Our local farmers market is a more modest affair during the winter. Instead of being outside, it’s held in the lobby of the Mill City Museum. Picked up bacon sausages from a local farm, along with some crusty bread and savory croissants from a small local bakery.
Category: Eat
Our local haunt in Kanazawa
After a day of sightseeing, we returned to this Izakaya from last night. With just 14 seats, we were the only tourists among a bar full of friendly, local characters. Sumo wrestling played on the television, while the walls displayed sumo-themed photos and memorabilia. At one point the barman held up his phone so we could all sing Happy Birthday to an absent customer.
At least the catenary shone
Our neighborhood izakaya, Zen Box, is closing, sending me on a quest for decent replacement ramen. Today’s nameless stop scored a 2/10. It was supposed to be tonkotsu; the broth had the color, but none of the required texture or flavor. I took a photo, but here’s something more palatable: new copper catenary for a light rail extension, which I saw while cycling to that nameless place.
Dinner and a play
It’s Sausage Saturday! That means sausage and cabbage for dinner, but we’re mixing it up a bit. We’re having red cabbage instead of the usual green, and swapping the movie for a stage play: I’ve cued up a National Theatre (of Great Britain) production of Harold Pinter’s “No Man’s Land” starring Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart. Of course there’ll be ice cream in the intermission.
Discovering Fawkes Alley Cafe
Discovered Fawkes Alley Cafe, hiding at the end of an alley. I learned it’s located in a building that originally housed the Fawkes Auto Company car salesroom when it opened in 1911. The cafe is a nonprofit that supports the community by mentoring its employees and funding youth soccer for underrepresented communities. My Americano, served in a ceramic cup, was near-enough perfect.
An optimistic cuppa
Cycled over to the U for an appointment deep in a sub-basement. Since I was early, I popped into a Caribou Coffee, certain their brew would be better than hospital coffee. The crew members had posted profiles answering questions like their pronouns, how they “spark chain reactions of good,” their secret talents, and their favorite Caribou products. I enjoyed an espresso and a slice of coffee cake, amidst the cheerful hum of students excited about life.
Superior view
The sun was rising over Lake Superior as we walked to Coho Cafe to fuel up for today’s hike.
Foraging for hiking snacks
Structured today’s bike ride as a foraging exercise for hiking snacks. I picked up wasabi peas from United Noodles (a large Asian supermarket) and was pleased to confirm wasabi was on the ingredient list, not the commonly substituted horseradish. I also filled up on generic M&Ms from Seward Co-op and granola bars from Trader Joe’s.
A bowl of comfort
I’d been looking forward to this yakisoba bowl at Zen Box Izakaya all day. I’d left home for school as the sun was rising after a late night (for us), and I’d taken on an extra class, a reading group. But it was a joy to work with the adult learners, always in good spirits, always trying hard despite fitting in their classes with family and job commitments.
Firing up the Weber
Simple Sunday, last gasp of summer, grilled chicken thighs for dinner.