DeRUSHA Download: Let's Get Romantic
What does Daniel del Prado own? Rabbit Hole, plus Super Bowl food ideas, read to the end for a theatre tip!
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE
We decided last Saturday to fully embrace winter: we hit the Minnesota Ice Festival in Eagan while the snow was flying and winds were blowing at 30mph. We went to an Ice Bar in Saint Paul and then to another at The Bungalow Club in Minneapolis. I consider myself a great indoorsman, but if this new decade is about new beginnings for me - I’m going for it. So much creativity with the Minnesota Ice, Steady Pour, Bungalow Club teams. If the smack of cool air doesn’t get your juices flowing this weekend - maybe something in the Download will! - Jason
TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
North Loop Sports Bar Opens
DDP is out of Wayzata & Rand Tower
Another Steakhouse Downtown
What’s Steph March Up to?
Help Me find the Best BBQ & KBBQ in Minnesota
SKIP THE FLOWERS: GIVE A LUXURY SPA EXPERIENCE
Don’t tell Alyssa but Valentine’s Day is coming and she just might be getting sent to The Spa at Four Seasons Minneapolis. In winter, nothing better than the HydraFacial or GLO2Facial: you can lounge in the indoor pool with a view of the city or indulge in a guided sauna experience on the Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna Terrace. Book via The Spa website : go on February 13 and 14 - you’ll be gifted a glass of sparkling rosé or NA sparkling tea!
Thanks to Mara and Four Seasons Minneapolis for being partners of the Download
DDP ENDS CONSULTING DEALS: What does Daniel Del Prado’s restaurant group own and operate? Martina, Colita, Cardamom, Rosalia, Porzana and Flora Room, Dexter's and Minari. What don’t they own a piece of anymore? Macanda, Layline, Josefina, and Sanjusan. What’s done? Rand Tower’s consulting deal. Blondette is now brunch only, DDP is done with Bar Rufus. Sharyn had details of that first in the STRIB: https://fluence-media.co/4hNiqiU
THE RABBIT HOLE: Just in time for that big football game Sunday, North Loop’s newest sports bar opens in the old Axebridge Wine space on Washington. 42 big screen TVs, DJs at night (Friday 7p-2a, Saturday 10p-2a) plus bingo every Saturday 12-3p. I was expecting this to be a slightly older-skewing sports bar for the 35-60 crowd, as the youngs have The Loop, but the Instagram vibe feels very young so we’ll see. I’ll be there tonight to check it out! EVENT CALENDAR: https://fluence-media.co/4jYdzNR
ANOTHER STEAKHOUSE COMING DOWNTOWN: Bank at The Westin has closed, Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports it’ll be replaced by a steakhouse from the same company operating the new restaurants in Hotel Ivy. Apicii does good work, they tell the BizJournal they’re going to lean into the amazing architecture and they’re “refining the overall concept with our team in Minneapolis and making connections with local farmers and purveyors.” https://fluence-media.co/4hEFlwC
CLOSING THIS WEEKEND: Mr. Paul’s Po Boy’s at Malcolm Yards and in the back room of Mr. Paul’s at 50th & France. Will be reconcepted - including burgers according to their IG. https://fluence-media.co/3EieFmX
CLOSING: Paulie’s in Maple Grove, Feb 23rd at 3pm.
FOOD MEDIA NEWS
STEPH MARCH: is “moving into a new role with [MSP] mag, as Editor at Large. You'll still find me in the pages and working with the team for their food coverage, but I'll be focusing more creative energy on some new and exciting outside projects to come!” The Friday newsletter is now written by “editors.” I adore
[] and she is a force. Can’t wait to see what’s next for her. IG: https://fluence-media.co/4gLNK0FTWIN CITIES EATER HAS NO TWIN CITIES WRITER: RacketMN reports that some poor guy in Chicago is now in charge of Detroit and Twin Cities. Local editor Justine Jones had already decided to leave, but the position was eliminated. Ashok Selvam wrote on IG: “I visit family in Michigan regularly, so I'm more familiar… We'll see what we can do with Minnesota.” I’d say remove Eater from your bookmarks. https://fluence-media.co/410KBoP
HELP ME: I’m compiling a list of the best barbecue in Minnesota - lots of comments on my Facebook page. I’d also like to know your favorite Korean BBQ, let me know what you love - you can email Jason@JasonDeRusha.com!
4 THINGS TO GET YOUR LOVER AT SURDYKS: I do these picks, but I’m not sure if the Surdyk’s family wants my videos to be this weird. https://fluence-media.co/4jHv053
SUPER BOWL FOOD IDEAS
ANIMALES BBQ: 5 pounds cooked pork shoulder - that’s some tasty sammies. https://fluence-media.co/4jDyKEu
SURDYK’S CATERING: Get a charcuterie or cheese tray - pickup Saturday https://fluence-media.co/412yBTQ
WRECKTANGLE PIZZA: Pick up Saturday. https://fluence-media.co/40InfDb
Many restaurants close on Super Bowl Sunday so plan ahead!
