Adventures in St. Paul

Skyway Update - Looks like Fun Sisters is opening a store in the St. Paul Skyway too. For those of you out of towners this is an boutique store (mostly purses and other wares) that is only open one extended weekend a month. They are locating a small store in the skyway near the US Bank Building on 5th and Minnesota.

Tonight I worked late (big presentation tomorrow - so if you think about it around 8:30 say a little prayer for me that I remain calm and communicate effectively.)

On the way out the front door of eco-world I caught a flicker of fire across the street and decided to check it out...sure enough Pop!! had opened its doors. And as it was well after 7 and I hadn't eaten yet, I figured why not try Pop!! the Adventure.

They have brightened up the old Fhima's place considerably and I think are still in process of adding more pop culture to the decor. There's still a nifty bar area and a wide reception area before you reach the host stand. I was greeted warmly and genuninely (seriously dislike the fake greeting) and led to a table about midway into the dining area.

They had a pretty small menu which I think serves them well. A lot of interesting combinations of things I've never tried. Since it was late I went for a couple of small plates (which ended up not being THAT small)

I had ham croquetes - which were little almost potato tasting balls that were deep fried and had some sort of cheese in them. There was a quince dipping sauce with them. I've never had quince before so that was interesting. Kind of a cross between tasting like a raisin, fig and a pear and looking like an amber color. It was okay but I think it would be better to share the small plate and only eat one of them. They were kind of heavy although not in a greasy "state fair" sort of way.

I also ordered a smoked queso fundito - which really was a combination of smokey cheese with blue cheese and poblano peppers. Alongside came plantains (where were really good), and some roasted veggies and some little triangles of flatbread.) It was tasty but again, probably better shared with a few more people.

This restaurant also has an entire pop! menu. Just a rather long listing of various bottle soda that they offer. I went with a Peach Nehi. I haven't had Nehi since junior high. It was tasty.

They also offer an interesting range of beer and wine. If I liked beer (which I don't really) I have one that I would try just for their name alone.... cynic ale - hailing from the surly brewing company in Brooklyn Center, MN (Which by the way by a note specifically to my cousin Arnie is available at Durty Nellie's - does that place still exist??? in Palatine or Duke O'brien's in Crystal Lake). They also carried Sprechter Spicy Ginger Ale which I've blogged about before.

For dessert I had to go with a Pop!! Tart. (Key lime) which I brought home for breakfast tomorrow.

The wait staff was friendly. They have an open kitchen which I always find entertaining. And on each table (which was a little strange) they have these Homedics personal massagers. Yep not quite sure what that has to do with Pop!! but it's a gimmick none the less. (Maybe it's like those little puzzle games they have on the tables at Cracker Barrel and it's supposed to keep the table occupied while they wait for the food to come?)

All in all, there are a few kinks that they will work out. The ambiance was decent. The food was tasty. The service was good. And best of all - the bill for all of that food was under $20. (Which for St. Paul is pretty decent, particularly for dinner.) A cheeseburger was about $8.00 / $9.00 and their entrees were about $12.00 or so.

*** / 5

Lunchtime Wanderings around St. Paul

One of the things I enjoy about working downtown is getting out of the office and walking around at lunch. There are so many odd-duck people and things.

Today's I had to look at twice and then google it.

It's not a car phone...it's a phone car.

And really besides tradeshows and possibly parades I guess my only question would be...

WHY?

Google answered that. Apparently the guy built this car to help advertise his mobile phone company. Hmmm...I'd never have guessed.

I admit that sometime when I wander the skyway alone at lunchtime I don't at all expect to bump into someone I actually know (unless they too work in eco-world and typically I try not to make eye contact) I'm just out wandering, typically to grab something quick to eat and just get away for a while. Therefore I felt bad today as I was heading towards the escalator in the US Bank building to head outside and see what the marching band music was all about (there's just something about odd music that just doesn't happen very often in downtown st. paul, particularly over the lunch hour)

But there was the lovely couple who always said hi to me at Genesis walking by and had to tap me on the shoulder even for me to even stop and say something. I guess I was just so focused on the marching band music that was my mission.

So the marching band wasn't a marching band at all but rather the St. Paul Saint's annual largest game of catch over the lunch hour. Seriously mislabeled. Seriously not marketed appropriately to the skyway lunchtime walkers because even in my clueless wanderings I did not see mention of this large game of catch AT ALL.

And apparently so did the rest of the other lunchtime curiousity seekers. They had a tent for little ceasar's pizza, a soda tent and some other thing and two radio stations with their promotions departments handing out stickers. Yep. Fabulous time had by all...for 20 seconds it might take to duck through there and hope to not get hit by the obnoxious people trying to toss squishy baseballs at people. Okay, so the concept was fun. Just needed a tad bit more marketing. (See Jerry - there is a place for us marketers in this world.)