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BIBO Restaurant and Wine Bar to Host “Mangia for a Mission”
100 Percent of Ticket Sales and Auction Proceeds Help Change Children’s Lives
MINNEAPOLIS (July 7, 2009) – Italian food lovers and wine connoisseurs can enjoy the best of both at “Mangia For a Mission” – a charity wine dinner and silent auction to benefit Smile Network happening Monday, August 10 at the new BIBO Restaurant and Wine Bar in Eagan.
The BIBO staff will prepare a fabulous four-course meal, complete with wine pairings, which will follow a silent auction. All of the food, wine and labor for this event will be donated, with 100 percent of the ticket price and auction going directly to Smile Network – a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that provides life-altering, reconstructive surgeries to impoverished children and young adults in developing countries.
Tickets are $100 and can be reserved by calling 612-377-1800. Seating for the event is limited and reservations can only be confirmed for paid ticket buyers.
What: Charity
Dinner and Silent Auction to Benefit Smile Network
When: Monday, August 10 5-9 p.m.
Where: BIBO Restaurant and Wine Bar 1629 Lena Court Eagan, MN 55122
Cost: $100 includes dinner and wine pairings
About Smile Network International
Founded in 2003, Smile Network International is a Minnesota-based, non-profit humanitarian organization that provides life-altering, reconstructive surgeries to impoverished children and young adults in developing countries. For as little as $500, Smile Network is able to repair a child’s birth defect of a cleft lip or cleft palate, in the space of a 45-minute operation, and restore joy and dignity to their lives. For more information, visit the Web site at www.smilenetwork.org.
Participants Learn Different Cooking Technique Each Week Using Latest Appliances – From Roasting the Perfect Chicken to Making Your Own Pasta
ST. PAUL, MINN. – All Inc., the largest appliance and cabinet showroom in the Midwest, is offering a 12-week “Fundamentals of Cooking” culinary class series that will teach a variety of cooking skills – from baking basics to making the perfect egg soufflé. The cooking classes will be held twice a week on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in the fully-functional kitchens of All Inc.’s 18,000 square-foot showroom.
“These classes are the perfect opportunity for people to learn the tricks of the trade – whether they are a novice in the kitchen or have years of experience,” said Mark Rutzick, co-owner of All Inc. “In addition, the students will be utilizing the newest and most innovative appliances on the market that save time and make the cooking experience more enjoyable.”
The classes, which will be taught by local chef Ross Sveback, will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays starting July 8 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays starting July 11th at the All Inc. showroom in St. Paul. The classes will cost $40 each and will include tastings of all food prepared. Discounts are available for booking multiple sessions.
“In my years of teaching cooking classes, I have found that people really want to know the basics of cooking,” Sveback said. “Once those basics are mastered, it is much easier to move on to more complex dishes with confidence.”
All Inc. recently remodeled its showroom to feature 30 kitchen vignettes and offers the largest selection of brands in the Midwest including: Sub Zero, Wolf, Viking, Miele, Gaggenau, Electrolux, GE Monogram, GE Profile, Bosch, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, Jenn-Air and more. All Inc. recently added two new cutting edge appliances to its showroom – the TurboChef Speedcook Oven that cooks food 15 times faster than conventional ovens and the Diva 365 convection oven that features a 36” five-burner induction cooktop that boils water in 90 seconds.
To learn more about the cooking classes or to register, visit www.allinc.com or call 651.227.6331.
What: All Inc. “Fundamentals of Cooking” culinary classes
Time: Wednesdays starting July 8 from 6 to 9 p.m., Saturdays starting July 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $40 per class – discounts are available for booking multiple sessions.
Where: All Inc. 185 W. Plato Blvd St. St Paul
About All Inc.
Founded in 1947, All Inc. is a family owned business offering kitchen, bath and laundry appliances and accessories at all ends of the price spectrum to builders and consumers. Its 18,000 square-foot showroom features the latest trends in appliances including all major brands. For more information, call 651.227.6331 or visit www.allinc.com.
