Happy 25 Rainbow

Happy birthday to our friends down the street, Rainbow Chinese!  25 Years at serving phenomenal homemade Chinese food!

Don't miss their celebration all weekend! There will be menu specials, prizes, and a special keg of Surly on tap created for the occasion.

From the Chef and Owner, Tammy Wong, "Twenty-five years ago, I knew how much I loved cooking, and how much I hoped to open a restaurant that would become a part of Minneapolis life. I’ll be forever grateful to those who have helped me make my dream come true."

Red Stag... Happy 5 Year Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary!!! Thanks for making the Twin Cities foodie scene so much better! You are one of our favorite restaurants, really!

The Red Stag is a pioneer. The first restaurant to do the "Upscale Meat" thing that everyone is talking about (yes, you Eat Street Social, Butcher Boar, Haute Dish, and the rest...).  But they were also the first LEED Certified restaurant in the area as well.

Here is a list of 8 reasons why we love the Red Stag:

1. Regular nightly specials that include $3 local tap beers
2. Block party!
3. Brunch. It may be overlooked some time, but it is amazing
4. Truffle Kettle Corn... One of the top menu items in all of the Twin Cities ($3)
5. Free live shows nearly every night; and lots of great bands have played here!
6. Smelt Fries
7. Awesome happy hour day and night
8. Support local charities all the time

Anyway, they'll be celebrating all week with a special menu, and all day, $3 specialty cocktail (Lemon Basil Martini) if you wish them "happy birthday". 

King & I Closing... December 17th

Sadly, the best Thai Restaurant in the Twin Cities is closing. The King & I was around for 32 years, and for 12 in it's most recent downtown Minneapolis location off Nicollet Mall.

It was amazing to see the outpouring of support for the place (see fb post), but again, landlords have determined not to renew a lease.

The King & I was a family owned restaurant, fronted by an owner and his wife the chef.  Want a recipe? Too bad, the meals all live in her head.

It was one of the first bars in the Twin Cities to do the craft cocktail thing, it is one of the only lounge's left to open every night with free DJ's... And not newbies, but seasoned pros with deep crates of music; people that love to play for the art and love and not just the hype of some of the other local night clubs.

Closing 12/17/12, but not before a Scotch Tasting November 28th with DJ Espada (wants vs needs)

Don't miss your chance to dine here before the close on December 17th! They'll be having nightly DJ's, a Scotch Tasting on the 28th with Balvenie, and we're sure, a HUGE party on the 15th.

Happy Hour and Event Calendar at the King & I

Rouge Valley Vinyl Release and Party Time!

For those of you invested in the local Twin Cities Rock Scene, you'll know we've got a good thing going. For me, I love the way musicians here combine art, music, and all-around talent. And no band really does it better than Rouge Valley.

In a single year, they have written, recorded, and successfully released four full length albums, each one sonically steeped in the season of its creation. Together, the four albums tell a sweeping story of love, loss, regret and hope that is inseparable from the geography of classic American wanderlust. The 46 songs act as chapters, standing strongly on their own, yet creating an undeniably rich experience when taken as a whole. Few bands are so productive in an entire career, yet Rogue Valley and songwriter Chris Koza have realized a breadth of ambition that is beyond simple prolificacy – the entire series stands out for its dynamism, craft, impeccable production and fantastic songwriting.

They love the music, and are giving it away, Pay What You Can, or download it for free. It's really up to you, but this is an album you MUST HEAR!

Next week, they release an album for the masses at the Cedar Cultural Center.  Don't miss out! Joey Ryan will be there to help.

Rouge Valley Vinyl Release Party
Saturday, Novemeber 24 @ The Cedar Cultural Center
With Joey Ryan and the Inks and Meredith Fierke
All Ages, 7:30PM, $10adv/$12door... and pick up the Vinyl for whatever you've got!

OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS GETTING FRIGHTFUL

Bryant Lake Bowl's Hot Teddy

OH, THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS GETTING FRIGHTFUL
Robyn Schindeldecker

As the temperature continues its steady march toward icy paralysis, you’re going to need more than a few layers of clothing to completely stave off the cold. Fortify yourself with one of these seasonal libations that will both warm your body and lift your spirits.

