BY DEBRA KEEFER RAMAGE
As you approach and pass Minnehaha Parkway, going south on 34th Avenue, the houses, yards and businesses become somehow more suburban looking. At the main intersection of 34th Ave. and 50th St., especially if you stand in front of the library on 51st Street and look back to the north, you would swear you were on the main street of a sleepy little midwestern town. That’s not a bad thing by any means. It’s good to have a little shopping enclave that gives some respite from the relentlessly hip consumerism that is part of our urban landscape.
So what can you do to amuse yourself if you happen to have a free day? How about a late and lazy continental breakfast picnic with a free book? First, drop into the Nokomis Library any time after 9 a.m. This is one of my favorites in a city with a lot of good libraries. Just the right size, with a décor that is simultaneously mid-century modern and cozy-comfortable, a rare pairing. Check out a book, maybe an international thriller from Italy, Belgium or Sweden. Or a recently published SF, or something from the local authors table. Pick up brochures for all the wonderful programs—Fearless Knitting (second and fourth Wednesday mornings), Bookomis, the genre-free book club (one Thursday a month at 6:30 p.m.), or the next Sustainable Living mini-class, “Start Seeing Mushrooms” (May 21 at 6:30 p.m.).
Now mosey over to Oxendale’s Market, one of the best grocery stores in town. Loads of local products, irresistible kitchen gear, a great produce section with both organics and conventional. Get a 99-cent cup of Peace Coffee and a single-serve Entenmann’s pastry, a bag of your chosen flavor of Barsy’s almonds and a piece of fruit in season. Then just walk two blocks north to the little parklet along Minnehaha Creek and find a spot to sit and nosh and read.
For an early evening adventure, you could visit Town Hall Lanes, an offshoot of Town Hall Brewery, one of the original local micro-brewers. The food there is really first-rate, basically the same menu as the original pub on Washington at Seven Corners. And of course, the brews, which I believe are only available at their own pubs. They have some unusual appetizers and entrees—such as avocado fries, or a hummus and naan pizza—as well as the ubiquitous sliders, sweet potato fries, and fish (walleye!) tacos. In addition to their own ales (which can be purchased to take-out in growlers) they have cider, wine, and artisanal cocktails.
For a special night out you must go to Al Vento. Their lovely patio, excellent wine selection and great dinners make you feel special, and their Sunday Brunch features a European-style buffet with fresh fruit, pastries, salads, meats, cheeses, house smoked fish, sausage, roasted potatoes, pasta, eggs florentine, waffles, pancakes, a chocolate fondue fountain and other items that rotate on a weekly basis.
For a late night in, I suggest a combination of food and drink from two sources. Boss’ Pizza and Chicken at 55th St. is open, 4 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week. Only take-out (or delivered— I recommend using the phone.) Very good chicken and some intriguing pizza combinations, such as putting their chicken on their pizza, often along with several other meats, or not one but two pizzas with sauerkraut on top—one of them a Reuben pizza. They also have a terrific assortment of tasty appetizers.
You may prefer a local artisanal ale with your Reuben pizza, or a lovely German wine with your spicy chicken wings. If so, you’ll want to go to the conveniently nearby McDonald’s Liquor Store, and you can bring your dog with. Yes, bring him in, let him help pick out the drinks. They’ll even give him a free chewy treat at the checkout. McDonald’s is all about local breweries and distilleries. There are loads of vodkas, rums, gins and whiskeys being crafted here in the Twin Cities now, and I think McDonald’s has them all. I had a brain-wave and invented a wonderful drink/dessert that would probably go well with your indulgent night in. I bought one of my favorite frozen treats at Oxendale’s—Sharon’s Coconut Sorbet. And at McDonald’s, I bought a 22-oz. bottle of Black Helicopter Coffee Stout (with Dunn Bros. coffee) from St. Paul’s Flat Earth Brewery. I looked at the two together and thought—coffee stout float! It may sound strange, but it was delish. Just trust me on this. 
