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 full of old-fashioned typewriters and love notes on the wall.
Of course, I came for the romantic aura… and, ahem, a Minneapolis Bloggers event.
Although they have an Instagram-worthy bakery case, I opted for the egg in a crepe – divine!
My favorite part?
The Linney Studio, Lynhall’s state-of-the-art kitchen studio outfitted with professional-grade video and audio equipment.
The studio is available to rent for commercial or non-professional production.
How cool is that?!
American Swedish Institute: The Fantastical Worlds of Kim Simonsson
I was lucky enough to attend the preview party at the American Swedish Institute’s newest exhibit, The Fantastical Worlds of Kim Simonsson.
We began by stepping inside the “moss-covered”, fairytale-like imagination of Finnish artist/sculptor, Kim Simonsson, filled with life-sized, “moss-covered” children, animals and other mysterious characters.
The American Swedish Institute exhibition displays 35 selections of Simonsson’s work on view in the Gallery, Cultural Center and throughout the historic Turnblad Mansion.
The “Moss People” sculptures are the result of a unique technique combining stoneware, paint and green nylon fiber, which gives the figures their smooth and mossy surface.
Every sculpture is handmade and created in the artist’s studio in Fiskars Village.
In his book, “Tales of the Moss People,” Simonsson explains, “the name refers to children’s innate, sensible camouflage.
The moss green figures blend perfectly into their natural surroundings, just as a soft carpet of moss covers the ground, rocks and tree trunks and acts as a sort of protection.
In the Moss People world, lost and disconnected children, evoking different characters, gather in a Shaman Party, choose leaders and end up creating false idols.”
Inspired by the forests of Finland, his work has been exhibited around the world in locations including New York, Paris, Berlin, Stockholm, Belgium and Korea.
The night included creating your own ceramic creature with Northern Clay Center, watching improvised modern dance moves of Kelvin Wailey, meeting University of Minnesota plant scientists to learn about moss from around the world, hearing gallery conversations with the Artist in ASI’s Osher Gallery and Nelson Cultural Center, listening to a live set from Finnish singer, songwriter, guitarist and kantele (Finnish folk harp) player Diane Jarvi, sampling beer from Indeed Brewing and tasting crafted cocktails and curated appetizers from ASI’s award-winning FIKA Café.
If you are free this weekend, there will be two Exhibition Tours with the Artist where you can see his work and hear him talk about his creative process. 11 a.m. – noon OR 2 – 3 p.m. It is $15 ASI members / $20 non-members. If you aren’t able to check it out this weekend, The Fantastical Worlds of Kim Simonsson runs from April 21– July 15, 2018
Victor’s 1959 Cafe
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 authentic Cuban all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. I personally recommend the banana pancakes.
Don’t just take my word for it – Victor’s has an endless list of accolades including Food Network’s Diners Drive-ins and Dives.
Decor, you ask? The Cuban theme flows throughout the restaurant with tropical outdoor patio dining (when it isn’t snowing) and memorabilia, photos and posters on the walls. Speaking of walls, they are covered to the brim with graffiti. Signatures, ahem, autographs, favorite quotes, political and activist slogans, doodles and sweet nothings of past patrons.
It’s a popular space so if you’re coming, especially on a weekend, expect to wait.
“The 1968 Exhibit” at the Minnesota History Center
If you are interested in history, you need to check out the “The 1968 Exhibit” at the Minnesota History Center.
1968 was a pivotal year.
‘68 saw the Tet Offensive, the turning point of the Vietnam War, the assassinations of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the rise of Black Power, the struggle for women’s rights, the violent conflicts at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and the first full-color images of Earth from outer space beamed by Apollo 8.
Through the 1968 exhibit, You will see a Bell UHI “Huey” helicopter (Vietnam-era), the torch from the 1968 Olympics, oral histories from civil rights workers and Vietnam vets, Presidential campaign artifacts, landmark TV, film, and news clips, vintage fashions like a suede vest worn by Jimi Hendrix and a sweater and shoes worn by Fred Rogers on the television show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” household items and toys, a full-size replica of the Apollo 8 capsule.
You can also spend some time learning about the legacy of the civil rights movement. You can create screen print posters inspired by the Poor People’s Campaign and the Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike.
