IMA’S NOSH REVIEW: JENSEN’S SUPPER CLUB

My parents would indulge us kids with a visit to a restaurant for our birthday. I usually requested the Lavender Inn, situated in Faribault even though it was a long drive. We would walk into an airy entryway and be warmly welcomed by the proprietors. They would take us to either a dark-paneled beautifully decorated room or upstairs to a dining hall with windows. I preferred the bright upstairs room but sometimes it was closed for a private party. The waitresses wore rather ridiculous lavender uniforms but the service and food were exceptional. Sadly, Lavender Inn has closed but it set a high standard for fine dining. Their garlic toast was perfection.

Recently, my friends and I ventured to Jensen’s Supper Club located at 3840 Sibley Memorial Hwy, Eagan (651) 688-7969, on the frontage road just off the Hwy 13 & 77-Cedar Avenue interchange. We were greeted by friendly hosts and escorted to our table. The waiter was attentive (except for forgetting one person’s drink) despite the busy night. While we waited for the rest of the group to arrive we received small trays of raw vegetables to nibble upon. www.jensenssupperclub.com

We split appetizers of crab cakes, which were rather bland. The warm popover served with the salad was terrific; I only wish that they had brought more popovers for consumption. The menu is a carnivore’s delight. My friends treated me to prime rib. It was tender, juicy and flavorful. The accompanying beef au jus was excellent. Rather surprised that sides were not included with the entrée but the price was appropriate for the portion.

We shared several desserts. Crème Brule was wonderful and served cold; I prefer it to be room temperature or slightly warmed. It would be nice if the waiter asked what temperature was ideal. The raspberry sorbet was refreshingly light. The chocolate mousse was disappointing flat in tone; it could use a couple types of chocolate to add layers of flavor. Turtle cheesecake was the clear winner. It was thick and creamy. One slice was enough for three people.

Our group departed with full tummies and smiles. The building is modern but the interior decorations are rather garish, simplification would be a benefit. It is awkward to pass through a crowded entryway while making way to the bathroom. It would have been nice to have piano music playing in the background to make the place a bit classier.

FOUR FORKS = Very Good

I love leftovers!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

IMA'S NOSH REVIEW: MRS. KELLY'S TEA

Belch. American Lipton was my first introduction to tea. It is hideous. The British mother of my sister’s boyfriend introduced me to proper tea. Her sister sent tea to Minnesota and Mrs. B brewed it correctly. I was smitten. Unfortunately, her son broke my sister’s heart and I was stuck with Lipton. During college in the Twin Cities I discovered a store that sold imported tea and my taste-buds rejoiced.

A few years ago my fellow tea-connoisseur, Allie, took me to Mrs. Kelly’s Tea Tasting extravaganza. The event is a tea-enthusiast delight to sample their extensive selection. Mrs. Kelly’s opens their spartan warehouse; provides hot water, and bistro tables. I have attended on several occasions and it is becoming more popular every year. I gathered a bunch of samples to sip at home since its rather crowded and loud. Mrs. Kelly’s Tea sells its creations on-line and opens its Minneapolis warehouse once per month. www.mrskellystea.com

Reviews of their flavors:
Russian Smoky is extremely robust, complexly flavored, and my favorite tea. The best way to brew extra-strong tea is to dump hot water on the tea and then pour it off immediately (first wash). Then, gently pour hot water on the leaves and let it steep. The resulting essence is fantastic. You can discard the first wash or else douse it with a lot of sugar, milk and/or mint.

Jasmine Pearl is an exquisite green tea. There is neither bitterness nor grassiness in its flavor. The tone is gentle and calming. The best green tea that I have ever experienced.

China Rose smells like my aunt’s favorite hand lotion but tastes scrumptious. It brightens the palate and would be fabulous with dessert.

Darjeeling Organic is smooth and mellow. A tiny touch of sweetener helps a bit.

French Vanilla with milk is like drinking delicious warm ice-cream.

Strawberry Swirl is disappointing. The strawberry flavor is weak and swirl is rather bland.

More reviews to come, as I taste them! I hope Mrs. Kelly’s Tea adds a spring Tea Party event, which could be expanded to the parking lot with tents and feature speakers. I’d love to learn how to make tea-liqueur.

Tea is served.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

MOBBING MIDWAY & ON'S

Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) was featured in a St. Paul Pioneer Press article by Frederick Melo http://www.twincities.com/stpaul/ci_21356737/cash-mob-set-strike-university-avenue-businesses-wednesday (Section A, Page 4, Above the Fold!!) Utterly thrilled with the response of increasing our membership from 47 to 154 (when this article was posted). The more the merrier!

As a result of the media attention and the wonderful efforts of our members, we had great success for the CMSPM Event #2! First, we gathered at Midway Used and Rare Books, a quirky store filled with myriad tomes on almost every subject imaginable. Proprietors, Kathy & Tom Stransky, are offering a special discount for CMSPM members. You’ll receive a 10% discount when you state that you are a Cash Mob member through September 30th, 2012. Location is 1579 University Avenue West, 55104. Their website is www.midwaybook.com or phone at 651-644-7605.

