CoolBrew Coffee – 25th Anniversary Chocolate Almond Flavor

200 years before Starbucks was a twinkle in the founder’s eyes, New Orleans had its own coffee culture. The port of choice for Latin American coffee bean growers for most of the 18th and 19th centuries, the Crescent City has been home to coffee brands, roasters, and distributors for decades. The beginning of the ubiquitous… Continue reading CoolBrew Coffee – 25th Anniversary Chocolate Almond Flavor

Minneapolis – Psycho Suzis Review

Defined by their exotic-themed cocktails made from rum, Cantonese inspired food, and adorned with South Seas island decor, the first tiki bar in the U.S. sprouted in Los Angeles in 1933.  Ernest Gantt created “Don the Beachcombers” as an homage to life in the tropical Pacific Islands.  A few years later, at the Fairmont Hotel… Continue reading Minneapolis – Psycho Suzis Review

Superior, WI – Shorty’s Pizza and Smoked Meat Review

It’s always difficult to find the true origin of a local favorite;  I don’t think anybody has ever established where the first Coney Island style hot dog was created….or the first pizza place in the U.S……who created the Jucy Lucy in Minneapolis, the Italian Beef in Chicago, or the muffaletta in New Orleans.  Lots of… Continue reading Superior, WI – Shorty’s Pizza and Smoked Meat Review

Duluth, MN – Grandma’s Saloon and Grill Valentine Dinner

In the early days of Great Lakes shipping, a young Italian immigrant named Rosa Brochi opened a boarding hours for sailors near the entrance of the Duluth, MN ship canal.  She operated her business with the philosophy that every customer would leave feeling they had exemplary customer service.  In 1976,  entpreneurs Andy Borg and Mickey… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Grandma’s Saloon and Grill Valentine Dinner

Italian Beef Sandwich – A Chicago Icon

If you’ve walked around Manhattan, you’ve surely seen a pizzeria with some variation of the word “Ray’s” on the sign. The first Ray’s Pizza opened in Greenwich Village in the 50s, the owner eventually opened a second location which he later sold. The new owner retained the name, and subsequent sales and openings have created… Continue reading Italian Beef Sandwich – A Chicago Icon

Dietz & Watson Roast Beef

I mostly prefer to make my own “lunch meats.”  By that, I’m generally referring to cooking a beef roast, ham, or corned beef round and putting it through the slicer. When confronted with the selections at a service deli counter, I’m apt to opt for imported products, and of course I like the variety of… Continue reading Dietz & Watson Roast Beef

Chicago, IL – Taylor Street Pizza Review

With a name that is synonymous with Chicago’s “Little Italy” neighborhood, the seven location Taylor Street Pizza in Chicago’s NW suburbs has a rep to live up to. Primarily a delivery and carry-out operation (with dine in available at the Elgin location), Taylor Street offers thin, double dough, and deep dish pies, as well as… Continue reading Chicago, IL – Taylor Street Pizza Review

Duluth, MN – Restaurant 301 Gloria Ferrer Wine Pairing Dinner

Executive Chef Kevin Ilenda at Restaurant 301 in Duluth, Minnesota, continues to wow and educate local diners with his special wine pairing dinners. The most recent event featured wines from the vineyard of  Sonoma Valley’s Gloria Ferrer. The area of Sonoma that Gloria Ferrer has under vine is called Los Carneros, and boasts a climate… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Restaurant 301 Gloria Ferrer Wine Pairing Dinner

Cadillac Ranch Review

Cadillac Ranch was spawned a few years ago outside of Washington DC, and is on a fast growth track with  five restaurants in the East and one outlet at the Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis.  Their aim is to bring great from scratch food in a fun rock and roll atmosphere.  The menu features… Continue reading Cadillac Ranch Review