About Chef Ross
Chef Ross Sveback is the owner of kon-tent, a Minneapolis-based company that teaches others to enhance their lifestyle through food, cooking and pleasing surroundings. Ross’ passion for home and cuisine started early, when his grandmother Ellen taught him the basics of cooking. Ross shares his passion with others through his cooking classes at William-Sonoma and All Inc., as well as catering events. For more information go to www.kon-tent.com.
June 26, 2009
I am excited to announce the very first Product Giveaway on the Twin Cities Restaurant Blog!!
We have teamed up with Allmodern.com and have three very cool prizes from which one lucky winner will be able to choose one.
Giveaway Rules
To enter, check out each of the prizes on AllModern.com, then comment on this post with which one is your favorite and why. Please include your email address so that you can be contacted in the event that you win.
Additional Rules:
· One entry per person ( However, feel free to spread the word!)
· Only U.S. citizens are eligible to participate in this giveaway.
· The giveaway will end on July 6th, 2009.
· Winners will be randomly selected using Random.org
· The winners will be announced here on the Twin Cities Restaurant Blog & notified via e-mail
The Prizes:
· Lounge Boston Shaker Bar Set by Blomus: Perfect for any kitchen or home bar, the Lounge Boston Shaker Bar Set from Blomus includes everything you see here in the picture. With a sleek and stylish stainless steel design typical of Blomus, this is the perfect accessory for any modern foodie.
· Infinity Bottle Holder by Kartell: This modular wine storage system is made to fit your space - whatever it may look like. The 16 individual elements of the Infinity can be fastened together in a multitude of arrangements, creating little rings in which your bottles are stored. Made from durable polypropylene and available in 4 colors - Infinity is sure to make a statement at your next party. - Designed by Ron Arad
· Mr. and Mrs. Chin Salt & Pepper Set by Alessi This hand decorated salt and pepper set from Alessi is colorful, stylish and fun. Exquisite detailing and three vibrant color options to choose from make this salt & pepper set the perfect addition to your kitchen table or counter top. Part of a design collaboration between Alessi and the National Palace Museum in Taiwan, this unique piece was designed by Stefano Giovannoni.
About All Modern: All Modern, part of CSN Stores, offers a fantastic selection of modern furniture, home accessories and lighting from top brands like Alessi, Knoll, Kartell, Blomus, Herman Miller and many more.
Cuisine: Chinese, Mongolian
Restaurant Features: Catering, Lunch Buffet, Dinner Buffet, On-Site Parking. Take-Out
Locations: Woodbury, MN
Address: 8340 City Centre Dr (Woodbury City Centre) Woodbury, MN 55125 (651)730-8668
Hours: Lunch Mon-Sat 11am-3pm Dinner Mon-Thur 4p-9:30p Fri-Sun 4p-10p Sunday & Holiday Brunch 11:30a-3p
Links: Google Map Atlantic Buffet Website
Atmosphere: The Atlantic Buffet is located within a large strip mall called Woodbury City Centre. When you first walk inside the reception/lobby area, the Atlantic Buffet in Woodbury has a cute little mini-pond set up with Koi swimming around inside, and live plants arranged around it. The main dining room is arranged into at least two dining areas on half of the large space, the other half of the restaurant has all the Buffet Islands set up. The dining areas contain both tables and booths and have a contemporary feel.
Here is a glimpse of the Buffets Islands (I think there were 6-8 of them).
In the way back of the Buffet Islands there is an additional area set up for the Mongolian Stir-Fry. You can choose your own ingredients and then you have the chef ccok it for you on the Mongolian BBQ.
Menu: The items on the buffet change frequently, but there are over 100 items, including a decent selection of Chinese foods, Sushi, American foods, Seafood, and build-your-own Mongolian Stir-Fry. There is also a dessert and fruits table, and salad bar.
There is also a full Chinese Take-Out menu available.
