Best of 2015

I have been doing this list for about a year and a half now although I only opened it to the public a year ago. In that time, I am often asked about my favorite things, places I’ve been, where would I recommend and if I could pick, where would I go again. I don’t usually have an answer. I have been to far too many places to have a single favorite in any category so without further adieu, here is some that topped the list for just this year.

The First Year’s Best Of List
Biggest Hidden Gem in Minnesota: Watt Munisotaram
Best Sunrise: Lake Superior, West Crooked Lake
Best Sunset: Lake Minnetonka, Lake Marion
Best Greasy Spoon: Bent Spoon Bistro, Royal Bar
Best Drink: Vikre Distillery, Lift Bridge Brewery, Crow River Winery
Best Burger: Red Cow, Rock Bottom Brewery, Burger Jones
Best Service: Oasis Cafe, Piccolo, Coney Island
Best Breakfast: Vanilla Bean, French Meadow, Birchwood Cafe
Most Welcoming Atmosphere: Lela’s, Borrow-A-Bike
Most Awesome: Journey to The Stars Star Trek Exhibit, Llama Farm, Stillwater Harvest Fest Pumpkin Drop
Prettiest Place: Cafe Lurcat, Union Rooftop, Orchestra Hall
Funnest Experience: MNBucketList Brewery Tours, Zorbaz, Pig Ate My Pizza
Best City View: Foshay Tower Observation Deck, Guthrie Endless Bridge, The Grain Belt rooftop
Biggest Spark of Creativity: Swing Dancing at the Wabasha Street Caves, Franconia Sculpture Garden
Most Beautiful Outside of the Metro: St Johns Abbey’s Stained Glass Hexagons
Most Thought-Provoking: TEDxMahtomedi, TEDxMinneapolis
Best Pasta: La Grolla, Tucci Benucch, Luna Rossa, Tavern on the Hill
Lucky Find: Minnesota Museum of American Art
Best Dessert: Betty’s Pies (Pie), Grandma’s Saloon (Cheesecake), Davanni’s (Brownies), Cafe Barbette (Carrot Cake)
Favorite Event: Union Depot Holiday Bake Sale
Above-Ground Gem: Jay Cooke State Park, Gooseberry Falls
Under-Ground Gem: Niagara Cave, Graffiti Graveyard
Best Blended Coffee: Nesting Grounds, Kelly’s Koffee
Most Fitting Decor: Nick’s Diner, Copper Hen, Discland, Serums, Axe Man
Favorite Shop: Evereve, The Golden Rule, Agharta Records
Best Candy: Muskie Waters, Minnesota’s Largest Candy Store, Aunt Belle’s Candy’s
Best Performance: Theater Latte Da’s Sweeney Todd, The Rat’s and People’s Nosferatu
Best Haunted House: William A. Irvin Haunted Ship, The Butcher Shop House of Gore
Best Ice Cream: The Social, Silo Ice Cream Parlor
Best Overall Experience: Mad Hatter’s Tea Room, CoV, Yum Bakery, Mill Valley Kitchen