The Germanic-American Institute is hosting a Winterfest Tent Party 

Saturday, January 28th 3-7pm

301 Summit Ave
St Paul, MN

They will be have live music and entertainment and will also be serving authentic German Karneval foods.

The menu includes:

Knödel mit Pilssoße (German dumpling with mushroom sauce)
Rosemary potatoes in herbed yogurt
Schmalzkuchen (deep-fried German pastry with powdered sugar, similar to mini-donuts)
Leberkäse (German-style meatloaf; goes great with beer!)

There will also be a Euro Dance Party in the Summit Avenue Mansion from 7pm-Midnight

See you there!

Kozlak’s Royal Oak ~ 4785 Hodgson Road Shoreview, MN 55126 (651)-484-8484

• $18.95/Adults     $10.95/ Kids 6-12   $6.95/ Kids 5 and Under
• 10:30am-1:30pm
• Live New Orleans Jazz
• Full Salad Bar, Scrambled Eggs Carbonara , Fresh Baked Biscuits with Sausage Gravy, Featured Chicken item, Cajun Ribs, Pecan-Breaded Catfish Fingers, Jambalaya with sausage & chicken, Classic Eggs Benedict, Kozlak’s home made French Toast with Pecan Maple Syrup, Breakfast Bacon, Sausage, Chef’s Fresh Vegetable, Gumbo Soup, Potatoes Pontalba with Béarnaise Sauce, Made-to-order Omelettes, Dessert & Sundae Bar

Links: Kozlak’s Royal Oak Website * Kozlak’s Facebook Page *  Google Map

Atmosphere:  If you like New Orleans Jazz, you are in for a treat at the Sunday Brunch Buffet at Kozlak’s! They have a Jazz Trio who make their rounds through the dining room, playing for every table.  You may have seen these guys on the Andiamo dinner cruises, where they sometimes play on the St Croix Riverboats.

What we ate: We started with the unlimited Bloody Mary and Juice Bar ($5). Kozlak’s makes their own Bloody mix that is very good and slightly spicy from the horseradish. There is an bartender pouring the drinks and then they have a table with pickles, olives, limes, summer sausage, cheeses, Tobasco and Worchestershire  for you to dress up your drink. I did not see any cocktail skewers so all of my goodies sank to the bottom of my drink once I gave it a stir.

Since the champagne and juice are included in the $5 unlimited, I also tried a glass of bubbly and an orange/pineapple juice mix. I noticed that the guy making my drink only had small airplane-style cans of Pineapple juice. I know that is common at bars but you would think that at brunch they would opt for bigger jugs of juice? Doesn’t matter to me either way ;)

Shortly after we were seated our server brought us a plate of caramel rolls.  They looked good but I didn’t eat one.

My first big plate included a bunch of breakfast items, including the Scrambled Eggs Carbonara, Eggs Benedict and Cheesy Potatoes. The eggs carbonara were pretty good but nothing out of the ordinary; they had pieces of bacon and spinach scrambled in.  I liked the Eggs Benedict; the Hollandaise sauce was silky and somewhat tangy.  They cheesy potatoes were okay but didn’t really catch my attention.

I also tried some of the breakfast meats including Bacon and Andouille Sausage with Peppers and Onions.  The sausage was great and I loved it with the peppers and onions.  The bacon was thick-cut and smoky.

I had to try the Biscuits and gravy too.  The biscuit was pretty standard but the gravy was really tasty.  They key to good gravy is good sausage and this had really well seasoned sausage.  It had a slight kick to it from all the black pepper, which I loved.

The French Toast at Kozlak’s is made with baguette so the slices are very small and very crispy.  The bread didn’t have the egginess of a typical french toast and remained crispy even when soaked with syrup.  Ah, that syrup! It was real maple with toasted pecans.  I promise you I did not eat all of this ;)

The Sunday Brunch at Kozlak’s has a nice selection of desserts including Bananas Foster.  I tried it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and wow, this was so good! Mmm, there is just something I love about warm banana desserts and what could be better than cooking bananas in brown sugar, butter and rum? The sauce was pre-cooked so I did not get to see the chef make it.  Heavenly!! The vanilla ice cream was perfect with it.

