Sadly, I do not have the Ozy photo shoot proofs yet. I keep checking my email to see if they have arrived. Of course, the photos will be shared assuming I will not be violating any copyright laws in the process. Scribble, let me know if that looks to be a problem as your are all the keeper of the halls of justice and what not.
Super excited to report an upcoming trip and looking for suggestions on places to go and things to do. My friend Poodle and I have decided to exit the Twin Cities (stage left) and hit the Big Apple. We leave next Thursday for a 4 day, 3 night stay in NYC. Our plan is simple really -- enjoy the Fall ambiance, do a little shopping and check out some fantastic restaurants. I hope all the walking we have planned will cancel out the eating as we will be cutting a culinary swathe through Manhattan for schnizzle.
We are staying at a boutique hotel in Gramercy Park which seems to be a pretty good location and launching off point. Thus far, we have three places on our radar as 'musts.' These include Hearth, Gramercy Tavern and the Pegu Club. Aside from that, what other ideas come to mind? I think is is safe to say that both Poodle and I are fond of art, music and history (aka museums). Fine dining, tasty cocktails, window shopping, celebrity sightings and just kickin it also top the list of common interests. We are not really into the nightclub scene, sporting events, NASCAR and stinky cab rides. The Museum of the City of New York might be kinda cool as the city definitely boasts an interesting past. A stroll through Central Park, a visit to the NY Public Library or the Metropolitan Museum of Art? Broadway show? Hmmm. So many possibilities.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
You Ought To Be In Pictures
My magnificent furry baby, Ozy, had his first official and professional photo shoot this evening. Sara Beth Photography specializes in animals. Her work is absolutely amazing and truly captures the personality of each pet she photographs. She's running a holiday special which includes an in-studio photo shoot, $50 print credit and 25 holiday gift cards. Ozy was pretty well behaved, but he could probably use a few pointers from Tyra Banks and her America's Top Model crew. The good thing is, unlike other supermodels, he was VERY motivated by food. The word "treat" grabbed his attention.
I should have the proofs in a week. I'm particulary excited to see how the photos turn out of Ozy wearing a red, winter scarf. Red, after all, is his signature color.
I should have the proofs in a week. I'm particulary excited to see how the photos turn out of Ozy wearing a red, winter scarf. Red, after all, is his signature color.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Bevy of Bitchy Comments
Lots of topics to cover. Been awhile.
1) Swine Flu (aka H1N1 virus). This is certainly NOT one of my Bests, but you can't shake a cat by its tail these days without running into a news story talking about the dreaded strain of flu. A couple weeks back, I was taken ill with some sort of bad bug. I'm not sayin it was H1N1. I have no idea. I didn't go to the doctor, primarily for fear that I would find out I had it and would then subconsciously allow my negative, paranoid thoughts to slow down the healing process. I'm superstitious like that. Anyway, the Oz household was stricken down into a violent pit of sickness. Aches and coughs, chills and no thrills.
While I'm not a medical doctor, CDC authority or the like, I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg on this nasty virus (and the associated media coverage, fear mongering, marketing push for those ugly face masks, etc.). Many schools are reporting outbreaks and are shutting down. Years from now, I wonder if/how we will look back on these dark days and be able to pinpoint our children's idiocy on these few weeks of missed school due to the Swine Flu. I'm just sayin. When I was a kid, we might have had the random and infrequent snow DAY. Never did we have the Swing Flu WEEKS. It's like another summer vacation for these kids. I say put the face masks on, load up on vitamins and zinc tablets and get some book learnin kiddos. It's good for your immunity. It's good for America.
2) Conferences. The week after I recovered from my flu-like symptoms, I traveled to California for a work-related conference. I have very mixed feelings about these types of events. On one hand, I appreciate hearing what some of my peers and colleagues are doing -- new ideas, inspiring examples of great work, thought provoking tidbits. On the other hand, I find it to be mostly a big waste of time when over half the content is simply regurgitated blather from last year's snooze fest. It can be somewhat laughable to hear these presenters boast about their cutting edge [insert: methods, technology, trends, programs, brilliance] when, in fact, it is nothing but old, tired, dried up, yesterday's news. Seriously. Tell me something new and interesting before I scream people.
