DeRUSHA Download: I Love Love
Food Halls Are Back! Too many Sports Bars? Read to the end for an Under Hyped Note
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: MORE LOVE PLEASE
Today is Valentine’s Day, and it’s so easy to dismiss it. We’ve been together forever… it’s a fake Hallmark holiday… it’s so cheesy. Get over yourselves! I’m leaning out of cynicism and into love. Doesn’t have to be romantic - I’ve made it a practice to tell my guy friends that I love them. Out loud. Say it. I tell Alyssa I love her multiple times a day. It’s geniune, it feels good, and it’s a reminder that despite all the drama at work, in your family, in the world - more love is better, leading with love is best. I love you guys! - Jason
TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
Graze North Loop food hall Is Back
World Street Kitchen Expands
Coal Fired ‘Za Returns to Saint Paul
From Felon to Success: Long Form OG ZAZA Podcast
Valentine’s & Love Is Blind Ideas
AMAZING DRINK OF THE MOMENT AT MARA
C’mon - can you resist the Rosamour Spritz? Mara’s bar at Four Seasons Minneapolis is one of Alyssa and my favorites, and we are popping in this weekend for this Rosa vermouth and Vermentino wine sparkler - perfect for Valentine’s celebrations of all kinds. Mara just opened April reservations too - you can do Breakfast, Lunch, Sunday Brunch, Easter, and of course dinner. Get at it! Walk-in or book here: https://fluence-media.co/3TnEg3a (tell them you saw DeRusha talk about them!)
Thanks to Mara and Four Seasons Minneapolis for being partners of the Download
GRAZE IS BACK: I tried Caja Fried Chicken, Tixtli by Nixta, Graze on the Green salad, Umami by Travail, Wrad Pizza - everything was really, really good. Story for paid followers is coming soon. WEB: https://fluence-media.co/40mEn0V
WORLD STREET KITCHEN TO EXPAND: FINALLY! We deserve more of Sameh and Saed Wadi’s World Street Kitchen - I’d like it in the suburbs, but the Market at Malcolm Yards is good. Should open by the end of the month, replacing Mr. Paul’s Po’Boys. MYM LINEUP: https://fluence-media.co/4hQzQev
TONO’S OWNERS OPENING COAL FIRE PIZZA IN ST. PAUL: Smart move by the team behind Tono Pizza, they bought the building that used to house Black Sheep Pizza in Saint Paul and are opening a separate concept - Prince Street Coal Fired Pizza. Meatball sandwiches, counter service, I can’t wait. Kudos to them for investing in the 651 too. PI PRESS: https://fluence-media.co/3EBgQCn
FROM FELON TO ZAZA: Amazing story from OG ZAZA’s Chef Joshua Hedquist. Download my long-form podcast with him and enjoy this weekend. AUDACY: https://fluence-media.co/4b1Ikgp SPOTIFY: https://fluence-media.co/4aYjdLI APPLE: https://fluence-media.co/41cZC7b
MANKATO RESTAURANT WEEK: Fun! Mankato has a restaurant week Monday through Sunday this coming week. Pagliai’s Pizza has Spicy Cream Cheese Wonton Pizza for $25. Specials at Number 4 Steakhouse, Olives, Tav on the Ave has a $19 rib dinner. https://fluence-media.co/3Qekhl1
BIG STAR TIPSY TACO BAR: This Spring a replacement (finally!) for the Betty Danger’s in NE Minneapolis. The ferris wheel stays. There aren’t many details, but there is a website (https://fluence-media.co/3WV0smo) and an IG (https://fluence-media.co/3CMotFu)
SPORTS BARAPALOOZA! North Loop’s Rabbit Hole, downtown’s upper level Parlay Sports Bar from the Crave team (perfect name for the legislature to legalize gambling?!), and Midtown Global Market has Game Time Sports Bar & Arcade (MNMO https://fluence-media.co/3Ew1Q8Z). Too many sports bars? I don’t know - don’t underestimate Minnesotans love for TVs at the bar.
