Great evening in south Minneapolis 💜
Actually had to wait for a table tonight
Chicken strip melt (sub cheddar) @ the Golden Valley location. First eligible senior menu visit 😔
I originally was critical (no pun intended) of the new Star Tribune food critic, Jon Cheng. Then he went on Niver’s podcast (above) and wrote a lot more (both formal reviews and other things like Q and A columns and first looks) and now I’m a fan. Since the Strib’s online search and staff bio pages are not the greatest, I decided to go find all of his reviews and put them in one spot. Here are all the ones I’ve found, sorted by rating and date published:
Three and a Half Stars *** ½
- Owamni, December 2, 2021 review
- Mara, September 22, 2022 review
- Oro by Nixta, July 20, 2023 review
- Bûcheron, March 29, 2024 review
Three Stars ***
- Myriel, November 18, 2021 review
- Khâluna, March 3, 2022 review
- Petite León, May 19, 2022 review
- Churchill Street, August 18, 2022 review
- Blondette, May 18, 2023 review
- Maison Margaux, August 17, 2023 review
- Crasqui, November 2, 2023 review
- Porzana, November 24, 2023 review
Two and a Half Stars ** ½
- Vann (closed October 2023), February 18, 2022 review
- Mr. Paul’s Supper Club, March 17, 2022 review
- All Saints, June 2, 2022 review
- Sooki & Mimi (now Kim’s), July 7, 2022 review
- The Kenwood, February 16, 2023 review
- Chelas, April 27, 2023 review
- Gai Noi, September 7, 2023 review
- Herbst, September 28, 2023 review
- Kim’s, February 15, 2024 review
Two Stars**
- Cardamom, November 5, 2021 review (Jon’s first with Star Tribune)
- Creekside Supper Club, May 5, 2022 review
- Guacaya Bistreaux, October 20, 2022 review
One Star *
- Macanda, November 17, 2022 review
- Butcher & the Boar, June 22, 2023 review
Notes:
- His star scale has always been listed as 1 star = satisfactory, 2 stars = recommended, 3 stars = highly recommended and 4 stars = exceptional. Some reviews list the stars, then have words, others just the stars.
- No four star reviews (so far). His story about why Minnesota should have a Michelin Guide is a must read, though (as are all the full reviews now).
- Jealous that he’s been to Demi ten times over the past two years, while I have not yet gone once.
- Seems weird that Cheng is hardly ever a part of the weekly “5 Best Things” stories, no?
- Favorite shared trait: we both love large clown fries, hot and fresh with no ketchup. 🍟
It was really great to finally have an open Wednesday to hit up this recommendation from SK. Private Sector Provisions was awesome – nice to meet Brett Splinter and Josh Clark. The root beer old fashioned was great and they even made my burger with no onions…
The chicken wild rice soup today at Brother’s Deli was top three for me – hope it is a semi-regular thing on their menu
It was a pleasure to meet Stan Steuter before he retires from the Golf Club Hospital (after 57 years). Re-gripped all my irons with the Golf Pride style recommended by Stan (and Doug). Said the kids next door (Tenant) are very nice…
Saw The Boy and the Heron (aka “The Booni Movie”) for the third time – twice at Alamo and today at the Riverview
We lengthened their skyway line quite a bit – that fish sandwich is one of my favorites
Probably not a great thing that I discovered 1) discounts in the clown app and 2) our local clown is still open after I get home from most night games