Old Lunch Digest: University of Minnesota Libraries tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009-06-30:/heinz062/old//8037 2011-03-01T20:26:01Z Looking to try a new lunch spot? Want to rave about the best coffee in town? You can do all of that here! If you're not already an author, send an e-mail to heinz062@umn.edu to get author rights, or ask me to post your comment! Movable Type Enterprise 4.31-en St Martin's Table, K-Wok on Riverside: closed? tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2011:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.278170 2011-03-01T20:24:48Z 2011-03-01T20:26:01Z Recently St. Martin's Table closed its doors. Apparently K-Wok has closed as well.... s-gang Recently St. Martin's Table closed its doors. Apparently K-Wok has closed as well.

]]> Tea House tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.249176 2010-09-22T19:36:35Z 2010-09-22T19:42:00Z I got a strong recommendation from Meghan Lafferty (Chemistry Librarian) for Tea House, which just opened up a new location at 2425 University Ave, near Caspian Bistro. Here's a taste to whet your imagination: Scallion pancakes Family Tofu Rice Bowl... admin I got a strong recommendation from Meghan Lafferty (Chemistry Librarian) for Tea House, which just opened up a new location at 2425 University Ave, near Caspian Bistro. Here's a taste to whet your imagination:

  • Scallion pancakes
  • Family Tofu Rice Bowl
  • Szechuan Tofu
  • Spicy Bamboo Tips

They're open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and take out!
http://www.ourteahouse.com/


View Larger Map

]]> Tofu House tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.246244 2010-08-26T17:16:57Z 2010-08-26T17:29:50Z Tofu House, the newest edition to the restaurants at Oak and Washington, gave me a great first impression! Most of the items on the menu are combinations of tofu and meat, but they made mine vegetarian by request. In just... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu Tofu House, the newest edition to the restaurants at Oak and Washington, gave me a great first impression! Most of the items on the menu are combinations of tofu and meat, but they made mine vegetarian by request. In just a few minutes, they brought out my piping-hot Curry Tofu with potatoes and carrots along with a bowl of rice and four delicious appetizers: a spicy, fresh cucumber and onion dish, some spicy cabbage dish, bean sprouts and carrots that had a hint of peanut, and something as yet unknown but delicious. Combining these dishes in different ways kept my tongue guessing, and I was altogether very impressed for $7.99.

]]> the Pagoda Dinkytown tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.183114 2009-06-10T21:08:30Z 2009-06-30T19:20:55Z I recently had lunch with the Science & Engineering Reference unit at the Pagoda in Dinkytown (http://www.pagodadinkytown.com/) and I loved it! Highlights: Lunch specials: generous portions for $5.95Large round tables with "Lazy Susan" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazy_Susan) make it easy for groups of... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu I recently had lunch with the Science & Engineering Reference unit at the Pagoda in Dinkytown (http://www.pagodadinkytown.com/) and I loved it! Highlights:
  • Lunch specials: generous portions for $5.95
  • Large round tables with "Lazy Susan" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazy_Susan) make it easy for groups of 10 or less
  • tasty food!
  • great options for herbivores and omnivores alike

Check it out! 1417 4th St Se Minneapolis, MN

~Charlie

]]> Mapps Coffee & Tea tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.183112 2009-06-10T20:59:52Z 2009-06-10T21:16:55Z Mapps Coffee & Tea: 1810 Riverside Ave. Named Best Coffeehouse by Citypages in 2007. All of you in Wilson who are looking for a caffeine fix since Dunn Bros. is closed for the summer should try Mapps Coffee & Tea.... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu Mapps Coffee & Tea: 1810 Riverside Ave. Named Best Coffeehouse by Citypages in 2007.

