MINNEAPOLIS (May 7, 2008)
- Shea, Inc., a Minneapolis-based marketing and design firm, is a bronze winner in the 2008 Summit Creative Awards® competition for its creative design work for Cambell Mithun Tower. Among thousands of submissions from 26 countries, Shea’s marketing campaign design for Campbell Mithun Tower scored among the very best. An international panel of judges from the world's leading marketing, advertising and design companies selected winners for their innovative and creative concepts, strong executions and the ability to communicate and
persuade.
In 2007, Shea worked with United Properties, property managers for Campbell Mithun Tower, on a building repositioning which included development of a new logo, signage, and printed
marketing collateral and brochures. The repositioning (which included interior and architectural
upgrades also designed by Shea) encouraged several new leases and lease renewals for United
Properties after a three-year lull in leasing activity.
The Summit Creative Awards, founded in 1994, recognizes and celebrates the creative
accomplishments of small and medium sized creative agencies with annual billings of $30 million
or less. Over fifteen years, the competition has established itself as the premier arbiter of creative excellence for firms of this size. Additional information about the Summit International Awards can be found at www.summitawards.com.
Shea is a marketing and design firm integrating expertise in marketing, architecture, and interior design. Shea seamlessly blends diverse perspectives, skills, cultures and knowledge into solid creative strategy for clients. Shea’s client list includes Target Corporation, Regis Corporation, TCF National Bank, Morton’s of Chicago, Aramark, and Midcontinent Communications. For more information on Shea, please contact Andy McDermott at 612.594.4245 or visit our Web site www.shealink.com.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Shea Receives International Award of Distinction for Creative Design
MINNEAPOLIS (May 28, 2008)
- Shea, Inc., a Minneapolis-based marketing and design firm,
received an Award of Distinction in the 2008 Communicator Awards competition for its creative
design work for Cambell Mithun Tower. With over 9,000 entries from across the US and around
the world, the Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program
honoring the creative excellence for communications professionals.
In 2007, Shea worked with United Properties, property managers for Campbell Mithun Tower, on a building repositioning which included development of a new logo, signage, and printed
marketing collateral and brochures. The repositioning (which included interior and architectural
upgrades also designed by Shea) encouraged several new leases and lease renewals for United
Properties after a three-year lull in leasing activity.
Shea’s creative work for Campbell Mithun Tower also received another international design
award from the 2008 Summit Creative Awards® earlier in May.
About The Communicator Awards:
The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative
excellence for communications professionals. The Communicator Awards is an annual
competition honoring the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and
identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The past year’s 14th Annual Communicator
Awards received over 9,000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of
the largest awards of its kind in the world. Please visit www.communicatorawards.com for more
information. The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy
of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a "Who's Who" of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms. Please visit www.iavisarts.org for a full member list and more information.
About Shea, Inc.:
Shea, Inc., now celebrating its 30th year, is a marketing and design firm integrating expertise in
marketing, architecture, and interior design. Shea blends diverse perspectives, skills, cultures and knowledge into solid creative strategy for clients. Shea’s client list includes Macy’s, TCF National Bank, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Wells Fargo and Midcontinent Communications. For more information on Shea, please contact Andy McDermott at 612.594.4245 or visit our Web site www.shealink.com.
- Shea, Inc., a Minneapolis-based marketing and design firm,
received an Award of Distinction in the 2008 Communicator Awards competition for its creative
design work for Cambell Mithun Tower. With over 9,000 entries from across the US and around
the world, the Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program
honoring the creative excellence for communications professionals.
In 2007, Shea worked with United Properties, property managers for Campbell Mithun Tower, on a building repositioning which included development of a new logo, signage, and printed
marketing collateral and brochures. The repositioning (which included interior and architectural
upgrades also designed by Shea) encouraged several new leases and lease renewals for United
Properties after a three-year lull in leasing activity.
Shea’s creative work for Campbell Mithun Tower also received another international design
award from the 2008 Summit Creative Awards® earlier in May.
