created, and delicious personal gift package.

Need a recipe? Secrets of the City hater and Twin Cities foodie Andrew Zimmern has some good recipes that you can lift HERE.

 

Make Your Own Wreath

Put your personal touch on a festive gift that can be displayed all year round! A wreath doesn't need to adhere to the holiday theme of course, so why not add your own flash and pizzazz? Head to hobby HQ, Michael's, and pick up a pre-made artificial wreath (we like the straw versions) with no decoration. Scour the store for interesting items, shiny things, ribbons, feathers and baubles that can be used to decorate your wreath and customize it for your friends based on their personalities and favorite themes. One SOTC staffer once made a wreath laden with origami fish and birds interlaced with ribbon that still hangs on her parent's front door! Another recycled an old wreath by raiding her gift wrap and attic boxes of discards to build a happy, timeless kitchen wreath. For oddball items, try imbeddable objects from Ax-Man Surplus in St. Paul, which is filled to the brim with bizarre trinkets such as doll heads, circuit boards, wire of all colors, and scads of unexplainable and nerdy items that won't break the bank. Tip: This is a good project for kids too.

Michael's, various locations in the Twin Cities. Online at www.michaels.com

Ax-Man Surplus, three locations in the Twin Cities. Online at www.ax-man.com

 

Creative Gift Wrapping

There is nothing more enticing than a beautifully wrapped gift. Save a tree this holiday season by wrapping your gifts with pretty fabrics and ribbons that can be reused for either crafts or future gifting. Any fabric store will have a decent selection, but if you want to really make a splash, check out independently owned craft shop, Crafty Planet, for the coolest textiles around. Designer and vintage fabric patterns that are as darling as they are unique will bring smiles all around. Another option is to hit up consignment and thrift stores for unusual silk scarves in good condition that can be tied prettily, while counting as a cute bonus gift!

Crafty Planet, 2833 Johnson St. N.E., Minneapolis. Online at www.craftyplanet.com. Click HERE for a good list of Twin Cities Thrift Shops

THEY HEART ART

 Art is the gift that keeps on giving. A beautiful painting, sculpture or photograph can brighten a dreary room, and even a dreary mood. We've compiled a list of local art options that will fit most any budget. From screen printed rock posters to one-of-a-kind pieces, the Twin Cities art scene is positively bursting with colorful possibilities.

 

Andy Messerschmidt 10x10 Paintings

If your holiday wishlist includes original art then you best steer your personal Santa towards Fox Tax Gallery. Andy Messerschmidt's recently opened solo show, Merry Krishnas, will not only bring a little holiday cheer to your senses, but can also score you mega-bonus points - and good karma - in the gifting department. Over 80 works, reasonably priced at $200 apiece, are delivered in the form of 10x10 original paintings with a variety of themes and styles. Merry Krishnas is Messerschimdt's first solo show in Minneapolis, and will be followed up by another solo exhibit at Franklin Art Works in 2009. A number of previous exhibits in New York, Cleveland, St. Louis, Germany, and at last year's Aqua Art Miami at Art Basel solidify Messerschmidt's status as one to watch closely. A smart addition to any art collector's coffers! 

Wed-Sat Noon-5 p.m. or by appointment, through January 9th, Fox Tax Gallery, 503 1st Avenue NE, Northeast Minneapolis. Online at www.foxtaxservice.com/gallery  

 

Mary Olson

We want to take a bite out of Mary Olson's art. Unfortunately, the pieces we have here at the office are in the form of ceramic coasters, and we are cutting back on dental work to buy more art. At any rate, this local artist's work is infused with rich colors, delicate yet wild lines, and busy patterns that remind us of a dark city night dipped in schizophrenia-tinged technicolor - with the occasional flower and/or cat thrown into the mix. An affordable gift for the friend who appreciates form and function on an equal level, Olson's work comes not only as traditional art-on-canvas, but also in the form of keepsake boxes, the aforementioned ceramic coasters (yum), pillows, ornaments and more. Giving locally made gifts not only keeps our arts economy going, but will make you look totally cool in the eyes of your mall-bound, gift certificate-givin' relatives.

