PDX to MSP

disclaimer: this is a long one folks; symptom of not blogging in over a month; to bypass the words, you can always just visit my flickr and check out captioned photos instead

Though weeks behind me, I felt it important to share my time in Minneapolis because it always has a profound effect on my soul. Whether that be through friends, familiarity or some other unpronounced measure, I always feel like I am coming and inevitably leaving a special place.

A couple weeks before my mom came to Portland, I was asked to come out for work at my old job for two weeks during a transition period. This was a great opportunity to help out the people who have become very important to my life (you know who you are), as well as see my friends and enjoy what was an unseasonable display of glorious weather. My incredibly kind friend Ryan offered to let me stay with him for the duration of my trip. As a result, my uncustomary presence apparently invited the naughty side of his dog Pete to come out, with two sets of torn sheets (courteousy of the nest he made himself in Ryan’s and my guest bed), and about five pairs of underwear, consumed. Well, the crotch part anyway. Yeah, dogs are disgusting creatures (mine used to eat my roos all the time when they were puppies). I actually thought it was hilarious and a good marker for this particular visit and a perfect excuse to go shopping, so really, thanks for the opportunity Pete!

The first night I was there, we did my favorite thing. We grilled at Ryan’s house and chilled in the backyard. The weather was near 70 degrees and clear. What better chance to enjoy some grilled veggies and a cold beer? The following day was Easter. I had no concept of this, even well into Sunday, when flocks of families in their Sunday best were walking the Isles and Calhoun. I met up with Tom and we took a walk around Lake of the Isles, my absolute favorite place in the twin cities (since it was a short and delightful 15 min walk from where I used to live). It was immaculate weather. So sunny, I actually got a little sunburn. After this, we headed to Old Chicago (where they have my favorite Chicago-style deep dish veggie pizza) and then we walked back to the Isles and headed to the neighboring lake, Calhoun, and walked its perimeter. In time for dessert, we then proceeded to the Wedge Co-op (my favorite grocery store which also housed my beloved dessert, the Boston cream cupcake).  A new development sparked as I walked away with a cupcake half its normal size and price and proceeded back to the Isles to enjoy it.

Then, Monday came. Driving to work was a little weird. I really hadn’t expected to ever be taking that road again, but it went really well and ended up being very productive. The best part was seeing the peeps. Jessica had some lovely sunflowers waiting for me, which ended up lasting the entire two weeks I was there. The workweek was generally punctuated with a great meal. Monday, Jessica and Marissa made me a lovely veggie-inspired meal at Marissa’s place.  On Tuesday, I met with Marcia and Clay at Pad Thai in St. Paul for my and Marcia’s favorite Thai food. Wednesday, Ryan and I went to Salsa a la Salsa, a tasty Mexican Grill with well-made margaritas. Thursday, with a failed grocery-shopping attempt, Ryan and I ended up bumping into one of his friends at Midtown Global Exchange and had, what was my first experience, with tamales (apparently the best around). Continuing to procrastinate, as we both had work we could have otherwise been doing, we decided to do a late night happy hour at Corner Table, a locally sourced friendly restaurant with a knock out changing menu. We had some wine and sat at the bar and “enjoyed” what was vinyl Thursday; Dolly Parton, Janis Joplin and Weezer spinning. It was wrapping up and being in Ryan’s hood, he is a known regular so in the vein of time and place, we also received some comp’ed and amazing ice cream and maple glazed popcorn. Love those places where everyone knows your name.  

Friday is always the token day of the week, so I started and ended at Bulldog for my well-remembered black bean burger (they are well known and praised for their meaty burgers that come from top notch cows). Mine came from top-notch beans and it was delicious, though I regret not getting the taters; another thing they are known for.  Aside from Clay and Marcia who also called it at ten, Ryan and Tory decidedly burned the candle at both ends, while I embarked on a phone date with my hun back home. I was thoroughly excited to sleep in on Saturday. Ryan made a tasty breakfast and then Marcia came over and joined me and my friend Patricia and her kiddo Quinn for a nice walk around Lake Harriet to catch up on yet another spectacular sunny day. Afterward, Ryan and I went to dinner at Joe’s Garage, a staple for me in my old hood and then I dropped him at a hip hop concert before calling it a night. Usually, when working a nine to five, Sunday blues creep in, but I think we debunked that norm with the full day we had. After brunch at Bad Waitress, we finally went grocery shopping at the Wedge, stopped at Liberty Custard and then met up with Marcia for dinner at Psycho Suzie’s for what I would say might just be my favorite pizza of all time. Love the tiki style patio and gritty staff too.

On Monday, I met up with Rob, Robert, Jessica and Scott for some Italiano in uptown and it was so great to see them all in the same space.  Jessica, a brave pioneer in the culinary world, without batting an eye, ordered squid ink infused pasta with sea urchins. Rock on, ultimate foodie friend of mine. Her courage in food is inspiring! On Tuesday, I went to my favorite favorite favorite restaurant in the twin cities, French Meadow with Marcia for some much needed girl time. We used to regularly enjoy our little dates there, often after Pilates, with a half-priced bottle of wine and a decadent dessert. I had the most incredible meal; house made organic butternut squash gnocchi with wild mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, garlic and organic arugula. It was amazing! I have no words to really describe. AND, it was actually a vegan meal and my favorite out of everything I had my whole trip there. French Meadow never disappoints. On Wednesday, Ryan and I ate at Victor’s Café 1959, a local Cuban favorite in his hood. It was my first experience with Cuban food and particularly with plantains. It was a wonderful meal in a charming atmosphere, with walls coated in testimonials to Victor’s, to love, dedications and tongue-in-cheek comments.  On Thursday, I wanted to take Tom out to celebrate his MFA and so we went to a place I had wanted to try called Barbette. I was surprised to find that it wasn’t really as great as I had hoped it would be, but we then went to Sebastian Joe’s for some ice cream after, which made up. Being the last night in the twin cities and everyone wanting to do seven million different things, I was worried my tired ass was not going to be able to keep up so I was more than thrilled when it ended up being an amazing low-key night with Marcia and Ryan. After I got back to Ryan’s, Pete and I had another walk together on a warm spring night. Afterward, Ryan, Marcia and I had an incredible meal, with fantastic wine, champaign and dessert at Corner Table. It was a wonderful way to spend my last night.  On Saturday, we went to Rudolph’s, the most celebrated BBQ place in the twin cities before rushing to catch my flight, for brunch. Weird to have brunch at a BBQ place, but it was on the corner of where I used to live so a staple in my eating repertoire. The cornbread never disappoints.

So, that wrapped up my two weeks in Minneapolis. I had a chance to see all of my friends, enjoy some of my favorite food and lake spots and get some work done. I don’t think this would have been possible if my mom wasn’t in Portland visiting and could stay with my pups while I was away. So, thanks again Mom for being such a trooper and taking the reigns while I was back to the grind. And, as a token of gratitude, my amazingly talented and wonderful friend and colleague Jessica made some incredible thank you gifts for those that were so sweet to let me go. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and inspired creative soul, Jess! More pics are in my craft set on flickr.

And, thank you for being such an incredible host, Ryan. I really hope this means that I don’t have to wait a couple years to repay the kindness with a visit to my world in Portland.  Gratitude abounds to all of my friends who made my visit as amazing as it was. I really enjoyed seeing you and hope that you all plan on a visit westward soon!