This is the scene. Big screen. Stage. Powerpoint. Lots of round tables to seat the dwindling and rather unenthusiastic conference goers. Sigh.
OK, now at the risk of sounding terribly crabby, I see the problem as one of old guard versus new upstarts. The folks who plan these events, the ones that find the topics and speakers, tend to be the stalwarts of the Old Guard, the 20, 30+ year veterans who's hey day has passed by. To this group e-mail communication is still a baffling and enigmatic operation, social networking sites are just something those "crazy kids" are into, and Twitter is oh, so cutting edge. Give me a break. There is better, faster, cooler, more relevant stuff happening out there and maybe in 5 years we'll see someone stand up at one of these conferences and predict its arrival after its already come and gone. It makes me crazy. What we need is an UNconference. Something radically different. Let's bring in speakers who don't do what we do each and everyday. New blood. Shake it up. Who's with me?
I also hate all the sales pitch b.s. I have to wade through. It's just a big solicitation forum. This time I did the clever thing and "forgot" my business cards at home. Oops. Sorry. I can't give you my card. How about I just take your card and I call YOU if I'm interested. P.S. Don't wait by the phone or hold your breath.
3) Staycation and Home Decorating. Upon returning from the conference, I took a week to stay home. That's right. My very own staycation. I just needed a break from it all, time to take a few deep breathes and inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Ahhhhhh. Because one can only do so much sleeping and reading, I took on a few home projects. My living room was in need of an extreme home makeover and I don't have the luxury of Ty Pennington coming over and blaring into his bullhorn. I had to make due. A couple trips to Home Depot and I had a quart of paint (Behr, Oyster) and sundry supplies. In one afternoon, a small wall went from a crimson color to a creamy shade of pearl white. Then my inner Genevieve kicked in and I did something incredibly zany -- I posted my couch and chair for sale on Craig's List. In a matter of minutes, I had a hit. Someone was interested! YEAH! I was emboldened to hit the Pottery Barn and order the furniture I had been secretly coveting for quite some time.
This change up represents a wave of tiny transformations I've been experiencing lately. I don't know how it happened or when it started, but I've moved from a red wine lover to a white wine appreciator. What? How? I know. My last vino selections fall in the camp of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and not the usual Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Similarly, my living room palette is sliding away from the dark shades and into a spectrum of neutral hues -- ivory, natural, chocolate brown, oat. Am I turning over a new leaf? Has my body been inhabited by Nate Burkus? I'm not sure. What is next? Will I lose the taste for red meat? Become a vegan? Go totally organic? Move to a commune and raise my own goats? I can't really say.
4) Preview. I'm tired. Need rest. However, I have much more I'd like to share. I'd like to post on the sometimes controversial topic of animal neutering, the always painful theme of divorce (no, not mine), horror films, cider and window treatments. I'm sure the anticipation will rage inside you for a full minute or two.
P.S. Don't wait by your PC. Don't hold your breath. It's been over a month between my last post and this one so I can't really tell you when I'll get to these subjects.
1) Swine Flu (aka H1N1 virus). This is certainly NOT one of my Bests, but you can't shake a cat by its tail these days without running into a news story talking about the dreaded strain of flu. A couple weeks back, I was taken ill with some sort of bad bug. I'm not sayin it was H1N1. I have no idea. I didn't go to the doctor, primarily for fear that I would find out I had it and would then subconsciously allow my negative, paranoid thoughts to slow down the healing process. I'm superstitious like that. Anyway, the Oz household was stricken down into a violent pit of sickness. Aches and coughs, chills and no thrills.
