COVERITLIVE.COM

11:36

leedean - Welcome to the chat. We'll be starting soon. Go ahead and leave your questions for Rick Nelson, and check back at noon.

11:58

[Comment From Amie]
I miss JP Bistro. Where is JP working now?

11:59

Rick Nelson - Hi everyone.
I miss it, too (for those who don't know, we're talking about jP American Bistro, formerly in the Lyn-Lake neighborhood and now the Lyndale Tap House). JP is now running the kitchen at Solera (9th and Hennepin, downtown Minneapolis). You should check out his tasting menu: $29, a minimum of two people, and a pretty major bargain.

11:59

[Comment From steve]
I think Blackbird is one of the most underrated restaurants in town. I think it flies beneath the radar, as it does not have a "gimmick" or "hook"....I think the food is phenomenal...Your thoughts?

12:00

Rick Nelson - I'm with you. If I lived in the neighborhood -- which is the 50th-and-Bryant area in south Minneapolis -- it would be one of my I-don't-feel-like-cooking-tonight regular destinations, because the menu is full of surprises and the price is always right.

12:01

[Comment From Meg G.]
I am really into supporting Local and Organic Food here in the Twin Cities. Where are some of the best places to eat locally and organically?

12:03

Rick Nelson - Hi Meg. Fortunately for you, the Twin Cities has a major local-and-organic dining scene. On the high end you could check out Heartland in St. Paul, and Restaurant Alma, Spoonriver, Cafe Brenda, Red Stag Supperclub and Lucia's Restaurant. On the lower end, I really like Common Roots Cafe and the Birchwood Cafe. Oh, and two of my favorite ice cream makers are all about local ingredients: Crema Cafe and Pumphouse Creamery, both in south Minneapolis.

12:03

[Comment From Dave]
Any word on what's happening with the former Lalibela/Molly Quinn's space on Lake Street? I had heard awhile back that the owner of Azia was thinking of opening a new restaurant there.

12:05

Rick Nelson - Good memory Dave. Owner Thom Pham did have plans to open a restaurant in that space (remember when it used to be Embers?), but he dropped them about a year ago. The space is currently up for lease. Any takers out there?

12:05

[Comment From Sue Dee]
Is there anyplace in Maple Grove or nearby you'd recommend as a regular I-Don't-feel-like-cooking-tonight place that isn't a chain?

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