Art Institute - March 19

Dale and I had our passports renewed the morning of this past March 19. I took the day off today so that we could fit the appointment in in the morning. After our appointment downtown, I dropped Dale off at work and decided to stop by the Art Institute next door.  

From Dale's Office

Dale and I stopped by his office to drop something off on the way to church this morning. I took the above photos from his building. The above photo shows the corner of 1st Avenue and 26th which is due west and just across the alley. The bottom photo shows the same corner just to the south. I'm never sure if Joe's Chicken Shack is still even in business.

Loring Kitchen and Bar

Yesterday Dale and I went to brunch at the Loring Kitchen and Bar which looks out over Loring Park. We both got mimosas and shared a caramel roll. I got the classic eggs Benedict and Dale got an omelet. Both of our items came with cheesy hashbrowns. I really like the atmosphere there and it always seems to be hoppin'. 

The Lowbrow for Sunday Brunch

Dale and I skipped church and went to The Lowbrow for brunch today. He had bacon and eggs. I got a buttermilk pancake and a sandwich called The Truckstop. It's egg, sausage, and cheese on a fluffy white bun. It's delicious.

Town Hall Tap

Dale and I had dinner with our friends Steve and Tom at the 48th and Chicago  Town Hall Tap last night.

Lowbrow

Dale and I went to The Lowbrow this past week. The mushroom and swiss cheese burger can't be beat. 

Lake Nokomis

Dale and I took Athena around Lake Nokomis the other day. It was sunny and cool - a beautiful fall day. The beach Mom used to take us to as kids is to the right. You can see downtown rising above the trees in the center of the picture.

Lake of the Isles

Dale and I stopped by Lake of the Isles after my doctor appointment yesterday. Downtown is in the background.

More Light Rail

Dale returned from Madeline yesterday. He returned his rental car at the airport and then took light rail to the Hiawatha and 46th Street stop which is where I picked him up. I only waited for about 10 minutes for his train to arrive.  It was a pleasant evening with a summery feel - perfect for sitting outside.  These photos were taken at around 8:15 p.m. I remember as far back as 1980 reading in the old Minneapolis Star about the possibility of light rail transit coming to Minneapolis.  I can't believe is took as long as it did to become a reality. Minneapolis once had an intricate trolley system that was the envy of the nation but I believe it was dismantled in the 1960s to make way for the freeway system. It's a shame that a new system had to be started from scratch when there was once such a functional network.

Light Rail

I dropped Dale off at the light rail station at 38th and Cedar so he could go to the airport to pick up a rental car for his trip up to Madeline tomorrow. I love the iconic look of the grain elevator in the background.

Brunch at Hazels in Nordeast

Dale and I had lunch at Hazel's today.  The Northeast Minneapolis restaurant has recently become a favorite of ours due to dining there more than once with Cindi and Maggie who live in that neck of the woods.  Dale had an omelet and I had a waffle with a side of ham that was some of the best I've had in a long time.

New Year's Eve Day 2012 - Pizza Luce

Dale and I went to Pizza Luce in downtown Minneapolis yesterday - New Year's Eve Day.  It's one of my favorite casual downtown restaurants.  I had the mostaccioli and Dale had the lasagna. The place was dead at noon but we were pretty sure it would be hopping in the evening for New Year's Eve. 

The Wyman Building

Dale used to work in the Wyman Building on First Avenue back in the 1990s. It had a distinct warehouse feel and I remember I loved visiting him there.

Buster's on 28th

Dale and I went to Buster's recently. It's one of my favorite neighborhood joints in Minneapolis. The following is a write-up from the City Pages:

"A number of great watering holes are tucked away in tiny pockets of the Twin Cities, but the Powderhorn/Nokomis area has a gem in Buster's on 28th. The atmosphere is homey but lively, and the gastropub boasts one of the most robust craft beer selections in Minneapolis. If you need the perfect alcoholic accompaniment for its awesome braised beef or barbecue pork sandwich, the staff is eager to suggest which tap will pair nicely with your meal. Some might complain about the pub's lack of hard liquor, but the absence of spirits keeps the bar's rowdiness level down - and it's hard to voice a complaint while you're stuffing your face with some of the best onion rings anywhere. The best thing about Buster's is its warmth, which is just another way of saying the area wouldn't be the same without it."

Buster's on 28th got the award for best neighborhood bar from the City Pages in 2012.

Town Hall Tap

I haven't been to Town Hall Tap in a few months. Dale and I were there back in March. All the food is good but I particularly like the fish and chips and their veggie burger. When Dale and I first moved into the neighborhood back in the late 90's, this was a Greek deli and breakfast joint. 

Orchestra Hall Lobby

The lobby of Orchestra Hall is going through some major renovations this year. Major enough that the orchestra's entire coming season will be played at the convention center. This what the work looked like on Monday July 16, 2012. I snapped the shot as I was picking up Dale from having returned the van he rented for his gig on Madeline Island this year. Photo taken at the corner of 11th and Marquette.

Powderhorn Park Part 1

Yesterday Dale and I took the 20 minute walk to Powderhorn Park for the first time in years. We used to take this walk many times when we first moved into our house in the late 1990's. Yesterday's walk was so lovely I decided to take the same stroll today and I took the pictures shown above. I've always been jealous of the people who live in the house pictured on the bottom. Their yard opens right up into the park. It's like have a lake home right in the middle of the city!

St. Anthony Main

Dale ran in the Big Gay 5K this morning. The starting point was Wilde Roast Coffee at St. Anthony Main.  Photo taken 2011.