Second, we consumed calories at On’s Kitchen Thai Cuisine. A terrific group gathered to share a meal and make new friends. Amnvani Khumchaya, nicknamed On, reported that her restaurant has been busy since the article was published. She and her family offer fast, friendly service and delicious food at 1613 University Avenue West, 55104. Their website is www.onskitchen.com or call 651-644-1444. If you weren’t able to attend, please patronize these businesses soon (within the next month).

Cash Mob St Paul MN (CMSPM) was formed because of my personal commitment to where I choose to reside (Twin Cities East Metro). Inspired by Cash Mob Minneapolis, I wanted to rally kindred spirits to assist East Metro entrepreneurs. No agenda, no hidden plans or political bent (that is relegated to my blog). Just plain and simple: civic duty. Spending money at a local merchant is more likely to have a positive impact on the community rather than having the profit sent to some faraway place.

To clarify the Pioneer Press article, my identity is “cloaked in secrecy” and I prefer to remain “anonymous” and use a pseudonym because I don’t seek the spotlight. I’m 100% real but a friend of mine had a bad experience with a stalker who threatened her because of what she wrote in her blog. She had to quit her blog and move to get rid of his obsessive attention. That is the only reason why I use a pseudonym. I’ve been there, done that with a stalker – not a favorable episode (via former boyfriend). I’d be honored if you’d Friend me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, and regularly read my blog, however, no stalking please.

Remember, nifty gifts are at Something New in the Park, 2301 Como Avenue, Suite 101, St Paul 55108, www.somethingnewinthepark.wordpress.com or call 651-646-2423 for information. The shop features cool stuff made by nearly one hundred local artisans, talk about a positive impact on the area. Stop there on your way to or from the Minnesota State Fair! (CMSPM Event #1)

Please let us know if we should venture to another Green Line venue for September (CMSPM Event #3). Perhaps a Saturday morning or afternoon? Watch our page for details. Thanks! www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Cash-Mob-St-Paul-MN/297499490345966

Mob A Lot!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

IMA’S NOSH REVIEW: KRUNGTHEP THAI

Glorious Eat Street features an impressive array of restaurants. I have dined several times at Krugthep Thai (Bangkok Thai Deli #2) and always consumed tasty entrees. The restaurant is located at 2523 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis, 55404 with phone number (612) 874-7721. Street parking is difficult so we usually park on a side street and walk over to the venue.

The space is simple and not crowded. Sometimes music is playing softly in the background. The waiters are knowledgeable but rather aloof. They quickly refill water glasses but you have to call them over for other attention. The food is prepared quickly and from fresh ingredients. Portion size is very good.

We started with the chicken satay. It was a bit bland but the meat was tender. Papaya Salad is absolutely fabulous. Crunchy, savory, and spicy, yum! Spicy Noodle was a wonderful combination of flavors and heat. I like three chilies of heat, equivalent to medium. Makes my nose run and a little extra sweat. I usually order a sweet coconut Thai Ice Tea, which helps to squelch the oil from the Thai chili peppers. Stir-Fried Rama and Red Curry are nice but the flavor is a bit flat. Masamun Curry is perfection. It has zest, texture, and looks too beautiful to eat. Larb is good but I would pass on the tripe (shredded intestines), they remind me of worms. Special Pho soup is complicated with a lot of flavor but also contains tripe. I’m certain that you can ask for tripe-free dishes.

The restroom is tiny and clean. Entryway is a good double door but the newspaper stands make it rather crowded. I wish that they had an outdoor patio. A solid four forks out of five for this very good restaurant!

Spice is Nice.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

NOSH REVIEW: AMORE VICTORIA RISTORANTE

Consuming calories at a restaurant is a birthday tradition with my friends. We celebrated at Amore Victoria Ristorante located at 1601 West Lake Street in the Uptown area of Minneapolis. It was my first visit. The entryway was rather crowded and the tables extremely close together due to a renovation in the front room. We Minnesotans have a large personal bubble. I really don’t want to hear the sound of someone chewing their food at the next table. It was too close for comfort since we were seated at a table too small for our group. We had a reservation, there were empty tables nearby, and the host or waiter should have added another table on when they realized that six people were at a table for four. www.amorevictoria.com

We started with the Calamari Fritti, crispy calamari. The bands were soft and the legs crispy in a light batter. The sauce was unremarkable. Rosa de Pesto had a strong pesto flavor in a large portion. Grazies sweet Basil Sauce was a lighter pesto with delicate homemade noodles. Pollo con Penne e Shitake was salty. Needed more mushrooms and would have been better with bow-tie pasta. Lasagna was the best entrée. Excellent flavor and a good-sized serving.

