We're in the big time now!
You know things are going well when your food scene is featured in the NY Times. Wolfgang Puck gets the starring role, but personally I think Brenda Langton, who's quoted at the end, is the better representative of what's best in the cities. It has been striking how the local restaurant/food scene has grown even in my five years here. The Mill City Farmer's Market, which opened last year, is a definite highlight for me. For size, it's nothing compared to Minneapolis' main market, and smaller than St. Paul's as well. But for atmosphere, I've never seen anything better (though my experience isn't that broad). There's cooking demonstrations and a nice community vibe. And selection is good as well.