D’s Banh Mi
BY DEBRA KEEFER RAMAGE
Two openings and no closings
The major opening is D’s Banh Mi! Yes, finally. Even in my crazy month of August, I managed to go there in person and order a banh mi so I could tell you all that it’s great! And it’s just down the street from me! They also have bowls.
There’s another new local spot I have not had a chance to try yet. Remember when union-buster Daniel del Prado closed all his Ceres Cafes because they had unionized? I visited the nearest one to me once; it was in the Wakpada apartment building at 46th and Minnehaha. That place has been filled by a new cafe named Cafe Arya. Since it’s got nothing to do with DdP, maybe it will last long enough for me to get to know it.
Burnt-end Tacos and Corncob Ribs at Reverie Cafe + Bar
News in the food and hospitality sector
Sahan Journal (sahanjournal.com) had an Aug. 12 story by Shubhanjana Das about how cuts to SNAP will affect MN farmers, especially immigrant farmers.
MinnPost (minnpost.com) had an Aug. 12 story by Jerrod Brown and Jeremiah Schimp about rising food insecurity among local college students.
And Racket (racketmn.com) had a story also on Aug. 12 (a big day for local journalism?) by Sarah Brumble profiling the local urban farm network and CSA called The Black Radish. I have a personal angle on that story which I will share when it comes to fruition.
Opinions
My second favorite substacker (favorite in the foodie space) beyond
Falafel Burger, sweet
potato fries and mocktail at Book Club
beurre blanc did a sort of hit piece on a NYC food critic/influencer’s piece on dive bars. She knows dive bars and these posers do not. Read it here: tinyurl.com/DKRatSSP-bbbDiveBars. A more recent but also excellent piece in the same substack tells you how to really enjoy the food at the Great MN Get Together without heat stroke, or disappointment. tinyurl.com/DKRatSSP-bbbMNFairfood
Four Vegan Chef Challenge Mini-reviews
I had great ambitions for Vegan Chef Challenge 2025, but life intervened and I fell short. Still, between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, I managed to visit four of the VCC venues and consume four interesting dishes.
I am writing this on the 22nd, and the VCC still has nine days to go. I may get in up to three more meals. However, the big finale, where the awards are awarded and also there is enough tasting to make you weep with joy, the Twin Cities Veg Fest, occurs on Sunday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Harriet Island in St. Paul. I invite you to go to that.
Reverie Cafe + Bar – Burnt-end Tacos
The tacos came with a side called “Corn-cob Ribs” which was honestly my favorite part of the dish. Reverie is all-vegan, and owned by a friend of mine, so I’m almost a
Green Lentil Terrine and Curry Cauliflower at Barbette
regular (not a vegan though.) It was where I first had soft tacos, which became by far my favorite because they are so much easier to eat. But these were hard tacos, and, in line with most of the clientele’s taste, very, very hot-spicy, dripping chili crunch oil all over. I rated them 7/10.
The Book Club – Falafel Burger & Sweet Potato Fries
I went at about 2 p.m. on the way home from my audiologist in Richfield, wearing brand-new fancy hearing aids. I could hear the background music! The food was delicious. My favorite of the four. I had never been to this restaurant but I will be back. 9/10
Barbette – Green Lentil Terrine & Curry Cauliflower
I went with my friend and meditation partner Julie A. at about 7 p.m. Barbette was, as always, horribly dark and noisy, but I’ve never had bad
Vegan Beef Wellington at The Howe
or mediocre food there. This was no exception. I cleaned my plate, which I almost never do. 9/10
The Howe – Vegan Beef Wellington
This dish was a disappointment but not totally. Briefly, the puff pastry was soggy, the duxelles layer too thin, the wilted kale not worth it, and the vegan jus the wrong color and texture. The “beef” was Impossible, so perfect beef taste, but not the right texture for a sirloin filet. It was a satisfying, interesting meal but short of expectations. 6/10