Shop for art items online at Mary's website HERE  or stop by Adsoka's gallery to see or purchase original paintings at 1029 Washington Avenue S., Minneapolis.  

 

Rock Poster Overload

Not quite sure to get the inevitable music lover on your list? They've already got all the cds, and you're not cool enough to know what upcoming show they'd want tickets too. Problem solved: a limited edition screen printed poster of one of their favorite bands! Not only are these posters potential collectors items, but they are exclusively designed by famed local printmakers. Lucky for you, the Twin Cities is a hotbed of screenprinting activity. Hit up kingpins Burlesque Design, Aesthetic Apparatus, Squad 19, and Who Made Who for a wide variety of reasonably priced art prints that rock!

Online at www.burlesquedesign.com, www.aestheticapparatus.com, www.squad19.com, Who Made Who

 

Northeast Arts District

Visit the Arts District this holiday season for real art by real artists at every price point imaginable. Nothing says love like locally made, so opt for a studio arts building instead of the Mall this time around. Northrup King Building will have over 100 studios open each Saturday leading up to Christmas. Or hit up the California Building where open studios will abound on December 13th, including the formal debut of our favorite jewelry makin' lady Robyne Robinson's new studio space on the 4th floor! You can also sift through artists online at www.nemaa.org to find one that suits your fancy, complete with studio location and contact info.

For a list of studio buildings in Northeast click HERE.

For a list of upcoming holiday events in Northeast click HERE.

 

Grand Hand Gallery

Grand Hand Gallery has found the perfect balance between craft and contemporary.  Find a wide selection of original art pieces, clay, metal, wood, fiber, glass and jewelry that will please the most discerning collector on your gifting itinerary. Many of the gallery's selections are created by Minnesota and Midwest regional artists, as well as national artists. Be sure to check out the current exhibit of fine art on display as well, as Grand Hand rotates artists art each month.

Grand Hand Gallery, 619 Grand Avenue, St. Paul. Online at www.thegrandhand.com

For a Minneapolis option, try Gallery 360 for more original artwork. www.gallery-360.com, or the Minnesota Textile Center's Holiday show and sale, which runs through Christmas, www.mntextilecenter.org

THE PERFECT WINE

By Mikal Arnold and Dana Lade

We asked our pals Mikal Arnold and Dana Lade, owners of Au Chateau, a new company that offers in-home wine tastings for special events, to give us a rundown of their favorite vino picks for the holiday season, at affordable price points, of course! Mikal is a Ph.D. student in Spanish and Portuguese Literature at the University of Minnesota. Prior to that he worked for 7 years in the wholesale wine and import biz with a focus on Western European vintners. He occasionally thrashes his git-box with local band Revolver Modèle. Dana works as a staff educator and salesperson for a local wine wholesaler and importer. She enjoys cocktailing, shopping, and practicing the domestic arts. To schedule an in-home tasting event with Dana and Mikal, e-mail auchateau@gmail.com.

 

Pavao Vinho Verde (non-vintage) $7

I spent the last summer in Lisbon with access to pretty much every Vinho Verde on the market there and, since I was living with a bunch of drunks, I tasted just about all of them.  In the end, I still believe the first version of this slightly spritzy Portuguese white made available in the Minneapolis market (during the early years of this millennium), Pavao, remains the best example of its kind.  The blend is primarily Alvarinho and Arinto grapes, the former providing body, length, and luscious white fruit, the latter giving the wine its refreshing acid attack and granny smith apple/ Bosc pear aromatic.  It is leagues and bounds better than its closest competitor, Gazela, which to me resembles a can of 7-Up that's been shooting up acid and vodka on the weekends.  Pair this "green" (referring to its youth more than its color) wine with fish or simple fare as an aperitif with appetizers that could use an acid kick (i.e. not pickled herring): tapenade, hummus, or any of those retro super-fatty 50's apps now in fashion.  -MA

Available at Sorella's, Sam's Wine Shop, Zipp's Liquors, and Solo Vino

 

Wegeler Riesling Sekt NV ($15-$18)
 