I also tried a few bites of the Pecan Pie. Super delish! The crust was really good and there was a layer of toasted pecans on tip of the gooey pecan filling.  This would also be great with vanilla ice cream.

By this point I was too full to try the Ribs or the Jambalaya, but they Kozlak’s does have them.

Call 651-224-7455 to make a reservation today!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Cocktail Reception at 6 pm

Dinner following Reception

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a traditionally an Italian Christmas Eve meal that includes seven dishes served family style. Sea Change is putting its own unique twist on The Feast of the Seven Fishes by holding a special seven fishes wine dinner on Monday, January 30. Chef Tim McKee and Chef de Cuisine Jamie Malone will prepare a a family-style meal paired with wines selected by Sea Change Sommelier Bill Summerville.

Feast of The Seven Fishes at Sea Change
Monday, January 30
6 pm Reception
6:30 pm Dinner Service

1st Course
Oysters with Horseradish Snow and Finger Limes
Fried Boccaronnes/Bone Marrow/Pimenton

2nd Course
Smoked Sardine Salad/Artichokes/Piquillo
Egg Yolk and Brandade Ravioli/Bagna Cauda/Tomato
Served with Warm Bread with Anchovy Butter

3rd Course
Salt Baked Whole Stripped Bass
Whole Grilled Arctic Char
Clams/Turnips/Fingerlings/Ruttabega
Served with Condiments to share

Dessert will also be served

Here are my current picks for Best Ribeye based on the restaurants I have personally visited and reviewed.  I admit this list is limited but it will grow and change as necessary.   If you know of other tender, succulent ribeyes that I need to try, please leave me a recommendation in the comments of this post.  I plan to add Manny’s, Wooley’s, Seven, St Paul Grill, Pittsburgh Blue, Capital Grille, Kincaids and many others as soon as I have a chance.  Not all steakhouses offer ribeye steak but since it is my favorite cut, I will certainly find the ones who do!

#1 Porterhouse Steaks & Seafood ~ They had two size options: 18 or 24oz.   This 24oz steak was boneless and absolutely huge, a great value in comparison to other fine steak houses.  Every bite was extremely  juicy and tender.  I was happy I ordered it medium minus, it was much more red than I usually eat it, but I found that I really enjoyed it like that.  The bleu cheese that was melted on top was flavorful but not too overpowering. So good!  Another of my companions ordered this same steak and also enjoyed the extremely tender cut.

#2 Murray’s Restaurant ~ One bite had me declaring this the best steak of my life! The ribeye was huge; 20oz without the bone.  I ordered it medium and it was cooked just the way I like it.  I could tell that the quality of this steak was excellent, it was extremely tender and seemed to be completely gristle free.  The fat was barely noticeable except for the delicious flavor it added.  The aged beef had a robust flavor and was really well seasoned while also being served atop a small amount of au jus.  Magnificent!! Worth every penny of the $42 price tag.  It was served with choice of potato or salad.  I had baked potato which was also very good.  I have been to Murray’s a few times now and the steaks are consistently wonderful.

Lakeside Club ~ They offer two sizes of Ribeye at Lakeside: 12oz & 16oz.  I usually order the 12oz Ribeye, medium temperature.  My steak was phenomenal; it was cooked perfectly and was incredibly tender and juicy.  It was only lightly seasoned with salt but the flavor of the aged meat was wonderful.  It is served with a side salad and choice of potato.  I chose the Shoestring fries

Manitou Station ~ This ribeye is actually prime rib, roasted and then finished on the grill.  Extremely tender and juicy, served with mashed potatoes and steamed veggie.