LOVE IS BLIND DEBUTS: Watch 32 Minneapolis singles make fools of themselves with your besties. Parties at: O’Shaughnessy Distillery FRI 6-10pm ($5), LUSH FRI 9pm (free but RSVP), Graze Food Hall 12-4p Saturday, Umbra’s Saturday brunch watch party is sold out. I’m cheering for Adam Bevis, fashion director at Jaxen Grey, don’t let me down, Adam!
4 THINGS TO GET YOUR LOVER AT SURDYKS: Great advice, super weird edit in this video for my friends at Surdyk’s. https://fluence-media.co/4jHv053
VALENTINE’S DAY NO RESERVATION NEEDED
St. Paul Pajarito has $50 menu, walk-ins only
Parlour: 2 Burgers & Fries, 2 Old Fashioneds or Queen of Hearts - $72
Smack Shack: Cook at home seafood boil for 2! $100.
GRAND VIEW LODGE’S WINE WEEKEND: So many wine big shots are going to Grand View Lodge February 28 - March 2. Dan Grady from Moët Hennessey, Erin Ungerman/Maverick, Kyle Peterson/Winehaven, Angela and Jason Kallsen TC Wine Education, Matt Purinton/ Royal Wines (Israeli wine importer), I host this. Wine dinners Friday night, seminars and grand tasting Saturday. https://fluence-media.co/40zAQO9
PARTY WITH ME TO FIGHT CANCER! “The Mix:” Custom One did my deck and patio & my main level renovation too. Great people. March 1st party in St. Paul - a fundraiser for Custom One Charities. https://fluence-media.co/4gYziDq
50% OFF MINNESOTA MONTHLY FOOD & WINE SUNDAY: Food & Wine Experience at OMNI Lakes! 50% off on Sun. March 23rd tickets with code JASON.
WHAT AM I DOING THIS WEEKEND?
Valentine’s Day dinner at the Paris Dining Club studio. Romantic! Can’t wait.
Sunday I fly to Fort Myers, Florida to cover Spring Training for the Minnesota Twins. Live at Hammond Stadium 3 - 6 pm Monday - Friday, AND I’ll be doing a couple events to raise money for Second Harvest Heartland from Minnesota snow birds. If you know someone in Naples who might want to visit with our fundraising team (lunch with Chris Finch?)- let me know!!
DIVE IN THIS WEEKEND
SKI JUMP COMPETITION: SAT: Watch former and future Olympians push the limits of the Bush Lake Ski Jumps, soaring up to 300 feet for trophies, cash prizes, and bragging rights! TICKETS: https://fluence-media.co/3Qb4uDB
ARB ART FAIR: Spring flower show is paired with an art fair right now. Vendors incorporate a botanical element, included with admission Sat & Sun 10a-4p. https://fluence-media.co/40V7BEn
MN Ice Festival LAST WEEKEND! (Code MNICEVIP gets you 20% off): https://fluence-media.co/48WsEu7
DeRUSHA ON AIR HIGHLIGHTS
ABOU AMARA, JOHN MARTY, TRACY PERLMAN: From Tina Smith to banning billboards to ripping Galentine’s https://fluence-media.co/41f8VDu
TV SHOWS YOU HATE BUT EVERYONE LOVES + WORST VALENTINES' GIFTS https://fluence-media.co/4jRTadb
CANADA’S CONSUL IN MINNEAPOLIS + BRIAN RUBENZER FROM JAMESON’S IN WEST ST. PAUL: https://fluence-media.co/4i14i5P
I SET MY THERMOSTAT AT 59: https://fluence-media.co/4b4fL2e
WE’RE STREAMING LIVE ON YOUTUBE! Click the live tab at https://fluence-media.co/4gkDvA8
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
I wrote about under-hyped restaurants and Joan’s in the Park is on the top of my list - so I was thrilled to get this note from Josh: