We’ve never been to Manny’s Steakhouse before.
Manny’s, located in downtown Minneapolis, is an iconic local steakhouse that opened in 1987.
Manny’s is part of the Parasole Restaurant Group.
You’ll find Manny’s on “Best Of” lists all of the time.
We don’t dine at steakhouses very often. While I enjoy steak, I don’t order it from restaurants often. We typically marinate and grill our own steaks at home.
If a menu has seafood on the menu I typically gravitate towards that for a treat.
Pregnancy cravings and aversions are strange things.
During my first, I had an aversion to chicken the entire time. Just the smell made me barf. This time, my food aversions evaporated after the first trimester.
The food that I’ve been ordering the most is Green Mill’s Desert Fire Pasta. Countless times during the past year.
Green Mill is a Midwest chain, but don’t sleep on it. It’s better than average.
They also offer in-house delivery. The original St. Paul Hamline Ave/Grand location might not list a delivery option online, but when you call to ask they often can accommodate.
This weekend I decided to follow local signs around for food.
The suburb we moved to hosts a weekend celebration that includes live music, inflatables, food trucks, parades, and fireworks.
Signs around town promoting the festivities and Lions Club pig roast caught my eye.
I met my family at the park and we enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches. It was some of the most tender and flavorful pork I’ve ever enjoyed.
Find the closest little doughnut shop near your house.
We’re adjusting to life in the suburbs. I grew up in the suburbs and swore I’d never return, yet here I am.
I like the slower pace and quietness. I miss the sidewalks. I hate my commute.
During our first weekend in the new house, I found the closest little doughnut shop near our home.
It’s no secret that I love doughnuts.
Some of you may remember I worked at a gourmet doughnut shop in St. Louis. “Surely you’ll get tired of eating a doughnut every day,” my family said, but no. I never got tired of eating a doughnut every day.
That wild ride convinced I never wanted to work in a doughnut shop again, but I appreciate the hard work and early mornings that go into the craft.
The only doughnut shop around is Donut Hut in Little Canada. It’s a small shop located in a quiet strip mall near Tealicious, the only bubble tea shop around. Needless to say it’s my favorite strip mall. On my way last weekend I stopped outside of it for people trying to nudge a giant turtle to the side of the road. Yup, I live somewhere now with a bunch of turtles.
Clearly Donut Hut is popular. I always get there on the weekends when the doughnuts are picked over because the bubble tea shop opens 11 am.
The doughnuts taste as homemade and handmade as they claim – not at all like they’re from a mix. I prefer a simple raised glazed or old fashioned. I especially liked their apple fritter. In theory I should like all apple fritters but have never liked any of the ones I’ve ordered before because they tasted burned, oily or lacking apple. Donut Hut’s taste lovely and fresh and rich with apple.
Also, they’re nice to my toddler. I never ever expect anyone to fawn over my child, but when they do, it makes my heart full.
I felt like a regular at the bubble tea shop after my first visit. If you’re like me, don’t forget to order your drink at a 1/4 of the regular sweetness level. They also sell a small selection of sweet and savory Asian pastries – I’m partial to the savory ones like beef curry, hot dog, and bbq pork buns.
Keefer Court’s are still my favs but these are wonderfully convenient. Especially since most bubble tea shops I’ve visited don’t offer food.
I’ve been spending way too much money on iced teas out, so I started making my own. This is not to say I won’t still visit bubble tea shops. Although I cracked Caribou’s sparkling green tea lemonade with a half shot of raspberry, my first attempt at milk tea was disappointing.
But doughnuts? No way, I’m not making my own. I’ll keep visiting my closest little doughnut shop.
Going out to eat with a baby or toddler is. . . interesting.
Having worked at restaurants in the past, I never wanted to be *that* parent.
You know. The one who lets their child run wild around customers. Or leaves a terrible splay of food on the ground and tips like shit. When I worked at the doughnut shop in St. Louis, one parent gleefully told me they loved to come there because we’d clean up their mess.
As new parents we’re learning as we go. After spending one lunch at Red Lobster desperately picking-up grains of rice under the chair, we remembered to bring pocket bibs. And after desperately trying to entertain her at Grand Catch with a straw and my cell phone (on silent of course) we bring toys.
And after this patio experience where she slid two plates to the ground, we keep them far, far away.
Sometimes I get to dine out with just adults.
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