From the mighty German Rhein Valley hails this bone dry sekt. Sekt you ask? I know, it sounds a lot like sex and God knows drinking this stuff may not hurt your chances, but we digress. This is a Champenoise style sparkling wine made from Riesling grapes. It demonstrates tons of champy-style finesse and a subtle, fine bubble on your tongue. I love the idea of drinking it with friends while cooking dinner together. Think of funny little Teutonic snacks to pair with it like Emmentaler cheese fondue, pickles wrapped with ham and cream cheese, pickled white asparagus, blood sausages, or maybe even a creamy onion tart. Mmmmm! Prost! -DL

Available at Zipp's Liquors, and Solo Vino

 

2007 Solà Fred Montsant ($9-$12)

From a relatively new D.O. in Cataluña, Spain (Montsant), comes a wine that seems to be the perfect embodiment of dualism.  Starting with its name, Solà Fred, which in Catalan means the bitterly cold (Fred) hillside where the sun is shining all day (Solà).  The dichromic wine (super-hot-pink-think-80s-retro-kids-at-TML rim, and darkest gothic-purple core) is made from 2 grapes that, though both of Aragonese decent, blend well but couldn't be more different, Carignan and Garnacha.  Whereas the latter is constantly praised, the former gets attacked by everything from powdery mildew to Jancis Robinson who claimed it is "usually high in everything-acidity, tannins, colour, bitterness, but finesse and charm."  The oral dichotomy is perhaps the most appealing; supple at first strike, with soft tannins and bright acidity, it has a boldness and length thereafter on the palette.  Luckily the aromatics are multiple: cranberry, earth, violets, and Flintstone vitamins (oddly pleasant), with a finish that lingers of dried fruits (figs and dates).  Pair this with a lentil soup, aged cheeses, and those butter rolls from A Baker's Wife pastry shop.  --MA

Available at Sorella's, Zipp's Liquors, and Solo Vino

Chateau de Terriere Beaujolais Villages 2006 ($12-$15)
 
Let's all start taking the delightful wines of Beaujolais seriously as the perfect, always charming, go-to French table wine, shall we? The baby cousin of Burgundy, Beaujolais Village and Cru wines are made from the grape, Gamay. They are always expressive of their subtle provenance, made the same way for eons, and reliably 100% crowd-pleasing and delicious. Chateau de Terriere is a smallish estate that produces a lovely, lively wine that will pair with damn near anything you may decide to eat. I love it for it's robust cherry fruit and bright poppy color in the glass. Drink it in its most recent of vintage, in this case, 2006. Beaujolais is not a wine to over think, rather a wine to make your food taste yummy and your cheeks rosy. -DL
 
Available by the glass at La Belle Vie. For sale at Zipp's Liquors

A VERY JAZZY CHRISTMAS

by Kevin Barnes

 Hep cat Kevin Barnes, host of Bluesville and String Theory over at the ever-cool Jazz88FM was kind enough to pull together a list of amazing local jazz albums that will no doubt delight the music lover in your life. Tune into Jazz88 KBEM 88.5 this season for a smooth take on the traditional holiday tuneage. You can find most of these selections and much, much more at local music headquarters The Electric Fetus.

 

Connie Evingson with Dave Frishberg

Little Did I Dream: Songs by Dave Frishberg

Twin Cities vocalist Connie Evingson beautifully interprets the sophisticated and witty songs of Saint Paul jazzy native son , Dave Frishberg. The stellar rhythm section includes Dave Frishberg, Gordy Johnson, Phil Hey, Dave Karr, and Mark Henderson. Highly recommended. 

www.connieevingson.com

 

Kelly Rossum

Family

Trumpeter Kelly Rossum teams with his musical "family," Bryan Nichols, Chris Bates and JT Bates, for a great project which explores the mainstream and old world jazz continuum.

www.krossum.com

 

Sam Miltich and The Clearwater Hot Club featuring Dave Karr

Just You Just Me

Sam Miltich has emerged from hiatus with a great set of standards showcasing his continuing evolution as one of the finest young jazz guitarists in the United States. Saxophonist Dave Karr is a welcome addition to the rhythm section.

www.clearwaterhotclub.com

 