About The Communicator Awards:
The Communicator Awards is the leading international awards program honoring creative
excellence for communications professionals. The Communicator Awards is an annual
competition honoring the best in advertising, corporate communications, public relations and
identity work for print, video, interactive and audio. The past year’s 14th Annual Communicator
Awards received over 9,000 entries from companies and agencies of all sizes, making it one of
the largest awards of its kind in the world. Please visit www.communicatorawards.com for more
information. The Communicator Awards is sanctioned and judged by the International Academy
of the Visual Arts, an invitation-only body consisting of top-tier professionals from a "Who's Who" of acclaimed media, advertising, and marketing firms. Please visit www.iavisarts.org for a full member list and more information.
About Shea, Inc.:
Shea, Inc., now celebrating its 30th year, is a marketing and design firm integrating expertise in
marketing, architecture, and interior design. Shea blends diverse perspectives, skills, cultures and knowledge into solid creative strategy for clients. Shea’s client list includes Macy’s, TCF National Bank, Morton’s The Steakhouse, Wells Fargo and Midcontinent Communications. For more information on Shea, please contact Andy McDermott at 612.594.4245 or visit our Web site www.shealink.com.
Seattle pizza chain - Tommy Chicagos - opens in Mendota Heights
August 27, 2008 10:32 AM CDT by Finance and Commerce staff Tommy Chicago’s Pizzeria, a Seattle-based restaurant chain, opened its first Twin Cities store this month in Mendota Heights.
The new Tommy was designed by Shea, Inc., the Minneapolis marketing and design firm.
Shea helped to redefine the brand, which included a name change, as owner Tom Magnuson developed the Mendota Heights restaurant. Shea developed the franchise logo and created a prototypical design that will be its platform for potential national expansion. The Tommy Chicago’s concept is built on original recipes incorporating high-quality ingredients in a casual space that incorporates materials reminiscent of traditional Chicago pizzerias.
Tommy Chicago’s Pizzeria is at 730 Main St. in Mendota Heights.
Kerker will not move to Minneapolis Preston Kelly will
July 1, 2008
Kerker Inc. of Edina, Minnesota, will soon be no more. The 58 year-old, 40-employee agency has renamed itself Preston Kelly, after its two principals: Executive Vice President and Creative Director Chris Preston and President Chuck Kelly. Additionally, the agency announced it will relocate its headquarters to the vibrant historic “NordEast” neighborhood in the architectural-preservation, award-winning Minneapolis Fire Barn building at 222 First Avenue NE.
‘‘Too much has changed for us not to change our name,” Kelly said. “Times have changed. Consumers have changed. How they get information and engage with brands has changed. Today change is what guides marketing.”
Reflective of this change is the agency’s dramatic shift in creative and strategic focus in the last five years. Preston Kelly’s “Iconic Ideas” branding philosophy now informs everything they do. The agency’s unique iconic approach is behind successful campaigns for such clients as Taco John’s, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., Piper Jaffray and Health Partners.
Why Preston Kelly? Namesake Preston said, “We considered a number of different options. But finally, we decided that a name doesn’t brand an agency; its people and itsbody of work does. We’re the people whom our clients expect that leadership and that work from today.”
“I can’t say that our new name is completely without ego,” he continued. “After all, we are putting Chuck’s and my name on the door. The truth is that Mr. Kerker wasn’t showing up for meetings anymore, he’d been out of the agency for 35 years. It’s nice for our clients and the people who work for an agency to be able to look around and see the agency namesakes are sitting across the table. But this decision is more about putting a new face on an agency that is doing different work than at any time in its considerable history.”
Preston explained that the order of the names was the easiest decision of all. “We went with Preston Kelly because, frankly, searching ‘Kelly Preston’ on Google leads you to three pages of John Travolta’s wife.”
The Minneapolis Move
The agency, which has been in its current Centennial Lakes location in Edina since 1995, will move at the end of June to its new Minneapolis headquarters. Shea Architects is redesigning the interior of former Minneapolis Fire Barn building, which is named in the National Register of Historic Places. “We are heading to a walking neighborhood, with a Russian Deli behind us, an Irish Pub around the corner and the city’s best liquor store across the street. We crave the diversity and energy of this historic and re-emergent neighborhood on the river. We see it as a metaphor for our agency’s re-emergence and vibrancy as well.”
