Meeting #10

Mayslack's Bar
1428 4th Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55418

Attendees: TJ, Beth, Jenny and Katie (special guest for the 2nd time!)

Restaurant description: This place is a total towny bar, well known in the neighborhood. Nothing fancy about it, some may even describe it as rough around the edges. It quickly became clear to us that this place is clearly about the food--specifically meat!

The meal: Beth had the Reuben with Tater Tots and a 22-ounce Grain Belt. Terri had the Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich with 'Slax' Fries, and two Amaretto Sours (delicious). Jenny had the "Original" (Roast Beef Sandwich) and two Whiskey Diets. Katie had the Grilled Avocado Chicken Sandwich with 'Slax' Fries and an Iced Tea. Terri and Jenny had the cornbread appetizer with a delicious honey butter (TDF).

The four of us also shared a Root Beer Float and slice of cheesecake drizzled with strawberry sauce.

Rating:
Atmosphere: 2
Taste: 4.5
Creativity: 3.5

Memorable moment(s) of the evening: While checking out the 'interesting' crowd, Jenny said, "We're gonna see a lot of Carhardts and Wranglers tonight!" Terri also commented "That guy has fish on his shirt."

Jenny and "Bill".

Meeting #9

Black Sheep Pizza
600 WASHINGTON AVE N
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Attendees: Terri, Beth, Jenny, and for his first DDC experience, Chris Forrest.


Restaurant Description: Classic warehouse district vibe. Garden level, industrial feel. Refurbished building allows for open floorplan. Cozy booth with a few of the dough flippin chefs.


The meal: We each ordered a pizza with two different halves. There were some original combinations that we were nervous to try, but the waitress eased our minds and sold us on some of their creations. Chris had half Meatball, Ricotta & Garlic and half Fennel Sausage, Hot Salami, Onion & Cracked Green Olives. He also had a Surly beer. Jenny had half Fresh Tomato, Green Pepper & Kalamata Olives and half Fresh Tomato, Green Pepper & Kalamata Olives. Terri had half Fresh Tomato, Green Pepper & Kalamata Olives and half Cracked Pepper and Garlic. Beth had half Meatball, Ricotta & Garlic and half Chicken and Mushroom.






Rating:
Atmosphere: 3.0
Taste: 4.25
Creativity: 4.0


Memorable Moment: After Beth made some genius comment (no one can remember what it was so it must have been good) Jenny said, "And that's why you're president of the DDC!"

Meeting #8

Modern Cafe
337 13th Ave NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Member pick: Beth
Attendees: Beth, Jenny, TJ

Restaurant description: Nestled in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis, a small but rare treasure in the chest of the DDC (quote from Beth). The Modern Cafe is a diner-style cafe with a genuine look, without trying too hard.

The meal: All three members had coffee (TJ: 6 cups, Beth: 3 cups, Jen: 1 cup). Terri had the Pampered Eggs (scrambled eggs with mushrooms, chives, and cream cheese (TFDF)). Also, a side of hashbrowns and wheat toast. Jenny had Scrambled Eggs (with spinach, tomato, and cheese), pancakes and wheat toast. Beth enjoyed a cheese omelet, crisp bacon, wheat toast and a pancake. Terri and Jenny ended the meal with a refreshing mimosa (TDF).

Rating
Taste: 4.75
Creativity: 4.5
Atmosphere: 4

Memorable moment: Funny coffee stories...Beth asked Terri if she'd like cream in her coffee. Terri said "Just a splash." Beth had barely poured a drop and Terri yelled "THAT'S ENOUGH!" Luckily there was hardly no one in the restaurant--or they'd all been looking at us. We also had a laugh when the waiter approached Jen and said, "Would you like coffee?" and Jenny quickly replied, "YES!" Guess we were all tired that morning. This was the first DDC meeting in months and it was certainly good to be back in action.

Meeting #7

Barbette
1600 W. Lake St.
Minneapolis, MN 55408
Member pick: Beth
Attendees: Beth, Jenny, TJ

To be completed at a later date (when Beth finds the notes about this meeting).