While I'm not a medical doctor, CDC authority or the like, I think we've only seen the tip of the iceberg on this nasty virus (and the associated media coverage, fear mongering, marketing push for those ugly face masks, etc.). Many schools are reporting outbreaks and are shutting down. Years from now, I wonder if/how we will look back on these dark days and be able to pinpoint our children's idiocy on these few weeks of missed school due to the Swine Flu. I'm just sayin. When I was a kid, we might have had the random and infrequent snow DAY. Never did we have the Swing Flu WEEKS. It's like another summer vacation for these kids. I say put the face masks on, load up on vitamins and zinc tablets and get some book learnin kiddos. It's good for your immunity. It's good for America.
2) Conferences. The week after I recovered from my flu-like symptoms, I traveled to California for a work-related conference. I have very mixed feelings about these types of events. On one hand, I appreciate hearing what some of my peers and colleagues are doing -- new ideas, inspiring examples of great work, thought provoking tidbits. On the other hand, I find it to be mostly a big waste of time when over half the content is simply regurgitated blather from last year's snooze fest. It can be somewhat laughable to hear these presenters boast about their cutting edge [insert: methods, technology, trends, programs, brilliance] when, in fact, it is nothing but old, tired, dried up, yesterday's news. Seriously. Tell me something new and interesting before I scream people.
This is the scene. Big screen. Stage. Powerpoint. Lots of round tables to seat the dwindling and rather unenthusiastic conference goers. Sigh.
OK, now at the risk of sounding terribly crabby, I see the problem as one of old guard versus new upstarts. The folks who plan these events, the ones that find the topics and speakers, tend to be the stalwarts of the Old Guard, the 20, 30+ year veterans who's hey day has passed by. To this group e-mail communication is still a baffling and enigmatic operation, social networking sites are just something those "crazy kids" are into, and Twitter is oh, so cutting edge. Give me a break. There is better, faster, cooler, more relevant stuff happening out there and maybe in 5 years we'll see someone stand up at one of these conferences and predict its arrival after its already come and gone. It makes me crazy. What we need is an UNconference. Something radically different. Let's bring in speakers who don't do what we do each and everyday. New blood. Shake it up. Who's with me?
I also hate all the sales pitch b.s. I have to wade through. It's just a big solicitation forum. This time I did the clever thing and "forgot" my business cards at home. Oops. Sorry. I can't give you my card. How about I just take your card and I call YOU if I'm interested. P.S. Don't wait by the phone or hold your breath.
3) Staycation and Home Decorating. Upon returning from the conference, I took a week to stay home. That's right. My very own staycation. I just needed a break from it all, time to take a few deep breathes and inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale. Ahhhhhh. Because one can only do so much sleeping and reading, I took on a few home projects. My living room was in need of an extreme home makeover and I don't have the luxury of Ty Pennington coming over and blaring into his bullhorn. I had to make due. A couple trips to Home Depot and I had a quart of paint (Behr, Oyster) and sundry supplies. In one afternoon, a small wall went from a crimson color to a creamy shade of pearl white. Then my inner Genevieve kicked in and I did something incredibly zany -- I posted my couch and chair for sale on Craig's List. In a matter of minutes, I had a hit. Someone was interested! YEAH! I was emboldened to hit the Pottery Barn and order the furniture I had been secretly coveting for quite some time.
This change up represents a wave of tiny transformations I've been experiencing lately. I don't know how it happened or when it started, but I've moved from a red wine lover to a white wine appreciator. What? How? I know. My last vino selections fall in the camp of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and not the usual Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. Similarly, my living room palette is sliding away from the dark shades and into a spectrum of neutral hues -- ivory, natural, chocolate brown, oat. Am I turning over a new leaf? Has my body been inhabited by Nate Burkus? I'm not sure. What is next? Will I lose the taste for red meat? Become a vegan? Go totally organic? Move to a commune and raise my own goats? I can't really say.
4) Preview. I'm tired. Need rest. However, I have much more I'd like to share. I'd like to post on the sometimes controversial topic of animal neutering, the always painful theme of divorce (no, not mine), horror films, cider and window treatments. I'm sure the anticipation will rage inside you for a full minute or two.
P.S. Don't wait by your PC. Don't hold your breath. It's been over a month between my last post and this one so I can't really tell you when I'll get to these subjects.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Preliminary Bucket List (pt. 1)
Things I need to do before I die:
1) Participate in a super sweet flash mob dance. Well, right?
