Restaurants

the best bread in minneapolis

February 25, 2011

There are some things I love to eat more than anything else; foods and dishes that get me pausing, closing my eyes, savouring. Good bread is one of them.

Nothing is finer to me than a great loaf of bread, sliced up and eaten with butter and cheese, or good olive oil. Throw in a bottle of wine and some of my favourite people and the picture is pretty much perfect.

When I first moved to the States, I have to say that I had a hard time with bread. I wish I knew what the elemental difference is but bread here tastes sweet and that’s something I had never experienced before and did not particularly enjoy. I got used to it, because palates and taste buds adapt but I still longed for the fully savoury, truly wheaty taste of European bread.

Luckily, having lived here and explored for a few years, I’ve found bread that I like. I’ve also happened upon some bread that I love so much it’s worth sharing with you here and that bread is from Rustica.

Rustica bakery makes some dang good bread. Their levain loaf is the best dunked in hot soups; their baguettes have just the right texture (crunchy on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside) that so many others lack; their multigrain tastes so perfect with rich butter and cheese. I could go on…

I’ve been buying those loaves on occasion from my my local co-op for a while but I’ve never actually been to the bakery itself until now. So, for the love of bread (and blogging), I popped over there this week during lunch to take some photos and buy some of their beautiful goods.

For a mid-week afternoon, Rustica was pretty bumping but their lovely staff were more than happy for me to take some pictures and nose around.

Best discoveries about Rustica?

Their chocolate croissants. They have the exact buttery-ness that you would hope for, are completely messy and flaky, and have the perfect little rectangles of chocolate wedged throughout them. All in the name of blogging…

My second favourite discovery was that they serve Dogwood coffee.

Dogwood happens to be some of my favourite coffee in the city. Hallelujah to good partnerships.

Are you passionate about bread? I’d love to hear about your favourite loaf or bakery – and hope I you’ll try some of Rustica’s bread/baked goods if you can!

For more on Rustica, check out the Perennial Plate and Daniel Klein’s video from Episode 43.

Rustica Bakery
3220 West Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55416
612.822.1119

lucia’s to-go

February 9, 2011

Yesterday was one of those below zero fahrenheit days where you can feel your nose hairs freezing. I know, I’m lovely, aren’t I?

It was also insanely bright and sunny. The sky always looks so, so blue when it’s cold like that. It makes Minnesota winters bearable to me.

It’s becoming a habit of mine on these ultra cold days to walk the one-and-a-half blocks to Lucia’s To-Go at lunchtime and warm up with a bowl of their vegan three bean chili, a big hunk of fresh bread and some salad.

The only thing I wish is that I had all my best girl friends with me to huddle over coffees and cookies. Yes, I am a big girl and no, I don’t care.

These chocolate sea salt cookies were the inspiration for my own version by the way! They’re ever so dark and rich, although I’ve realised mine are more sea-salty and I must say, I’m a big fan of that.

Don’t you just love lunches out? They’re my favourite!

p.s. did you catch the comments on my last post? I love reading about everyone’s weeks!

Chocolate cookies with sea salt are also a below-zero essential – these were the inspiration for my own version by the way! They’re ever so dark and rich, although I’ve realised mine are more sea-salty and I must say, I’m a big fan of that.

a winter jaunt in chicago

December 10, 2010

I had the chance to go to Chicago for a couple of days last week – the first time I’ve been there in the Winter. It was glorious and more filled with fantastic food experiences than ever before.

I’ve made it a habit to go to Chicago every Summer since I moved here. I love that Chicago is a city of neighbourhoods; it reminds me of London in that way. They all have their own personalities and unique charms. Definitely one of those cities that I always leave thinking, “Yep, I could live here”.

This Summer, for whatever reasons, Dan and I didn’t make it so I was thrilled to be able to take a little trip by my lonesome. Here are some highlights.

Hopleaf

I got to drink some awesome beer at the Hopleaf in Andersonville, recommended to me by several folks on Twitter and Facebook and it didn’t disappoint.

It’s my favourite kind of place to drink in – lots of janky small wooden tables and chairs, several gnarly wooden booths, and plenty of twists, turns and winding staircases. It’s fun, warm, and welcoming.

The beer selection was so mammoth that it took me fifteen minutes and two tasters to decide what I wanted – a lovely white Belgian beer. I’m told they also serve great Belgian food (and the pomme frites looked and smelled so bloody good) but I had other plans that my appetite could not be spoiled for.

Anteprima

I wish I had a decent picture of Anteprima, although there are a couple on their web site. If you’re in the Andersonville area you should really check this place out. It’s an unassuming little Italian restaurant that has a real neighbourhood feel to it. Being alone, I sat at the bar and enjoyed every second of it – sometimes I really like to do that rather than be part of the formal dining room.

I only have this one photo to share of what was the best cocktail I’ve had in a long time.

That, friends, is absolut citron, limoncello and crystallized sugar rim, shaken til frigid. I still can’t believe that’s all there was to it. I sat there, taking in the restaurant, the menu, and the people until I was super tipsy and ready to eat.

And the food? Simply put: divine. I ate orecchiette with spicy, house made lamb sausage, bitter greens, chilis, and pecorino. I can’t begin to tell you how good it was. Spicy beyond belief but in a great way that wasn’t just for spice’s sake. It made my nose run and I think I drank three glasses of water as I ate…but I still say in a good way! The lamb sausage was just out of this world and perfect with the little plump orrechiette pasta.

I’d go again in a second, preferably with a handsome husband in tow. Or some lovely lady friends. I suggest you do too.

Floriole

The morning after my orecchiette love affair, I got up bright and early and left my hotel to find breakfast at Floriole. I’ve been wanting to go ever since hearing Tim from Lottie + Doof just rave about the place.

I got there cold and frankly starving so I’m not sure that rust wouldn’t have tasted good but my coffee and warm ham and cheese croissant were just outstanding.

It may not look like much, but take a closer look at the croissant:

That thick ham had a rich, deep, smoky flavour and there was just enough cheese to compliment everything else. Perfect, buttery loveliness.

The place has a kind of utilitarian style but still manages to feel so warm and welcoming. The staff were just lovely as well and it was cool being able to see the bakery in action through the glass paneled wall in the back. I wish this was my local coffee shop. Sigh.

xoco

And finally, on this jam-packed trip of food highlights, I made a stop at XOCO – Rick Bayless’s restaurant – where I queued for 25 minutes for a sandwich. I haven’t queued that long for a sarnie since I was at university and we use to stand in line forever to get a giant bacon bap. Glory days.

XOCO only serves tortas during the first part of the day. Caldos get added after 3pm but that’s as in-depth a menu as you’re going to get.

I plumped for the Pepito – braised tallgrass short ribs, caramelized onion, artisan Jack cheese, black beans, pickled jalapenos. It was pretty stellar as sandwiches go and perfectly complimented by the spicy salsa it came with.

And the waiting? Really not that bad. I think I’d just rather come earlier in the day next time and with someone (their solo seating leaves a bit to be desired) with whom I could share some of their famous churros and chocolate sauce. I was just too plain full to manage it but I’m told it’s out of this world.

**Thanks to everyone who entered the cookbook giveaway! A winner has been chosen using random.org and that person is Elizabeth S. (@ManhttnFoodProj) who entered on Twitter. Congratulations, Elizabeth! Go ahead and email me your full name, a shipping address, phone number and which book you’d like from the list! **

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