10 Gallon Hat I can’t believe I ate the whole thing

Saint Where?

While Saint Paul, MN might not be one of everybody’s top destinations, it might start creeping up that list if things continue like they are. Something must have got into the water supply and caused people to open a frenzy of great new restaurants and shops. 

There’s Grand Old Day tomorrow, which isn’t really part of my list, but it did force me to go do some Grand Ave shopping today - avoiding the pure chaos tomorrow.

I hit Northern Brewer and picked up a Cream Ale kit to brew this weekend.  Northern Brewer is a nationally reknowned home brew shop that is primarily mail order, but if you live in St. Paul you are lucky enough to be able to pick up your supplies in person.

I then went down to the new St. Paul Cheese shop - run by the France 44 folks.  As far as I know this is St. Paul’s first Cheese shop and the staff was great. I tried about 10 different cheeses and walked out with my by the slice selection of a few great cheeses.  The Montenebro, a ripe full bodied goat cheese I hadn’t ever tried, is now one of my new favorites.  To round out my cheese buying, I walked next door to the Breadsmith to pick up some cheese delivery vessels.  This is a killer combo of locally owned and operated shops.

There are lots of other places that recently have been springing up that make staying in St. Paul  to eat worth it:

• The Cheeky Monkey Deli - I have raved about this place already – house cured and smoked meats, fresh baked breads, awesome sandwiches on Selby.
• Brasa – some of the best rotisserie anywhere is opening on Grand Ave.
• Barrio – Minneapolis’ tequila bar and taqueria is opening a second spot in Lowertown.
• The new Mississippi Market is opening next month and will hopefully continue to roast their own sandwich meats.
• The Blue Door, Flat Earth Brewery – I could go on and on.

The list is only new stuff, I could go on about some of the ol’ standbys, but need to go eat more of my cheeses.