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Kurdtober Fest

This Friday, October 21st, we're heading to Babani's Kurdish Restaurant in St. Paul. When Babani's opened its doors in 1997, it became the first Kurdish restaurant in the United States. Kurdish food consists of a variety of fruits, vegetables, and meats (most commonly lamb or chicken) served with rice or flat bread.

According to the restaurant's website, Babani men are "known throughout the land for their patriotic sentiments, their fierce fighting habits and their sexual prowess." When the owner, Jamal, heard on the radio that women in Minnesota are "strong, blond, and beautiful," he headed to the Twin Cities. Rachel, here's your opportunity to land a Babani! ;)

So join us at 7:00 PM on Friday, October 21st @

Babani's Kurdish Restaurant
544 St. Peter St.
St. Paul, MN 55402
651.602.9964

Back in the Twin Cities...

This month we're globetrotting our way to El Salvador. Manana Restaurant y Pupuseria may be a small hole-in-the-wall in St. Paul, but the flavors are big and the price is right. Manana serves enchiladas, burritos, and horchata (a traditional drink), but the real gem is the pupusa.

Like many Salvadorian dishes, pupusas are made from maize. The corn tortillas are made from scratch - from the dining room you can hear the chef forming them in the kitchen - and are stuffed with cheese, meat, and beans. Don't forget the spicy coleslaw to finish the whole thing off!

Friday, September 30th @ 7:00 PM

Manana Restaurant y Pupuseria
651.793.8482
828 E 7th St.
St. Paul, MN 55106
[google map]

Live from Las Vegas, it's Twin Cities World Tour

In August, we took Twin Cities World Tour on the road to Sin City! For some "Bavarian flair" and authentic German food/drinks, we visited the Beer Garden at Hofbräuhaus. The beer hall is the first full-scale replica of the world famous hall in Munich, Germany. Founded by Wilhelm V, the Duke of Bavaria, in 1589, Hofbräuhaus München is one of Munich's oldest beer halls.

Hofbräuhaus has a rich history. The beer hall was frequented by Mozart in the late eighteenth century and Vladimir Lenin just before World War I, and 600,000 barrels of Hofbräuhaus beer saved the entire city from being burned to the ground by King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden in 1632. Moreover, it was often used by the Nazi Party to declare policies and hold functions. In 1920, Adolf Hitler and the National Socialists held their first meeting in the Festival Room.

I'm not sure Hitler would approve of the contemporary uses for the alphorn, but if there's anyone I'm not too worried about impressing it's Hitler, right?

Some of the flavors and ingredients found in German cuisine include pork, bread, cabbage, carrots, turnips, noodles, dumplings, mustard, and horseradish...and of course, beer. Germany boasts more than 1500 different types of sausages! At Hofbräuhaus, we tried it all, from jägerschnitzel to Bavarian potato salad to giant pretzels served with Obazter cheese. It was a fun place to eat and drink, and a great first stop outside the Twin Cities. We'll have to take TCWT on the road again next year for ASA in Denver!

Hofbräuhaus Las Vegas
4510 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89169
702.853.BEER

A Southeast Asian Nation

This month, we're heading to Peninsula for some Malaysian cuisine. Located in Southeast Asia, Malaysia is described as a "bubbling, bustling melting pot of races and religions." The cuisine is inspired by a mix of Indian, Chinese, and Malay flavors.

At Peninsula, come watch chefs work in the restaurant's open kitchen, preparing such specialties as roti canai, Buddhist yam pot (pictured above), and beef rendang. And for all you vegetarians, their chili tofu ranked #46 on City Pages' 100 Favorite Dishes of 2011. Finally, I'd be remiss if I didn't plug the chow fun noodles, which City Pages described as "silky as rain clouds"...sounds like something I'd read in one of my students' papers!

Join us Friday, July 1st at 7:30 PM. You can RSVP here. FYI: A government shutdown is not a sufficient reason for not joining us. You will be ridiculed.