On June 27, to commemorate the move and to celebrate Preston Kelly’s “Iconic Ideas” communications philosophy, employees will participate in a ceremonial iconic parade (featuring advertising icons from the agency’s recent past) to promenade across the Hennepin Avenue Bridge into their new neighborhood. Later in the summer, the agency will host a grand opening event at its new location.
About Preston Kelly
Preston Kelly is a full-service agency creating iconic ideas through advertising, interactive, design, direct marketing and promotion, strategy and research for a broad range of local, national and global clients. Preston Kelly clients include Taco John’s, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., Mall of America, Health Partners, Deluxe, Piper Jaffray, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., United Sugars, Minnesota Zoo, Venture Bank and the YMCA. For more information about Preston Kelly, visit www.prestonkelly.com. Preston Kelly is a member of Worldwide Partners Inc., the world’s largest network of independent marketing and communications firms.
Kerker Inc. of Edina, Minnesota, will soon be no more. The 58 year-old, 40-employee agency has renamed itself Preston Kelly, after its two principals: Executive Vice President and Creative Director Chris Preston and President Chuck Kelly. Additionally, the agency announced it will relocate its headquarters to the vibrant historic “NordEast” neighborhood in the architectural-preservation, award-winning Minneapolis Fire Barn building at 222 First Avenue NE.
‘‘Too much has changed for us not to change our name,” Kelly said. “Times have changed. Consumers have changed. How they get information and engage with brands has changed. Today change is what guides marketing.”
Reflective of this change is the agency’s dramatic shift in creative and strategic focus in the last five years. Preston Kelly’s “Iconic Ideas” branding philosophy now informs everything they do. The agency’s unique iconic approach is behind successful campaigns for such clients as Taco John’s, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., Piper Jaffray and Health Partners.
Why Preston Kelly? Namesake Preston said, “We considered a number of different options. But finally, we decided that a name doesn’t brand an agency; its people and itsbody of work does. We’re the people whom our clients expect that leadership and that work from today.”
“I can’t say that our new name is completely without ego,” he continued. “After all, we are putting Chuck’s and my name on the door. The truth is that Mr. Kerker wasn’t showing up for meetings anymore, he’d been out of the agency for 35 years. It’s nice for our clients and the people who work for an agency to be able to look around and see the agency namesakes are sitting across the table. But this decision is more about putting a new face on an agency that is doing different work than at any time in its considerable history.”
Preston explained that the order of the names was the easiest decision of all. “We went with Preston Kelly because, frankly, searching ‘Kelly Preston’ on Google leads you to three pages of John Travolta’s wife.”
The Minneapolis Move
The agency, which has been in its current Centennial Lakes location in Edina since 1995, will move at the end of June to its new Minneapolis headquarters. Shea Architects is redesigning the interior of former Minneapolis Fire Barn building, which is named in the National Register of Historic Places. “We are heading to a walking neighborhood, with a Russian Deli behind us, an Irish Pub around the corner and the city’s best liquor store across the street. We crave the diversity and energy of this historic and re-emergent neighborhood on the river. We see it as a metaphor for our agency’s re-emergence and vibrancy as well.”
On June 27, to commemorate the move and to celebrate Preston Kelly’s “Iconic Ideas” communications philosophy, employees will participate in a ceremonial iconic parade (featuring advertising icons from the agency’s recent past) to promenade across the Hennepin Avenue Bridge into their new neighborhood. Later in the summer, the agency will host a grand opening event at its new location.
