LuLu Beans Coffee Shop is one of the coolest places to hang out in Willmar. Located in a converted old house off First Street, LuLu’s is the epitome of home-away-from-home. Comfy, eclectic furniture adding to the cozy ambiance with vintage postcards of Willmar’s yesteryears along with chalkboard menus and artisan pieces for purchase everywhere. In […]
Over the next few weeks, I am going to be telling you all the things I did during and on the way back from the 71st Annual Minnesota Governors Fishing Opener in the Willmar Lakes Area. First stop – Sibley State Park in the Kandiyohi County, located 15 miles north of Willmar on U.S. Highway […]
A very happy Mother’s day to all of the birth, adoptive, fur, rescue and second Moms out there! And to my favorite Minnesota woman: my Mom (isn’t she gorgeous?!) To the woman who taught me the importance of road trips in your hometown, singing your lungs out in the car, and loving the whispering pines you were born […]
Perfect sunset for fishing in the morning.
Another MayDay Parade and Festival has come and gone, but how incredible it was! The free event takes place in the Powderhorn neighborhood in South Minneapolis. It has been produced by In the Heart of the Beast Theater (HOTB) since 1975, taking place the first Sunday of May. The festivities bring out more than 50,000 […]
This past Thursday was the 15th anniversary of Second Harvest Heartland’s signature fundraising gala; Dish: Cuisine for Change. Held at the Saint Paul RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul, the event included gourmet cuisine from 20+ local chefs, wine and cocktail tastings including shrimp and grits from the Oceanaire Seafood Room; farro and arugula salad from […]
The North Pole Restaurant has been a fixture in Newport, Minnesota for decades. The restaurant began in 1947 as a soda fountain in Village Drug on 21st Street in Newport. Customers could get fountain service while they waited for their prescriptions to be filled. Robert E. North (Bob) purchased the place and renamed it Newport […]
“I love everything Minnesota.” – Seann William Scott [Actor, Comedian, Producer, Minnesotan] Pictured: Wilson Bay, Voyageur
The Lynhall in Minneapolis is a hybrid of a coffee shop, bakery, full bar, and an upscale restaurant. It’s a LynLake neighborhood favorite brunch spot with a rustic, cozy, and inviting ambiance. The comfortable, bright, warm, welcoming space has a mix of communal dining tables and cafe seating complete with a fireplace, a magical hallway […]
Victor’s 1959 Cafe just off Grand Ave, brings a little piece of Cuba to south Minneapolis. The snug hole-in-the-wall was originally a Shell gas station in the 1920’s and later operated as a Dairy Queen until it became Rick’s Ol’ Time Café. Victor’s has since become a fast favorite and Cuban go-to. They serve up […]
These beauties are from Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe in Woodbury. The delightful bakery goes all out for different holidays making it my must stop for Easter/Passover. So the story goes, St. Paul baker Ed Durin and his wife Dorothy Ann owned several bakeries. In 1951, when Ed was retiring, Walter Grochowski purchased one of […]
Located in the historic Northern Pacific Center on Brainerd’s eastside, the Roundhouse Brewery takes its name from the railroad building with a circular or semicircular shape used by railroads for servicing and storing locomotives. The taproom includes the exposed brick and historic look that is part of the Clock Tower, once headquarters to the Northern […]
Before 1914 there were 35 saloons in downtown Brainerd, most notable the “Last Turn Saloon” on the corner of 4th and Front, for it was the last chance to stop along a long line of liquor houses before you were again in the woods. Imagine Brainerd’s version of “Cheers”. From outside you are immediately greeted […]
Crosby’s Cuyuna Brewing Company is one of the newest additions to unique brewers in the north woods. Nick and Laura Huisinga started Cuyuna Brewing Company in the fall of 2016 in Crosby after successfully crowdfunding. Choosing the historic Young Building, which formerly housed a doctor’s office, George Crosby’s offices and Minnesota Power, they made sure […]
Red Raven is a full service bike shop and cafe in Crosby near the Cuyuna Recreation Area. With super friendly staff, RR opened their doors in October 2016. The cute, garage-style shop has plenty of eclectic seating, whether you are waiting to buy a bike, get your’s services, rent one or just sit and have […]
The North Country Cafe in Crosby is the quintessential family kitchen style, hometown breakfast joint. Charming because of the genuine, friendly service, but famous for their cranberry wild rice bread, homemade cinnamon rolls, caramel apple waffle with pecans and stuffed-to-the-brim hashbrowns. If that doesn’t sound like comfort food, I don’t know what does! Fun tidbit: […]
Ye Old Pickle Factory, simply “The Pickle” to locals and the summer mainstays, is a bar and tavern in Nisswa. Close to the Paul Bunyan trail, it attracts large crowds on the weekends and evenings regardless of the season. Snowmobilers in the winter and softball and patio sunset-watching in the summer. Since it’s winter (for […]
Located in Breezy Point, the infamous Commander Bar has been around for over 40 years. The informal, laid-back, recently renovated restaurant offers breakfast seven days-a-week but most notably, their Garbage Pizza. If you are in the mood for more of a basement sports bar vibe, slip downstairs to JJ’s Pub, which features a large bar, […]
Lakes Latte is an adorable coffee shop in Pequot Lakes. They have all sort of options; coffees, smoothies, sandwiches, donuts, homemade scones & cookies. Need inspiration? Try the “Up North,” a blend of caramel, chocolate and espresso. The spacious coffeehouse is surprisingly warm and welcoming with comfy sofas, a fireplace, reading nooks and even coffee […]
I’m spending the next two weeks taking you on a trip up north to the Brainerd Lakes area for snowmobiling, billiards, drinking, sledding, ice fishing, board games and even bingo! The first stop for me is always food. Located in the Jack Pine Center in downtown Pequot Lakes, the Hungry Loon is a perfect spot, […]
