DeRUSHA Download: Cocktails are too expensive! Plus: CHI-CHIs back, Rustica Expands
Do you like your Senator A Little Spicy? And the Backing Into Parking Spaces Controversy!
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: COCKTAILS ARE TOO EXPENSIVE
I know that the restaurant model is a mess: overpriced drinks subsidize underpriced food. Which doesn’t work when people aren’t drinking because they get everything delivered. A bottle of wine is usually 2 or 3 times what the restaurant paid. Some places try 4 times. Cocktails are now regularly $16-$19. When Alyssa and I go out for a drink - we usually each have one and then share one more. $18 x 3 - $54. Add $5 in tax and $12 in tip, it’s a $71 experience. Crazy! So imagine our surprise when this week There are bargains around: we had great $11 drinks at Bina’s, and $10 at Big Bore Barbecue in Hanover!! The $10 drink is still around!! Restaurants: If you want to sell more drinks - let’s get the prices back down to earth! -Jason
TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
The return of CHI-CHI’s
“Catastrophic” damage at the Broder’s Terzo
La Belle Vie Lives (in pop-up form)
ONE MORE THING: Backing into parking spaces
I’m back on video! My show is on YouTube and X streaming daily!
SANDWICHES TODAY AT SURLY: The Proof pop-up popped off last year. Today at 11, Proof is doing HOT sandwiches (last year was hoagies) like pork and rapini, French dip, a ham & swiss on rye and a cheesy sausage and pepperoni situation. 11am-2p, get there early. DETAILS: surlybrewing.com/
“THE DAMAGE IS CATASTROPHIC”: That’s what Charlie Broder told me on my radio show about the water main break in South Minneapolis. 20+ people out of work from Terzo. Basement full of water. Mud everywhere. Building will be condemned, tough decisions as to if and when Terzo will return. SEE DAMAGE/HEAR CHARLIE: https://fluence-media.co/4h1k1kj GOFUNDME: https://fluence-media.co/41rnTGI
LOCAL ROJO MEXICAN GRILLS TO BECOME CHI-CHIS: I don’t think it took a genius to figure this one out. Rojo in St. Louis Park will become a CHI-CHIs this summer, Maple Grove by the fall, then local entrepreneur Michael McDermott is hoping to franchise. ME IN MNMO: https://fluence-media.co/41m2cXw. MCDERMOTT ON WCCO: https://fluence-media.co/4hUFE7h
LA BELLE VIE LIVES: At P.S. Steak. I love this menu - Mike DeCamp (a LBV veteran) is bringing a La Belle Vie takeover back to the lounge again starting Monday and running all March. I’m getting the Pappardelle with Rabbit Bolognese and Porcini and the lamb burgers and the Tuna Tartine with Salsa Verde and anchovies. Some classic cocktails too (I miss the one with Earl Gray infused gin!) MENU: https://fluence-media.co/3EQmj8D
COULD MNDOT TAKE STANLEYS NE?: This is a terrible intersection at Lowry & University, and MNDOT wants to widen it. BUT to do that they’d have to take Stanleys Barroom in Northeast. I love that place. LUKE DERHEIM ON MY SHOW: https://fluence-media.co/4hUEUiv If you want to tell MNDOT to try to find another solution- do it here: https://fluence-media.co/3DgIIez Stanley’s appealing for support via FB: https://fluence-media.co/4kiaYhB
GOING TO SPRING TRAINING IN FLORIDA? Save this post from me with ideas on where to eat and drink: https://fluence-media.co/41iStRs
RUSTICA TO WAYZATA: Replacing the old Wuolett… but you probably read that prediction from me in this newsletter in December! NEWS: https://fluence-media.co/3Fb9ENp
FOOD DOLLS ON DeRusha EATS PODCAST: A long, fascinating conversation with two sisters and moms from Eden Prairie who launched the Food Dolls Facebook page in 2005 and now have 9 million social media followers. Apple Podcast: https://fluence-media.co/3XlfL8a Audacy: https://fluence-media.co/43gFodZ Spotify: https://fluence-media.co/43kCXar
WHAT AM I DOING THIS WEEKEND?
Busy! Friday I’ll be doing my show live from Grand View Lodge for their D’Vine wine weekend. Saturday I’m moderating a keynote there. Saturday night I’m at the Custom One Charities “The Mix” party raising money for the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain. Sunday I collapse and have dinner with my in-laws.
DIVE IN THIS WEEKEND
SAT-SUN 11am-7pm: Black Beach Art Book Fair - Super cool event bringing together vibrant art and publishing communities for a weekend of coffee, art, and books. Founded by Benjamin Peterson of Black Beach Coffee. https://fluence-media.co/4bi2B1y
BAR OF THEIR OWN 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY: All day Saturday https://fluence-media.co/4h5g0vh
NEXT WED - SUN: Home & Garden Show at the Mpls Convention Center- March 5 - 9. $2 off tickets in advance: https://fluence-media.co/3D4A42U
DeRUSHA ON AIR HIGHLIGHTS
I’d LOVE it if you would subscribe to the WCCO Radio channel on YouTube! That’s where my daily radio show streams live.
Why I don’t care if MN gets a Michelin Star: Fun convo with Tracy Perlman. https://fluence-media.co/3XmCf8G YouTube: https://fluence-media.co/41CEEyA
SENATOR POTTY MOUTH: How do you feel about Sen. Tina Smith posting that Elon Musk is a d*ck? https://fluence-media.co/3EXpY4q
CAN WE TRUST ANY MEDIA? Trust me! https://fluence-media.co/4bnW45j
I’VE BEEN SCAMMED: WE need to destigmatize this. https://fluence-media.co/3D0xCun
We upload every segment of my show - so you can listen to a full hour or whatever you enjoy. It’s automatic if you subscribe via Apple Podcast https://fluence-media.co/3xTkkNu Spotify: https://fluence-media.co/3VUtph4
ONE MORE THING
Last week I did a segment speaking out against people backing into parking spots (specifically in parking ramps when others are waiting). https://fluence-media.co/43gITkN. This is now the go-to-joke for friends… Brad, Molly, everyone I’m going to visit mocks me via text urging me to not back in to the space. Sorry - I think it’s selfish!! Enjoy the segment - send me your feedback!!