Marking the 50th anniversary, “The 1968 Exhibit” was developed by the Minnesota History Center, in partnership with the Atlanta History Center, the Chicago History Museum and the Oakland Museum of California. Tom Brokaw, news anchor and author of “Boom! Talking About the Sixties,” served as honorary chair of the project. If you are interested in adding it to your #mnbucketlist, the exhibit runs from now until Jan. 21, 2019.
Carver Junk Co at HOME
If you are in search of something to do this weekend, I recommend checking out Carver Junk Co’s CJC@HOME event in Victoria.
Taking place at one of Stonegate Builders latest homes, the event showcases all of the incredible products you would usually find at Carver Junk Co.’s stores but staged in a way that brings them to life!
I loved all of the tiny details and textures!
The event runs through this weekend, Saturday 10-4 and Sunday 9-12. Find out more here!
Dorothy Ann Bakery and Cafe
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 Ed’s bakeries, keeping the moniker.
The bakery is now owned and operated by Wally’s daughter Joan and her husband Steve.
In its second generation of ownership, Dorothy Ann’s has been in the Twin Cities area for the more than 65 years serving up:
Donuts, pastries…
Cookies, themed treats, brownies…
Cakes, pies, specialty desserts… 
…and a whole host of other sweet treats!
They even do wedding cakes!
Have you ever been to Dorothy Ann? What is your go-to bakery?
Roundhouse Brewery
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 Pacific Railroad.
The decor incorporates the history of the building, classic lamps, and old photos. Even the beers like the Cowcatcher Ale, and Spike Driver Oatmeal Stout, all pay homage to central Minnesota’s rich railroad culture and history. I highly recommend stopping in for a beer, on-tap Nitro coffee. Root beer or lemonade and staying for a game of cards or to hear the amazing live music.
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park
Mille Lacs Kathio State Park, also known as Kathio Site, is a Minnesota state park on Mille Lacs Lake in Onamia.
The park contains 19 identified archaeological sites, including Petaga Point, making it one of the most significant archaeological collections in Minnesota. The earliest site dates to the Archaic period and shows evidence of copper tool manufacture. The Sioux lived in this area roughly until the 18th century. Around the time of contact in the 1850s, loggers came to the area. Over the next 50 years, a large number of trees were clear cut and floated down the Rum River or across Mille Lacs Lake to sawmills.
Nowadays, the area is used for locals and tourists alike for swimming and canoeing on the Rum River and Ogechie and Shakopee lakes. If you love taking in the scenery and aren’t afraid of heights, you can climb the 100 Ft. Fire Tower to get the best panoramic views of the park. In the winter, visitors can cross-country ski on trails or take in a day of sledding on the perfect powder.
Last Turn Saloon
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 with a staircase and an overlook of the incredible bar. It was built in 1870 from solid oak and was the dining room buffet in the original Pillsbury mansion in Minneapolis. Once you’re in, you should grab one of the games (my preference is always Yahtzee), popcorn, peanuts and head to one of the coveted wooden booths.
The old booths that are reminiscent of a pioneer saloon with black-and-white photos of the yesteryears of Brainerd, lending nicely to the old ghost stories of apparitions and mysterious phenomenons.
Claims of odd footsteps, disembodied voices, odd sounds, items moving on their own, feelings of being watched/touched, the antique payphone ringing on its own, full apparition of a man walk through the front door and then disappear! So much so that the Johnsdale Paranormal Group even investigated!
So the story goes, in the late 1800’s / early 1900’s, the saloon sat in a different location which is a few blocks away from where the current saloon sits.
During that time, a situation had erupted when two Native American men were falsely accused of murdering a local white girl, and were hung by the town’s people right outside the saloon.
The saloon later moved to its current location, the former Brainerd Model Laundry building, which used to take care of laundry services for the Northern Pacific Railroad, the Brainerd State Hospital, and many other local businesses. It is said that the saloon was used as a speakeasy and brothel during the prohibition era.
The tunnels in the lower level are thought to have been used secretly by bootleggers during the 1920’s and early 1930’s adding to the already-mysterious place. One last thing: A hotel next to the saloon burned down leaving in its wake a few casualties. Since then, a significant level of paranormal activity occurring at the saloon.
