sarah p.'s Profile

If you're looking for an intimate, dark spot to grab a glass of wine while engaging in a romantic tete-a-tete, I highly recommend Bev's. While wine bar is in the name, they do carry a variety of beers, so if your tablemate or SO  doesn't like the grape juice (this happens to be the sad, sad case with me), they'll still find something to satisfy them.

I've never eaten here, but it would be a perfect spot to grab a late-night snack/bite while you drain a lovely glass (or bottle). We could use more places like Bev's in the city.

If you're in a crunch for a quite, romantic spot to spend the later part of your date, pop into Bev's -- you won't be disappointed.

Made a big mistake today thinking that the whole family might enjoy the Northeast Boutique Crawl. Should have known better for thinking the dog, baby and husband would have some stamina and be able to flitter between Northeast's great boutiques. Wrong. The three of them combined had the attention span of a gnat. What was to be a lovely afternoon quickly deteriorated into a full on "melt down" (as we call them), and we bagged the shopping for a late lunch at Pizza Nea.

We had stopped at Parc around the beginning of the Crawl. Cute boutique with some nice pieces, all which seemed extremely reasonably priced. There were a couple of things I'd have liked to try on, but, alas, my companions were having none of that. On the bright side, I'm going to schedule a solo shopping venture soon, and Parc is sure to be on the list.

So, apparently this is a chain, but as it has yet to make it's way to the Twin Cities, it was a totally new experience for me. I'm definitely not a bowler. I'm embarassingly bad. BUT, I always have a good time, even though scoring a turkey will probably only be achieved at the grocery store.

If I had one word for it, I'd say FLASHY. Reminded me of a disco cum bar cum bowling alley. THis sin't the type of place I'm used to scoring gutter balls! Lots of lights, digital screen, music and plenty of drinks -- even champagne! Now that's something I never thought I'd find in a bowling alley.

The menu was extensive, but I didn't think the food was very good. If it were more along the lines of cheap bar food, I'd have been happier. They tried to class it up a but, but it just didn't work for me. I was, however, introduced to potato chip nachos. A bit pile of Lays smothered in sour cream, chives, bacon and cheese. I think I definitely be making these for my Superbowl party....go Vikes!

I was a little hesitant about coming to BJ after reading all the reviews about mediocrity, long wait, prices etc. That's why, even though I live spitting distance from the joint, it's taken me oh so long to pop inside. But when Zac S (who works nearby Calhoun Plaza) and I decided to get lunch, we had 2 options Rustica and Burger Jones. We were both excited to try Rustica, and their website said it would be opening on the 19th. Considering Zac's history with attempting to dine at restaurants on opening day, I didn't have high hopes that Rustica would be open. And guess what...it wasn't. Off to plan B, then -- Burger Jones.

We both ordered The Nooner -- a cheeseburger with fries for 7.99. My burger was well cooked and juicy and the veggies were good. I was bummed about the fries. While presented nicely, they were more like fry nubs, as though I got the very end of the batch. I think I had maybe 5 full sized fies. I love fries, so this totally bummed me out. I eventually gave up and just left the pile of stubby fries.

Overall, I thought the lunch was tasty and a good value. If/when I return, it will most definitely be for lunch.

As my week in Denver progressed, The Corner Office slowly morphed into our office. Strategy meetings, breakfasts, pitch-work, happy hours, late night drinks, and meetups increased in frequency as we rolled toward the weekend. Waitresses even started to remember what we each drank.

Farrah A said it best, "modern with a playful Mad Men office theme." The have a great happy hour with a nice list of $5 martinis. The beer list was a bit different than the printed list, and I don't know if it's because it was they hadn't updated it or if they continuously rotate beers...i don't know...but what I DO know is they have PBR on tap, and that amused me.

The Corner Office was my cheers for the week, and I hope that by the time I return they've restocked their champagne!