Price guide:
What I ordered: There were many food items at Atlantic Buffet and I was determined to try a little of this and a little of that. Here is my Chinese/Sushi plate. The cheesy mushrooms were very good, as were the steamed dumplings and cream cheese wontons. The few bites I tried of the chicken & Broccoli stir-fry were okay, but I did not care for the other meat entree I tried (not sure what it was but the meat was stringy and chewy). The sushi was decent although there wasn't a large variety to choose from, mostly California Rolls or Salmon/Avocado Rolls.
I made my own Mongolian stir-fry which was my most favorite dish at the Atlantic Buffet. I chose the ingredients I wanted at the Mongolian BBQ station (Beef, Broccoli, Pineapple, Onions and Noodles) and figured out my own combination of sauces (there was no guide to help!) which included cooking wine, teriyaki, garlic, chile peppers, and sesame seeds. I have found that the more sauce you put on, the better it tastes because the noodles and vegetables soak it right up.
I tried just a few items on my Seafood Plate, including tiny mussels (pretty good, not too chewy or rubbery) that were cooked in a fish sauce. The salmon was okay and I also tried a bite of Halibut.
For the sake of this review I also made a Dessert Plate. Nothing too exciting here but the rice krispie bar and almond cookies were good. They also have soft-serve ice cream.
Service: We were greeted upon entering and were shown to a table right away. Drinks were fast and continuous throughout our visit, as was the clearing of plates.
Overall Impression: Wide variety and selection of foods for the price. The Mongolian BBQ and Seafood Buffet offered the best choices, but I thought the quality of the the Chinese food was just mediocre.
Curry Night at the Highland
Grill Twin
Cities’ own Curry Diva Heather Jansz to host Sri Lankan culinary experience July
27 June 11, 2009 – Minneapolis, MN – The
Highland Grill, St. Paul’s favorite neighborhood restaurant, announces Curry
Night, a special evening event July 27th, 2009. Renowned Sri Lankan Chef Heather Jansz,
also known as the “Curry Diva”, will be preparing a fixed menu of savory Sri
Lankan dishes. Each course will be accompanied by an appropriate wine, champagne
or beer to provide guests with a complete culinary experience that satisfies all
six of the taste senses – sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent and
astringent. Courses will include
lamb curry , vegetable curry, Buryani Rice, Garam Masala Butter Chicken and
other delectable Sri Lankan creations. This is the night Twin Cities’ curry
lovers have been waiting for! Heather Jansz has owned two popular restaurants
in the Twin Cities The Sri Lanka Curry House and the Curry Leaf Deli. She is the
co-author of a cookbook Fire and Spice:
The Cuisine of Sri Lanka. Currently Heather provides catering services for
clients throughout the Twin Cities. What: Curry Night at the Highland
Grill When: 7PM, July 27,
2009 Where: Highland Grill, 771 Cleveland
Avenue South, St. Paul Who: Hosted by the Curry Diva,
Heather Jansz-2711
Cost is $49.95 per person.
Please call for 612-721-2711 for reservations as space is limited. Visit www.highlandgrill.com for
more information. About The Blue Plate Restaurant Company:
Australian-born chef David Burley teamed with Minnesota native Stephanie Shimp
in 1992 to open St. Paul’s Highland Grill, an “urban diner” putting a modern
twist on favorite dishes. In 1999, the company expanded with the opening of the
Groveland Tap and the Edina Grill, and in 2001 the partnership grew as
Stephanie’s brother, Luke Shimp, came on board. In 2005, Blue Plate took
its crowd-pleasing menu into another neighborhood with the opening of the
Longfellow Grill in Minneapolis. 3 Squares is the latest creation of this
innovative team.
Wildfire Eden Prairie Offers a Unique Wine Dinner Experience Featuring Duroc Compart Pork and Pinot Noir
Eden Prairie, Minn. – Pork and pinot lovers will be treated to a four course meal and wine pairing, all for $55 a person at Wildfire Eden Prairie’s upcoming summer wine dinner on Friday, June 26.