About Preston Kelly
Preston Kelly is a full-service agency creating iconic ideas through advertising, interactive, design, direct marketing and promotion, strategy and research for a broad range of local, national and global clients. Preston Kelly clients include Taco John’s, Roundy’s Supermarkets, Inc., Mall of America, Health Partners, Deluxe, Piper Jaffray, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi L.L.P., United Sugars, Minnesota Zoo, Venture Bank and the YMCA. For more information about Preston Kelly, visit www.prestonkelly.com. Preston Kelly is a member of Worldwide Partners Inc., the world’s largest network of independent marketing and communications firms.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
EDINA WELCOMES ITS FIRST LUXURY HOTEL THE WESTIN EDINA GALLERIA
Edina, MN/August 2008 – Galleria and Westin® Hotels & Resorts are pleased to announce that The Westin Edina Galleria will open its doors and welcome guests on Thursday, August 21, 2008.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support we’ve received from the City of Edina, the surrounding community and our Galleria merchants and shoppers,” said Owner/Developer Warren Beck of Gabbert and Beck. “We’re looking forward to sharing the relaxing and enriching Westin experience with our neighbors and we know that The Westin Edina Galleria will embody the city’s effortless style and gracious attitude.”
Conveniently connected to the upscale Galleria shopping center in the heart of Edina, The Westin Edina Galleria features 225 guestrooms on floors one through seven and the state’s first suburban McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant.
Above the hotel, floors eight through 18, offer 82 luxury condos featuring one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units. Condominium residents are expected to begin moving in October 2008.
As part of the Starwood family of hotels and resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts offer guests the services, products and amenities that rejuvenate, renew and restore their mind, body and spirit. Both hotel guests and condo residents will enjoy the full range of Westin’s signature services and amenities. The Westin Edina Galleria is managed by Wischermann Partners, Inc., a Starwood Hotel’s Preferred Management Company.
“We look forward to bringing personal renewal to both guests of the hotel and owners of the residences,” said Sue Brush, senior vice president Westin Hotels & Resorts. “This property has the added advantage of providing guests with direct access to high-end shopping and dining at the adjoining Galleria shopping center, and is close to all that Edina and Minneapolis/St. Paul have to offer.”
Banquet and Meeting Facilities. Over the past 18 months, Edina residents and Galleria guests and shoppers have witnessed the gracious 18-story, glass-walled building rise at the center’s east end. The Westin Edina Galleria is thoughtfully designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to the excitement of the four-star hotel, the buzz around Edina and the surrounding area is about the hotel’s banquet and meeting facilities.
“We are receiving many inquiries regarding our flexible meeting space, which is designed for a wide variety of occasions and functions,” said Patrick Clemons, director of sales and marketing.
With 9,100 square feet of flexible event space, including a beautiful Grand Ballroom with room for up to 350 guests, the hotel can accommodate business meetings and special occasions. The hotel’s event services include Executive Meeting Specialists, the hotel’s culinary team plus state-of-the-art facilities such as wireless internet and the latest in AV technologies. Spaces include the 5,300+-square foot Grand Ballroom, plus the Junior Ballroom, two meeting rooms and a boardroom.
While area businesses are actively reserving meeting spaces, the hotel began receiving ‘save-the-date’ requests for weddings and receptions a full year before it was scheduled to open.
Guest Rooms. The centerpiece of each Westin Edina Galleria guestroom is a plush Heavenly® Bed; Westin’s custom designed pillow-top mattress set and all-white high thread-count sheets, down blanket, duvet and pillows. Each room also includes a high-definition 37-inch plasma screen television and wireless Internet access. The Heavenly Bath® is also an industry first, and offers a fully customizable shower experience and a separate soaking tub. The bath includes the sumptuous Heavenly Robe® and Heavenly Bath Towel®.
The hotel also includes six luxury suites that offer more than twice the square-footage of other rooms. The suites include separate living and sleeping areas. The living area includes a wet bar, living room, table for six and a half-bathroom. Separated from the living area by a door, the sleeping area has a separate, full, private bathroom.
Amenities and Services. Part of the Starwood family of hotels and resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts are a haven of serenity and distinctive alternatives for those who appreciate a higher standard; The Westin Edina Galleria is no exception.
Guests will enjoy amenities including access to the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® fitness center that includes cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and an indoor heated pool and whirlpool. Additional amenities include wired and wireless Internet access in guest rooms, meeting spaces and public areas, an onsite Business Center, 24-hour room service, concierge services, an outdoor garden and terrace area, and more. For travelers with pets, the hotel also welcomes pets and even offers an oversized Heavenly Dog Bed®.