Jess R, Julie S and I grabbed dinner here one Sunday evening. We were preparing ourselves for a long wait when we showed up at 6:30. It was a warm November evening (almost an oxymoron in MSP) and all the tables were filled outside (yes, outside eating on a November night!) and I suspected we'd wait for at least 30 minutes. But alas! A booth had just opened up and there was no one in front of us. Score!

Famished, we quickly ordered -- fish and chips with curry sauce, mushy peas for Julie, and Jess got the shepards pie. OMG, everything was soooo delicious. I'd never tried mushy peas before and they were incredible. I swore I'd start serving them at home. The shepard's pie was a huge dish of comfort goodness. Our fish and chips with curry sauce were authentically fantastic (and a diet breaker).

My only complaint is that they didn't serve malt vinegar. ??????. Why go 90% authentic and then drop the ball with the most important condiment? Please bring malt vinegar and I'm sure I'll be bumping this review up to 5 stars.

Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for pit style sandwiches. Maybe it was the fact that the place was packed and difficult to maneuver. Quite possibly I just wasn't in the mood for the Lyndale Tap House.

As the three stars suggest, I thought it was a fine space with fine food. I was there celebrating a birthday, so the company was fun. Others in my party really enjoyed their sandwiches, even though I was underwhelmed. I'd like to come back when I was feeling carniverous and needed to get a meat fix, or also for their happy hour, because who can resist a happy hour? Not me! ;)

The reason why Disneyland freaks me out is the overload of cute themes -- after awhile the ear, eye, and nose candy makes me want to run far, far away. After nearly a week of staying at The Curtis, my flight response was nearly triggered from fun and happy overload, and I was happy to be shuttled away with my sanity come Saturday morning.

I stayed on the Fun and Games floor, and other friends were on the Chick Flick floor, Horror Movie Floor, The Big Hair Floor and others. Wake up calls were thematic as well. My friend on the Horror Movie Floor was greeted by Hanibal Lector every morning. I'd have been so freaked, I don't think I'd have been able to get out of bed.

The location is great if you're looking to be in LoDo, and the rooms are good value for money. The staff was fantastic at every encounter. I had horrible luck with the wi-fi, but my computer is nearly geriatric, so my issues may not have been the hotel's fault at all. My room was spacious and clean, but I thought the stand up shower with a shower curtain was a wee ghetto. I enjoyed my jolly ranchers at turn down service, and they were happy to supply me with some much needed toiletries that I had somehow forgotten.

I think that if I'd stayed at The Curtis for a shorter period of time, I'd have left thinking that the theme was "fun," and lighthearted but, damn, the Price is Right theme song on the 6th floor and the creepy "Peek a boo, I see you" recording on the second floor made my skin crawl after a 5 days. But hey, a sugar high can only last so long.

Want to unleash your inner krooner? Armida's is sure to satisfy anyone who wants to get their karaoke on! But, be warned, this place is BUSY and you need to get your song request in early if you hope to sing. And, as the large yellow sign states at the DJ booth, they will not accept bribes to move your request up the line.

There were some hard core karaokers here, but all of it was good old fun and games. The drinks flowed, the service was attentive, and I spent a good 4 hours singing/screaming along with every song. My voice today is raspy and strained because of it, and my head definitely hurt this morning, but, damn, the day after consequences were worth it!

Was in town for work and had Monday evening free, and since my bro lives in Boulder, he came down to spend some QT with his older sis.

It was Monday night and the Broncos were playing, and we def wanted to watch the game...me more so because I wanted to check out the head coach (he's a total hottie as far as NFL staff go). Bro is a beer connoisseur, and with CO being the land of many micro brews, we chose the Wyncoop.

Now, I'm not a beer snob...I like my Miller Lite, but their light lager was yum (or was it a pale ale? see, I know nothing about the hops). He ahd a Monkey beer which he really liked. I had the mac and cheese with elk sausage and I thought it was forgettable. My Kraft mac and cheese is better. His gumbo though was tasty.

Our server was great, and we had a very nice evening catching up. I don't think I'd go back, but it was the right spot for the evening.