Meeting #6

Girvan Grille
8700 Edinbrook Crossing, Brooklyn Park, MN
Member pick: Beth
Attendees: Beth, Terri, Jenny and our 1st ever guest, Katie, who was an honorary DDC member for the evening.

Restaurant Description: Contemporary, dimly lit golf pub with a scenic view, overlooking the championship golf course Edinburgh USA!

The meal: For an appetizer, we had the buffalo roll-ups with spicy chicken and crispy wontons on a bed of lettuce, with bleu cheese dressing on the side. For dinner, Beth had the reuben with french fries, a Summit Pale Ale and lemonade. Jenny had the Buffalo Burger with cheddar cheese and fries, and a Corona Light. Terri had the Diablo Chicken wrap that came with crispy chicken salsa, corn, cheese, dragon sauce and fries. She also had a glass of the Luccio pinot grigio. And Katie had the Spice & Smoke Burger with fresh mozzarella and fries, and an iced tea. For dessert, we shared the Seven Layer Chocolate Sin cake and the bread pudding.

Rating:
Taste: 3.75
Creativity: 3.25
Atmosphere: 3.5

Memorable moments: SPECIAL GUEST KATIE! And her response to the experience, "Definitely lived up to it's hype." The other memorable moment came when Jenny said to our waitress, all sassy, "Well you didn't suggest that, did you?", when the waitress told us--after we had eaten the cake--that she likes ice cream on it.

Meeting #5

POP!

2859 Johnson Street NE

Minneapolis, MN 55418

Member pick: TJ

Attendees: Beth, Jenny and Terri

Restaurant description: Bright colors, low light. A wonderful ambiance with pop art on the walls throughout the establishment.

The meal: We had pop fritters for an appetizer (shrimp with black bean fritters and chipotle sour cream and guacamole). Beth enjoyed an asado pulled pork sandwich with citrius bbq sauce and pop fritas and drank a furious beer (6.2 alcohol by volume). Jenny has the chicken sandwich that had jalapeno mayonnaise, guacamole and pepper jack cheese, with pop fritas and an O'Douls Amber (.5 alcohol by volume :) Terri ate the portabella mushroom sandwich (TFDF), with black bean hummus, roasted pepper and mixed greens. TJ also drank WoopWoop chardonnay (x2 but only charged for one!). For dessert, Beth had a root beer float with a root beer chaser and peppermint tea, Terri devoured a chocolate sundae, and Jenny had the butterscotch sundae with peanut brittle.

Memorable moment of the evening: We had a very animated waiter (lots of hand gesturing), a tea kettle top drop incident, and Terri leaving her napkin on top of a candle...it melted.

Meeting #4

Buona Sera! Winebar

11949 W. River Road
Champlin, MN 55316

Member pick: Beth
Attendees: Beth, Jenny and Terri

Restaurant description: Warm, intimate and cozy. A real family feel, as the owner and his daughters work in the restaurant.

The meal: We all had brushetta for an appetizer (TDF). Beth had grilled chicken breast with vegetables and french fries, and a glass of chardonnay. Jenny ate chicken capriese with capers, mushrooms and peppers. She drank an O'Douls Amber. Terri enjoyed the chicken marsala (TFDF) with vegetables and penne. We all had caesar salad with bread and a garlic shmear. For dessert we split tirimisu (TFDF).

Restaurant rating:
Taste: 4.75
Creativity of dish: 3.5
Atmosphere: 4.5

Memorable moment(s) of the evening: Jenny licking TJ's credit card right as it was being handed to our server because it had a little tirimisu on it (TJ had dropped it). We also met the restaurant owner and executive chef Raffaele, who made Beth and TJ a Peachcello. Raffaele also autographed our DDC journal, writing "Grazie piacere della conoscenza." No idea what that means, but we're pretty sure he said, "You are three hot mamas, come back anytime!"