All of you in Wilson who are looking for a caffeine fix since Dunn Bros. is closed for the summer should try Mapps Coffee & Tea. It is in the same building as KFAI, so it is probably one of your closest good coffee choices. The food is nothing to write home about (very simple: sandwiches and muffins) but the star is their coffee and tea. For instance, they make their own chai, from scratch. It is spicy and sweet, made with real spices and milk and tea...not a concentrate! Also, they have some specialty lattes: my favorite is the Cinnamon latte. They use cinnamon flavored chips in the drink, so it is a bit like having dessert, but it is really tasty. The staff there is warm and friendly, and usually it is the one of the owners behind the counter. The owners are Yildiz and Erdoan Akguc, according to City Pages (see URL below). They also have free Wi-fi and a wonderfully open, sunlit space that is really nice to just get away to for a few minutes while you pick up your coffee. They don't appear to have their own website, but here is a review from Citypages about them with their address and phone number:
http://www.citypages.com/bestof/2007/award/best-coffeehouse-70048/

Enjoy! Joy Reitmeier

]]> Chai's Thai Restaurant tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.181752 2009-05-28T21:03:54Z 2009-05-28T21:06:08Z Meghan in Sci/Eng recommended Chai's Thai Restaurant. I'll dine in sometime and blog about my experience afterwards! http://chaisthai.com/map.htm... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu Meghan in Sci/Eng recommended Chai's Thai Restaurant. I'll dine in sometime and blog about my experience afterwards!

http://chaisthai.com/map.htm

]]> 4. Gardens of Salonica tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.179108 2009-05-04T13:46:49Z 2009-05-04T19:41:35Z Several years ago, I almost ate myself to death at Gardens of Salonica. Only recently have I been able to venture in there again. And already after a few years hiatus, I've picked up the habit of stopping in once... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu Several years ago, I almost ate myself to death at Gardens of Salonica. Only recently have I been able to venture in there again. And already after a few years hiatus, I've picked up the habit of stopping in once a week for pickled octopus with pita. Like for instance last night, I walked in and had my plate of what I would LIKE to call "kalamari with a kick" -- except octopus is octopus and calamari is squid, ie, calamari is squid. Then I got myself out of there by promising that if I went home I could have blueberry pie with that Stonybrook Farms Whole-milk French vanilla yogurt on top.

[Sigh!] It's never enough!

gs

]]> 3. Red Stag tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.179107 2009-05-04T13:45:02Z 2009-05-04T14:37:29Z Red Stag-- great steak, disgustingly high price. And I can't stand snooty wait staff; I mean at the Red Stag they're nice, but why do I get the feeling that they are always ready to start pouting, like I'm an... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu Red Stag-- great steak, disgustingly high price. And I can't stand snooty wait staff; I mean at the Red Stag they're nice, but why do I get the feeling that they are always ready to start pouting, like I'm an over paid bankster and I'm going to throw a bailout tantrum or start a food fight or something? Maybe their underwear is a little too tight,... or lacy... Don't get me wrong, this doesn't happen just at Red Stag; it happens at any restaurant where the main courses are above $15. If you go into a good restaurant with reasonable prices, you get served by waits who like the food, and they probably aren't abused. Much better atmosphere.

Again, don't get me wrong. The food was good, and I'd go again....if someone else pays. Maybe you can get some TARP funds?

]]> 2. Obento-ya tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.179106 2009-05-04T13:42:34Z 2009-05-04T14:36:55Z 2. Recently I've taken up a regular sushi habit by stopping at Obento-ya one or two times over the weekend. Late on Sunday afternoon, it makes an especially nice pause after a long drawing class at The Atelier. (By the... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu 2.
Recently I've taken up a regular sushi habit by stopping at Obento-ya one or two times over the weekend. Late on Sunday afternoon, it makes an especially nice pause after a long drawing class at The Atelier. (By the way, The Atelier's yearly full-time student show is coming up during Art-A-Whirl, May 15th, 16th and 17th).

Obento-ya is now open on Sunday's at 5:00 - 7:00(?) and during that happy hour, they have a salmon role for about $3.00 each (6 pc). If you need more, the
sushi bowl for about 11. is great.

