Wise Acre Eatery

I love Wise Acre Eatery. I first heard about it from a review in the Star Tribune (the local Minneapolis paper): they raved about the food. Wise Acre Eatery prides itself on using mostly using harvest from the Tanglewood Gardens’ farm in Plato, MN. All of their meat products come from that farm — animals that lived “stress-free, hormone-free lives with plenty of room to roam.” The food is delicious, and nearly everything is house-made.

Hairspray at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres

I saw Hairspray today at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, and it was so much fun. I love the music of Hairspray (I’ve had the soundtrack for ages, and I saw the musical in Philadelphia a few years ago), and the Chan’s production was great. The cast was really terrific — I don’t think there was a single weak point — and I loved the costuming. The effect the color schemes of costumes can have on the overall show fascinates me. 

Milk & Honey Cafe

I’ve gone to Milk & Honey Cafe several times — once with my roommate when we were looking for furniture, once with my cousin when she was visiting from Indiana, and once by myself, fairly recently before I left Chicago, because I was really craving a bagel with smoked salmon and cream cheese. Milk & Honey Cafe is located on Division, less than a mile away from where my apartment was in Chicago. The food was always excellent; if I’d had more money, I would have been there far more frequently. 

Primehouse: A Burger Like No Other

After my trip to David Burke’s Primehouse in Chicago (which I chose because of this review) last March, I have learned two things. First of all, Primehouse has an unbelieveable burger. And secondly, when I go to restaurants by myself, I need to decide what I’m going to order before I enter the restaurant.

Even More Pie from Hoosier Pie Company

I went back to Hoosier Mama Pie Company. I was feeling a little anxious about leaving Chicago a couple of weeks ago, and pie seemed like a good salve.

Eating at Orange in Chicago

The first time I arrived in Chicago, after having decided to move there, I went to brunch at Orange with my parents, my best friend from from high school/future roommate, and her boyfriend. It was fantastic, so when I saw a YouSwoop for Orange last fall, I jumped on it.

In Honor of Pi Day: Hoosier Mama Pie Company

In honor of National Pi Day, I decided to make today’s post be about Hoosier Mama Pie Company. Hoosier Mama Pie Company has been on my list of places to try before I leave Chicago, and I’ve finally made the trip. It was absolutely worth it. So much so, as a matter of fact, that I’ve gone back several times (that it’s within walking distance of my apartment has a seriously negative effect on my ability to deny my pie cravings).

Hoosier Mama Pie Company

Belly Shack

Korean BBQ Beef (to go)

I was heading home from the office via the Blue Line when I walked past Belly Shack, just under the Western stop. I would have passed by, but the word “Korean” caught my eye (it’s a fusion restaurant). As I paused to check their menu, the door opened, giving me a whiff of Korean food. It smelled so good. I haven’t had Korean food of any kind in months, and I just couldn’t resist.

A Lovely Bakeshop

Lovely: A Bake Shop

I lunched yesterday at Lovely: A Bakeshop, a little bakery right around the corner from my apartment, as I had a Groupon needing to be used.

I started with a pain au chocolat. Although it was smaller than I would have liked, it was delicious. Flakey, buttery, that crisp outer layer — this was no cheap supermarket croissant; this was the real deal. The chocolate was dark and actual chocolate, not that grainy, oversweet paste found in substandard chocolate croissants.

Pain Au Chocolat from Lovely

Favorite 10 Dishes of 2010

1. Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon — with wild mushroom risotto, white truffle and herb butter sauce – Le Cellier at Epcot (Disney World)

2. Florida Yellow Tomato Gazpacho — Citrus-infused Lump Blue Crab, Grape Tomatoes, and Chive Oil – Citricos at the Grand Floridian (Disney World)