2) Hot air balloon ride -- the kind where you pack a picnic, drink champagne and such
3) Go to the Olympics. Summer, winter, it really doesn't matter. It would just be fun.
4) Take a vacation that is longer than 2 weeks
5) Make a longer bucket list with cooler things to do before I die.
1) Participate in a super sweet flash mob dance. Well, right?
2) Hot air balloon ride -- the kind where you pack a picnic, drink champagne and such
3) Go to the Olympics. Summer, winter, it really doesn't matter. It would just be fun.
4) Take a vacation that is longer than 2 weeks
5) Make a longer bucket list with cooler things to do before I die.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Technology Addicts Unite!
I've turned into a complete tech gadget collector. I blame my husband. He is forever sending me links to stories about the coolest, newest, most amazing inventions in the world of computers, music players, video contraptions and the like.
I used to be a practical user of technology. I had a home PC, a basic cell phone, a first generation iPod and a simple television/DVD player. It was easy and uncomplicated. I was happy. I didn't know any better. Wasn't paying attention. Life was good. Since meeting Mr. Oz, things have changed. Gone are the days of my distant relationship with all things tech. Now we have a wireless router with multiple computers and printers all networked together to form a spider web of connections & conversations. I have returned to my roots of Apple and am now a proud Macbook Pro owner. I have an iPhone and brighter, fancier iPod. There is also a xbox which Mr. Oz has converted into a media center where we watch our movies and television shows. Nintendo Wii, bluetooth, external hard drives, jump drives, instant messaging, texts, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter . . . you name it we have it, use it, love it. Well . . . mostly love it. We are better, faster, smarter. This is life on the Internet superhighway and I'm driving a powerful convertible. Top down. Hair blowin in the wind. Weeeeeee.
OK, so occasionally I become despondent with the ubiquitous presence of metal, microchips and interfaces. I long for real, face-to-face interaction versus the sound-byte tweets and chirps of data. Sigh. It is in times like this, when I'm at the end of my virtual cord, that I need to take stock of all the benefits of our modern conveniences. I'm good. We're good. We couldn't possibly need another gadget, another megabyte, nothing. Just when I think the limit has been attained; our gadget collection has reached its maximum capacity, well, then Mr. Oz sends me another link. Apple's launching the next generation iPod nano. So? Big deal, right? Well, the new version boasts video recording capability, built in FM radio and a pedometer. Wha, wha, what?!
Drool.
I want it.
I want it in orange.
Help.
I need help.
I used to be a practical user of technology. I had a home PC, a basic cell phone, a first generation iPod and a simple television/DVD player. It was easy and uncomplicated. I was happy. I didn't know any better. Wasn't paying attention. Life was good. Since meeting Mr. Oz, things have changed. Gone are the days of my distant relationship with all things tech. Now we have a wireless router with multiple computers and printers all networked together to form a spider web of connections & conversations. I have returned to my roots of Apple and am now a proud Macbook Pro owner. I have an iPhone and brighter, fancier iPod. There is also a xbox which Mr. Oz has converted into a media center where we watch our movies and television shows. Nintendo Wii, bluetooth, external hard drives, jump drives, instant messaging, texts, Blogs, Facebook, Twitter . . . you name it we have it, use it, love it. Well . . . mostly love it. We are better, faster, smarter. This is life on the Internet superhighway and I'm driving a powerful convertible. Top down. Hair blowin in the wind. Weeeeeee.
OK, so occasionally I become despondent with the ubiquitous presence of metal, microchips and interfaces. I long for real, face-to-face interaction versus the sound-byte tweets and chirps of data. Sigh. It is in times like this, when I'm at the end of my virtual cord, that I need to take stock of all the benefits of our modern conveniences. I'm good. We're good. We couldn't possibly need another gadget, another megabyte, nothing. Just when I think the limit has been attained; our gadget collection has reached its maximum capacity, well, then Mr. Oz sends me another link. Apple's launching the next generation iPod nano. So? Big deal, right? Well, the new version boasts video recording capability, built in FM radio and a pedometer. Wha, wha, what?!