The Westin designers understand cold Minnesota winters and wanted to offer their guests ‘weatherproof’ access to Galleria during the colder Minnesota months. In addition to easy above-ground access between the hotel and Galleria, the architectural team included a below-street level climate-controlled walkway to the shopping center.
Galleria. Just moments from Downtown Minneapolis and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, The Westin Edina Galleria is near several renowned golf courses, including Interlachen Country Club, home of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open; sports arenas; the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Walker Art Center and, of course, just steps away from Galleria’s Shops of Distinction.
Galleria is a shopping experience unlike any other in the nation. With an upscale blend of over 70 local and national retailers, the Center is recognized for its luxury brands that offer internationally-recognized collections from merchants including Tiffany & Co., BCBG Max Azria, Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. The Center also features upscale specialty shops including Ampersand, Twill by Scott Dayton, Trail Mark, Three Rooms and Scheherazade Jewelers as well as many other locally-owned one-of-a-kind shops.
The Center is home to four distinct restaurants - Good Earth Restaurant and Bakery, Kozy’s Steaks & Seafood, Crave, and Big Bowl. And, if guests or residences need help with last-minute gifts, travel purchases or something for themselves; they have access to Galleria’s personal shopping services.
Whether a hotel guest or a resident, the staff at The Westin Edina Galleria looks forward to making each day a memorable one, full of luxury and pampering. The Westin Edina Galleria opens Thursday, August 21, 2008. For catering, meetings or events, please contact the Sales and Catering team at (952) 567-5000. For room reservations, please call (888) 627-8245 or visit www.Westin.com/EdinaGalleria.
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
About Galleria
Galleria offers an exceptional selection of casual dining, unique local shops and favorite specialty stores wrapped within a sophisticated, relaxed atmosphere. Locally owned and managed by Gabbert & Beck, Inc., Galleria is located at 69th and France Avenue in Edina, Minnesota. Hours are Monday–Friday: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday: 11:00 am–5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.galleriaedina.com.
“We are grateful for the ongoing support we’ve received from the City of Edina, the surrounding community and our Galleria merchants and shoppers,” said Owner/Developer Warren Beck of Gabbert and Beck. “We’re looking forward to sharing the relaxing and enriching Westin experience with our neighbors and we know that The Westin Edina Galleria will embody the city’s effortless style and gracious attitude.”
Conveniently connected to the upscale Galleria shopping center in the heart of Edina, The Westin Edina Galleria features 225 guestrooms on floors one through seven and the state’s first suburban McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant.
Above the hotel, floors eight through 18, offer 82 luxury condos featuring one-, two-, three- and four-bedroom units. Condominium residents are expected to begin moving in October 2008.
As part of the Starwood family of hotels and resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts offer guests the services, products and amenities that rejuvenate, renew and restore their mind, body and spirit. Both hotel guests and condo residents will enjoy the full range of Westin’s signature services and amenities. The Westin Edina Galleria is managed by Wischermann Partners, Inc., a Starwood Hotel’s Preferred Management Company.
“We look forward to bringing personal renewal to both guests of the hotel and owners of the residences,” said Sue Brush, senior vice president Westin Hotels & Resorts. “This property has the added advantage of providing guests with direct access to high-end shopping and dining at the adjoining Galleria shopping center, and is close to all that Edina and Minneapolis/St. Paul have to offer.”
Banquet and Meeting Facilities. Over the past 18 months, Edina residents and Galleria guests and shoppers have witnessed the gracious 18-story, glass-walled building rise at the center’s east end. The Westin Edina Galleria is thoughtfully designed to complement the surrounding neighborhood. In addition to the excitement of the four-star hotel, the buzz around Edina and the surrounding area is about the hotel’s banquet and meeting facilities.
“We are receiving many inquiries regarding our flexible meeting space, which is designed for a wide variety of occasions and functions,” said Patrick Clemons, director of sales and marketing.
With 9,100 square feet of flexible event space, including a beautiful Grand Ballroom with room for up to 350 guests, the hotel can accommodate business meetings and special occasions. The hotel’s event services include Executive Meeting Specialists, the hotel’s culinary team plus state-of-the-art facilities such as wireless internet and the latest in AV technologies. Spaces include the 5,300+-square foot Grand Ballroom, plus the Junior Ballroom, two meeting rooms and a boardroom.
