I have this unexplained anxiety about hibachi restaurants. I think it’s mostly due to the performance pressure of having food thrown into the air that you’re supposed to catch in your mouth and the social pressure of participating in having sake squirted directly into your mouth WITHOUT letting it stain your clothes…my refusal to go to hibachi has not gone over well with boyfriend so after a year of stubborn refusal I finally agreed, much to boyfriend’s outward jubilation, to visit Osaka Seafood & Steakhouse for date night.
Minnesota
Keys Cafe & Bakery | Woodbury, Minnesota
StandardWhile anyone who follows me on Instagram has probably figured out that I’ve become a regular at Not Justa Cafe’s Sunday Brunch, we were on a bit of a time crunch and trying to stay near boyfriend’s house. With the demise/closing of the Perkins a couple months ago we were at a loss until we remembered Key’s Cafe & Bakery and how everytime we drive by it we say, “we should go there.” Well, mission finally completed.
Flagsmash | La Doña Cerveceria Minneapolis
StandardMeister’s Bar and Grill | Stillwater, Minnesota
StandardMeister’s Bar and Grill in Stillwater has been a tradition of boyfriend’s family for as long as he can remember. When we were out and about in Stillwater, it seemed like the perfect dinner stop.
Azul Tequila Bar and Grill | Hudson Wisconsin
StandardNothing says “Happy Birthday” like tacos! I was excited to go out for impromptu dinner with my parents for my mom’s birthday in Hudson. I was even more excited when my mom picked Azul Tequila Bar and Grill, because I live for queso dip.
Best Cheese Curds In Minnesota | National Cheese Curd Day
StandardToday is a day that will live in infamy..annually. Cheese is life and there is literally no food I love more than cheese curds. I probably have reviewed or took photos of cheese curds more than anything else in the history of Hipster Hack so I am going to properly document National Cheese Curd Day by sharing them all in one post for your viewing (and drooling) pleasure. Continue reading
Tony Jaros Burger Dive | Northeast Minneapolis
StandardBurger Dive is the new name of the kitchen operation at Tony Jaros Rivergarden, similar to how Smack Shack runs the kitchen at 1029 (another Northeast gem), Smack Shack chef, Josh Thoma partnered with chef Nick O’Leary (Borough, Coup d-etat, and Travail) to rejuvenate the food at this classic Northeast dive bars.
You can read the full Tony Jaros Rivergarden Hipster Hack HERE. It also looks like a second Burger Dive location will be opening up in Rosedale Center’s second attempt at a Food Hall so stay tuned there! Continue reading
MN Nice Cream | Northeast Minneapolis
StandardI’ve been staring at photos from MN Nice Cream on Instagram for, well, YEARS and I’ve passed it driving more times than I can count so when my sister went to the new Stillwater location before I got there and rubbed it in my face, it was game on! Luckily, during our annual brewery crawl this year we started at MN Nice’s nextdoor neighbor, Able Seedhouse + Brewery giving me the perfect opportunity!
Not Justa Cafe and Bar | Bayport, Minnesota
StandardThe “Not Justa” family has been growing over the years. Starting with Not Justa Cafe in Bayport almost 20 years ago, NJ’s has been a staple for weekend brunch with lines out the door. They’ve since expanded with locations in Somerset, New Richmond, and opened up “Not Justa Bar” next to the original NJ Cafe in Bayport…naturally this location is my favorite, because they serve liquor and I live for a brunch cocktail!
Continue readingMonte Carlo Restaurant | Minneapolis
StandardWorking downtown means getting to enjoy lunch menus of places that may be a little too pricey for a normal dinner…like Monte Carlo. Fun fact: I had actually just broken my iphone the night before we went to lunch so my boss used his to take these photos instead haha. THAT is the epitome of a supportive job 🙂