Peninsula Malaysian Cuisine
2608 Nicollet Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
612.871.8282

It's Greek to Me

Next month we're heading to Gardens of Salonica for some "traditional and modern Greek cuisine." Owned by Anna and Lazaros Christoforides, the Northeast cafe and deli uses local, all-natural and organic products as much as possible. They also feature an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu for all you herbivores.

Gardens of Salonica was the City Pages' 2010 "Best Greek Restaurant" winner. The Moussaka (shown to the right), which is the "Greek version of lasagna: layers and layers of comfort," was also nominated as one of the 100 favorite dishes.

Dinner will be Friday, June 10th @ 7:30 PM. I'll send out another reminder that week, but you can RSVP here if you'd like to join us.

Gardens of Salonica
19 5th St. NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
612.378.0611

A West African Adventure

Akwaaba, which means welcome in the Twi language of Ghana, is a tiny, windowless restaurant tucked away in the back of a small African grocery store. Owned by Edoh Akakpo, an alumnus of Augsburg College, and run by chef Rafiat Moustapha, Akwaaba was the May stop of the Twin Cities World Tour.

The atmosphere was a little intimidating. The long tables all faced the center of the room and the menus had no prices. A large group of Somali women were also there for a party, so we were serenaded by the fantastic mixing of African music and 90s R&B. The big-screen LCD TV, which was installed just in time for the World Cup, showed an African movie.

At the same time, the food (I had the jollof rice with beef) was great. Make sure you try a little of the hot sauce as well--notice the emphasis on little. No joke. Now that I know what I'm getting into, I would definitely go back! It was an experience I won't soon forget.

Akwaaba Restaurant
1823 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612.872.4414

A Transatlantic Detour

City Afrique was closed for renovations this month, so we ended up dining at the Ecuadorian/Columbian restaurant La Colonia. My favorite part was the fried plantains, which were perfectly ripe and came on the side of most entrees.

The portions were enormous and prices reasonable. Just ask Rachelle--she ordered the Picada "La Colonia," shown below, or giant plate o'meat as I like to refer to it. Go check it out!

La Colonia Restaurant

2205 Central Avenue Northeast

Minneapolis, MN 55418

612.706.4146

The Year of the Rabbit

According to the Chinese zodiac, most rabbit years are quiet, positive, and inspiring. Family, diplomacy, and personal development will be highlighted in 2011. CNN tells me this is not entirely accurate, but here's hoping for a turn of events in the coming weeks!

Join us Friday, March 25th at the authentic Evergreen Restaurant. Located in Minneapolis, Evergreen serves a variety of Chinese and Taiwanese dishes. For recommendations, you can check out some reviews here.

Friday, March 25th at 7:30 PM.
Evergreen Restaurant
612.871.6801
2424 Nicollet Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55405

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

Home Sweet Home

After traveling all around the world for the past year, it's time to return to our roots with a visit to Brasa Rotisserie. Representing the United States, Brasa features "comfort food inspired by the Creole cooking traditions of the Americas & Caribbean" made from all locally produced and organic products.

Brasa has received a fair amount of national attention; This year, the owner, Alex Roberts, was named Best Chef in the Midwest by the James Beard Foundation. Brasa was also featured on the television program Man vs. Food and has received a number of awards from City Pages, including Best Takeout in 2008 and 2009, Best Chef (Alex Roberts) in 2008, and Best Soul Food in 2010.

Join us this Friday, December 10th @ 7:00 PM (at the Saint Paul location).

Brasa Rotisserie

777 Grand Avenue

Saint Paul, MN 55105

651.224.1302

South America, here we come!

This Saturday we'll be dining at Chimborazo (named after the highest peak in Ecuador), rounding off our first full year of the Twin Cities World Tour! Our first trip to South America -- and to Northeast Minneapolis -- Chimborazo is an Ecuadorian restaurant with a "big heart and a warm and welcoming atmosphere." The restaurant is small, so please make sure to RSVP so I can make sure they can accommodate us.