Paul Renz and The Paul Renz Quintet

ReBop  

Twin Cities jazz guitarist Paul Renz delivers a diverse, mostly original set of compositions exploring BeBop, Blues, Funk and Brasilian sensibilities. Beautiful performances by pianist Brian Zemniak, bassist Eric Graham,drummer Nathan Freyettand and flautist Anders Bostrom.

www.paulrenz.com

 

Irv Williams

Finality 

The patriarch of Twin Cities jazz musicians, tenor saxophonist  Irv  "Mr. Smooth" Williams, is 89 and still playing exquisitely. His first perfomances in the Twin Cities date back to his appearance dates with the Great Lakes Navy Big Band during World War II.  Irv's career has included stints with Fletcher Henderson, Mary Lou Williams and Billy Eckstein. Finality showcases a fabulous rhythm section including Gordy Johnson, Peter Schimke, Kenny Horst, Gus Sandberg and Loren Walstad.

www.irvwilliams.com

BOOKS - CRACKING SPINES WISHLIST

By Max Ross

Secrets of the City resident book expert/pretentious literary jerk, Max Ross, fills your stocking with bookish offerings of the most engaging variety. Check out local bookstores Magers & Quinn, Common Good Books, U of M Bookstore, Red Balloon Bookshop, and Barnes and Noble for all your literary leanings.

 

FICTION

There's been a lot of great fiction published this year. From Philip Roth to Toni Morrison to John Updike, a lot of heavy hitters have been back at their craft. So here's a shortlist of five that may have flown under your radar for various reasons.  

 

Jim Harrison's The English Major

There's a good chance you know Jim Harrison's work, if not his name. Legends of the Fall, his novel from 1979, was later turned into a movie with Brad Pitt, thereby sort of immortalizing Harrison's work. But the guy's put out fifteen novels in his career, many of them well-regarded, but arguably none so highly lauded as his most recent. Cliff, the book's protagonist, is an English-teacher-turned-cherry farmer. When his wife dumps him for her high school squeeze, though, he sells the farm and does what any good English major does in a time of crisis - he goes on a road trip. As he travels west, his goal is to rename all the birds and states in America. How awesome is that?  

Available at Magers & Quinn HERE.

 

Salvatore Scibona's The End

My favorite blurb about this book comes from Esquire (whose books guy, Tom Chiarella, is consistently excellent): "Engulfing. Entangled. Fate-laden. Flinty. Dry-eyed. Memento meets Augie March.  Didion meets Hitchcock. Serpentine. Alien. American. Ohioan. McCarthyite (Cormac). Bellowed (Saul)." The most common words are challenging-but-gratifying. Minnesota's own Graywolf put it out so it has to be good. It made the National Book Awards shortlist so it really has to be good.

Available at Magers & Quinn HERE.

 

Honorable Fiction mentions:

Aleksandar Hemon's The Lazarus Project

Marilynne Robinson's Home

John Barth's The Development 

 

NON FICTION

David Carr's The Night of the Gun

Let's face it: We all want to be introduced to a Minneapolis we don't know. Carr's city is a sordid and dangerous place, sharper edged than the lake-filled metropolis so many of us are used to. His personal account of addiction, abuse, and arrest is irresistible. Says Jodi:  "It sounds so smarmy and bullshit, but The Night of the Gun is one of those books that once you read it, it changes you." 

Available at Magers & Quinn HERE.

 

Honorable Non-Fiction Mentions:

Rick Pearlstein's Nixonland

David Hajdu's The Ten-Cent Plague (The non-fiction counterpart to Michael Chabon's The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.)

Joan Wickersham's The Suicide Index: Putting My Father's Death in Order

Azar Nafisi's Things I've Been Silent About (The author of Reading Lolita in Tehran comes out with a memoir about growing up in Iran.)  

 

AUDIO BOOKS

Normally, I don't approve of books on tape. At least not for literary fiction. I hold a strong belief that novels should be read slowly, that each sentence sort of needs to imprint itself on the brain before the next sentence can be read, and I usually listen to audio books when I'm driving, when focusing on a red light often takes precedent over noticing clever wordplay. But there are a couple books on tape that, given the events of the recent months, are definitely worth checking out this holiday season.

