2B
Thursday, March 29, 2012
GRAPEVINE AWARDS The Minnesota Daily is proud to present its 2012 Grapevine Awards. The University of Minnesota campus — and Minneapolis in general — has something to offer everyone. For you, that might mean munching on a slice of Mesa pizza after a night of reveling at the Library Bar. Or maybe you
prefer to take your special someone to a movie at St. Anthony Main after a dinner at Loring Pasta Bar. That’s what’s great about this city; no matter what you choose to do, you’re nearly guaranteed a good time. But Grapevine Award winners
stand out from the pack. Daily readers voted and chose the best places to eat, drink and just hang out in the Twin Cities. Out of hundreds of votes cast, their favorites rose to the top. These are your 2012 Grapevine Award winners.
Located in the heart of Dinkytown, the Varsity Theater is the premiere on-campus concert venue. And whoever does booking for them has good taste. In the past, the Varsity has hosted shows for everyone from indie buzz bands like Surfer Blood and Yuck to big-ticker comic sensations that include Michael Showalter and The Sklar Brothers. It’s accessible, affordable and there’s plenty of space. Upcoming shows include John Hodgman, comic Judah Frielander (30 Rock) and local Rough Trade act Howler.
Located just off Fourth Street at the edge of Dinkytown, the Library Bar and Grill is the epicenter of weekend debauchery and epitomizes the very concept of a “campus bar.” Everyone’s been to the place, and whether you like it or not,you’ll probably go there at least once during your college career. Despite the somewhat obnoxious atmosphere (it’s almost always crowded), the reasonably priced drink specials are the real draw.
2012 This locally owned start up bar and grill was founded by two former University of Minnesota students. Featuring nightly specials that include taco, pitcher and chimichanga nights, Burrito Loco poses a worthy and popular adversary to The Library Bar and Grill and Blarney Pub and Grill. It also boasts plenty of entertainment value, too. From trivia night (sex is usually the go-to topic) to beer pong to karaoke, Burrito Loco offers a little something for everyone. Oh, and also take advantage of their Tuesday Birthday night.
Perhaps you’re working late on campus, and your supply of trail mix has run dry. Or you’re sitting at home, looking through those empty cupboards and regretting turning down that ride to Rainbow Foods. Or you just checked that ever-growing studying to-do list and realized you don’t have time to make yourself some food. In any of these situations, the double-J almost always springs to mind. Questionable employee treatment and relatively basic food options aside, there is one main skill at which Jimmy John’s excels: speed. Log on to their website or give them a call with the number of your favorite sub and a backpacked bicycler will be rushing to your location in no time. After all, sandwiches are designed to travel at high speeds, right?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
WEISMAN The recently revamped Weisman (or WAM, as the cool young folk are wont to call it) is free, open to the public and right on campus — you’d be a fool if you didn’t step in for a minute on your way to class.
TEA GARDEN
Right now, you can walk into the Weisman, and you’ll want to touch, play with and generally roughhouse around the giant collection of aluminium-flashing strips that are bunched up in one area. But you’re not allowed to, because you can’t touch it, because it’s art — the wild work is called “Merge”, and it’s just one example of the Weisman’s impressive collection.
Stressed out from excessive coffee intake? Worried that stale cofOur campus wouldn’t be anywhere near as cool withfee breath and brown-stained teeth are the reason you can’t get a out this monument to modern art — what other date? Well, take care of both of those birds with one stone: Invite land-grant university can boast such a costhat special someone to the Tea Garden and find out what it’s mopolitan feature? all about. With an extensive selection of high-quality teas, the Tea Garden on Washington Avenue is a great place Your move, Ohio State. for tea novices and masters alike. Get that deep focus without risking a heavy crash. Plus, tea is loaded with antioxidants (which are, you know, good for you). The Tea Garden also serves ’em up as lattes and chai drinks to satisfy every taste. The students have spoken, and they agree with everyone else on planet earth: Surly rocks. The iconoclastic brewery has blown away palates and archaic laws alike with its bold attitude towards beercrafting, helping spark the sudden flareup in Minneapolis microbreweries. Surly Furious helped guide in the hyper-hops movement, and its Coffee Bender is a flavored beer that actually feels natural. Want to go on a tour of the brewery? You’ll have to wait a few months, their signup sheet is nearly as long as the writing on the state bill that goes under their name. Surly is at the top of the world right now, and they keep fighting to climb a little higher.