Gordy’s Steak House ~ My companion and I both ordered the 18 oz Delmonico Ribeye Steaks. My steak was a very tender cut, grilled to a perfect medium. The steaks at Gordy’s are said to be aged for 28 days; I could taste just a hint of the aged flavor. The steaks were seasoned very mildly (if at all?!), emphasis was purely on the beef. I dressed mine up with raw horseradish and my companion ordered a side of bearnnaise. Unfortunately my companion’s cut of ribeye was not nearly as tender as mine, unsure of consistency since I have only visited there one time.

Cuisine: Bakery
Location: White Bear Lake, MN
Address: 1640 County Rd E E   St Paul, MN 55110
Links: Donuts Deluxe on Facebook *  Google Map

Atmosphere: Donuts Deluxe is located in a strip mall on County Rd E (just east of Hwy 61) in White Bear Lake.  The front of the space looks like someone had once tried to spruce it up a little and offer a cute little eating area and a coffee station adjacent to the bakery case. Despite this effort,  there isn’t a wall dividing the front from the back so you can see stainless steel bakery equipment and everything else that is going on in the back of the shop.  That seemed a little strange to me but I do know that Donuts Deluxe produces a ton of donuts every day that they supply many convenience stores with so maybe the front was just an after thought??

Menu:  There was a big menu board displayed above the coffee station that advertised donuts and muffins, but there weren’t any muffins available on the day of my visit.

The Donut selection included Old Fashioned, Bismarks, Apple Fritter, Cinnamon Pinwheels, Long Johns, Glazed Raised Donuts, etc.

What we ordered: My companions and I picked up a box of Assorted Donuts to try including the Fried Cinnamon, Long John, Bismarks filled with cherry and lemon jelly, Old Fashioned, and Bear Claw.

I had the Apple Fritter, which has always been one of my faves.  This one was wonderful! It was actually somewhat crispy on the outside but the inside was soft and filled with many big pieces of apple.  I loved the contrast in textures.  The dough of this fritter was spread out so it was less fluffy than most apple fritters but it was very big and very filling.  It was glazed with the perfect amount of sweetness. Donuts go great with coffee, don’t they? I snapped this pic with my iPhone ;)

Bear Claw

Overall Impression: Donuts Deluxe has a handful of common donut varieties and they are all very good and made fresh daily.  The selection wasn’t impressive but I was perfectly content with my apple fritter.

Cuisine: American, Steak, Fish
Restaurant Features: Bar, Banquet Room, On-Site Parking,
Location: Mahtomedi, MN
Address: 10 Old Wildwood Road Mahtomedi, MN 55115 651.777.4097
Hours:  Tuesday-Saturday 4pm-10pm
Links: Google Map

Atmosphere: The atmosphere at the Lakeside Club is one that is very laid-back.  The restaurant has been family-owned and operated since 1946 and the emphasis is definitely on the food.  There isn’t anything fancy about the small, wood-paneled dining room, and eating at the Lakeside does not require anything but casual attire.  A small bar is a popular spot to have a beer and watch whatever game is playing on the TV behind the bar.

Menu: Appetizers at Lakeside Club include Chicken Wings, Cheese Curds,

Sandwiches include Steak Sandwich, Hamburger or Cheeseburger.

Steaks served at Lakeside Club include 12 or 16oz Prime Rib, 12 or 16oz Ribeye, New York Strip, Filet Mignon, and Sirloin. Other entrees include Porkchop, Grilled Chicken Breast, Shrimp or Walleye.  All meals come with side salad and choice of potato or vegetable.

Price guide: Appetizers $7  Steaks $19-30
What we ordered: My companions and I started with the Chicken Wings.  This order of wings came with eight wings that had a crispy, seasoned breading on them.  They were great!

We also tried the Cheese Curds, a large serving of lightly breaded nuggets of hot cheddar cheese.  These were really good; they had a crispy texture and weren’t too greasy.

