The old joke in the neighborhood is the first three words children learn were mommy, daddy, and Cecil’s…

Thanks, Auntie Lynn

Support your neighborhood establishments

Thanks, AF

Good luck with your big week!

We had a great time on Maui last week, despite the record high temps (and crazy dew points). We had lots of great food recommendations from people, but Mama’s Fish House took home the prize for most memorable experience. Located on the central north shore of Maui just outside Paia, Mama’s was a 2018 James Beard semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurant. Open Table says Mama’s is the second most popular restaurant in the United States, Trip Advisor has them listed as a Top 10 U.S. Fine Dining Restaurant, while ZAGAT has them number one for food on Maui. Everyone we talked to said Mama’s was expensive, but also a can’t miss.

Needless to say, expectations were high…

Floyd and Doris Christenson have an awesome backstory. The location, atmosphere and general setting of Mama’s is probably the most Hawaiian thing I’ve ever seen in my life. You turn off the Hana Highway at the fishing boat and enter a lot that offers complimentary valet. Once checked in, you get to roam around their own private beach, which we were told often has sea turtles playing in the water. The day we visited had a high surf warning, so the turtles were (hopefully) playing elsewhere. After checking in at a second host stand, we were escorted into the open-air dining room and seated near the bar.

Our server Lacey was wonderful. We started with fancy tropical drinks: Colleen had a Mama’s Margarita, while I had a Pink Hibiscus (hibiscus, elderflower liqueur, lime, cranberry and Maui PAU vodka). We shared an appetizer of seared island venison with honey lime sauce, which was extremely tender for venison. We both had autumn salads, with Waipoli greens, Kula persimmons, spiced pecans, goat cheese and Tahitian vanilla vinaigrette dressing. For the fish main course, I choose “kanpachi from ocean waters off Hawaii Island,” while Colleen had “onaga caught bottom fishing off Keanae by Joe Hobson.” We both loved that they customized the menu daily with who caught the fish (and where). I was super-excited to order the Polynesian Black Pearl for dessert: lilikoi (passion fruit) chocolate mousse in a pastry seashell (with a beautiful plate presentation – pics after the jump).

When we looked at the menu before we went, I didn’t think the prices were crazy-high. Afterwards, we found out it just all adds up, turning in to the most we’ve probably ever spent on lunch. That’s also part of the trick – there is no discount for having lunch over dinner. We heard one of the servers say they average about 1,000 covers a day, so I think they can price however they want. I’m glad we went, though, and would highly recommend it at least once in your life. Mahalo, Mama.

He gets to live here all the time

CK @ Mama’s Fish House Beach

As seen on Diners, Drive In’s and Dives

Chicken and pancakes @ Roy’s

P.S. Steak with the fam

Thank you Target Center (and Shelly)

I hope they keep the Frenchie forever

Four bars, two cities, one night

Thanks, MK

Fresh from the farmer’s market

Rose Street Patisserie

Pit stop after medical imaging

Uniqueness in South Minneapolis

Cecil’s hot pastrami + Toy Story 4

Thanks Rich (and team) for a great day

One of the best (and getting better)

Nice to see Lynn and Dad

…plus the new north end event building.

But I will take the $56

Come on, Hootie

As I pulled out my red concert shirt today, I realized I better post my pictures and grab the setlist from the fun Tenacious D show I saw with Mike and Jake at the Palace last month before I forget all the details. This really was about as perfect as a concert gets for me these days: early access pre-sale seats in the first row of the loge (three seats all by themselves, even), pre-show dinner at a nice restaurant (finally crossed Pazzaluna off the list), our own little bar with no line right behind our section, two great friends I don’t see nearly often enough and a band that changed people’s lives that night.

This was my second time seeing the D. The other time was, believe it or not, a get out the vote concert with the Beastie Boys and Ben Harper at Roy Wilkins. The first half of the show was the new Post Apocalypto album in its entirety, followed by a greatest hits set and a one song encore (set list and pics after the jump). Other than missing out on Wonder Boy, I was very happy with the song selection. JB and KG definitely gave it their all, with a talented group of musicians backing them up.

Softly. Gently. Sweetly. Discreetly.

Set List (July 30, 2019 – First Night of Two):

• Hope
• Making Love
• Take Us Into Space
• Fuck Yo-Yo Ma
• Daddy Ding Dong
• Robot
• Colors
• JB Jr Rap
• Woman Time
• Save The World
• Post-Apocalypto Theme (Reprise)
• Rize of the Fenix
• Low Hangin’ Fruit
• Sax-a-Boom
• Roadie
• Kickapoo
• Beelzeboss (The Final Showdown)
• The Metal
• Dude (I Totally Miss You)
• Kielbasa
• Tribute
• Double Team
• —
• ENCORE
• —
• Fuck Her Gently

Is it, punk?

It will be cold before you know it

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moua-friends-and-family-event-tickets-65762839423

Barrio Lowertown, 79F

Go to The Left Handed Cook, L.A. people

They seem extra large to me

Too cold, too hot?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/larryolmsted/2019/07/11/the-cosmopolitan-las-vegas-hotel-is-now-better-than-ever/

As opposed to?

Lunes likes her waffles

Nothing else quite like it

MK + Gordy = true love ❤️

That hit the spot (as usual)

One purple and one red – thanks, SK

Thanks for the pie, Betty

Too bad the patio is only open about 10% of the year

Only the best on the North Shore

Delta 360 Club @ Target Field

Glad we went when we did

Good luck to Toyya in SoCal

Dinner at Mystic + no luck (or play time) on the slots

Culture + colleagues

Long graduation + no food at zoo = hangry

In the “new” location @ Bellagio

Meat vending machines = brilliant

These are sweet

Thanks, Yagya – great to catch up

Quick trip over to Keg and Case

The croque madame @ Barbette

Race Day 2019 could snow (again)

Thumbs up on the Howe

…with that gourmet shit

…ends here.

IT Command will be the place to be the next three days

Calm amongst the chaos

Really needed that burger today

Favorite medical center ever

Squeezing in a few more…

Two of my all-time favorites (Minnehaha Grill @ Mystic Lake)

…and my damn Shirley Temples

Fortune cookies always make me think of the Simpsons

Parking really is free

There’s nobody that’s trying to kick the crap out of Philly cream cheese…