Comments on: D. Brian’s (One Financial Plaza): Minneapolis, MN http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn http://www.lazylightning.org - The South Metro "News" Source! Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:04:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: mar-t http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-7884 mar-t Wed, 13 Aug 2008 23:33:30 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-7884 Being in the business and knowing full well what's out there - I've come to agreement with my hubbie that the food in the TC for the most part leaves much to be desired...expecially in the chain types and especially for lunch. Anything with multiple units is a recipe for disaster on your plate. Investors want their money, the vendors need to make their margins so they decrease the quality of their food, and there is no one in the kitchen who gives a darn. And the general public - well - they are too cheap to pay for great food, (after all - it IS about nourishment and NOT about consumption), and if they get served a great product at a bit higher price but the portions a bit smaller (to make up for the cost differential), they complain and don't go back. Read the other blogs about this article. (That's why we prefer the independant neighborhood places if you can get there). Now for lunch I might have a solution. Considering how the general public seems to not care about the quality of the food - just the quantity on the plate - I'm thinking of a chain of places called "kakafoo"...kinda' ketchy huh? We could follow the same formula and make a killing in the market. But, as the name says - it's all kaka. Being in the business and knowing full well what’s out there - I’ve come to agreement with my hubbie that the food in the TC for the most part leaves much to be desired…expecially in the chain types and especially for lunch. Anything with multiple units is a recipe for disaster on your plate. Investors want their money, the vendors need to make their margins so they decrease the quality of their food, and there is no one in the kitchen who gives a darn. And the general public - well - they are too cheap to pay for great food, (after all - it IS about nourishment and NOT about consumption), and if they get served a great product at a bit higher price but the portions a bit smaller (to make up for the cost differential), they complain and don’t go back. Read the other blogs about this article. (That’s why we prefer the independant neighborhood places if you can get there). Now for lunch I might have a solution. Considering how the general public seems to not care about the quality of the food - just the quantity on the plate - I’m thinking of a chain of places called “kakafoo”…kinda’ ketchy huh? We could follow the same formula and make a killing in the market. But, as the name says - it’s all kaka.

]]> By: Zen Box Japanese Eatery: Minneapolis, MN | Bill Roehl http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-5941 Zen Box Japanese Eatery: Minneapolis, MN | Bill Roehl Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:46:13 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-5941 [...] , a recommendation by Steve, I headed over to Zen Box Japanese Eatery located in the 6 Quebec Building. I checked out [...] [...] , a recommendation by Steve, I headed over to Zen Box Japanese Eatery located in the 6 Quebec Building. I checked out [...]

]]> By: MSPD http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4163 MSPD Mon, 05 May 2008 15:15:32 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4163 Guys...it's Walkin' Dog not Walk'n the Dog. www.walkindog.com Guys…it’s Walkin’ Dog not Walk’n the Dog.

http://www.walkindog.com

]]> By: Tim http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4154 Tim Mon, 05 May 2008 02:01:45 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4154 I agree with what people have posted on Falafel King, Brother's, Zen-box, and Walk'n the Dog; I'm pretty fond of all of those places. The Thai place that is one floor up in the same building (whose name I can't remember either) as Walkn' the Dog is good too. I'd say that any place that can be reached via the skyways, regardless of the floor it's on, should be covered. I agree with what people have posted on Falafel King, Brother’s, Zen-box, and Walk’n the Dog; I’m pretty fond of all of those places. The Thai place that is one floor up in the same building (whose name I can’t remember either) as Walkn’ the Dog is good too.

I’d say that any place that can be reached via the skyways, regardless of the floor it’s on, should be covered.

]]> By: Sank http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4132 Sank Fri, 02 May 2008 20:30:49 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4132 Oh BTW.. 100% agreement with you on the Newroom. Mostly they have a crappy menu.. hard to find something I want to eat there half the time. The best thing there are the chips. Oh BTW.. 100% agreement with you on the Newroom. Mostly they have a crappy menu.. hard to find something I want to eat there half the time. The best thing there are the chips.