Drool.
I want it.
I want it in orange.
Help.
I need help.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Blatent Re-Post of Some Funny Stuff
My sister's blog is HILARIOUS! Many of her posts leave me rolling on the floor in gut-bending laughter. I find myself going back to re-read them when I need a moment of humor. Anyway, this last one was so funny, I wanted to re-post here and share with those of you who don't have access to it. Here ya go. Enjoy!
Oh and sister, I hope this doesn't violate any infringement, copy write type laws or anything. Please don't sue me. Thanks.
***************************************************************************************
This is my letter to the Sam's Club sample lady who confronted me this weekend OR, as I would like to call it, What I Should Have Said, part one.
Dear Sam's Club Sample Lady,
I was shopping in your store this past weekend. Perhaps you remember me, I was the girl pushing the cart, knoshing on the previous sample lady's goods (chicken salad on a whole wheat cracker) when I rolled up to your table and was reading the sign on the front of your cart when you looked up at me and said, "Why don't you chew and swallow what you have in your mouth now before you start taking something from my table." You said it with a sneer of disgust, as I recall. Remember me? I would hope so. I would hope that this little phrase isn't something that you say to all of the Sam's Club shoppers. Perhaps the fact that I looked horrified is enough to jog your memory.
Well, I've got a few things to say to you. First, I'm certain it did not occur to you that I had gotten up early that morning, drove nearly 4 hours and golfed nine holes before I got to Sam's Club to run a few quick errands so I could get home as soon as possible in order to do more chores that I had neglected over the weekend - thus, I didn't have time to stop and eat for most of the day? I don't suppose it mattered to you that I was famished.
I don't suppose it occurred to you that I was merely reading the advertisement in order to discover what strange breaded meat you were, in fact, slicing while I chewed the previous sample and that I had no intention of partaking of said breaded cod strips covered with some weird ketchup based sauce.
Frankly, neither of the above really matter. What matters is that you were hired to do a job....a very simple job, hand out food to would-be purchasers. Yeah, that is right, Blue Hair, I'm talking about you. I'm pointing out that in order to do your job, you don't need a high school degree or college degree. You don't even have to know how to read or write. All you have to know is cut, place on napkin, serve and smile. That is it. I believe it is a fair statement that you aren't even capable of that. You JUST couldn't help yourself, could you? You had to comment. You had to blather on as though anyone with a brain in their head gives a rat's ass what you think. You had to turn some screw - maybe the one that was formerly lodged in your cold, dead heart? Well, I got news for you, Raisin, nobody wants to buy fishsticks from stuck up grannies who don't have enough sense to keep their shitty comments to themselves. If I wasn't such a nice person, I would have gotten medieval on your old, wrinkled ass.
And further, the girth of your behind leads me to believe that you, also, should walk away from the table every once in awhile when your mouth is still full. After all, one who lives in a glass house, should not throw stones.
Oh and sister, I hope this doesn't violate any infringement, copy write type laws or anything. Please don't sue me. Thanks.
***************************************************************************************
This is my letter to the Sam's Club sample lady who confronted me this weekend OR, as I would like to call it, What I Should Have Said, part one.
Dear Sam's Club Sample Lady,
I was shopping in your store this past weekend. Perhaps you remember me, I was the girl pushing the cart, knoshing on the previous sample lady's goods (chicken salad on a whole wheat cracker) when I rolled up to your table and was reading the sign on the front of your cart when you looked up at me and said, "Why don't you chew and swallow what you have in your mouth now before you start taking something from my table." You said it with a sneer of disgust, as I recall. Remember me? I would hope so. I would hope that this little phrase isn't something that you say to all of the Sam's Club shoppers. Perhaps the fact that I looked horrified is enough to jog your memory.