After we ate our appetizers, our server brought out our dinner salads and a plate of warm rolls, which come with the entrees.  The salads were served in a small bowl with ice berg lettuce, tomato and goldfish crackers.  You can always expect bread of some kind at Lakeside, although it changes frequently.  On this visit we were served brown dinner rolls that were hot and fresh.

I have eaten at the Lakeside countless times over the past decade and I always order the same thing; the 12oz Ribeye, with a medium temperature.  My steak was phenomenal; it was cooked perfectly and was incredibly tender and juicy.  It was only lightly seasoned with salt but the flavor of the aged meat was wonderful.  I had the choice of potato and I ordered fries, which are the salty shoestring variety, similar to McDonald’s. Yum!  Another of our companions also ordered the Ribeye and it was just as wonderful as mine.

Another companion ordered the 16 oz Prime Rib, which was a giant cut prepared medium rare.  This cut was comparatively lean for the size, which was thickly cut.  It was served with prepared horseradish and au jus with choice of fries.

One of my companions ordered the New York Strip, a lean and juicy cut that was just as tender as the ribeye.  Also served with choice of potato and side salad.

Service: I have been going to the Lakeside for over a decade and have become somewhat of a regular over the years.    Our server always remembers what we like to order, which I think is a nice touch.  Sodas are refilled quickly by any available server and the team effort seems to be carried through to the running of dishes and requests, etc.
Overall Impression: The Lakeside Club is a long-time favorite casual place to go for a delicious steak.

This article, 14 Colleges that Cater to Gluten-Free Students is a Guest Post brought to you by Best Colleges Online

Over the past few decades, rates of gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease, have skyrocketed. Today, it is estimated that nearly one out of every 133 people may have some degree of gluten intolerance. Whether this is because of a rise in actual gluten intolerance or just better ways of understanding and diagnosing the disease has yet to be determined, but it does mean that more and more colleges are paying attention and providing for the needs of students who may suffer from a gluten intolerance. While there is still a long way to go in making the majority of schools safe and celiac-friendly, some colleges and universities are going above and beyond when it comes to providing gluten-free options. Here are just a few of the schools who are leading the way, though many, if not most, have programs to provide meals for students with any kind of dietary need.

1. Baylor University

   At Baylor University, students can find a wide range of gluten-free menu options through the school’s dining services. Due to demand from students, the university began offering more gluten-free options in 2010, and students can find out about which dining halls and menu items will meet their needs through the menus posted online each week.

2. University of Tennessee

   Students with gluten intolerance can get help through a student nutrition coordinator found on campus. These professionals can help to ensure that students get the nutrition they need without encountering any potentially harmful gluten. Additionally, Volunteer Dining offers a range of gluten-free options both in residential dining halls and in the stores found throughout the campus. For students who still can’t find what they need, the school offers the option to put in special orders, though this must be done ahead of time.

3. Georgetown University

   Georgetown University is working hard to meet the dietary needs of all the students on campus. While dining halls do not always have gluten-free options, students shouldn’t despair. The school has a registered dietician on staff who can help those with celiac to find the resources, tools, and food they need. This program can provide students with everything from gluten-free foods, to a gluten-free microwave to use, so that they’ll stay safe and healthy on campus.

4. Oregon State University

   Students at Oregon State don’t have to work hard to find gluten-free options in their dining halls. The school offers a list of all of the gluten-free options they serve in each on-campus dining hall or cafe. At some locations, these options may be limited, but in many of the larger dining halls, gluten-intolerant students should find a wide range of healthy and tasty foods that won’t irritate their digestive systems. If those items don’t suit student needs, there is always a registered dietician on hand to make sure that dietary considerations are met.

5. Bard College

   Bard College offers dining hall services that can meet a wide range of student dietary needs, from veganism to gluten intolerance. The school is currently working on renovations to one of their main dining halls that will include a new gluten-free section, keeping these foods separate from those that might contaminate them with gluten and cause reactions in some of the most sensitive students.