If your first course doesn't fill you up you can either get a robata or two
to top it off or a mushi(?) ball (rice paste covered little ice cream ball). I've only
had one or two of their full dinners, the result of which was that both times I was
wishing I could do a full dinner more often.

]]> 1. Starbucks (Radisson Metrodome) tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.179104 2009-05-04T13:39:54Z 2009-05-04T13:42:16Z I regularly tease the baristas and the manager at the Starbucks (at Radisson Metrodome) with my perverse ideas for new items to market. When Peter Mendalson made his colorful retort to Starbuck's CEO Howard Schultz a few months ago,... http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/18/peter-mandelson-starbucks... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu I regularly tease the baristas and the manager at the Starbucks (at Radisson Metrodome) with my perverse ideas for new items to market. When Peter Mendalson made his colorful retort to Starbuck's CEO Howard Schultz a few months ago,...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/18/peter-mandelson-starbucks
... I suggested they put it on a paper cup, as the thought for the day. They loved my suggestion and laughed heartily. Would they pass it along? (Response: "YOU HAVE GOT to be kidding!") More recently, I suggested that they ought to start a new drink for me: Chili Chai Mocha. (Don't think "Chili Cheeze hot dog" at the same time you consider this or you could gross yourself out.) Anyway, I know the shot of white chocolate with the soy chai works well -- I just haven't had the nerve to walk in with a "picolo" sized shaker of McCormick's chili powder and say "Here! Do it!."

But I'll get around to one of these days.

~George

]]> Crescent Moon tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.179103 2009-05-04T13:38:02Z 2009-05-04T13:39:48Z This isn't nearly as convenient as Heavenly Daze, but it's moved in from NE Minneapois, so it's better than it was: In SE Como (any #3 bus) at 15th and Como is a new branch of Crescent Moon, which is... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu This isn't nearly as convenient as Heavenly Daze, but it's moved in from NE Minneapois, so it's better than it was:

In SE Como (any #3 bus) at 15th and Como is a new branch of Crescent Moon, which is a NE Minneapolis place. (Bus riders, get off at the 15th & Como intersection and walk across the street.)

Their first shop is in NE Minneapolis, where it's gotten good reviews in MM, Citipages, MSP and other restaurant rating columns. The last review I read was "Ought to be famous"

Crescent Moon is vaguely Afghani, but one of their signature dishes is "football pizza" I am in love with their gyros! -- totally unlike the Mediterranean-influenced gyros I've had other places around town. I'll keep going to Zakias, Dinos and Holy Land, but the gyros at Crescent Moon are in a different category. The gyros are closer to a "steak sandwich" if steak sandwiches came with beautifully seasoned and tender meat, perfectly cooked (and mostly, they do not come that way).

Here's the review page
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/29/330971/restaurant/Twin-Cities/Northeast-Minneapolis/Crescent-Moon-Bakery-Minneapolis

What works for libraries: very generous servings, and they have a "feeds twelve" for $140 take-out that looks like a very good deal. Full price for that would be $170 That one is all kabobs, tikkas, Kourrma and suchlike, generous servings, by my book.

Pizzas start at $6.99 for a small, plus 99 cent additional toppings. I noticed in the window they have a 6" pizza special for $3.99--I think. Check that before you chase it, it might be $4.99.

All meat is hallal, and the pepperoni is actually beef. The lamb, though, is the star of the show as far as I'm concerned.

~Emilie

]]> Heavenly Daze Coffee Shop tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.179102 2009-05-04T13:37:05Z 2009-05-04T13:37:57Z Hi All, Not to sound too much like an advertisement, but since we're talking food, you may want to check out Heavenly Daze coffee shop some Monday morning. On MONDAYS only , they offer a free (large) muffin with any... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu Hi All,
Not to sound too much like an advertisement, but since we're talking food, you may want to check out Heavenly Daze coffee shop some Monday morning.
On MONDAYS only , they offer a free (large) muffin with any coffee drink purchased (while the muffin supply lasts). Also do very nice soup and sandwiches for lunch.
I was talking with the owner today when I was there for lunch... He is thinking of selling the business, since sales have been way down for them, for some time.
This is sad since it's a very nice place on the West bank and locally-owned.