Well, I've got a few things to say to you. First, I'm certain it did not occur to you that I had gotten up early that morning, drove nearly 4 hours and golfed nine holes before I got to Sam's Club to run a few quick errands so I could get home as soon as possible in order to do more chores that I had neglected over the weekend - thus, I didn't have time to stop and eat for most of the day? I don't suppose it mattered to you that I was famished.
I don't suppose it occurred to you that I was merely reading the advertisement in order to discover what strange breaded meat you were, in fact, slicing while I chewed the previous sample and that I had no intention of partaking of said breaded cod strips covered with some weird ketchup based sauce.
Frankly, neither of the above really matter. What matters is that you were hired to do a job....a very simple job, hand out food to would-be purchasers. Yeah, that is right, Blue Hair, I'm talking about you. I'm pointing out that in order to do your job, you don't need a high school degree or college degree. You don't even have to know how to read or write. All you have to know is cut, place on napkin, serve and smile. That is it. I believe it is a fair statement that you aren't even capable of that. You JUST couldn't help yourself, could you? You had to comment. You had to blather on as though anyone with a brain in their head gives a rat's ass what you think. You had to turn some screw - maybe the one that was formerly lodged in your cold, dead heart? Well, I got news for you, Raisin, nobody wants to buy fishsticks from stuck up grannies who don't have enough sense to keep their shitty comments to themselves. If I wasn't such a nice person, I would have gotten medieval on your old, wrinkled ass.
And further, the girth of your behind leads me to believe that you, also, should walk away from the table every once in awhile when your mouth is still full. After all, one who lives in a glass house, should not throw stones.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Tour of Treasures
As your trusted Interwebs soldier of fortune, I am always on the lookout for new haunts and happening places that appeal to higher (and sometimes lower) tastes & sensibilities. When I can find said places in my own backyard, well, all the better. A few places recently hit my radar in the Southwest suburbs of the Twin Cities: JJ's Coffee & Wine Bar in Eden Prairie and Pairings Food & Wine Market in Minnetonka. Are you seeing a theme? Food, wine, coffee? Uhm, yeah. If you are in the neighborhood, I urge you to check out these little gems.
JJ's Coffee & Wine Bar lies just off Hwy 5 West as you are cruising from EP into Chanhassen. Take the Mitchell Rd. exit. Tucked back in a fairly nondescript suburban line-up of banks, nail shops and fitness joints, you would at first liken it to a Panera Bread wanna-be. It has a bit of that feel, but with a very respectable wine list, sample of simple yet tasty noshes and specialty coffees and teas. Oh yeah, and they also have pastries and breakfast items.
I can tell you that the food isn't the most incredible you've ever had, but what it lacks in stellar cuisine it makes up for in quaint & comfortable ambiance. The neutral palette of stone, dark wood and fabric makes for a pretty cozy resting spot for either a lazy weekend afternoon or an after work retreat. There are several overstuffed chairs and booths to snuggle up in, order yourself a creamy latte or glass of Pinot Noir and just relax. They also boast free WiFi (bring your laptop and catch up Facebook and blog reading!) and a drive-thru for coffee and such. By chance, I ended up stopping in the night of their "soft" opening so they were still working out some of the kinks. I spoke to the owner -- the actual JJ herself. She was super helpful and solicited input on the menu, drinks and overall concept. She immediately struck me as someone who deserves success. To that end, I hope all 4 of my blog readers, go and check it out sometime soon. :)
Mr. Oz and I were out running some weekend errands the other day when we decided to stop into Pairings: Food & Wine Market. Right off of Hwy 62 and Shady Oak Road, Pairings appears grocery store like. I didn't know what to expect. Was it an upscale deli? Wine shop? Restaurant? Speciality gourmet store? The answer is YES, all of the above. The place is divided into two sections. On the left you have a D'amico-like restaurant where you belly up to the counter, request your choice of made-to-order sandwiches, salads, pasta or wood-fired pizzas. You get a number, sit down, and they bring your food to you when it is ready. This counter is flanked on one side by a fine array of fromage in the cheese case. The other side holds a variety of gourmet nibbles and treats. On the right, you can veer off into the wine shop. Once inside, you'll find much more than wine . . . Pairings boasts one of the most extensive beer selections I've seen in these parts. Do they have rare Trappist Ale made by Belgian Monks? Yep. How about batch crafted hoppy ales from teeny-tiny breweries that no one has even heard of yet? Ahh, yep. We could have spent an hour exploring this place. The fun thing is if you order some food and plan to dine in at the restaurant, you can buy your wine or beer and take it over to the food side. No corkage fee. Just pour and drink.