6. University of Wisconsin

   In addition to a thriving student club on campus advocating for gluten-free options, UW Madison is working hard to meet the needs of students who need meals that are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. They’ve begun to label all food served in the cafeteria with symbols that are designed to make it simple to determine whether an item is OK to eat. Students can check with the weekly menus posted online to see what options will be gluten-free on any given day, with great choices like Thai noodles with tofu, tostadas, and enchiladas available.

7. Southern Methodist University

   Eating gluten-free on campus can be a challenge, but Southern Methodist works to ensure that the process is a little bit easier for students. There is a registered dietician on staff who can help to design a healthy eating program for students and provides gluten-free options and equipment to students. Additionally, the school has recently created a dining hall called Healthy on the Hilltop which serves vegan and gluten-free fare (among other healthy options) to students with these dietary restrictions.

8. University of Arizona

   Many people don’t realize the seriousness of gluten intolerance and how it is different from a food allergy, but students at the University of Arizona are working to change that. They have a large and growing group of advocates on campus who are pushing for greater gluten-free awareness. Dining services has taken notice, and in the fall of 2011 it began making changes to make it easier for gluten-free students on campus. This included switching to gluten-free food suppliers, choosing local foods, and educating staff on gluten-free preparation. Additionally, the school now offers several gluten-free entrées on campus, including pastas and breads that are totally gluten-free.

9. Ithaca College

   There are three dining halls on Ithaca College’s campus, and each offers varying levels of gluten-free accommodation. At the main dining hall in the student center, there are gluten-free menus available for both lunch and dinner every day, giving students a range of options to choose from. There is also the Gluten-Free Pantry, which provides gluten-free breads, pastas, and equipment like microwaves and toasters. The other two dining halls don’t have a running menu, but students can pre-order gluten-free meals at them by contacting the dining hall management.

10. Texas A&M, Corpus Christi

    Students at Texas A&M in Corpus Christi will find help from the school’s registered dietician in finding healthy and safe meal options. In the dining halls, students are provided with products like rice cereal, gluten-free pizza, soups, snacks, and desserts, as well as a whole host of veggies.

11. University of Notre Dame

    In order to make eating in the dining halls less complicated for students who need to stick to a gluten-free diet, Notre Dame has listed all the menu items they serve on campus that are free of gluten. Students can search by dining hall for entrées, sides, and snacks that are gluten-free. For students who want something different, the dining hall will prepare special meals on request to meet any dietary needs, including gluten-free.

12. University of New Hampshire

    Students can follow this link to an informative guide on eating gluten-free at UNH. With the help of the registered dietician and the director of culinary services, students shouldn’t have too hard a time finding gluten-free options. In each of the three dining halls on campus, students can find a gluten-free zone with restricted microwaves, toasters, and refrigerators, as well as a selection of prepackaged gluten-free items like cereal, bread, granola bars, waffles, desserts, and condiments. Students can also choose to pre-order meals or cook their own stir fry or omelets in separate gluten-restricted stations.

13. SUNY Potsdam

    SUNY Potsdam goes above and beyond when it comes to accommodating students who need to eat gluten-free. Students at SUNY can choose from a wide range of gluten-free prepackaged items for entrées or snacks. There are also separate stations in the dining halls that cater to gluten-free eaters, preventing cross-contamination while also ensuring celiac students have plenty of options to choose from. Even at the school’s deli, students can choose from a variety of gluten-free breads, making finding something to eat on campus much easier. Additionally, meals can be prepared on request for any student who needs or wants them.

14. Tufts University

    Tufts takes food allergies and intolerance quite seriously, and has tried to accommodate students with these special needs accordingly. The school has prepared a number of educational pamphlets on the issue that students can read through to learn what their dining options are on campus and how gluten-free meals are prepared. Students are advised to work with the school’s dietician, but can also find information on all menu items through “food fact cards.” The school also lists all foods served at dining halls across campus that are safe for celiacs to eat.