They are on the corner of 19th Ave. and Washington: 1853 Washington Ave. (across from the old Grandma's)

~ Sally

]]> Recipes for Swedish Meatballs / gravy tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2009:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.161784 2009-01-13T18:29:49Z 2009-01-26T19:34:29Z SWEDISH GRANDMA! In this Swedish grandmother's recipe, the gravy ingredients are mixed with 3 lbs. of ground beef or beef/pork mixture at the beginning of the process: 2-3 tsp salt 1/2 - 3/4 tsp ground pepper 1 1/2 tsp ground... s-gang SWEDISH GRANDMA!
In this Swedish grandmother's recipe, the gravy ingredients are mixed with 3 lbs. of ground beef or beef/pork mixture at the beginning of the process:

2-3 tsp salt
1/2 - 3/4 tsp ground pepper
1 1/2 tsp ground allspice
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 1/2 Tablespoons dry onion flakes
2/3 cup fine cracker crumbs
2 eggs, beaten

Mix all ingredients together and form into 1 1/2" diameter meatballs. Brown in a greased, hot frying pan, turning frequently. Add hot water to loosen the pan drippings and pour over meat balls in a casserole dish. Bake, covered, 30-40 min. at 325 F. Remove liquid from the casserole, thicken it into gravy, and pour over meatballs.
--John G-L


WAKE UP AND SMELL THE GRAVY!
I make a huge batch, so I don't have measurements for a regular-sized batch. I suggest a white gravy. Start it like a white sauce with a paste of melted butter and flour. Add beef broth, but heat it first to help avoid lumps. When sauce begins to thicken, add whole milk and a little cream, pinch of nutmeg and - the secret - just a scant 1/2 teaspoon of coffee. (That's a reduced guestimate for a small batch)

Enjoy!
--Linnea A.

YAH SURE, YOU BETCHA!
I fully agree with Linnea's suggestions. The nutmeg and coffee are critical ingredients.
-- Connie H.

Here's a meatballs recipe with coffee that I plan to test

]]> Jewel of India - West Bank tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2008:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.148974 2008-10-15T19:37:10Z 2009-06-12T13:46:48Z The other weekend I had an amazing meal [Malai Kofta] at the Jewel of India, a small restaurant on Seven Corners (West Bank, near the Law School). A wide selection of Indian cuisine and vegetarian-friendly! Apparently they have a lunch... Charlie Heinz http://sciweb.lib.umn.edu The other weekend I had an amazing meal [Malai Kofta] at the Jewel of India, a small restaurant on Seven Corners (West Bank, near the Law School). A wide selection of Indian cuisine and vegetarian-friendly! Apparently they have a lunch buffet too; I'm planning on checking that out sometime.

http://www.jewelofindia.net/

]]> Bulldog (northeast) tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2008:/heinz062/lunchdigest//8037.146020 2008-10-01T20:39:08Z 2011-07-25T12:23:29Z Grab a tall chair or sit outside. Watch the game on TV (if you must) - but no matter where you sit the food is tasty and inexpensive. I'm talking about the Bulldog. Check it out, dude. I hear it... s-gang Grab a tall chair or sit outside. Watch the game on TV (if you must) - but no matter where you sit the food is tasty and inexpensive. I'm talking about the Bulldog. Check it out, dude. I hear it gets busy at night, especially before the games, but for lunch it's a great spot if you have a few minutes to get there and back. Service is friendly and fast. (oh, and if you do go over there after work, they have a lot of beers to choose from).

]]>