 

Barack Obama's Dreams of My Father

The first is Barack Obama's Dreams of My Father, narrated by Barack Obama. Unlike the Grammy-winning The Audacity of Hope, which reads like a long campaign warm-up speech, this one really shows the personality of our soon-to-be Fearless Leader. The print version is all well and good, but let's face it, one of the things that makes the guy special is his voice. Mellifluent. (N.B. - the tape version of Hope does have a thirty-second clip of Obama doing an impression of George Bush that may well be worth the price.)

Available at Magers & Quinn HERE.

David Foster's Consider the Lobster

The second is David Foster Wallace's Consider the Lobster. Like I said, I'm loathe to recommend Infinite Jest on tape because I think certain aspects of DFW's fiction can only be properly digested by the eyes-to-brain relationship. Lobster, his last non-fiction collection, is dazzling, and for anyone who's never read any of his stuff, the recorded version is a great introduction. Wallace reads it himself, and playfully uses separate voices for text and footnotes, and even makes some ad-lib comments about reading on tape.

Available at Magers & Quinn HERE.

HOLIDAY COCKTAILS ALA JOHNNY MICHAELS

Recipes by famed local bartender Johnny Michaels of La Belle Vie

Our friend and master bartender Johnny Michaels has created a decadent list of holiday cocktail recipes exclusively for The Secrets of the City Holiday Guide! Mr. Michaels is the brains behind the amazing specialty cocktail list at La Belle Vie in Minneapolis, and is also responsible for the killer cocktails at Barrio Tequila Bar, Cafe Maude, and Smalley's Pirate Bar & Caribbean BBQ. This prolific cocktail creator has whipped up a collection of very merry drink recipes for the ultimate connoisseur, ensuring you'll be comfortably numb, in style, this holiday season!

Be served by the master himself Wednesday through Sunday at La Belle Vie, located at 510 Groveland Avenue. Grinch Nog will be on La Belle Vie's Holiday cocktail menu through Christmas. For hours and more information visit www.labellevie.us

 

GRINCH NOG

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice:

1 oz Wild Turkey 100 proof Rye whiskey

1/2 oz Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur

1/4 oz Absinthe

3 dashes Angostura bitters

2 dashes Fee Brothers Orange bitters

1 squeeze of lemon, and add squeezed piece to shaker

1-2 dashes salty water (Use kosher or non-iodized salt in about 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of water)

Shake vigorously and strain. Suggested as a shot, but can be doubled or tripled up and served martini style. Garnish with a green maraschino cherry

Substitutions:

Instead of Luxardo Maraschino Liquor you can also try a clear, dry cherry brandy, or substitute Kirsch. You can also substitute the Absinthe with Pernot or other anise flavored liqueurs, but the Grinch wouldn't approve, nor would they produce quite the same lip-curling effect!

LUMP-O-COAL

In a cocktail shaker with ice:

1 oz Cognac

1/2 oz peppermint schnapps

½ oz Fernet-Branca bitter liqueur

Shake and strain into chilled glass.

Substitutions:

Brandy may be substituted for cognac, but the drink will be sweeter, which some prefer even though it may not fit the name as well. You can also substitute the peppermint schnapps with creme de menthe, but again, the sweetness might fit the final appearance better. If necessary, you can substitute the bitter liqueur with Jagermeister, which is way sweeter, and would need to be fortified with extra dashes of Anogostura, and/or Fee Brothers Original bitters.  If no bitter liqueur is around, you can also use 50% more peppermint schnapps and add 6-10 dashes of bitters.

 

CHERRY XXX-MAS

Martini style - perfect for igniting debauchery at office holiday parties!

In a cocktail shaker with ice:

2 oz gin

1 oz defrosted Welches' brand Apple-Grape-Cherry juice concentrate

Shake and strain ingredients into chilled martini glass.  Should fill glass about 60-70% full. Top with Cava or any other sparkling wine, but don't use anything too fancy, or too cheap, for that matter: something in the $10 price range is cool. Cava is a great value. I'd also suggest Avinyo or Cristalino brands, but really, any brut champagne-style sparkling wine will be just fine. Garnish with 3 red maraschino cherries on a wooden skewer lain across the top of a glass and let the embarrassing moments begin!

