Secrets of the City

Lazy Lightning points out a piece in MSP Business Journal about the ongoing success of the St. Louis Park-based Buffalo Wild Wings: Strong sales helped lift Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.’s profit by 50 percent in the third quarter compared to the same period a year ago, the restaurant chain reported Tuesday.

Lazy Lightning wonders about this: If you take a look at any of the other local restaurant surrounding Apple Valley’s BW3 and sample their wing offerings, you’re going to find meatier wings, better tasting sauces, and lower prices. Why is it that people are not flocking to Major’s or Rascal’s instead? They offer the same mix of ambiance and food (sports bar) but their food is quite a bit better.

TC Eats tries Ubuntu.
We Got Served goes to Good Day Cafe.
The Heavy Table publishes a recipe from Tampopo.
Aaron eats pizza at Pazzaluna.

A downtown worker found a special new protein item on her pre-made salad at Au Bon Pain in the City Center Skyway last week.  Here’s a picture, not for the squeamish. 

The MN State Fair has finally updated their online Food Finder. And, as usual, the early press reports from a few weeks ago left out some of the more interesting new treats: chocolate-covered watermelon on-a-stick; Funnel Cake Fries (funnel cake formed like french fries and served with chocolate dipping sauce); a new Harry Singh’s Carribbean booth in the Food Building; and beignets at the Ragin’ Cajun. Seventy-five listings for the “on-a-stick” category, and 85 listings when you search the keyword “cheese”! So, what’ll you have?

Throwing a baby shower for my sister who requested it be “just a small, intimate girlie get together midweek at a restaurant around 3pm.” There will be 6 adults 2 schoolage kids and 2 toddlers attending. Any suggestions for a middle of the road priced restuarant with great service/food?? Most guests live in northern metro so that would be ideal location. Thanks in advance!

The Heavy Table tries out Salut.
We Got Served visits Azia.
Camacho Watcho takes a trip to Blackbird Cafe.
TC Eats asks if Stabby’s has the best breakfast.
Lazy Lightning eats at Girvan Grille.

The Corner Table prints a letter discussing whether or not local eating should be dismissed as a fad: The point of this article for me is to get people to stop talking about if this is a fad or not, and go on hard facts. One fact: this is not something new. This idea of eating locally has been around forever. it had a lot to do with how this country was founded and how this country ran for a very long time. Another fact: with human rights abuses, animal abuses, the massive rise in food allergies, bovine hormone injections (largely unlabeled) linked to human and bovine health risks, overfishing, topsoil erosion, water scarcity, and (unfortunately) more, we have got to change the way we get our food.

Local photographer Deke reports in his blog about an unusual encounter he had in a local restuarant when he decided to snap some photos of the food her was eating. An employee approached him, rather aggressively, about his camera: At this point I was approached by an employee, I can only assume she was the manager that day, who asked what I was taking pictures of. I thought I was pretty straight-forward with her explaining that I was taking a picture of my lunch. She asked, “Why?”

My response was that I’m an amateur photog that simply sees a nice image in front of them. To which she replied, “I’m not that gullible.”

“I’m not that gullible.” Now, what do you say to that!?! (Via)

Skyway Gourmet gives Au Bon Pain three out of four walleyes.
The Strib reports on Bellanotte closing.
The Heavy Table gets Barbette’s chef to share her dill pesto recipe.
Jeremy Iggers enjoys bargain dining at Cafe Biaggio.

Shea points to the opening of a Galaxy Drive In in St. Louis park.
The Suggestion Boxer goes to The Butcher Block.
Nachopatrol hits Tequileria.
Art & Emily try out Cowboy Slim’s.
Skyway Gourmet visits Cheetah Pizza.