I have a Groupon that is ready to expire and I also need to get together with a good friend, so why not combine the two. Our destination is Aura in Calhoun Square, a place that I have passed many times and because it was so dimly lit, just kept on walking.
I arrived exactly at 4 and yes the place was empty, but that never stopped me from having a cocktail and waiting. I decided to have a Mojito (not part of the hh); price is good and the taste not bad. My friend arrived and shortly she had a glass of wine in hand and the chatter begins.
We opted for appetizers picking them from the hh menu. For starters we did the waffle fries with sour cream dressing along with the baked brie and apples. The brie and apples was a little bit deceiving…it was thin slices of apple with a minute sliver of brie…disappointing. We order another batch of drinks and decide to share the three cheese pizza. The pizza had good flavor but could have been cooked a tad longer.
By this time after a good number of drinks it is time to leave. It is about 8 and the place is standing room only. I know this is not because of Groupon, but the prices are just too good to pass up and the food is not bad.
If you are in need of a place to go for hh in uptown you might want to consider Aura.
TTFN!!!!!!!!!!!
Aura Restaurant and Bar
3001 Hennepin Ave
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 821-0008
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Purple Sandpiper
It’s time to use another Groupon which will take me to Purple Sandpiper. I was off to a bad start when I got lost just going around the block. I would figure if an address states Lyndale Avenue that it would be on Lyndale not in a strip mall…another subject all together. With a little direction from the restaurant I did arrive.
By this time I needed a little refreshment of the alcoholic type. My waitress was very knowledgeable about the wine list and suggested a Berringer Merlot as opposed to a Minnesota wine. She had a great suggestion! My guest arrived just in time to have one of the bottled beers, for the life of me cannot remember the name. With the beverages we decided to share the usual calamari and yes the sauce was quite spicy but good.
On to the main courses…since I wanted a salad I choose the grilled salmon with mixed greens. I must be turning over a new leaf (lol) ordering a completely organic first course and thinking how delish it was. My guest ordered the roasted cauliflower mac & cheese with lots of hot sauce on the side. As far as I could tell both dishes met and or exceeded expectation.
Oh, my favorite course is about to arrive…we ordered the classic tiramisu…to share of course. It was good but I think that it could have used a bit more espresso flavor or maybe a dash of Kahlua.
By the time we were ready to leave the place had a very nice crowd even though the weather was not that good. The prices are not bad and there is plenty to choose from, it makes for a very nice neighborhood restaurant with flair.
Must go to prepare for my 6 mile walk and I know there will be a little nosh after that….can’t wait.
TTFN!!!
8405 Lyndale Ave. S.
Bloomington
952-888-1429
By this time I needed a little refreshment of the alcoholic type. My waitress was very knowledgeable about the wine list and suggested a Berringer Merlot as opposed to a Minnesota wine. She had a great suggestion! My guest arrived just in time to have one of the bottled beers, for the life of me cannot remember the name. With the beverages we decided to share the usual calamari and yes the sauce was quite spicy but good.
On to the main courses…since I wanted a salad I choose the grilled salmon with mixed greens. I must be turning over a new leaf (lol) ordering a completely organic first course and thinking how delish it was. My guest ordered the roasted cauliflower mac & cheese with lots of hot sauce on the side. As far as I could tell both dishes met and or exceeded expectation.
Oh, my favorite course is about to arrive…we ordered the classic tiramisu…to share of course. It was good but I think that it could have used a bit more espresso flavor or maybe a dash of Kahlua.
By the time we were ready to leave the place had a very nice crowd even though the weather was not that good. The prices are not bad and there is plenty to choose from, it makes for a very nice neighborhood restaurant with flair.
Must go to prepare for my 6 mile walk and I know there will be a little nosh after that….can’t wait.
TTFN!!!
8405 Lyndale Ave. S.
Bloomington
952-888-1429
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Catch Up Time
It’s time to play catch-up!
After a Royal Wedding and a movie where does one go, that’s easy..PF Changs. I like Changs for their apps and some tasty cocktails. The Pear Mojito is perfect for a warm summer’s day. Of course one cannot pass on the lettuce wraps, wontons and calamari. I would say this is a perfect way to end a perfect day!
Mothers Day is here and I need a place to catch a quick bit…nothing heavy but delish! When I am put on the spot it is hard to think of something so quickly but I did come up with a winner. How about D’Amico what a perfect choice! The turkey and avocado sandwich was delish,the chicken focaccio was mouth watering. D’Amico is a gem in so many ways, it is not only sandwiches but the pizza and pasta looked so good I might have to make another trip.
To go to the other end of the spectrum I did pay a visit to Seven. The disappointing fact is that I was not very hungry, but I also knew I had to try something. I started with the Lemon Pucker, which I was told was much like a Lemon Drop…not even close…way too sweet. I did try the Pear Martini which was a winner. For dinner I sampled the Steakhouse Cobb…just perfect and tasty too. My friend had the Seafood pasta which not only looked good but smelled fantastic. What can I say if there is a special occasion this is the place to go, but here is a little reminder make sure you have plenty of money, it is expensive. Seven was the perfect way to start a night that continued on to see Jersey Boys.
There is one more place that I almost forgot Spasso in Minnetonka. Finally a place that offers not only Brunch but also Lunch…this makes me a very happy camper. I had the Spasso burger which was done to perfection. PHM had the Black & Blue cobb salad. With plates cleaned and appetites sated, onwards to Target for an afternoon of shopping.
Thats it for now!!!!!!!!!!!
Tata
After a Royal Wedding and a movie where does one go, that’s easy..PF Changs. I like Changs for their apps and some tasty cocktails. The Pear Mojito is perfect for a warm summer’s day. Of course one cannot pass on the lettuce wraps, wontons and calamari. I would say this is a perfect way to end a perfect day!
Mothers Day is here and I need a place to catch a quick bit…nothing heavy but delish! When I am put on the spot it is hard to think of something so quickly but I did come up with a winner. How about D’Amico what a perfect choice! The turkey and avocado sandwich was delish,the chicken focaccio was mouth watering. D’Amico is a gem in so many ways, it is not only sandwiches but the pizza and pasta looked so good I might have to make another trip.
To go to the other end of the spectrum I did pay a visit to Seven. The disappointing fact is that I was not very hungry, but I also knew I had to try something. I started with the Lemon Pucker, which I was told was much like a Lemon Drop…not even close…way too sweet. I did try the Pear Martini which was a winner. For dinner I sampled the Steakhouse Cobb…just perfect and tasty too. My friend had the Seafood pasta which not only looked good but smelled fantastic. What can I say if there is a special occasion this is the place to go, but here is a little reminder make sure you have plenty of money, it is expensive. Seven was the perfect way to start a night that continued on to see Jersey Boys.
There is one more place that I almost forgot Spasso in Minnetonka. Finally a place that offers not only Brunch but also Lunch…this makes me a very happy camper. I had the Spasso burger which was done to perfection. PHM had the Black & Blue cobb salad. With plates cleaned and appetites sated, onwards to Target for an afternoon of shopping.
Thats it for now!!!!!!!!!!!
Tata
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