SURLY
ART MUSEUM
TEA SHOP
DINKYTOWN WINE AND SPIRITS Dinkytown Wine and Spirits is a mainstay of our campus community — what it perhaps lacks in space and competitive pricing, it more than makes up for in ambience and convenience. The close confines evoke a sort of “secret hideout” feeling, and you are guaranteed to make a new best friend (or seven) as you wait in line on Friday night. Even the cashiers are in on the fun, filled with smiles for you and the 6,000 people who already checked out that night. If alcohol is here on earth to build community, then Dinkytown Wine and Spirits is the University’s own little city hall.
LIQUOR STORE
LOCAL MICROBREW
The St. Anthony neighborhood is one of Minnesota’s most beloved locations. Just a few blocks from the Stone Arch Bridge and right next to the Mississippi on a brick-paved street is the St. Anthony Main Theatre. It’s a destination for all walks of movie-lovers, regularly showing Hollywood hits alongside the latest arthouse wonders, foreign sensations and inspiring (or repulsive) documentaries. Discount Tuesdays are a great way to save some green, but no matter the day or the flick, St. Anthony Main never fails to leave an impression.
ST. ANTHONY MAIN THEATRE
MOVIE THEATER
BORDERTOWN Cleverly tucked out of the way on Fourth Street and 16th Avenue, you may not have even realized it was a coffee shop if you passed it by: The building itself is an old fraternity house. But the location isn’t the only thing that makes Bordertown elusive. Only open until 10 p.m. at the latest and closed on the weekends, it’s not a spot for late- night studying. But the reward for stepping inside more than compensates: comfortable chairs, a homey setting and, most importantly, excellent coffee. When you’re sick of the loud, overcrowded and stale atmosphere of corporate coffee centers, head for this nonprofit favorite and exhale.
COFFEE SHOP
3B
4B
Thursday, March 29, 2012
GAY 90’S
Oscar Wilde never intended for this when he was writing his decadent plays and novels in the “Gay” 1890s. OK … maybe he totally did. Gay 90’s is less a gay bar than a flamboyant venue for those who enjoy fun — gay or straight. With their six bar areas, dinner and drink specials and varying music every night of the week, Chino Latino may be the ultimate young-proGay 90’s promises “the night life is just the fessional eating establishment. It’s got two layers, beginning.” Interpret that as you will, baby. it serves street foods from the “tropical belt” and — perhaps most importantly — it’s perfect to serve your table of 30 networking comrades. Located on Hennepin Avenue, the sultry restaurant is the quintessential “I want to forget I live in the frozen tundra” cuisine.
CHINO LATINO
UPTOWN RESTAURANT
STELLA’S FISH CAFE
Gay/ AL’S BREAKFAST
Gay/lesbian bar
What can you say about Al’s Breakfast, Dinkytown’s iconic breakfast spot? When you see people huddled like sweaty cows waiting to enter a closet of a restaurant, you know there must be some good eats coming their way. The classic breakfast is worth the compromising experience in a way that few to no other breakfasts would be.
BREAKFAST
One of the finest dining institutions in Minneapolis is right in the center of Dinkytown. Even before taking a seat, the pristine but comfortable interior is something to swoon over. The price tag can be a drawback for some, but that’s easily sidestepped with their 25 percent student discount and expansive lunch menu (it’s not all pasta, folks!). It’s also a key element to the nightlife of the area: At night, the tables and chairs are cleared away to make room for the dance floor. Equally appropriate for a casual dinner with friends, catching up with the parents (especially if they’re picking up the check) or sharing a romantic evening, the Loring Pasta Bar is undoubtedly the iconic campus restaurant. Nothing else can even come close.
What’s that smell? Somewhere between the rubber tires of Erik’s Bike Shop and the garlicky clouds wafting from the Loring Pasta Bar lingers the sweet smell of curry crab — it’s coming from Shuang Cheng, your favorite Asian restaurant. Shuang Cheng is normally crowded, and that says something important about it — it says that it’s giving the good people of Dinkytown everything they want from a Cantonese and seafood restaurant. It doesn’t take too long to get your food, and it’s not brutal on the bank account. That’s why it’s lasted so long, if you were wondering why your uncle has had a Shuang Cheng takeout box rotting in his refrigerator since 1990.
Stella’s Fish Café on West Lake Street is an Uptown staple for many reasons. Its got stella(r) fish, good drink specials, two levels and a rooftop that begs for howling Marlon Brando impersonations. Check out Friday’s “Oyster Orgy Happy Hour” for 69-cent oysters and two-for-one drinks. All right, here goes: STEEELLLLLLLAAAA!!!!
UPTOWN BAR NOODLES & CO.