 

BATTERIES FOR THE PRESENT-WRAPPING MACHINE

Serve in D battery-sized glasses. Small, clear glass votive candle holders for a buck from Pier 1 work well. Every wrapping machine is different: some require two batteries, some six to eight or more, depending on the size of the machine and the size of the pile of presents that need wrapping.

In a cocktail shaker with ice, combine equal parts:

Stoli Vanilla vodka

Starbucks Espresso Liqueur

Room temperature espresso

Frangelico liqueur.

Shake, strain, and fill glasses 2/3 - 3/4 full

Then, in a blender, combine equal parts/volumes:

Ice

Baileys

Vanilla, Chocolate, or Carmel Ice Cream

Blend well, long and thoroughly, until a frothy milkshake-like consistency is achieved. Spoon the mixture over cocktail blend, into top 1/3 - 1/4 of  each drink. Drinks will somewhat resemble Duracell batteries. Moderate consumption may help power you through another holiday chore; multiple servings may cause you to forget how everything got wrapped overnight!

ENTERTAIN IN STYLE

The holidays are the perfect opportunity to show off your savvy entertaining skills. We've detailed a few sure-fire services and tasty treats that will guarantee your post-party reviews will be stellar!

Chowgirl's Catering

The sassy dames over at Chowgirl's know how to cook, that's for darn sure. With such delectable treats as butternut and fried sage bundles, sesame-peapod shrimp skewers, truffled mashed potato and bacon bites, and Swedish meatballs - just to name a few - this lady-run catering company can provide you with a creative and gourmet meal, appetizer array, and more, for prices that won't break the bank. Pick it up, have it delivered, or even have it served by Chowgirl's staff - but act fast, their holiday dance card tends to fill up quickly!

Online at www.chowgirls.net or call 612-203-0786

 

Chocolat Celeste

When we want to impress, or we simply want something decadent and sweet, we head to Chocolat Celeste. Chocolatier extraordinaire Mary Leonard has traveled the world honing her candy-makin' abilities, which rival those of the international sweet set. Using only fresh, organic ingredients from local farms and the top European imported chocolate sourced from the best cacao growers in the world, Leonard has made her mark as the go-to gal for classy confections. Make your party sparkle with truffles and treats that are as pretty to look at as they are sinfully delicious. A box of these sugary specialties will also make a fine gift for the Cathy on your list.

Chocolat Celeste, 2506 University Avenue West, St. Paul. Online at www.chocolatceleste.com

 

Prairie Vodka

Whether you're hosting or being hosted, the presence of quality spirits is always a necessity. Our recommendation? Prairie Vodka. This aptly titled sip is a locally-made organic vodka distilled in nearby Benson, Minnesota. With hints of melon and pear on the nose and creaminess on the palate, this luxurious liquor will please the connoisseurs on your guest list and definitely keep them comfortably buzzed throughout the holiday season. Made from USDA certified organic corn raised by the same crew that owns the distillery, Prairie Vodka will not only please your crowd, but also directly supports organic farmers. And who can argue with that? Not to mention, the bottle is as pretty as they come!

Prairie Vodka is available at Surdyk's www.surdyks.com and numerous other liquor stores in the Metro area and beyond. Visit www.prairievodka.com for recipes, history and more information..

 

Dong Yang Oriental Foods

It doesn't surprise us much that Dong Yang doesn't have a website. It's just not that sort of place. Located in an off-the-beaten-path strip mall on the fringe of Columbia Heights, this oriental specialty market is just the thing to literally "spice up" your holiday party. Pick up all manners of Asian food and produce to create unique dishes or buy prepared specialties like kimchee or purple sticky rice. The most visually interesting corner of the store, however, is the super cute selection of Oriental candies, cookies, and assorted sweets that will surely put a colorful spin on your party, or make the perfect stocking stuffer for the quirky sweet tooth on your list. Be sure to make a pit stop in the adjacent restaurant located in the back of the store for some of the best Korean food in Minneapolis - just be prepared to bus your own table.

