Seaside Beach, Seaside, CA

If you happen to travel from the Midwest to CA for work and find yourself up about two hours early each morning, a good way to use the time would be to walk a few blocks from your hotel to the beach. I planned this exciting excursion and made it happen the last day of the trip. Especially since I'd never been in any ocean... some "world traveler" I am.

The Flora:

The fauna-less beaches:

Downtown Monterey way over...there...

My own footprints, not sure bare feet were the best plan, but once numb they were fine

Lots of motion from the ocean this day...

I presume these were Jesus' footprints... he wears running shoes now

Barrio, St. Paul, MN

I'd go back in for their happy hour in a second. The food choices we made were delicious. The drinks were fair for an upscale Mexican-themed joint (e.g. they use orange soda in their sangria (?)).

A Mexican twist on BBQ'd pork sliders - delicious!

All Chocolate Kitchen, Geneva, IL

This is a not-to-be-missed place to get your sweet tooth fix in the western Chicagoland hamlet of Geneva, IL (not to be confused with the WI resort community of Lake Geneva). It seems the driving force of this establishment, without a doubt, is Chef Alain Roby - a world famous and renowned pasty, chocolate, and sugar expert.

We stopped in for $10 gellato pints, but they have something for all sweet teeth.

We chose "Cool Mont" and "Cookies n' Cream". The latter was out of this world.

Easily some of the prettiest truffles I've ever seen.

 

They have a pretty "sweet" tree sculpture in the middle of the place, made of chocolate. It's quite the sight, but not for eating... I learned the hard way and then they pointed out the sign below. Whoops!

Pics Download: Madison, WI

Terzo / T3RZO Vino Bar, Minneapolis, MN, again...

... you may recall from previous posts (HERE and HERE) that I've been here before. Well, it was high-time I brought other people, so I gathered 3 more folks and went all-in for dinner. It was great.

Seriously, GO!

Best "corn dog" I ever ate - their "taste of the day" for $1

Their take on the deviled egg, with sage and wrapped in proscuitto

Beets, beets, beets...

And we split the steak entree... very good!

Groundswell, St. Paul, MN

It seems like this is the perfect breakfast/coffee/lunch/dinner/drinks/gathering space for this out-of-the-way neighborhood. And it's not that out of the way, just a few blocks up from the Hamline Green Line lightrail stop and you're there. I'd suggest it on a Saturday morning for breakfast/brunch.

All the food looked delicious and everything we ate was delicious. I'd go back in a heartbeat, no question. I could also see myself going there all the time if I lived in the neighborhood, partly as there didn't' seem to be much else around, but mostly b/c it has wonderfully friendly staff, great options, and a very mellow vibe (plus WiFi).

Lots of locally made items to browse and buy while you dine. And speaking of dine...

They had me at "bacon".

Favorite tea of mine - "Evening in Missoula"

Vegan Banana Loaf, really good!

The Purse Pal - Help my idea come to fruition.

Have you heard of Quirky? If you haven't, it's an invention website that helps people bring their ideas to market. You can view my recent submission and "like it" if you think it has merit.

Goto:
http://www.quirky.com/invent/1642730/action/vote/query/view=trending&categories=all

Chia Pod Oats Banana & Mango Breakfast Cereal

If I have the time & money, I really like shopping at WholeFoods. You can take your time browsing the aisles for new finds (stick to the outer border for the healthiest options though), after all that's what they want you to do.

A recent trip was no different and I spotted high up in the yogurt section a heat n' serve breakfast option loaded with the new super food, chia seeds. I had to try it and I was glad I did as it proved a delicious way to start the day.

I will say, it's a daring feat to put chia seeds and cold oats in a see-through container, as it always just looks like mush, but the taste was easily 10 times better than the look. And I suppose they have to show you what it looks like before you buy it or you'd be horrified when you open it at home.

It even comes with this clever, and 100% recyclable, spoon in the lid of the container. They seem to have thought this one through on a number of levels.

The Freehouse, Minneapolis ("North Loop"), MN

Go check this place out if you like small batch beers and good food in your face. I believe this place has taken over what was once and architectural office, that also seems to share a building with condo owners. The restaurant group also owns and runs places like, Edina Grill, Longfellow Grill, The Lowry, and Groveland Tap. So, if you like those places, and some home-brewed beers, I'd say chances are good you'd like Freehouse.

We tried five of the beers (choosing from three different glass sizes, pony, middy, and pint) and had two of their "jar" plates; one hummus and one smoked fish dip. All the beers and both the dishes were very good (we were not big fans of their "jar" idea for service, kinda clunky in execution). Service was also very friendly, courteous, and prompt.

I'd have written more, but the weather's too nice to be writing blog posts. In fact, we sat outside on their fair-sized patio and enjoyed the sun this day too.

Union Depot, St. Paul, MN

I don't know why it took me so long to actually go into this building, it's just awesome. They've tried to save all the things that make it an original building, and then put new-cool stuff in like this artwork hanging on the ceiling...

Can you see the swimmers?

Portrait view...

As far as I can tell, each "dot" is an actual LED light bulb

EastLake Brewery, Minneapolis, MN

If you have even a little bit of time this spring and summer, perhaps jumping off the greenway during a ride, you should check out the Midtown Global Market's newest heavy-weight, EastLake Brewery. 

They have a number of their own brews on tap (duh!), and also offer delivered foods from the market via four vendors. I believe you could also just walk out and grab your own. This makes for a nice way to enjoy some new beers and new foods, with a minimum of fuss. 

I believe we tried the porter on offer, it was good. Glugg glugg.

Retry: The Blue Door, St. Paul, MN

After a nudge from a good friend, I decided it was time to "retry" this relatively famous burger joint. The first visit was much much less than ideal, but for a burger, and most things, I'll try anything twice.

Luckily, this visit was much different than the first. The service was quite helpful, letting us pick the Cajun tots; the food was much better, down right tasty; the drinks were flowing; and the company was excellent.

"Breakfast Blucy" with Cajun-spiced tater-tots - Amen!

I would go back for a third trip, and if you haven't been, go for your first.

Cheese-filled burger patty, American cheese on top, bacon, an egg, and pickles - delicioso!