Attentiontarians and look-at-me-gans don’t have to fret when their carnivorous friends head over to Raising Cane’s. Thanks to Noodles & Co., there is a (almost) flesh-free safe haven on Washington Avenue (and Seven Corners, Mall of America, etc., etc.) The magic of Noodles & Co. is that, for once, vegetarians are not “the others.” Most of the menu items come without meat. Finally, vegetarians don’t have to open up their loud, meatless mouths to request something special. It’s the animal lovers who have to speak up and ask for game. Meatless options aren’t just plentiful here — they’re also decent. Noodles & Co.’s tofu cows must munch on grass in fresh pastures.
VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT DATE RESTAURANT
“Bob Dylan used to live above this place. Did you know that? Hey, baby, speaking of places — I happen to have one of those, so ...” There’s no way your honey won’t smell what you’re cookin’ at the Loring Pasta Bar, especially when it’s mixed in with the smell of some top-drawer Italian dishes. Scope out the student deals or you’ll be sorry. And the place is so dark that there’s no way your honey’s going to catch sight of that bad-timing blemish. You might not catch Dylan himself, but there’s a good chance you’ll get the dinnertime entertainment of another freewheelin’ troubadour. There’s no way your honey’s not going to melt, if you know what I’m saying.
LORING PASTA BAR
CHILLY BILLY’S Chilly Billy’s has only been open since April 2 of last year, but it’s hard to imagine Dinkytown without it — especially since Fru-Lala is no longer with us. It looks like there’s only room for one froyo place in this neighborhood, and we couldn’t be happier that the one that’s charmed its way into everyone’s mouths is one in which you pay for your ice cream based on how much it weighs. You could probably get something really healthy at Chilly Billy’s. There are non-dairy frozen yogurts, and there are toppings as pure as almonds, kiwis and strawberries. But you can also go crazy with the candy and end up paying a lot for your cool treat. Frozen woah-gurt, right?
ICE CREAM/ FROZEN YOGURT
Gay/ SHUANG CHENG
ASIAN RESTAURANT
Thursday, March 29, 2012
SANFORD Sanford may not have the test scores of Middlebrook or the alcohol tolerance of the Superblock, but it does have one thing at a higher percentage than either: really beautiful people. The home of many athletes, Sanford’s dining hall is alive on a Friday night with rippling muscles and curvaceous figures, a veritable paella of high cheekbones and pouting lips. Even the views out of Sanford’s windows are gorgeous, looking out as they do over the river and Minneapolis skyline. Either Sanford residents are incredibly active at the polls or students across the University agree: University Avenue is the place to go for a freshman without a home.
RESIDENCE HALL
THE VARSITY BIKE SHOP The Varsity Bike Shop is right in the middle of student turf, next to the eponymous club at the crossroads of Dinkytown. This outstanding convenience is mirrored in its large selection and helpful staff, so that a quick stop in at the Varsity Bike Shop will often yield exactly what you want. Whether it be a serious road bike or a laid-back cruiser, a new cogset or a sweet jersey, the Varsity Bike Shop has it at a good price.
PANDA EXPRESS
BIKE SHOP
Yes, the line at the Coffman Panda Express is usually long enough that it would be reasonable to expect to receive the new iPhone once you get to the front, but don’t let it daunt you too much. It moves fast. Besides, there’s a reason everyone and their mother and their panda are cuing up all the way back into the Chick-fil-A line. The orange chicken is pretty awesome, and a little treacherous. Just saying, be careful if you opt for the two- or (shudders) three-entree plate over the smaller-portion Panda Bowl. It goes down easy enough, but a little of the orange chicken, or any other entree like the honey walnut shrimp or Beijing beef, goes a long way. Many are still waiting on scientific research to explain how it grows in your stomach like two minutes after you’ve finished eating. But that’s not Panda’s fault. So long as you can contain yourself and know your limits, there is nothing but good times and MSG-free fun to be had here.
THE GUTHRIE THEATER
UNIVERSITY-RUN RESTAURANT
Once, during a crosscountry road trip, my mom and I stopped at a B-Dubs in Tennessee for dinner. I tried to explain to her that it might not be her cup of tea, but she had heard my brother rave about it, and we did not know the town or any other restaurants near us. The moment we walked in, she took a look around and said in a revelatory moment, “Oh. So it’s just like a big warehouse.”