Executive Chef Tom Gladbach is teaming up with local, family-owned Compart Family Farms to create the evening’s menu. Compart Duroc pork is known for its superior tenderness and natural juiciness. Compared to other pork, Compart Duroc has more marbling and a higher pH, without injecting or pumping – a flavor difference guests are sure to notice.
Gladbach’s four course meal will feature bacon wrapped lobster and shrimp skewers, wood roasted pork tenderloin and braised pork shank. Each course will be carefully paired with a specialty pinot noir to perfectly complement the locally raised pork. Guests will have the opportunity to hear first-hand how this family-owned company has addressed the consumer’s need to a healthier pork option from guest speaker Jim Compart, President of Compart Family Farms in Nicollet, Minnesota.
The evening will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. The $55 cost per person includes food, wine, tax and gratuity. For more information or to make a reservation, contact Chelsea Buhrt at 952.914.9100. To view the evening’s full menu, visit wildfirerestaurant.com.
What: Wildfire Eden Prairie Pork & Pinot Noir Wine Dinner
When: Friday, June 26, 2009
Where: Wildfire Eden Prairie
Eden Prairie Center, Eden Prairie
952.914.9100
Cost: $55 per person, includes tax and gratuity
Cuisine: Mexican
Restaurant Features: Counter-Service, On-Site Parking
Location: St Paul, MN (District del Sol)
Address: 407 South Wabasha Street St Paul, MN 55107 (651)222-8226
Hours: M-Th 10a-9p Fri 10a-9:30p Sat 11a-9:30p Sun 11a-8p
Links: Taco House Website Google Map
Atmosphere: Located just across the street from the original Boca Chica, the Taco House is a fast-food version of the bigger sit-down restaurant. The Taco House offers counter-service. In the front there are a limited number of booths, but there is also a larger dining area with additional booths in the back, accommodating a total of 75 people.
Menu: Appetizer/Side Orders at Boca Chica include Beans, Rice, Tamales, Sope, Guacamole, Chips, Chips & Cheese, Chips & Guacamole, Papitas and Fiesta Nachos.
Salads include Veggie Taco, Beef Taco, Chicken Taco, Chicken Fajita or Beef Fajita
Taco choices include Ground Beef, Shredded Chicken, Chicken Fajita or Bistek Fajita. Choose from soft or crispy corn tortilla or fried flour tortilla (ground beef only).
Tostadas include either bean or beef & bean.
Flautas come with two-to-an-order, either shredded chicken or barbacoa.
Enchiladas are sold individually and your choice of either ground beef or cheese.
Quesadillas offered at Taco House include Red Chile or Green Chile.
Burrito options include Bean, Beef & Cheese, Beef & Cheese, Bean & Cheese, Chicken Mole, Red Chile Pork, Taco Burrito, Veggie Taco Burrito, Egg & Chorizo, El Burro (chicken or steak), Papas Burrito (Beef or Bean), and Chicken Taco Burrito. Any burrito can be served enchilada-style for $1.50 additional.
There are several combination plates available that offer 1-2 entree items with beans or rice and drink.
For dessert there are Churros or Bunuelos.
Price guide: Tacos $1.19-3.50 Enchiladas/Flautas $2 Burritos $2-5 Combos $5-7.50
What I ordered: I started with a Ground Beef Fried Flour Taco. This was so good! The ground beef was seasoned and had a lot of flavor, not to mention there was quite a bit of it stuffed into the flaky, golden brown fried tortilla. The taco was topped with lettuce and plenty of cheddar cheese and I added the fresh homemade salsa. This was a big taco for $2 compared to many of the other taco places I have been to recently and much tastier.
I also ordered a Cheese Enchilada. The rolled tortilla had a nice amount of cheese inside and was topped with a generous helping of the enchilada sauce and more cheddar cheese. The enchilada sauce was slightly thick and cheesy, very mild but delicious. I found the extra sauce to be a great dip for chips!
