Secrets of the City

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.

Food critic, Adam Platt, contributes this piece to New York magazine: a slideshow titled Heaven On Bread. He tracks down the eight best-tasting, best-looking sandwiches in the whole of Manhattan.

My vote goes to either the House-smoked BLT or the Cuban. If we knew what was good for us here in flyover-land, we’d be enjoying these marvelous creations, too, and depart permanently from our white bread existence.

Nom nom nom!

Foodie File reports that the Oceanaire is in Chapter 11.
Heavy Table tries out the 112 Eatery.
Iggers eats as Brasa St. Paul.
Lazy Lightning tries pizza at Ramy’s.

The PiPress reports: At least, there’s one good thing about a bad economy: Burgers are hot right now. Especially the cheap ones. In the past year in the Twin Cities, a mini burger boom has been under way.

What new burger joints have you enjoyed? What do you look for in a burger place?

The Heavy Table reminds us that it’s strawberry picking time.
TC Eats goes to Burger Jones.
Your Dress Would Look Better On Me explores The Red Ox Cafe.

Dara at Minnesota Monthly offers up a helpful quiz to determine what sort of TC pizza you’re going to prefer. What’s your Pizza Personality Type? (Via)

South 12th looks at regional hot dog variations.
Edible Cities looks at the Uptown Market debut.
Iggers goes to Jeremy’s Chop and Railhouse.
The Heavy Table looks inside Spoonriver Restaurant.