June Monthly Recap – Foi Gras Hot Dogs, Lazy Bear, Barrels and Beasts

Last updated on January 16th, 2017 at 06:36 pm

Note from Jeff: My apologies for getting our monthly recap out half way through the month. I could barely find my computer buried underneath all of our possessions as we prepared for our move. Now that we are on solid ground, we are posting our June recap. These will be more timely in the future, I promise. 

Jeff and I spent most of June apart, in the same states just at different times. Below is a summary of the things we did throughout the month.

Minnesota Girls Weekend

The first weekend in June, I went back to Minnesota to see some girlfriends for one last hurrah!

I flew on Sun Country. I love Sun Country just because they serve Surly on the flights. There is no better way to kick off a trip to Minnesota than with an ice cold Furious:

“Sorry we are out of Furious.”

Ok then. Well the second best way to kick off a trip to Minnesota is with an ice cold Hell (Oxymoron?).

My friend picked me up at MSP Terminal 2 (known as the Humphrey terminal to locals). I was full of Hell and excited to have some fun. We headed off to the Loews‘ hotel bar (former Graves Hotel). No we didn’t stay there, so this will not be a hotel review (per se). My friend happened to know the chef at the bar restaurant, so we received a few extra treats in addition to the charcuterie butcher’s block:

 

Yes, that is a foie gras hot dog in a brioche bun.  Yes, I do love meat butter stuffed in a tube!! Seriously, this was delicious, hats off to the chef. Also, Loews is doing a promotional campaign #TravelForReal, where they are using pictures taken by customers at various Loews locations in their ads. Loews has asked to use this picture for their campaign. So, we will see what happens…. :)

Recently, I updated this photo with a quote from Jeff, which is funny because it is true.

The weekend was a long overdue bonding session with some a couple of my girlfriends from school. We had dinner, a spa day at Loews (which is oddly small. I mean really small), more food, drinks, laughs. Then we topped it all off with a visit to the Walker Art Center, including the sculpture garden.

Minneapolis is known for the sculpture garden and the cherry in the spoon. A wedding party was having their pictures taken in the garden, and the wind took the brides veil away. However, a groomsman saved the day. Obviously, I captured the moment.

Sunday was spent with some friends in St. Paul at Grand Old Day. A wise almost 3 year old person told me this:

The weekend was followed by happy hour with co-workers and friends. The happy hour migrated into dinner at Seven where we told our waiter I was retiring. Obviously, he returned to our table with balloons and fireball shots. (Picture omitted, but I can assure you it was amazing!)

Feast or Famine – the Jeffsetters eat out (a lot)

Jeff and I did a few dinners around the area, State Bird Provision (fabulous), Lazy Bear (pictures below) and a wine member dinner at Del Dotto (pictures below). State Bird was delicious. Our reservation was at 9:00pm, but we were not seated until around 9:30pm. People from earlier reservations just were not leaving. The staff was great offering us nibbles (oysters, corn bread) to tide us over until we could be seated. I would love to go back here sometime before we leave.

Del Dotto Barrels and Beasts Party

The evening started with a seafood reception, note we missed this portion because we were stuck in traffic.

Next we enjoyed an informal barrel tasting of the newest vintages. As a special treat to us, Desire Del Dotto joined our group.

The main event multi course dinner was paired with wines new vintages and also some very limited library wines and large format bottles.

Lazy Bear

The one week Jeff and I had together in SF we headed to Lazy Bear with some friends. If you don’t know what Lazy Bear is, then I am finally hipper than someone. Joking, kind of.

Lazy Bear is THE up and coming restaurant in SF. They have two seatings a night, and it is a tasting menu with an optional wine pairing.

You can ask all the chefs and cooks questions as they prep (because chefs/cooks love that), and then the course is described by the chef as it is served (inspiration, flavors, etc.). They even give you a little notebook so you can take notes for each course. Being culinary experts, here are some of Jeff and my “notes:”

Spelt & Rye Dinner Roll with House Cultured Butter –

Amanda – “To quote the chef, ‘This butter is f*cking delicious’.”

Jeff – “Pretty f*cking delicious.”

New Potato Fonduex

Jeff – “Touche, best potatoes evah”

Amanda – “OMG, I want to bathe in this, and lick myself clean.”

Olallieberry with Cocoa Nib, Foie Gras and Buckwheat (what Foie Gras for dessert?!)

Amanda – “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”

If you have the opportunity, you should try this place.

Jeff Abandons Me

Jeff headed to MN to teach, so I sold all our worldly possessions.

Welcome home Jeff!!! He is writing a separate post on his trip to MN, including loved and loathed drone pictures!! I have to say the videos are pretty cool.

Third Anniversary

With the impending never ending trip coming up, we did not do a big trip for our anniversary. In fact, we spent our anniversary apart (see the section above, where Jeff abandons me). However, Jeff kindly articulated our love which I have  captured below.

 

 

Jeff has noted that he is the straight-laced partner, and I am the wild card.

East Bay – Alameda

I finally headed over to the East Bay to do some exploring with a friend. Alameda has a great view of the city, a brewery, two wineries and a distillery.

It was a great day to enjoy a sampler of beer at Faction Brewing. That is until my friend said, “You are starting to look a little pink.”

 

Uh that is not pink, that is lobster red. We should clearly go inside and do a tasting at St. George Spirits. The distillery is known for gin, but they have started making some vodkas. The green chili vodka is great, perfect for a bloody mary.

I hopped the ferry back to SF, which offered some great views of the Bay Bridge as the boat went under it.

June Monthly Recap

Just another action packed month of local destinations. I sometimes forget about all the amazing things in my backyard opting for more exotic travel. I am glad Jeff and I were able to spend time in the city and our home state this June!!