Merchant Reviews

June 17, 2009 There is nothing better on a hot summer day then rolling up to the Tea Garden and ordering a cold bubble tea! They really hit the spot. This is a really cool place to hang out and study if you are in school and if you aren't, there is always a fun/hip buzz in the air and really cool employees. They aren't so good about suggesting new things which I find that I need sometimes when I am feeling indecisive but I can forgive that since their menu is quite detailed. Come check them out ...

June 17, 2009 Gypsy Moon is a wonderful eclectic gathering of fabulous jewelry, art, nifty things for your house and GREAT gift ideas. I can always find something at Gypsy Moon and highly recommend this little but very well tended shop.

June 17, 2009 It is so much fun wandering around Whole Foods. I have never met employees who were so excited about what they sell that they give out free samples right and left, are open to answering all sorts of questions and will hunt down a product for you. Their deli has great specials (ex. Wed. night pizza) and they have many vegan items that other groceries don't stock. A quality chain!

June 17, 2009 A few weeks ago, I called Lunds and inquired as to the price of catfish and when I called Coastal Seafoods, the price was almost cut in half. Not only was it cut in half but they offered to hold the catfish for me and when I picked it up, they were kind about packing it up and helping me find additional items (cajun seasoning). I found the fish to be fresh and well worth the money. I plan on going back to Coastal Seafoods for fish in the future.

June 17, 2009 Ginkgo is consistent with its baked goods and coffees. I have never had a bad baked good here (try the cookies). The inside of Ginkgo is quite nice to look at with a small stage in which they invite artists to come perform and they usually have great picks. What I have found, personally, is that I tend to pick a chair that smells moldy and gross. Something I enjoy thoroughly is the small giftie items/unusual cards for sale and I am always caught because they only take cash/check and no credit cards.

June 17, 2009 Brewberry's is a delightful coffee shop to spend a little time at. It may not have the best coffee or best pastry in town but the service is consistently friendly, the atmosphere is comfortable and unique and it sits right across from a chain coffee shop so I would come here any day. One of the best things about this coffee shop is its support of local businesses by allowing them to put up cards and displays. Give Brewberry's a chance and you might just become a regular!

June 17, 2009 Not sure why I had not attended Jungle Theater performances until this past year, but I have and will continue to return. The theater itself is frankly, very intimate and every seat in the house is a good seat. Crime & Punishment was breathtaking, brilliant and dark. Shipwrecked was just plain silly, fun and engaging, albeit a teensy bit long. This is a theater that brings in talented artists that can stretch themselves beyond one role. Money well spent for an evening out!

June 17, 2009 Midtown Global Market is indeed that, a market full of lovely world inspired foods, services and goods. My out of town guests love coming here and one can find some great gift ideas for those squirrely friends that never tell you what they want. I have never left empty-handed or empty-bellied! AND, they validate parking if you make a purchase; what a perk. If you love world culture and want it all in one place, this is the spot for you.

June 17, 2009 Where did I go to celebrate after I bought my wedding dress from Brides of France? FRENCH MEADOW BAKERY! This restaurant is top notch and you can tell the difference from other places in the ingredients and the obvious passion for food that exists. I have not been disappointed in one thing; baked goods, breakfast items, coffee, service, atmosphere, location and overall price for what you get. Some would probably say that it is a little pricy but I say, pay a little more for quality! You will receive quality here!

June 17, 2009 The Southern Theater is a jewel. Having been fortunate enough to enjoy many performances in their lovely space; each one was special and thoughtful. I highly recommend this theater and pay attention to the "Pay What You Will Nights" ... those are priceless!

June 17, 2009 If there was a haunting of Pacifier, I would be its ghost! Having so many friends get pregnant in the last year or so, it has been fun finding unique items at Pacifier. I don't refute that they are a little pricy but I LOVE their Mysterio Predicts your child's future onesie ... perfect modern/hip gift for new parents. Also, they have a selection of rocking out baby onesies (ex: Bruce Lee kicking butt) and a great small selection of quality books/toys and they sell Robeez.

June 17, 2009 When you tell people you are bringing them to an old Mill they get kind of excited with a burning passion for flour in their eyeballs. Okay, not so much! I've been to this museum a few times and you have to be a history nut or really love local history to enjoy this place. I AM both of those things so I found it fascinating ending with the gift store which had all sorts of interesting tidbits that needed a home. Once I came here for a bread baking class by St. Agnes and once just to browse. My favorite thing about the museum is the grain shaft tour and the incredible view from the top which overlooks Stone Arch Bridge. I found the employees delightfully knowledgeable and open to lots of questions which I peppered on them at full speed. Check it out at least once and bring out of town guests ...

