Well, I am still in Minnesota eating, drinkin' wine, and researching and writing my business plan. It's kind of weird not really having a formal job, waking up when I want, working when I want, doing what I want! It's exciting, except small anxiety's over money which doesn't really concern me that much anyway. As long a I am a few steps away from the gutter I think I am fine!
I've heard from many of you, begging and pleading with me for a new post (haha)! Here it is.
I have been in Minnesota for about a week and yes it is cold but not as cold as it will get. As a matter of fact, it was 60 degrees today. To give you an idea of what my research consists of....
Tuesday, I met up with a friend who had the day off so we decided to check out what St. Paul, MN had to offer. We started out for a brewery tour at Summit Brewery (Summit Brewing). Anybody that goes to a brewery tour is there to drink some beer and learn a little bit about the company. The tour accomplished this... but went a little overboard with... "this is how the beer is stacked in the warehouse, this is how a beer is kept cool." After smelling fresh beer in a brewery for 2 hours by the end I was just itching, nay, going nuts to try their beer. Does this mean I am an alcoholic? That I drink at noon, jonesin' for it when I smell it, and think about drinking it the whole time during the tour.... hmm.... I don't think so, others may, ha! Anyways, it was a nice tour just a little too long, the beer was awesome. Flavorful, unique, a great American craft brewery for sure. I tried the Pilsener, Red Ale, and Winter Ale all of which were great. They are known for their Extra Pale Ale but as contested by my friend Phil, we can get that at any bar so he advised me to try the other beers which again were great. Other venerable micro breweries I enjoy, Bell's Brewery (Bells Beer), Michigan, my favorite: Oberon, Lake Front Brewery (Lakefront Brewery), Wisconsin, my favorite: Riverwest (I'll probably be there next Friday, they have an awesome fish fry!), and Lagunitas Brewing Company (Lagunitas), California, my favorite: Hop Stoopid. I highly recommend beers from all four of these places, super good, if you don't like I'll buy you a beer next time I see you! ha.
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| Kegsssss! |
After the brewery tour and beer, Phil and I were super hungry, and I had asked him, "Whats a place in the Twin Cities that you have to go to, or what is the place where if you visit here, everyone says, oh you have to eat at XX." Phil couldn't think of anything at first and then, after a few beers to stimulate the brain it came to him... Cossetta's! After walking in, my eyes and stomach just lit up! As you can probably guess by the name, it's Italian, and man it was amazing. They had a pizza section, hot foods section with all of your Italian classics, and a sandwich area hot or cold. I went with a prosciutto and provolone on Italian bread with homemade Italian dressing and a little mayo, it was so good, hands down, the best sandwich I ever ate! It also came with a little thing of potato salad, and I also got a cup of soup, and a glass of Chianti! If you thought that sounds good, they also have an Italian store connected to the restaurant where you can get fresh pasta, sauces, and cured meats!!!!! I think after France in June, its Italy next!
After that was said and done, it was time for more eating. After "work hours" (which don't apply to me at the moment) I went over to Amore Victoria (Amore Victoria) in Uptown, Minneapolis to meet up with my girlfriend and her cousin for happy hour. The place was really old school Italy inside, reminds me of many of the little charming Italian restaurants in Manhattan. Food was okay, we just had some appetizers which were way too salty (Bruscetta, Spinach Dip, and a little pizza), the company was much better! The location and the interior were the highlights, I want to go back and give them another chance with dinner and supposedly they have a "wine cellar" for dining and entertaining which I really want to see.
Wednesday, We headed to Loring Kitchen and Bar (Loring Kitchen & Bar) for dinner with friends, located in Loring Park in downtown Minnesota. For me, the most interesting part of the night was the wine. I started the evening with a glass of 2008 Domaine Daulny, Sancerre (Loire Valley (Loire Valley), France). I couldn't remember what type of grape is used in Sancerre so it was kind of fun trying to figure out what it was. This is what descriptors were running through my head, the wine had qualities of both chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, it was crisp, refreshing, citric, green apple, minerally, balanced, and finally yummmm! It's looks to be pretty affordable too, $20 or so bucks retail.
After that beautiful white, we selected a 2008 Caldora Montepulciano D'Abruzzo from Italy for dinner. Smooth, velvety, red berry, licorice, hints of chocolate, vanilla. I won't tell you what I paid but I will give you a hint, retail it looks like its about 12 bucks retail and what I paid and what it is worth is much much more. If you can find this wine for under 20 bucks, I highly recommend it. Until my next post.... Live Life!!!
"No nation is drunken where wine is cheap, and none sober where the dearness of wine substitutes ardent spirits as the common beverage" - Thomas Jefferson
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