While area businesses are actively reserving meeting spaces, the hotel began receiving ‘save-the-date’ requests for weddings and receptions a full year before it was scheduled to open.
Guest Rooms. The centerpiece of each Westin Edina Galleria guestroom is a plush Heavenly® Bed; Westin’s custom designed pillow-top mattress set and all-white high thread-count sheets, down blanket, duvet and pillows. Each room also includes a high-definition 37-inch plasma screen television and wireless Internet access. The Heavenly Bath® is also an industry first, and offers a fully customizable shower experience and a separate soaking tub. The bath includes the sumptuous Heavenly Robe® and Heavenly Bath Towel®.
The hotel also includes six luxury suites that offer more than twice the square-footage of other rooms. The suites include separate living and sleeping areas. The living area includes a wet bar, living room, table for six and a half-bathroom. Separated from the living area by a door, the sleeping area has a separate, full, private bathroom.
Amenities and Services. Part of the Starwood family of hotels and resorts, Westin Hotels & Resorts are a haven of serenity and distinctive alternatives for those who appreciate a higher standard; The Westin Edina Galleria is no exception.
Guests will enjoy amenities including access to the 24-hour WestinWORKOUT® fitness center that includes cardiovascular equipment, weight machines and an indoor heated pool and whirlpool. Additional amenities include wired and wireless Internet access in guest rooms, meeting spaces and public areas, an onsite Business Center, 24-hour room service, concierge services, an outdoor garden and terrace area, and more. For travelers with pets, the hotel also welcomes pets and even offers an oversized Heavenly Dog Bed®.
The Westin designers understand cold Minnesota winters and wanted to offer their guests ‘weatherproof’ access to Galleria during the colder Minnesota months. In addition to easy above-ground access between the hotel and Galleria, the architectural team included a below-street level climate-controlled walkway to the shopping center.
Galleria. Just moments from Downtown Minneapolis and the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, The Westin Edina Galleria is near several renowned golf courses, including Interlachen Country Club, home of the 2008 U.S. Women’s Open; sports arenas; the Minneapolis Convention Center, the Walker Art Center and, of course, just steps away from Galleria’s Shops of Distinction.
Galleria is a shopping experience unlike any other in the nation. With an upscale blend of over 70 local and national retailers, the Center is recognized for its luxury brands that offer internationally-recognized collections from merchants including Tiffany & Co., BCBG Max Azria, Williams-Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. The Center also features upscale specialty shops including Ampersand, Twill by Scott Dayton, Trail Mark, Three Rooms and Scheherazade Jewelers as well as many other locally-owned one-of-a-kind shops.
The Center is home to four distinct restaurants - Good Earth Restaurant and Bakery, Kozy’s Steaks & Seafood, Crave, and Big Bowl. And, if guests or residences need help with last-minute gifts, travel purchases or something for themselves; they have access to Galleria’s personal shopping services.
Whether a hotel guest or a resident, the staff at The Westin Edina Galleria looks forward to making each day a memorable one, full of luxury and pampering. The Westin Edina Galleria opens Thursday, August 21, 2008. For catering, meetings or events, please contact the Sales and Catering team at (952) 567-5000. For room reservations, please call (888) 627-8245 or visit www.Westin.com/EdinaGalleria.
About Westin Hotels & Resorts
Westin Hotels & Resorts, with more than 150 hotels and resorts in more than 31 countries and territories, is owned by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT). Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with approximately 900 properties in more than 100 countries and 155,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.
About Galleria
Galleria offers an exceptional selection of casual dining, unique local shops and favorite specialty stores wrapped within a sophisticated, relaxed atmosphere. Locally owned and managed by Gabbert & Beck, Inc., Galleria is located at 69th and France Avenue in Edina, Minnesota. Hours are Monday–Friday: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Sunday: 11:00 am–5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit www.galleriaedina.com.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Barrio Sets the “Tequila” Bar
Irreverent, Upscale Bar Opens August 26
Minneapolis, