Saturday, June 27, 2009

the creamery

The only thing I love more than a great dining experience in good company is an unexpectedly great dining experience in good company. This happened on Thursday. My parents took me to the Red Cedar Bike Trail with the promise of a delicious dinner at The Creamery afterwards. I had never heard of it and always temper my parents' dining critiques with the knowledge that nothing makes mom happier than a whopper with cheese. That being said, mom and dad's greatest dining moments align closely with mine. We have shared most of them. They have funded most of them.

The Creamery boasts the most local menu I have ever seen. Gracing the margins of the menu are a list of local purveyors of every ingredient from dairy to berries to rabbits to grass-fed beef. I was overjoyed to see fiddlehead ferns incorporated into several dishes. I have never tried them. They are elusive and much talked about in certain circles. Esoteric circles, but still. When I inquired about their source of fiddlehead ferns, I was told that the owners went to a nearby location and picked them by hand. Our meal included smoked trout cakes, sushi with pea tendrils, miso glazed halibut, seared scallops with fiddlehead ferns, bison sliders, pea risotto and a complimentary side of fiddlehead ferns on account of my inquiry. For dessert, a flourless chocolate cake and schaum torte. All delicious and accompanied by a sparkling Californian wine. For the record, fiddlehead ferns taste like a cross between green beans and asparagus with a delicate crunch. The essence of spring. But, as a friend pointed out, not recommended for people who tend to see vague resemblances to centipedes in foodstuffs. We ate outside on a bug-proof porch overlooking beautiful gardens. Everything about The Creamery is charming. There is an adjoining bed and breakfast that has recently undergone an eco-friendly makeover. It was recently lauded by CityPages as the Best Weekend Getaway 2009.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

molasses and cream


I can't wait to see what you make of yourself.

Friday, June 12, 2009

fashion show

I attended my first fashion show last night. A midwestern swimwear event. I don't know why I feel the need to disclaim. Possibly because the audience was sporting an almost exclusive collection of Mossimo via Target. The show featured Tekno Doll Swimwear and a line of swim coverups by Kristy Simmons of Je Ne Regrette Rien ('I Do Not Regret Anything'). The coverups had an intriguing one-off demure quality. Modest until the bodylength slit revealed itself along with a full back or side view. I love the duality. The line was primarily constructed from fabrics collected in Cameroon by her do-good aunt. Kristy seemed equally beneficent. I accidentally struck up a conversation with her and was mesmerized by her good nature.


power shoes

Thursday, June 11, 2009

fresh

Fresh is a documentary film about the food we eat and where it comes from. I saw the movie at Riverview Theatre last week and was greatly inspired by it. Foat Design will be hosting a viewing of the film sometime this summer. I plan to deliver a brief vegetable manifesto. I know- the suspense. Stay tuned for details.

The day after watching the film I went on a shopping spree at the local co-op and also signed up to become a member of Environment Minnesota . There was a college kid flagging down passersby. I was his easy sell of the day. I left the Wedge with two amazing cheeses, organic blueberries, Hope Creamery butter, dried figs, Fage yogurt and a Panda black licorice bar for the road. One bag of groceries has never made me so happy.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Friday, June 5, 2009

thank you sarah and jamie


your support of dress month was much appreciated