The Bachelor Farmer 1, Minneapolis, MN

There's been enough written about the place that I'm not sure what I could add, so the pics below will be my "review". I would like to note one thing I found at this reataurant that I have not seen done so well in any other Twin City establishment, that is, they just seem to have captured a great Scandinavian feel. And I don't mean like modern fixtures or all blond servers. I mean the experience at The Bachelor Farmer was friendly, warm, inviting, relaxed, and still special. It reminded me very much of trips to Stockholm and Lund, maybe even Copenhagen... and of course exactly like all my trips to IKEA (kidding on the last one). No matter, I believe it's this feel of the place that makes it special in the region and worth a trip for anyone.

A comforting, welcoming, Scandinavian front entrance

An inviting, empty yet perfectly appointed space welcomes anyone with the first seating time

You can usually get a peek into the kitchen from many angles too

And this is what people come for - gimme!

Sugar & Salt Cured Sockeye Salmon - wow, what a great summer dish.

My #1 entree of the night, fresh caught Cod with an eggplant puree, summer squash and haricot vert... like the best, not fried, fish stick you ever had. Really comforting, but light too.

The #4 entree for me (and we only had 3!)...Roasted Pork Leg with pork fat potatoes, heirlom broccoli and fresh soy beans. Too much of the protein was too tough to enjoy this dish enough, imo.

A strong #2 entree for me... Old Water Brisket with sweet corn and romano bean (?) sucotash. Very tender and flavorful while not being overly heavy, like a piece of brisket can be.

What? You have desserts? Ok, I'll take a peek at the menu, just in case...

One of the most fun desserts I've seen in a long while "Cake to Share". Easily one of the best serve-your-own strawberry shortcakes. And that little spatula - how cute!

Salted caramel-chocolate tart - good, but not quite what I had in mind when I saw the word "chocolate". I mean, I want lots of chocolate.

And have you ever gotten a little goodie bag at the end of the meal, to take home and enjoy later? This was a bag with two small "financier" cookies (yes, I had to look it up too). But after eating them I now know it's like the best little butter cookie crossed with a macaroon's texture you could ever eat. Bravo, TBF!

If you made it this far, please stay tuned for a special 2nd post tomorrow on this restaurant. I have something saved that I think you'll enjoy.

lazy sunny August day...

...everything in MN knows to get some sun while the getting's good...

 

Carver County Fair, Waconia, MN

So, I'm beginning to figure out how this summer fair season works...I believe the carnival employees and infrastructure has travelled from Delano 4th to Wright County to Carver County to who knows where...the next county fair? Maybe the state fair?
 

Here's some of the new items from Carver County:

 

I forget the name of these little guys/girls, but they were foreign and darn cute

 

 

Start that day off right with a gut-bomb! 

 

Why not? 

 

If you had a long night, why not curl up with your favorite bovine come mid-morning? They did look cozy... maybe a little too cozy...

 

How many states you got, yo?!

Just this past week, I was trying to recall how many US states I've been able to get to in my lifetime, and it prompted me to write them down (the ole memory isn't as sharp as it used to be). Here's my list so far (I ain't dead yet!). I'd like to say "in no particular order", but we all know that's not possible with me...

1. Illinois*
2. Wisconsin*
3. Minnesota*
4. Nebraska
5. Iowa
6. Indiana
7. Ohio
8. Michigan (Upper and Lower peninsulas)
9. Pennsylvania
10. West Virginia +
11. Kentucky +
12. Virginia
13. Maryland
15. Missouri
16. Texas
17. Oklahoma
18. Vermont
19. Rhode Island
20. Massachusetts
21. Connecticut
22. New York
23. Colorado
24. New Mexico
25. Arizona
26. Utah
27. California
28. Nevada
29. Idaho
30. North Carolina
31. Florida
32. Kansas
*official resident at one time or another
+ pretty sure, on a childhood vacation

Sorry, District of Columbia. Not all of these were for any extended stays or even overnights. I'm pretty Oklahoma was just as we drove through on a grad-school spring break, but I'll still count it.

Feel free to write your states or totals in the comments.

Wright County Fair, #2

When a coworker asked, "Do you wanna go to the demo derby?", I answered faster than a rattlesnake,  "Heck yes!"

 

It did not disappoint. The spectacle was a sight to behold, the crowd better than I could have hoped, and the noise coming out of the unmuffled cars was unrelenting.

 

This is how you wet down the track b/w heats... notice the high-tech human on/off switch for the water spout 

 

"Uhh, Sir, I think your car's on fire" 

 

"I get the way back!" 

 

  

I wanted to go left! 

 

This is the same car on fire above... you can see how cherry-red the exhaust pipes coming out of his hood are - yowza! 

 

Beautiful afternoon for some derby! 

 

Wright County Fair, #1

This small (in my mind) county fair was everything you could want and more. The pie eating contest (placed tied for 2nd) was worth the price of admission alone...and admission is like $3. The food vendors were numerous and somewhat inventive, a la "boar bites". And the entertainment was first class down home, home grown, honest to goodness, wholesome fun. Stay tuned...

 

 Lemon-squeezie is not optional. Get The Tanker... 64oz of refillable lemony goodness.

 

I never seen curly feathered pigeons before... 

 

... still kinda creepy... and still pigeons. 

 

Mmmmm, thirst-quenching! 

 

 

This was my downfall and also proudest achievement (at a county fair) 

 

the rolling hills of western iowa

First light makes it so right. Unlike other drives through this area, I was unable to capture any pics of the early morning mist, crowd-pleasing cloud-only, or windmills. Hopefully next time. The drive through the rolling farm hills is that much better for having these kinds of views. It might have been the only thing keeping me awake.