VALENTINE’S DAY PLANS
Pajarito Edina unground: a special three-course Valentine’s Menu including drink pairings for $75 per guest.Only 40 guests with a single 7:30pm seating. Call to reserve 612-268-4770 - St. Paul Pajarito has $50 menu, walk-ins only
Mara at Four Seasons Minneapolis has openings before 5:30p and after 8:15p. 5-course meal for 2 for $195 a person
Milkjam Creamery dessert box with a PB & J ice cream bar looks so good
Surly: you can reserve at the beer hall, $20 bottle service; $20 beer + apps
Parlour: 2 Burgers & Fries, 2 Old Fashioneds or Queen of Hearts - $72
MASHAWI COAL FIRED IS OPEN: The excellent Pangea Market in Coon Rapids is trying a new concept for its counter-service restaurant. Mashawi Coal Fired Grill is in “soft open.” ORDER ONLINE: https://fluence-media.co/4glj9q9
BAR SIENA IS NOW HENDRIX AND SIENA: Trademark issue with a Chicago group of restaurants forced Rhett & Emily Roberts to change their name in Hopkins. My MNMO first look: https://fluence-media.co/4j9p58m
LAST MINUTE CHILLY OPEN TICKETS: Steph March, Billy Sushi, Richard Fischer and I are judging the chili cookoff part of The Wayzata Chilly Open mini-golf tournament Saturday. Buy a ticket, come get some chili https://fluence-media.co/4jWtkoq
TICKETS! GET YOUR TICKETS!
TACO TUESDAY FOR HELP THE HOUSE FOUNDATION: FEB 11, Gustavo Romero and Yia Vang cooking on open fire at the Oro MNIce Bar. $50 = 2 drinks and food, and 100% of the ticket price will be donated to Help The House.
KICKERNICK GALLERY ART OPENING: Almost sold out! Alyssa & I will be at this on Wed. Feb 12, grab a ticket now, it’s free. Downtown Mpls gallery!
GRAND VIEW LODGE’S WINE WEEKEND: February 28 - March 2: I host this. Wine dinners Friday night, seminars and grand tasting Saturday.
PARTY WITH ME TO FIGHT CANCER! “The Mix:” Custom One did my deck and patio and my recent main level renovation too. Great people. March 1st party in downtown St. Paul - a fundraiser for Custom One Charities.
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?
Today I took off work so I’m having lunch with former TV sports star Dave Schwartz at the Minneapolis Club, dinner at Alary’s in St. Paul to try their new BBQ. Saturday is Chilly Open in Wayzata and Alyssa’s hanging with a friend, I’m prob going to Small Hours & Bucheron - trying to sneak in at the bar. Sunday is our family Super Bowl party at our house - think we’re ordering Centro because I missed the Young Joni deadline.
DIVE IN THIS WEEKEND
FRIDAY: Old St. Anthony Valentine’s market at Machine Shop https://fluence-media.co/4gqcIT3
FRIDAY: Watch party for OG ZAZA on DDD: https://fluence-media.co/4hqkNs9
SATURDAY: Bachmans on Lyndale has Winter Market, Backstory Coffee has a Valentine’s Market (north loop), Summit Brewing 5p night market - get details from Jahna Peloquin - https://fluence-media.co/4160Cty
SATURDAY: Luminary Loppet: Still tickets for 8/8:30p https://fluence-media.co/40T67fD
ALL WEEKEND: MN Ice Festival (Code MNICEVIP gets you 20% off): https://fluence-media.co/48WsEu7 and Ice Palace in Delano: https://fluence-media.co/4hMo1po
DeRUSHA ON AIR HIGHLIGHTS
TESTING A NEW FORMAT FOR DERUSH HOUR HEADLINES: Page One or The Lead is the big talkers, page two is the quirky/interesting stuff. https://fluence-media.co/4185Y80
STATE SEN. MATT KLEIN: one of my favorites. We talk his sports gambling bill https://fluence-media.co/4hqHAEa
RANK YOU: Who do Paul Fletcher and I want to see do the Halftime Show? https://fluence-media.co/3CSgoiq
6TH GRADE TEACHER FROM CHASKA: Talking civics/politics to kids. https://fluence-media.co/4hO4t44
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 highly recommend A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Guthrie! Great cast, clever introduction of music into the classic play. Weird if you’re a traditionalist - but a great accessible entree to Shakespeare. Tickets: https://fluence-media.co/4aNDlQC