Dong Yang Oriental Food, 735 45^th Avenue NE, Minneapolis or call 763-571-2009. Click HERE for a map.

 

Capture the Moment with Digital Crush 

Having a holiday soiree of dazzling proportions? Make the memories last by hiring Minneapolis photographers Digital Crush to capture your festive occasion. Digital Crush is an independently owned collective of local photographers and videographers with plenty of accolades under their belts. Regular contributors to Secrets of the City, METRO Magazine, l'etoile magazine and more, DC puts a creative spin on traditional event documentation. With their artistic eye, these award-winning shutterbugs will provide you with an invaluable service at reasonable costs. They can even make your drunk uncle look clean and sober with the magic of Photoshop! Photography, videography, and custom packages available. 

Visit www.digitalcrushphoto.com for samples of their work, or call 612-296-1811 or email info@digitalcrushphoto.com to book your event.

 

GOING OUT - HAPPY HOURS

Merriment and camaraderie hold the holidays together; it is not the season to be jolly if you don’t make time to relax with friends in honor of the season.

We like to meet up with co-workers or friends around 5 – 5:30, sometimes with pretenses of talking work.  (Multi-tasking is such a trap!) Even though dinner is rarely part of the plan, we are careful to find places with small plates, great appetizers, or a fine full menu we are prone to share. Even if you don’t plan to eat, go where you’ll enjoy the food you’ll undoubtedly sample. Nearby shopping is a plus, since it is so much more pleasant to browse after a glass of wine or two.  Good gathering spots come in all shapes and sizes:

Traditions Revisited
Act as if you are a tourist. Some of these places are so old they are new.  Think about places you’d take your out-of-town aunt, and then go break it in with your friends

Murray’s - www.murraysrestaurant.com

Lake Elmo Inn - www.lakeelmoinn.com

W.A. Frost - www.wafrost.com

Vic’s - www.vicsdining.com

Muffuletta - www.muffuletta.com

The Guthrie - www.guthrietheater.org

Hotel Bars
Historic, scenic, and always exotic; Great places to hide in or be seen in

Nicollet Island Inn - www.nicolletislandinn.com

Chambers - www.chambersminneapolis.com

Cosmos -www.cosmosrestaurant.com

St. Paul Grill - www.saintpaulhotel.com

Prohibition – with Manny’s in W Foshay  - www.mannyssteakhouse.com

Cozy, easy, and interesting

Bar Lurcat - The bar menu is more than adequate, and offers the best bitty burgers around. www.cafelurcat.com

Toast - No need to decide on the appetizers: just get the chef’s choice of yummy spreads. 415 N 1st St, Minneapolis

Lucia’s - For breakfast in the bakery, wine in the bar, or dinner in the restaurant. www.lucias.com

Camp Bar - It is camp, and it is fun. www.camp-bar.net

Wilde Roast Cafe - Who knew our favorite coffee shop was a lunch spot and wine bar, too? www.wilderoastcafe.com

Café Latte - Find their retail shop, Quince, tucked behind Café Latte, or settle into nearby Bread and Chocolate to check your list twice. www.cafelatte.com

Hell’s Kitchen - Notoriously huge Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. www.hellskitcheninc.com

Live it Up

20.21 - So rakishly angular. www.wolfgangpuck.com

La Belle Vie – The lounge is where it’s at.www.labellevie.us

Spoonriver – for organic cocktails! www.spoonriverrestaurant.com
 
Heartland – Midwestern elegance and other oxymorons. www.heartlandrestaurant.com

 

HOLIDAY FASHION TIPS

 By Emma Berg / Photo of Emma by Nicholas Marshall

Fashion plate, art curator, and director of popular local arts calendar www.mplsart.com, Emma Berg lends her fresh and fanciful style advice to Secrets of the City. Whether you're headed to a swanky holiday party for work, a glitzy seasonal bash downtown, or an intimate gathering with your nearest and dearest, you still want to look your best. Throw back to the days of old-time glamour when the holiday season was an excuse to dress up in your most dazzling dress or dapper duds. Emma gives us her suggestions on personal style and pizzazz for the 2008 holidays:

It is the beginning of a long season of holiday happiness; a string of engagements that should persuade even the grouchiest of persons to partake in a little jolly. Take this opportunity to add a dose of glamour to your daily charm, a hint of sparkle, a complete entourage of flash!

But how do you do this when your closet is full of a million little black dresses? Create something all your own, something special to you. A vintage pair of opera length gloves with an antique cocktail ring screams luxurious mystique; the addition of an elaborate headdress that fights for visual space with the crystal chandelier will assure that the cocktail waitress won't miss you. Fake eyelashes that flutter as gently as the candlelight will convince Santa that you have been a very good girl; pairing any old dress with MOMA-worthy sculptural stilettos is pure wonderland enhancement. Or, you could completely forgo the ever-so-easy little black number and wrap yourself in a rabbit fur cocktail dress, which will surely crown you the sweetest gift of the night.

When it comes to the holidays and getting gussied up is there a "too much" rule?  Perhaps, but then again, all rules are meant to be broken.

In addition to the links above:

Design Collective www.designcollectivempls.com

Cliché www.clichempls.com

Belle Reve www.bellereveboutique.com

Arafina www.arafina.com

 

Makeup the Most of It

To go along with Emma's sparkly fashion tips, we ought to mention M.A.C. Cosmetics' rich and glamorous line of new holiday war paints. It's all about RED this holiday season; glam, luxurious, poppy, glossy reds, that is. Head to any local M.A.C. retailer (Macy's, Nordstrom's or the M.A.C. store) to stock up on bewitching palettes that will get you through the holidays and beyond. The helpful experts at any M.A.C. location are absolutely willing to help you put together the perfect look, so think foxy; a little red never hurt anyone!

M.A.C. Cosmetics, Click HERE for locations near you.

Honorable mention: Cosbar in Edina offers makeup consultations and a wide variety of products. Hit the upscale shopping hamlet that is 50^th & France to round out your holiday shopping needs, then treat yourself to a little primping at Cosbar! http://www.cosbar.com/

 

GENERAL SHOPPING TIPS

1. Shopping by theme
Saves mental anguish and needn't overlook the individual needs of your friends and family.  For example:

• Buy cool food items for everyone such as soup mix, syrup, exotic mustards, wild rice, or local honey - any local, organic, delicacy that strikes you.
• Get it all done at the book store - and remember audio books, calendars, special interest magazine subscriptions, and gift certificates can round out your book selections.

2. In the neighborhood
If you imagine where you'd like to browse with your friends, playing the in-town tourist , that is your spot for gift shopping, too.

• Check out the places you've been meaning to go. We like to wander around Midtown Global Market, where we can find something for everyone - and from everywhere - including Scandinavian gifts, Mexican candies and toys, Indian scarves and dresses, home made soaps and lotions, and foodstuffs from around the world. And free parking with validation, just across the street to the east.
• Stay in the neighborhood. Whether it is Grand Avenue, West St. Paul, Nicollet Mall or the nearest corner shopping district, say, 48th and Chicago, take a fresh look and you'll get double the pleasure by supporting your neighborhood businesses.
• Malls are there for a reason! We are all in favor of venturing out and going where no man has gone before (no man in our household anyway!). Malls are not bad! MOA does have more of everything! The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes is the fastest growing retail area in the Cities. If you live in the city, go to the 'burbs. If you live in the suburbs, come into the city. Wherever you are you'll find plenty of local businesses to patronize - and new restaurants to sample.

3. Local independent focus

• Did we say shop local? You'll notice we tend toward eclectic shops and neighborhoods so that a) we can take care of many on our list at one place, and b) so that we can make frequent rest stops. For what? More merriment. Plan your shopping around a favorite local, independent restaurant, such as any in the Twin Cities Originals.

4. Keep it under control

• When you are thinking of multiple gifts - select one gift from each of these categories, then STOP:
• • Something for the mind, e.g. a book
  • Something for the spirit, e.g. music
  • Something for gross motor activity, e.g. sports gear, a personal coach, or fitness club membership
  • Something for fine motor activity, e.g. craft items, manipulated puzzles, tools for a project
  • Something practical, e.g socks or a sweater