Meeting #13

Bon Vie
518 Selby Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55102

Attendees: Jenny, Beth, Terri and honorable member Judy Hennen!!!

Restaurant description: Simple, inviting and warm, like being in a Parisian breakfast bistro. This restaurant opens in the morning and closes at 2:00 in the afternoon.

The meal: Jenny started with a cup of the Chicken Tortilla soup. Her meal was the Mexican omelette and Potatoes O'Brien; she drank a Diet Coke. Judy had the Quiche of the Day (Bacon, asparagus, tomato and swiss) with hashbrowns; she drank orange juice and an espresso. TJ has the Sonoma Benedict with tomato and avacado (TDF) and a side of hashbrowns; she drank coffee with her meal. Beth ate the Pumpkin Pancakes with walnut butter and syrup, along with apple smoked bacon and coffee.

Rating:
Atmosphere: 3.5
Taste: 4.5
Creativity: 4

Memorable moment of the day: Quote from our honorable member, Judy: "I LOVE people who LOVE food!" The other memorable moment was Beth being in the clean plate club for once, and Jenny NOT being in the clean plate club!

Terri's delicious breakfast. Mmm!

Outside the restaurant

Judy's quiche and hashbrowns

Welcome to the DDC, Judy!

Meeting #12

Luna Rosa Wine Bar

402 S. Main St.
Stillwater, MN 55082

Attendees: Beth, TJ, Jenny, Chris (honorary member) and Katie (honorary member)

Restaurant description: Intimate, rustic cave setting. Low lit, indigenous feel; felt like we were in Italy!

The meal: Terri has the Pasta of the Day (fettucine, shrimp, roasted red peppers, capers and calamata olives in an olive oil, garlic sauce with a touch of pomodoro. To drink...2 glasses of house riesling. Chris has the Chicken Marsala and a glass of the house zinfandel, and he also ate a lot off of Terri and Jenny's plates. Jenny ate the Penne Sicliona and two whiskey diets. Katie enjoyed the Chicken Cacciatore and drank a Limoncello mojito. Beth ate the Fettucine Alfredo with Chicken and Mark West Pinor Noir. We all shared desserts. The chef was running behind in making desserts, so our server brought us free limoncello shots. The desserts we ate were an Espresso Martini, Tiramisu, and Creme Brulee.

Rating:
Atmosphere: 5
Creativity: 4.5
Taste: 4.5

Memorable moments of the evening: 1. It was great having Katie and Chris in attendance. 2. Chris' comment, after hearing that our taste rating was a 4.5 and not higher: "4.5! Bullshit! I had three meals and they were all wonderful!" 3. Katie's comment, when asked to provide a quote summarizing her evening: "I can't come up with a quote under all this pressure." 4. Terri: "I look like a nun tonight, why did I wear a turtleneck?" 5. We were given a private cave tour at Joseph Wolf Brewery (connected to the restaurant) after dropping Rafaelle's name. It was awesome!

In the caves (notice NO ORBS in this shot :)

Chris' marsala!

Terri's Pasta

Jen and Chris

Meeting #11

Spill the Wine

(To be added at a later date)