November 13, 2010
7:00 PM
2851 Central Avenue NE

Minneapolis, MN 55418

612.788.1328

The Taj Mahal of Indian Food

This month we're hitting up Gandhi Mahal, a Bangladeshi and Indian restaurant located in Minneapolis. The owner and executive chef, Ruhel Islam, features "dishes cooked from recipes that have survived in our family for many generations."

What would put this stop completely over the top? We'll be dining with our long lost cohort member! That's right, the Amelia Cotton Corl and her future hubby are back in the Twin Cities for one weekend only. Join us on Friday, October 29th at 7:00 PM. Please RSVP by Wednesday, October 27th (you know who you are)!

Gandhi Mahal
3009 27th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612.729.5222
(map)

I can see Russia from my house

This month we'll be heading to our own little slice of Russia right here in Saint Paul! Moscow on the Hill has everything we could wish for in a Twin Cities World Tour stop: authentic food, patio seating, and a full vodka bar.

The plan is to meet for happy hour next Friday (September 24th) from 5-6 and then order dinner a little after. Please let me know if you can make it. If you have to skip happy hour (which I don't recommend, but understand), let me know what time you'll be able to get there. We'll be sure to have a horseradish vodka shot waiting for you!

Moscow on the Hill

371 Selby Avenue

St. Paul, MN 55102

An Algerian August

In true world tour fashion, the coming months we will cap off the first full year of the TCWT by traveling to 4 different continents! Our first stop? The Barbary Fig: specializing in "south-Mediterranean comfort foods" from Morocco, Algeria, and France. The owner, Brahim Hadj-Moussa, does all the cooking. When he is not in the kitchen, the 13-year-old restaurant is closed.

The specials change every few days, but the dishes are almost always touched with cinnamon, thyme, cumin, marjoram, coriander, and/or dried fruits. According to one review pubished in the Star Tribune, "Whatever the combination, you can count on it to be delicious." Ordering the "thick, raisiny North African wines" also paves the way for a house-made dessert wine of white Moroccan vintage steeped with "oranges, juniper berries, and cinnamon" which is offered up by the owner if "customers behave."

Need another recommendation? The brik appetizer is a "glassily crisp envelope of pastry folded around tuna brightened with parsley and lemon and given a bit of an edge by harissa, the Tunisan hot sauce made from roasted chiles, garlic, cumin, caraway, coriander, and olive oil." Just ask, and they will make it "like they serve back home" with capers, herbs, and a gooey, soft-cooked egg.

If you're in the mood for African, this is your chance! Next stop is Europe, Asia, and then South America, so stay tuned! If you'd like to attend this month, please RSVP by email. Here are the details:

Friday, August 20th
7:00 PM
The Barbary Fig
720 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
651.290.2085

"The Tallest Taste in the Twin Cities"

In just over a week, we'll be enjoying some fine Nepali and Tibetan food from Everest on Grand. Nestled in the Himilayas, Nepal is home to eight of the world's ten highest mountains.



But they also have great food...

Nepali cuisine is "a blend of tastes from rice-based, North Indian spicy curries and sweets, to dumplings and noodles from Tibet and China." Typical Nepali dishes include the steamed juicy momo (dumplings) and daal-bhaat (typical Nepali combination meal - shown below) with curries, soups, and achaar (specialty house sauces).

Please RSVP if you can make it on July 23, 2010 @ 7:00 PM. This is one you don't want to miss!

Everest on Grand
1278 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
651.696.1666

a summer trip to Europe...

On the agenda for June is a trip to Minnesota's first Turkish restaurant, The Black Sea Restaurant. Located in St. Paul, the menu features assorted meat platters, salads and soups, and gyros at a low price. Be aware, however, that they do not accept credit cards!


Let's plan on Saturday, June 12th at 7:00 P.M. See you then!

Black Sea Restaurant
737 N. Snelling Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55104
651.917.8832

(old doodle poll here.)