]]> By: Sank http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4131 Sank Fri, 02 May 2008 20:29:19 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4131 If you can reach it without going outside, I'd call it good. There is one place I forgot, but it's not accessible from the skyway. Minneapolis Institute Of The Arts has a culinary school. When it's open, which is not all the time, they do a test kitchen and restaurant lab. The food is excellent and it's the best deal for food downtown. If you can reach it without going outside, I’d call it good. There is one place I forgot, but it’s not accessible from the skyway. Minneapolis Institute Of The Arts has a culinary school. When it’s open, which is not all the time, they do a test kitchen and restaurant lab. The food is excellent and it’s the best deal for food downtown.

]]> By: MSPD http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4127 MSPD Fri, 02 May 2008 17:18:20 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4127 I would include ground level if it's part of a logical skyway route or you have to take it to connect to skyways. For example, I completely concur with the Walkin' Dog although I have absolutely no interest in running into any local "celebrity" windbags -- I used to eat there a couple times a week when I worked downtown. The burrito place in the same little courtyard is also a must-visit. That court area is a logical path from building-to-building although I can't remember if it's also served by actual skyways. I would include ground level if it’s part of a logical skyway route or you have to take it to connect to skyways. For example, I completely concur with the Walkin’ Dog although I have absolutely no interest in running into any local “celebrity” windbags — I used to eat there a couple times a week when I worked downtown. The burrito place in the same little courtyard is also a must-visit. That court area is a logical path from building-to-building although I can’t remember if it’s also served by actual skyways.

]]> By: Bill http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4123 Bill Fri, 02 May 2008 16:02:39 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4123 Well, I was trying to stay away from "ground level" establishments for my "Skyways" eating reviews. I have eaten at McCormick and Schmick's for the $1.95 happy-hour specials ($2.50 drink required) and loved their burger (1/2 lb cheeseburger with fries for less than $5?!) and also the News Room where I had some sort of vegetarian sandwich for lunch with my boss last week. It was kinda pricey (more so than D. Brian's) and honestly it wasn't anything that was more than average yet the line was out the door when we left... What do you all think, should I include the ground level eateries in the "skyways reviews" considering them reachable by skyway or should I just stick to keeping it what is literally "in" the skyway? Well, I was trying to stay away from “ground level” establishments for my “Skyways” eating reviews.

I have eaten at McCormick and Schmick’s for the $1.95 happy-hour specials ($2.50 drink required) and loved their burger (1/2 lb cheeseburger with fries for less than $5?!) and also the News Room where I had some sort of vegetarian sandwich for lunch with my boss last week. It was kinda pricey (more so than D. Brian’s) and honestly it wasn’t anything that was more than average yet the line was out the door when we left…

What do you all think, should I include the ground level eateries in the “skyways reviews” considering them reachable by skyway or should I just stick to keeping it what is literally “in” the skyway?

