DeRUSHA: On eating camel, Father's Day Gift Guide, and a BUSY Summer Weekend
Risk taking, diving in, graduation speeches and more
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: I ATE CAMEL
Camel may be the only non-American-traditional protein that you wouldn’t describe as “tastes like chicken.” It’s more similar to beef in texture and flavor - and what a joy to have a real cultural experience at a fabulous Somali restaurant, Sanag [link]. I did a video for Visit Lake Street focusing on Pollo Movil and Plaza Mexico [link], and Yusra Mohamud commented saying I needed to try some Somali food. Look, if you invite me to your house I’m going to set a date, and if you say I need to try some Somali food I’m going to take it as a real invitation. I’m not from here.
Chef Ali brought us out some beef, a lot of goat, beautiful Somali rice and biryani rice, and that plate in the lower right corner is the camel. Sanag serves it marinated in a complex and somewhat spicy sauce and then grilled to perfection. Ali is a heck of a cook - everything came out perfectly prepared - great sauces and sears and seasoning. The experience reminded me of what I think many of you have in common: the willingness to take a risk, try something new, have an adventure. I’m so grateful to Yusra for inviting me to lunch - she brought a couple coworkers from the Lake Street Council (I didn’t know she worked for Visit Lake Street when we set the date! Some journalist I am!). Take the risk. Go visit the new neighborhood. Go eat the camel!
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TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
Macanda Closing Sunday For Reboot
Grand Old Day Is Back
Father’s Day Gift Guide
Should Politics Be In Grad Speeches (from the radio show)
Gentleman’s Shopping Event Sunday (any gentlemen around here?)
MACANDA GOES NOBU: One of the most beautiful restaurants in our area is evolving. Closing this weekend for a make-over inside and on the menu, reopening June 6 in Wayzata. Almost everyone I know has had medicore to bad experiences at Macanda: but they have a legit chef there (one of the originators of Sonora Grill) and I’m excited to see what they do with more Japanese flavors (yuzu citrus in the raw fish dishes, ponzu in a chimichurri). Macanda is part of Inner Bloom - no longer under the Daniel del Prado empire - look for more tweaks to Altera in St. Paul, Layline in Excelsior, Josefina in Wayzata.
HEAVY TABLE ON HEY Y’ALL:
is worth a subscription - I paid for one today - always quality writing. I wish the crew there could just do their thing without always needing to talk about how other people or writers or influencers don’t live up to their amazingness - that said, if you care about food and restaurants, they’re pretty great. https://fluence-media.co/43p5OdySTARLING’S NEXT PASSPORT MENU LAUNCHES: We were there last night and the team was excited about the Caribbean-themed summer passport. Launches Sunday. They’re revamping lunch too, lightening things up.
ME IN OTHER MEDIA
MOA PODCAST APPEARANCE: MALL of America had me on their podcast - here’s a short clip with my favorite stores - https://fluence-media.co/4dAoKJu And a link to the full podcast “So Much More:” https://fluence-media.co/45vreXy
MINNESOTA LIVE on KSTP: I was on channel 5 during the morning for the first time! Talking GrillFest: https://fluence-media.co/3FwdFww
FATHER’S DAY GIFTS THAT DON’T SUCK: My gift guide for Father’s Day - paid subscribers got this last weekend in their email: now the whole list is at JasonDeRusha.com: https://fluence-media.co/3HaXYv9
BEST BARBECUE IN MINNESOTA: My list features KBBQ, Hanover, Rochester, and dozens of great spots for you to check out! [MNMO BBQ LINK]
GET SOCIAL: POSTS FROM DERUSHA
IG: BTS on KSTP’S Minnesota Live: https://fluence-media.co/4kpuWqr
IG: Preview of Delano’s July 4th Fun: https://fluence-media.co/4jlF4PC
TikTok: 50 = physical therapy https://fluence-media.co/45tQMV2
TikTok: Am I the only one who does yardwork in my robe? https://fluence-media.co/4kCgkUj
WHAT COULD YOU DO THIS WEEKEND:
GET A TICKET TO GRILL FEST: It’s next Sat/Sun at CHS Field in Saint Paul, save 25% with my discount code JASON25 or click this: https://fluence-media.co/4dwYLTx 50% off on Sunday tickets with code FLAME50: https://fluence-media.co/4kphh2Q
WEINFEST AT GAI HAUS: German wine tasting Saturday 4-7pm, Hosted by Amy Waller and The German Wine Collection with friends from Thomas Liquors, New France Wine Company, Bourget Imports and Small Lot Wines. TIX: https://www.gaimn.org/calendar/weinfest/
GRAND OLD DAY: SUNDAY Parade at 9:30am, Weiner Dog race at 12:30p https://fluence-media.co/4jwJxzd
GALLERIA’S GENTLEMAN’S EDIT: Pre-Father’s Day, a shopping event at Galleria from 1-4pm. Say hi to my radio partners J.H. & Sons. Pre-register (free) to get perks: https://www.galleriaedina.com/happenings-feed/galleria-mens-event
WHAT AM I DOING THIS WEEKEND?
Friday night is Sam’s final choir concert (cue the tears from me); Saturday maybe GrillFest, then I’m going to Weinfest and then to dinner at Bar Brava; Sunday Alyssa’s going to the spa at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis and then we’re eating at Riva Terrace which is now open for the summer!
VIDEO FROM THE WCCO RADIO YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
As a dad who’s just watched my kids go through the college application process, I think there’s an argument that we are reserving too many seats for international students: https://fluence-media.co/43kt8Jm
Keep politics out of graduation speeches: https://fluence-media.co/3FsQ5Ru
Are you ready for speedo summer? And why do only the women’s teams win? Fun with new XCel Energy Center Communications person, Tracy Perlman. [link]