Though its external design may divide people throughout the Cities (some say modern masterpiece, others say Lego castle), the Guthrie’s internal workings are a nearly universal positive. Minnesota’s leading space for classical theater repertoire, the Guthrie is known for its innovative productions and pitch-perfect acting. With rush line tickets available, students can enjoy high culture on the cheap, and the building is free to enter and explore seven days a week. Few things make a freshman feel classier than standing on the Endless Bridge in their graduation tie, Shirley Temple balanced on the rail as they wait for the intermission of King Lear to end…
Whoa, Mom. Back off. Don’t hate just because the place provides a lot of space for multiple TVs and numerous friends. It makes for a great place to watch the game if your TV at home leaves something to be desired, and it makes viewing a few games at once easier. This is especially crucial in March when there is always more than one game that demands your attention. With that said, you could still watch the games at home. The real reason to make the trip is for the wings (duh). With sixteen different sauces to work with, you can find which one pairs best with your beverage of choice (Sweet BBQ goes great with an ice cold Zima). The menu is extensive, and it’s all delicious, but don’t forget why you’re there. It’s not called Buffalo Wild Potato Wedges.
WINGS
BUFFALO WILD WINGS
PERFORMING ARTS THEATER
5B
6B
Thursday, March 29, 2012
THE BEST SHOUT HOUSE Downtown Bar
The term “live jukebox” has probably been thrown around by plenty of people explaining what goes on at the Shout House, but the task asked of each of the six staff piano players at this bar and restaurant is so extreme and impressive, it seems like there’s nowhere else to start. Two pianos face each other on stage, and the two piano players/singers craft a show out of audience suggestions of classic rock ‘n’ roll hits from 1950 to present day. If that’s not enough to attract you, practically each night there is a theme or special. Every Wednesday night is ’80s night. Every Tuesday night you can get free stuff and a place on stage for a moment if it is your birthday week. And there’s something by the name of “Bomb Digg-A-Tea Thursdays”. No one knows what goes on then.
NORTHSTAR APARTMENTS Apartment Complex A lot of how nice or how crappy your apartment looks and feels is up to you. But anyone living in Northstar definitely has an early leg up on the competition. Right next to the Siebert Field in Dinkytown, this place is super classy. According to the web site, amenitites include the very Margot Tenenbaum feature of “TVs in each bathroom,” along with more practical stuff like a fridge, dishwasher and free Internet and cable. That’s just in the room itself. The building also has a fitness center and study rooms. Just try to fail a test you studied for in the presence of “custom European-style cabinetry.” You can’t do it. That’s what puts it over the top.
GOPHER LAUNDRY
CAMPUS PIZZA
Laundry service No one likes to do laundry, and this truth manifests itself in two ways. Either we set aside one day a week, using our precious time to tend to our clothes, or we resign ourselves to living in a cloud of perpetual stink. (Cloud of Perpetual Stink may make a sweet band name, but it is not a sweet way of life.) Gopher Laundry, which picks up, does and then delivers back your laundry, makes it so that you don’t have to choose. Gopher Laundry estimates that their service saves the average student more than 100 hours a year. That’s 100 more hours you could spend Facebooking, frisbeeing, Charleston-ing or whatever it is the young people are up to these days.
BIG TEN Best subs
There is no shortage of sandwich franchises littered throughout the University campus. But don’t be fooled by its low-key locale, Big Ten is no poor man’s Erbert’s and Gerbert’s. The bar and restaurant is your meatand-potatoes kind of campus hot spot. Just a stone’s throw away from the East Bank halls, it’s an ideal place to unwind after a grueling day of classes. Be sure to check out any one of their “legendary” sub sandwiches. You might want to tell them to take it easy on the lettuce, however.
Best pizza Let’s face it, we can only survive on boxes of DiGiorno’s for so long before we start to feel bad about ourselves. Serving as an affordable alternative to juggernaut chains like Dominoes and Pizza Hut, the aptly-named Campus Pizza can be found in the heart of the Stadium Village area and is one of the University’s oldest delicatessens. They make their own dough and sauce and top all their pizza’s with freshly graded 100 percent real mozzarella cheese. Pizza is the world’s great unifier, so you might as well get your money’s worth.
THE REFINERY Salon/barber It’s a one-stop shop for all your personal upkeep needs —hair, nails, tanning and waxing — oh man, let’s talk about the waxing for a minute. You know that part of every America’s Next Top Model cycle when the models get Brazilians together? And they scream in pain together? The Refinery, with its partitions that don’t quite hit the ceiling, gives you that same intimate experience. So when you’re gasping your way through your first (insert some disgusting, hairy body part here) wax, you won’t be the only one blinking back tears and yelping. If that doesn’t create an atmosphere of solidarity, I’m not sure what can. Really, the folks at the Refinery are some of the nicest you’ll meet in Dinkytown. If you’re running late, they call you to check in on whether you’re going to make it. And if you’re early, they’ve got their waiting room well stocked, magazinewise.