]]> By: sank http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4122 sank Fri, 02 May 2008 15:17:21 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4122 Oh no.. not the hated D-Brians... I hate that place. I walk past this particular one three for four times a day... My problem with it is 1) I can't get past the prices.. outrageous.. $6.00 for a cup of soup chaps my ass. And I don't accept that it's just downtown pricing.. it's more than that.. it's really really expensive. 2) It's just OK, just boring old sandwiches.. not that great. They do move a ton of people through there quickly though! I've worked in downtown MPLS for the last 15 years and here's Sanks List of Place to eat when you're in town.. 1a) Eat Street.. if you can just get in your damn car and go down to Quangs for some pho.. #1 1b) Bombay Bistro- now with two locations to serve you, both within curry smelling distance. Great buffet! 2) Oak Grill- Top of Macy's. Since the conversion from Daytons to Marshall Fields to Macy's I haven't had a reason to shop at Macy's. I remember Macy's from the west coast and they sucked there, they suck here. (As we say, when ever a hearse goes by, one less department store customer) BTW it the company that sucks, not the local team, they're pretty good actually. ANYWAY- (oh they're also unemployed as of today) The Grill is still the best place downtown for a nice lunch. Lovely traditional menu and popovers to die for. 3) The Local- The Local is best bar in town when it's not packed to the rafters with 20 something targeteers from across the street. Good eats and convenient. 4) Palomino- Love the payaya. A little expensive, but the menu is good. The Atmosphere is nice.. good for a special event. 5) Falafal King- in the TCF Building. Take a trip back to the dawn of the Skyway system and there, in the TCF Tower you can find the best falafal downtown. Yumbo. 6) Brother Deli- Not sure the building but it's across the street from City Center in the skyway. Bulgoki sandwich is excellent. Funny that they don't look Korean in there. 7) McKormicks and Schmidts- Sure, we're 2000 miles from saltwater.. but the fish here is excellent. Also, only for special occasions, but great atmosphere here for that power lunch. Secret happy hour too with pretty decent appetizers. 8) Jimmy Johns- OK a chain, but no nonsense subs that are pretty decent, especially when compared to Subway. Why does every subway look like it's staffed by convicts who would just assume spit in your food than look at you? 9) Walk'n the Dog- in the Northwest building? Awesome hotdogs. Proximity to WCCO means you see the on air guys there from time to time. Dave Lee? Didn't you used to have a career in Radio? 10) Brits- Tandoori chicken sandwich is excellent. Winstons Cheese Toasty is good, soups are good and the beer is excellent. Again, watch out for the jr Exec crowd in there on Thursday and Friday evenings. Oh no.. not the hated D-Brians… I hate that place. I walk past this particular one three for four times a day… My problem with it is 1) I can’t get past the prices.. outrageous.. $6.00 for a cup of soup chaps my ass. And I don’t accept that it’s just downtown pricing.. it’s more than that.. it’s really really expensive. 2) It’s just OK, just boring old sandwiches.. not that great. They do move a ton of people through there quickly though!

I’ve worked in downtown MPLS for the last 15 years and here’s Sanks List of Place to eat when you’re in town..

1a) Eat Street.. if you can just get in your damn car and go down to Quangs for some pho.. #1

1b) Bombay Bistro- now with two locations to serve you, both within curry smelling distance. Great buffet!

2) Oak Grill- Top of Macy’s. Since the conversion from Daytons to Marshall Fields to Macy’s I haven’t had a reason to shop at Macy’s. I remember Macy’s from the west coast and they sucked there, they suck here. (As we say, when ever a hearse goes by, one less department store customer) BTW it the company that sucks, not the local team, they’re pretty good actually. ANYWAY- (oh they’re also unemployed as of today) The Grill is still the best place downtown for a nice lunch. Lovely traditional menu and popovers to die for.

3) The Local- The Local is best bar in town when it’s not packed to the rafters with 20 something targeteers from across the street. Good eats and convenient.

4) Palomino- Love the payaya. A little expensive, but the menu is good. The Atmosphere is nice.. good for a special event.

5) Falafal King- in the TCF Building. Take a trip back to the dawn of the Skyway system and there, in the TCF Tower you can find the best falafal downtown. Yumbo.

6) Brother Deli- Not sure the building but it’s across the street from City Center in the skyway. Bulgoki sandwich is excellent. Funny that they don’t look Korean in there.

7) McKormicks and Schmidts- Sure, we’re 2000 miles from saltwater.. but the fish here is excellent. Also, only for special occasions, but great atmosphere here for that power lunch. Secret happy hour too with pretty decent appetizers.

8) Jimmy Johns- OK a chain, but no nonsense subs that are pretty decent, especially when compared to Subway. Why does every subway look like it’s staffed by convicts who would just assume spit in your food than look at you?

9) Walk’n the Dog- in the Northwest building? Awesome hotdogs. Proximity to WCCO means you see the on air guys there from time to time. Dave Lee? Didn’t you used to have a career in Radio?

10) Brits- Tandoori chicken sandwich is excellent. Winstons Cheese Toasty is good, soups are good and the beer is excellent. Again, watch out for the jr Exec crowd in there on Thursday and Friday evenings.

]]> By: Bill http://www.lazylightning.org/d-brians-one-financial-plaza-minneapolis-mn#comment-4121 Bill Fri, 02 May 2008 14:47:48 +0000 http://www.lazylightning.org/?p=642#comment-4121 Steve, Thanks for the suggestion. I'll definitely get around to checking it out :) Steve, Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll definitely get around to checking it out :)

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