A European Holiday

Spanish cuisine is heavily influenced by seafood but varies depending on region. Food along the Mediterranean coast features rice-based dishes like paella and cold soups like gazpacho. Along the Atlantic coast to the north, vegetable and fish stews are served. Finally, inner Spain is known for their hot, thick soups.

Although I can't, in good conscience, discourage you from getting paella, I'll be having the tapas. The word "tapas" is derived from the Spanish verb tapar, meaning "to cover." The serving of tapas is designed to encourage conversation because people are not so focused upon eating an entire meal that is set before them. The origin, however, is debated. According to Wikipedia legend, the tradition began when King Alfonso X of Castile recovered from an illness by drinking wine with small dishes between meals. After regaining his health, Alf ordered that taverns serve a small snack with wine. Others claim the original tapas were slices of bread or meat used in Andalusian taverns to cover up glasses of sherry between sips to prevent fruit flies from hovering over (best run-on sentence ever).

To sample this Spanish cuisine, we'll stamp our passport at El Meson Spanish-Caribbean Bistro in South Minneapolis.

Friday, February 18th - 7:30 PM
El Meson Spanish-Caribbean Bistro
3450 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612.822.8062

We'll get there eventually...

The Great Wall of China will have to wait for another day! After some last minute changes, our new destination is Japan.

Mt. Fuji offers "traditional and French style sushi, tempura, teriyaki, noodles and rice, and hibachi entrees." In a City Pages review, the owner describes French style sushi as a "fusion approach to creating elaborate rolls topped with special sauces. Rolls might be stuffed with mango, wrapped in pink soybean paper, and decorated with intricate edible garnishes—one made from twisted daikon radish ribbons looked almost like a peony blossom."

We're still on for tonight @ 7:00 PM:

Mt. Fuji Restaurant
612.872.1778
2819 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55408