August 14, 2007

Minneapolis Weekend (food edition)

Friday
Lunch: Leftover cake and fresh strawberries in Sha's fridge

Dinner: Rudolph's
Dracula Wings
The Hollywood (a rack of ribs)

Notes: Rudolph's was twice named "Best Ribs in America" for a good reason. Good BBQ, huge portions (don't be shy taking more than half a plate home with you; Sha had 2 leftovers meals from Monday's $9 lunch special), the tribute to Rudolph Valentino and pre and early talkies with all the framed B&W photos of Old Hollywood plays a little cheesy but the effect ranks it higher than the average neighborhood rib joint, which in effect it what it is, albeit a good version of one.

Saturday:
Lunch: 20.21 at the Walker
Thai Seafood Red Curry w/Scallops, Prawns, Thai Basil Leaves, Kaffir Lime, Garlic, Fried Ginger
Dinner: Brit's Pub
Fish & Chips

Notes: Sha says that lunch at 20.21 is the better deal as the entrees on the dinner menu almost double in price. This curry was unlike any I have had before, with spices hitting damnear every part of my palate. Wondrous. If you can sit near the window (the weirdest part of the architecture of the new building) you also get a view of the Loring Park area.

Brit's Pub wants to be a pub, but is too big. It has lawn bowling on the roof!!! To its benefit, it serves a good fish & chips, has malted vinegar on the table, and some decent English ales on tap. Crowd when I was there was mostly post-worky wannabe-snobs. A good thing that I was in good company.

Sunday
Lunch: A&W at the Mall of America
Chili Cheese Fries & a Coke

Dinner: Chambers Kitchen
Smoked Bacon Wrapped Shrimp appetizer
Rack of Lamb w/ Chili Crumbs

Notes: The A&W is next to the roller coasters in the Mall of America. What else needs to be said? We were killing time waiting for the Simpsons movie at the googleplex. I did learn, however, that Sha is horrified of rollercoasters, even though she's never been on one. She can just tell by looking they are no fun for her.

Chambers Kitchen was the swankiest place we ate. Attached to the Chambers Hotel and Burnet Gallery, the food served in the kitchen is an extension of the artistic vision of Ralph Burnet, owner of the hotel/gallery/kitchen complex. Everything about this place drips art and the food was certainly that. The most expensive and smallest portioned, and yet the most where the chef's subtle craft was the most obvious.

Monday
Lunch: Rudolph's
Salmon Lunch Special w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Dinner: at home
chicken breast w/ herbs & lemon sauce, with onions, mushrooms, broccoli and cherry tomatoes

Notes: Grilled salmon was good, served over garlic potatoes. How do you grill salmon without it falling apart? Sha, as stated above, had three meals out of her lunch special.

The dinner I made was nothing special, used what I had in Sha's fridge.