We all ordered at least one of the Chicken Fried Flour Tacos, which a special that Taco House offers ONLY DURING THE MONTH OF MAY in honor of Cinco de Mayo. These tacos are wonderful, a real treat during the Month of May for only $2 each. The chicken is shredded and stewed in Mexican spices so it is very flavorful, unlike other plain, boring shredded chicken I have encountered at some other local Mexican places. These tacos are so good and so popular, it seems a shame that Taco House doesn't offer them on the menu full-time.
My companion ordered the Bistek Taco with a side of rice. This taco was served on an authentic corn tortilla (although flour is also an option), with large slices of grilled steak and onions, topped with fresh guacamole, cilantro and Mexican crumbly cheese. Fabulous! In fact, this is my favorite taco in the Twin Cities (so far!) It is very filling and flavorful. The rice was also good.
Another companion ordered the Chicken Flautas, which are corn tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken and then are rolled and deep fried. The flautas were served on a bed of shredded lettuce and then topped with sour cream and Mexican crumbly cheese.
Service: We ordered at the counter and were given a order number. It took 5-10 minutes for our order to be ready.
Overall Impression: Excellent tacos and overall good Mexican food.... FAST!
JAMBA JUICE ENCOURAGES HEALTHY, HAPPY SUMMERTIME BLISS WITH LAUNCH OF BLACKBERRY BLISS SMOOTHIE AND SUMMER PROMOTION
Company Celebrates Limited-Time Menu Item and Invites You to Take a
ŒFake¹ation¹ with No Work, All Play Promotion at www.summerblissisback.com
EMERYVILLE (May 28, 2009) ‹ Jamba Juice announced today the national rollout
of a limited time only seasonal smoothie, the Blackberry BlissTM and its
coinciding Summer Promotion‹Summer Bliss is Back. With the warm summer
months just around the corner, Jamba¹s newest smoothie‹made with whole fruit
including blackberries, blueberries and strawberries--offers a tasty,
refreshing, good-for-you option that will leave you feeling guilt-free.
Adding additional bliss to the launch, Jamba will also unveil its No Work,
All Play Promotion at summerblissisback.com. The microsite will work as a
hub for the summer promotion, aimed to encourage consumers to enjoy the
pleasures of the warmer months even though they may not be able to escape
from work or home. Beginning May 25, summerblissisback.com will promote
summer bliss each day with automatically generated Œfake¹ation¹ photos and
Blackberry BlissTM discounts. Simply upload a photo of your face and you
will instantly appear anywhere from the beaches of Hawaii to the Pyramids of
Egypt without ever leaving your computer. And, if you post your fake¹ation
photo to Facebook, you could instantly win coupons and other great prizes,
like smoothies for a month. The summerblissisback.com microsite will also
host a ŒBlissful Word of the Day¹ that will entitle you to $1 off your
Blackberry BlissTM upon repeating it to a Jamba team member in-store.
³At Jamba Juice we believe that summer is a time to get outside, have fun
and enjoy the warm weather. Unfortunately, there are some things that stop
us from enjoying summer bliss‹like work, chores and day to day obligations,²
said James D. White, President and Chief Executive Officer, Jamba, Inc.
³The Blackberry Bliss and Summer Bliss is Back promotion is our way of
encouraging consumers to de-stress, make good-for-you choices and really
enjoy the happy, healthy fun that summer brings‹whether you are stuck at the
office, at home or simply can¹t take a real vacation. Plus, who doesn¹t
want to visit the Egyptian Pyramids without taking the long flight?²
The Blackberry BlissTM is a limited time offer and will only be available
this summer.
Visit www.summerblissisback.com to get your daily dose of bliss.
It has come time for me to announce the winner for the Product Giveaway hosted by Allmodern.com. I used Random.org to generate a # between 1-17 (# of comments on Giveaway post) and #9 was selected. Here is the comment from #9
Stay tuned for future prize giveaways here on Twin Cities Restaurant Blog