On Wednesday I will be 69 years old. As Lorna has dental work (root canal) scheduled for my actual birthday and a yoga retreat with friends in Lanesboro next weekend, we chose to celebrate this weekend. For us, at this point, "celebrating" usually just means dining out - this year just the two of us in Lanesboro.
Friday evening was a simple meal at the Pedal Pusher. Lorna had the fish fry and I had the hot beef, dubbed "The Commercial" which is just incredible, made with beef tips and real gravy and local potatoes. Sometimes something as simple a hot beef sandwich gets so manufactured we lose how wonderful it originally was. We split an apple crisp with heavy cream and a couple of Lift Bridge Farm Girl saison style ales.
On the way back to the cottage we passed Jon Pieper's van on the street. Jon is running for the Minnesota State House against a longtime incumbent. It's Minnesota, politicians tend to not promise more than they can deliver, so "We Can Do Better". Perfect - vague and understated, yet confident. We Can Do Better. And the rust and dents on the car are political correct too.
Saturday morning was a beautiful sunny morning so we walked down the Pastry Shoppe for breakfast. Brett Stecher was a head chef for a number of years. A few years ago he quit and opened his own shop - pastry, breakfast, lunch and on weekend evenings, BBQ. He cooks what he wants, on his terms. And it is exceptional food. He works hard at it, "It ain't 9 to 5, on weekends it's 5 in the morning to 9 at night."
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Ham and other stuff quiche/Steak, potato, onion Benedict. |
We had pastry to go. I worked some piddling around at the cottage, finishing up the downstairs bathroom and doing some outside Spring clean-up. I suppose we ate something other than the rolls.
Saturday evening 7:00 at the Old Village Hall (Jon Pieper).
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Salmon, brie and asparagus tartlet with pesto and red pepper marmalade. |
We split a salad - organic baby greens with strawberries, sunflower seeds, pickled red onions and Bleu cheese, dressed with a berry balsamic vinaigrette - good, but no pics.
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Seared salmon with a shrimp, black bean and new potato hash, and white cheddar cream
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Handmade vanilla ice cream served in a bowel crafted of dark chocolate. For two. |
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Lorna and Gunnar: wine warmed, well fed, and pleasantly happy. |
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Waitress Jamie and Chef Mike. Thank you for a lovely evening. |
Not enough? Back to the Pastry Shoppe for Sunday lunch.
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A simple shrimp cesar salad |