June 17, 2009 If you are looking for an off-the-wall sort of place to enjoy yourself and you hope to and probably will walk away with something "strange", this is the place for you. Just wandering around Ax-Man creates a pleasant experience as you will be laughing at the witty comments on most of the merchandise. Makes a great place to find gag gifts, useful odds and ends and things you never knew you needed but buy anyway. Think creative Halloween costumes ...

June 17, 2009 The Bean Factory seems to always be in some sort of transition; trying to find its identity. The treats in the case can look unappetizing at times and the coffee a tad bitter. With that in mind, the service is always friendly and helpful and the outdoor patio area with chairs/tables is delightful on a nice day. Something to appreciate at The Bean Factory is the rotating artwork they put up on the walls ... quite good. Most recently found myself enjoying the sounds of Yo-Yo Ma as my Thai coffee was prepared.

June 17, 2009 How do you write a love sonnet to a movie theater? I adore this place and would love to live there ... okay, maybe just visit on a weekly basis and eat the BEST popcorn (REAL BUTTER) in the Twin Cities while partaking in a movie in a clean, fresh smelling theater with comfortable seats. Did I forget to mention the quirky lobby that you will want to hang out in before the show? WATCH OUT: They only take cash but there is a cash machine in the lobby. Great place to take a date (go to the Riverview Wine Bar across the street then trot over to a movie)!

June 17, 2009 The "thing" to do at Trotter's Cafe is to come here for breakfast which is something Trotter's does better than most Twin City breakfast places (certainly the best in St. Paul)! Their eggs just taste fresher, their toast will make you want to buy a loaf and the Peace coffee will perk you right up. They have delicious bacon/sausage for those inclined and the Tortilla Lucia is excellent. I haven't been impressed with their dinner menu and found it to be a bit awkward (especially when it was put on the table) but was pleasantly surprised to see a decent selection of wine/beers. AND, they used to have the best scones in the Twin Cities but for some reason that changed about a year ago ... try the cookies/biscotti! Excellent for making breakfast my favorite time of day!

June 17, 2009 After finding Legacy Chocolates three years ago when I first moved to Minnesota, I didn't need to look any further for perfect "real" chocolate to indulge. Legacy has varying degrees of cacao in their chocolates (my personal fave is 85%). The packaging in beautiful boxes reminds me of Europe and since they use NO preservatives, the chocolate is fresh and needs to be kept in the fridge until coming to room temperature just before eating. One of the delightful surprises is their seasonal chocolates (ex. peppermint related for the December holiday season), but you can't go wrong with any of their alcohol related or nut truffles. If you want to treat yourself or are looking for the perfect gift go to Legacy (my sister in GA is so addicted I send her boxes for her birthday)!

June 17, 2009 Considering myself a small time coffee connoisseur, I have tried coffee at plenty of places around the Twin Cities and I do declare that Kopplin's Coffee is the absolute BEST! The beans are obviously special and the owner is quite knowledgeable. Why wouldn't you want your coffee to be the best? I have to put in a plug for their tea, chai and cocoa too because they rival the excellent coffee. Your coffee will come out looking like a piece of art; almost too good to drink! They also carry pastries from Rustica Bakery and I have never tasted one yet that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. AND, if you are craving a tiny chocolate treat, they also carry specialty chcolates that don't taste anything like Hershey's (that is a good thing)! Take a moment in your day to breath in Kopplin's and really enjoy your visit; you won't regret it.

June 17, 2009 Every time I enter Golden Fig, I am greeted wholeheartedly by anyone working there; it sets a nice tone for shopping. They carry a wonderful assortment of local Midwest products. My favorites include: Lavender lemonade, organic (non GMO) blue corn tortilla chips, any pasta (spinach, squash), dips for veggies, beautiful brown eggs from a local farm, the best string cheese EVER, specialty salts/sugars/vinegars and breads. I recently signed up to do a farmshare from a local farm and those veggies will be delivered to Golden Fig. When you leave there with your packages wrapped up in lovely paper, you feel as though you just went to a high-end store but you just helped local farmers/businesses and that has to make you feel great!