My friend received a tiramisu for dessert. She really liked it. I didn’t try it because I am not a fan of coffee flavor. I did eat a piece of delicious chocolate cake. Soft texture and creamy mousse filling. Disappointed that the dessert menu did not include prices. The décor is a bit dark and there doesn’t seem to be a theme. Mood lighting made it difficult to read the menu.

Service with a smile. Waitron was friendly but he was very slow. Several of my friends only drank water and their glasses were not refilled. It would have been amenable to have a pitcher of water placed on the table. Bread was nice but it was served cold. The fresh Parmesan cheese was excellent with the bread but the olive oil was a rather bland brand. Overall, the prices were high for the portion size. Happy that there are windows in the kitchen. The staff needs to see the world and it improves their working environment.

Two and a half forks out of five, aka so-so.

Carpe Diem.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

NOSH REVIEW: WINZER STUBE

Journeyed with friends to Hudson, Wisconsin to partake at America’s 5th favorite German Restaurant, Winzer Stube, to celebrate a birthday. The cozy eatery is located in the basement of the historic Opera House. We were fortunate to find parking behind the building and avoided plugging the meter. It has been several years since I have visited Hudson and the downtown area has become gentrified. www.winzerstube.net

My friends have been to Germany several times and said that this restaurant is authentic. The décor is rather kitschy but warm and comfortable. Odd that a French Moulin Rouge poster is displayed in the women’s bathroom. German tunes were background music. I love polka so it was a nice touch. Impressive selection of German beers and wines are available for consumption.

We started the meal with very American cheese curds. Tasty fresh curds in a donut-like batter. The portion was small for the price. Ruben Sliders were big enough for a meal and the French Fries were hot and delicious. The Cordon Bleu Winzer Art breaded pork cutlet was excellent. The Ziegeunerschnitzel Hunstruck pork cutlet was only so-so. The red & white cabbage was cooked to the consistency of goo. Warm German potato salad was flavorful but one friend complained that it was too sweet. I’m a third generation American so I cannot speak to the genuineness of the dishes, but recognize that there are regional and personal preferences. Another friend remarked that the Chicken with Cranberry Pecan Chutney was a bit bland. The server was attentive but forgot to bring us more bread. The crusty bread was steaming hot from the oven.

Fresh apple strudel was complimentary for the birthday celebration. The crust was crunchy and flaky. The apple was a bit gooey and not much flavor. Wonderful whipped cream and sweet vanilla ice cream. The birthday boy cooed with joy. He is a dessert fiend.

It was warm enough to take a walk after the meal. Downtown Hudson area has an array of shops and restaurants as well as a gorgeous park next to the St. Croix River. Plan to go for a few hours and explore. There are regular performances at the amphitheater and arts center. Book a room and stay for the weekend. www.hudsonwi.org

Three forks out of five.

Das est gut!
© 2012 Ima B. Musing

NOSH REVIEW: LITTLE SZECHUAN

Dodged around Central Corridor Light Rail construction to the St. Paul location of Little Szechuan Restaurant. I always judge the authenticity of an eatery based upon the referral of people who grew up with the food as home cooking. If the venue is as good as “grandma” used to make, then it is good for everybody. Little Szechuan always has people of Chinese decent dining there. Their vote counts much more than mine. www.littleszechuan.com

Went with a group so I was able to try several dishes. Dan Dan Noodle is a spicy appetizer. The Bamboo Tips are rather bland. Deep-fried Crabmeat Delight doesn’t contain much crab but is a tasty crispy cream cheese wonton served with sweet sour sauce. Spicy Belt Fish is bony and doesn’t look like the photo in the menu. Milky Crispy Shrimp is a perfect combination of crunch and sweet. However, the broccoli garnish was cold. Spicy Crispy Chicken is like eating chicken turned into potato chips, but it tastes excellent. Chung King Chili Shrimp has got a lot of kick. Spicy Beef Short Ribs are succulent and finger-licking good. Cumin Lamb is exceptionally wonderful. Tea Smoked Duck is passable. Crispy Rice with Triple Delight has a flavorful sauce that will make you want to lick the plate. My kind friends treated me to a wonderful meal.

There are probably one hundred dishes available. The restaurant is decorated in simple red and black with two koi-pond fish tanks. Fake bamboo shoots provide an odd screen from the larger dining area to the booths. The breeze can be rather cold from the front door on chilly days despite the screen behind the host table. The servers are friendly and helpful. They were kind enough to replace a friend’s meal that was too spicy for him because the waitron forgot to ask how hot to make the dish. Oddly, there is no scent to the room or music.

They have a spacious parking lot, which is accessible from Western Avenue via the alley behind the Mai Village Restaurant on the SW corner of University Avenue and Western Avenue. Don’t let construction keep you from this delicious experience on “Little Mekong.” Otherwise, you can try their St. Louis Park location or order takeout and pick up the meal to consume at home.

Four and a half forks! The menu is difficult to navigate and some of the dishes were mediocre.

Near perfection.
© 2012 Ima B. Musing