Gorkha Palace – Round 2

gorkha palace
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Gorkha Palace is by far my favorite restaurant in Northeast and I’ve already done a full review on the place, which you can read HERE. But, because I am so loyal to my readers (and to my sister), when she wanted to go get dinner I figured I should go back and try something else 😉 Continue reading

The Bulldog – Lowertown vs. Northeast

The Bulldog Lowertown
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Both Bulldog locations (Lowertown and Northeast) are amazing. They both have different menus and from what I understand aren’t fully owned by the same people, but I’m going to review them together just the same.

*The pictures below come from my most recent visit to the Lowertown location.

It all starts with parking. Both places can be a little bit of a challenge.

Lowertown: It’s street parking. I, generally, park in the lot on Sibley and 7th. It’s free to park there after 5pm (or 6pm?) and you don’t have to worry about parallel parking. BONUS.

Northeast: There is street parking here as well, but they do have a couple of lot options which are really nice. One is in the U.S. Bank lot and the other is in front of Gorkha Palace. Continue reading

Smack Shack | North Loop Minneapolis

smack shack
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I wanted to get a Hipster Hack review out about the Smack Shack this week, since Valentine’s Day in just around the corner and according to their website they have a stuffed lobster & champagne pairing going on this Saturday, February 14th. What better way to say “I like you better than anyone else in my life,” than lobster and champagne?

The interesting thing about Smack Shack is that they originated as a Food Truck that specialized in Lobster Rolls. They were also featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” because of their food truck and as the food service at 1029 Bar.  The actual “Smack Shack” restaurant has only been open since 2013, but it has quickly become a staple of the North Loop dining experience. Continue reading

Cuzzy’s Bar | Downtown Minneapolis

Cuzzy's Minneapolis
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Cuzzy’s is a local landmark and a favorite of the Minneapolis businessman and hipster alike.

Food:

Cuzzy's Burger

There are two great times to enjoy Cuzzy’s:

  1. When you’re hungover
  2. When you want a burger

Continue reading

Masu Sushi & Robata | Northeast Minneapolis

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Every night I experience chronic mouthwatering while passing Masu Sushi & Robata on my drive home. Being a relatively new sushi supporter, it took me some time to muster up the courage to venture in. Luckily, I have some experienced sushi orderers as friends who were totally game for going with me and even for braving the sub-zero Minnesota temperatures and horrible traffic. Continue reading

French Meadow Bakery & Cafe | Uptown Minneapolis

french meadow bakery
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After a girls night out in Downtown Minneapolis, brunch was an essential. Carly suggested French Meadow Bakery and we were all about it.

Girls Night

Girls Night with Brooke and Carly

 

*Not pictured: Nellie. Sorry, Nell!

Drinks:

french meadow bakery coffee

I was in dire need of some caffeine and I never turn down a coffee with whipped cream, which lead me to ordering the Turtle Mocha.  I was happy to see it was actually pretty reasonably priced in comparison to something similar at Caribou or Starbucks. Continue reading

Rusty Taco | Northeast Minneapolis

Rusty Taco Northeast
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I used to work and live down the street from Rusty Taco in St. Paul which was dangerous, because my coworkers and I quickly became addicted. I love that they use corn tacos, because corn tortillas remind me of being on vacation in Mexico AND they’re gluten free!

It may take a minute to get past the name, but it’s so worth it.

Environment:

Rusty Taco

I recently found myself ravenous on the last gorgeous Saturday pre-polar vortex, so instead of getting take-out, which just seemed like such a waste, I ventured over to Rusty Taco. When I moved to Northeast Minneapolis it was a happy coincidence that they had a second location so close to me so I figured it was about time to venture over and be able to cross something off the list of reasons I miss St. Paul.

What I love most about Rusty Taco is that it’s set up cafeteria style, making it an easy place to go to with other people, but also the kind of place you can go and eat by yourself without feeling awkward. I hate the habit I’ve developed pretending I’m on my phone doing important stuff when in actuality I’m just checking a social network just to look busy (you laugh, because you’ve done it before, too!). One of my resolutions this year is to make eye contact and smile at strangers to combat my RBF so I figured this was as good a time as any to start.

Rusty Taco has a great industrial vibe with exposed ceilings and stainless steel tables and counters. The staff also have a pretty great sense of humor as noticed by the note on their tip jar-“Sexy People Tip.” Continue reading

Hipster Hack’s Best of 2014

Best of 2014
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I’ve tried a bunch of amazing foods, drinks, and places this year, so I wanted to share my Top 6 (I couldn’t make myself limit it to 5!) choices for the Best of 2014!

The Vegas Lounge

6. The Vegas Lounge

It’s probably not fair to call this a best of 2014, because it wasn’t new to me this year, but any Hipster “Best Of” list just feels immoral without the inclusion of this gem. Northeast really does have some of the most amazing places.

Chocolate Milk Stout

5. Dangerous Man – Chocolate Milk Stout

I’ve never had a beer that tasted like childhood before. This beer makes Peter Pan Syndrome acceptable and for that it receives no less than a high5, wink, and awkward two step with a little twist. Continue reading

The Mill NE – Brunch | Minneapolis

The Mill NE
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This is the second time I’ve been to The Mill Northeast. You can read the first blog about my drinking adventure HERE. This time the focus was brunch, so of course that means we started off with bloody marys….

Drinks:

The Mill NE Bloody Mary

I am a fan. While they may lack a lot of the garnishes you can find at other places, the bloodies are still pretty flavorful with a little bit of spice and their only $5, which is a pretty reasonable for Minneapolis. Continue reading

Marina Grill and Deli | Northeast Minneapolis

Marina Grill and Deli Northeast
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Marina Grill and Deli is a few block down the road from my apartment and seemed like the perfect choice for a welcome home meal after my trip of new and exciting food.

Marina Deli Northeast Mpls

Service:

Having no real experience with Greek food, I was at a loss trying to figure out what to order. It probably didn’t help that I was a little jet lagged and running on 3 hours of sleep, so I asked the cashier if there was anything she recommended. While extremely nice, she definitely looked a little flustered and told me that she didn’t feel comfortable suggesting things to people, because you can never guarantee they’ll like it. Understandable, but definitely not helpful, so I ended up falling back on the two items I’ve had experience with before; a Gyro and falafel. Continue reading