Of course, I bought some tasty bits at the shop: Ames Farm single source honey, a Voiges chocolate bar, a nice slab of Bucheron goat cheese. Mr. Oz and I had lunch. While he dined on Sicilian sausage pizza, I tried the Asian curry pasta with chicken. Seriously good food. By the way, I HIGHLY recommend Ames Farm honey. Holy man. It is a sugary, sticky delight and pairs up well with tangy goat cheese spread on a cracker. Thanks for showing me the light Anne!
This concludes the Twin Cities Tour of Treasures for now. Bon Appetito!
JJ's Coffee & Wine Bar lies just off Hwy 5 West as you are cruising from EP into Chanhassen. Take the Mitchell Rd. exit. Tucked back in a fairly nondescript suburban line-up of banks, nail shops and fitness joints, you would at first liken it to a Panera Bread wanna-be. It has a bit of that feel, but with a very respectable wine list, sample of simple yet tasty noshes and specialty coffees and teas. Oh yeah, and they also have pastries and breakfast items.
I can tell you that the food isn't the most incredible you've ever had, but what it lacks in stellar cuisine it makes up for in quaint & comfortable ambiance. The neutral palette of stone, dark wood and fabric makes for a pretty cozy resting spot for either a lazy weekend afternoon or an after work retreat. There are several overstuffed chairs and booths to snuggle up in, order yourself a creamy latte or glass of Pinot Noir and just relax. They also boast free WiFi (bring your laptop and catch up Facebook and blog reading!) and a drive-thru for coffee and such. By chance, I ended up stopping in the night of their "soft" opening so they were still working out some of the kinks. I spoke to the owner -- the actual JJ herself. She was super helpful and solicited input on the menu, drinks and overall concept. She immediately struck me as someone who deserves success. To that end, I hope all 4 of my blog readers, go and check it out sometime soon. :)
Mr. Oz and I were out running some weekend errands the other day when we decided to stop into Pairings: Food & Wine Market. Right off of Hwy 62 and Shady Oak Road, Pairings appears grocery store like. I didn't know what to expect. Was it an upscale deli? Wine shop? Restaurant? Speciality gourmet store? The answer is YES, all of the above. The place is divided into two sections. On the left you have a D'amico-like restaurant where you belly up to the counter, request your choice of made-to-order sandwiches, salads, pasta or wood-fired pizzas. You get a number, sit down, and they bring your food to you when it is ready. This counter is flanked on one side by a fine array of fromage in the cheese case. The other side holds a variety of gourmet nibbles and treats. On the right, you can veer off into the wine shop. Once inside, you'll find much more than wine . . . Pairings boasts one of the most extensive beer selections I've seen in these parts. Do they have rare Trappist Ale made by Belgian Monks? Yep. How about batch crafted hoppy ales from teeny-tiny breweries that no one has even heard of yet? Ahh, yep. We could have spent an hour exploring this place. The fun thing is if you order some food and plan to dine in at the restaurant, you can buy your wine or beer and take it over to the food side. No corkage fee. Just pour and drink.
Of course, I bought some tasty bits at the shop: Ames Farm single source honey, a Voiges chocolate bar, a nice slab of Bucheron goat cheese. Mr. Oz and I had lunch. While he dined on Sicilian sausage pizza, I tried the Asian curry pasta with chicken. Seriously good food. By the way, I HIGHLY recommend Ames Farm honey. Holy man. It is a sugary, sticky delight and pairs up well with tangy goat cheese spread on a cracker. Thanks for showing me the light Anne!
This concludes the Twin Cities Tour of Treasures for now. Bon Appetito!
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