Bryant Lake Bowl’s Hot Teddy
In an attempt to up the ABV of this throat-soothing elixir, the BLB eschews traditional honey for Bärenjäger, a German honey liqueur. While it’s not as thick as your average hot toddy, it certainly packs more punch. This spin on the seasonal staple makes a dismal winter day not only bearable, but borderline enjoyable.
(810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408)

King and I Thai’s Bloody “Hot” Mary
Living up to its name, this fiery rendition of the common hangover remedy isn’t for the feint of heart. Made with Thai chili sauce, roasted garlic, and an array of spices, heat will instantly shoot through your viscera. Fortunately, the drink is adorned with a small meal of garnishes if and when you choose to extinguish the blaze.
(1346 LaSalle Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403)

Kopplin’s Coffee’s Hot Chocolate
Need to defrost after prolonged exposure to the elements? Look no further than this charming Merriam Park café. The sophisticated blend of steamed organic milk, cocoa powder, and 70-percent-cacao bars will slowly tease your senses into sweet, sweet submission. Your body will be blissfully thawed in no time.   
(2038 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104)

La Belle Vie’s Taking It to the House
Don’t merely survive the cruel conditions, indulge in them with this crisp bourbon-based cocktail. Infused with apple, ginger, and citrus, it attacks your palate with piquant authority. The fresh apple slices balanced on the rim of the glass put this drool-worthy delight in the running for best accessorized beverage.
(510 Groveland Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55403)

La Belle Vie's Taking It to the House

The Local’s Irish Coffee
Seek refuge from the winter winds at this downtown pub, which offers a staggering one-two punch of caffeination and intoxication. Made with 2 Gingers Whiskey, Guinness simple syrup, and coffee, and topped with silky homemade whipped cream, you will be swept away from the doldrums of winter as soon as the brew touches your lips.
(931 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55402)

KEEP ON DRINKING IN THE FREE WORLD

KEEP ON DRINKING IN THE FREE WORLD
Robyn Schindeldecker

Whether you’re celebrating your candidate’s victory or commiserating with other backers of the also-ran, it’s time to toast the end of the election season. After all, irrespective of your partisanship, you deserve a reward after enduring months of mudslinging and muckraking.

(s)Election Night No-Parties Party
Behold the quadrennial election spectacle through jaded eyes at the party that eschews all political parties. Watch up-to-the-minute election coverage and enjoy snacks and hot chocolate until you’re consumed by the one-two punch of exhaustion and ennui. Cheering permitted, jeering preferred.
(6:30pm, Minnehaha Free Space, 3747 Minnehaha Ave S, Minneapolis)

Election Night Trivia
Alternate between rounds of pub trivia and keeping an eye on the clubhouse’s big screens as the returns are announced. From 10 to midnight, drink away any lingering memory of scathing attack ads with $4 select pints and wines and $7 Bootlegs (Brit’s signature blend of mint leaves, lemonade, and vodka or gin).
(7:30pm, Brit’s Pub & Eating Establishment, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403)

Pat’s Tap and Bryant Lake Bowl
Watch the results pour in while you pour a few back as prolific restaurateur Kim Bartmann offers port-balloting bashes at two of her establishments. Satisfy your thirst with $3 Bell’s taps and watch democratic process unfold with live election coverage all night long.
(Pat’s Tap, 3510 Nicollet Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55408 and Bryant Lake Bowl, 810 W Lake St, Minneapolis, MN 55408)

A Night of No
After voting against the Marriage and Voter ID Amendments, let DJ Jake Rudh amplify your double negative with a catalogue of songs in the Key of No. Whether the negation is found in the title or laced throughout the verses, the songs will reinforce the message that bigotry has no place in our state constitution.
(9pm, Kings Wine Bar, 4555 Grand Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55419)

Curious about the political inclinations of your fellow imbibers? Let the beverage of their choice act as a liquid litmus test as to how they voted. According to statistics from the National Journal, liberals are more likely to reach for a Heineken, Guinness, or Michelob, while those who skew right prefer a pint of Samuel Adams, Rolling Rock, and Coors Light.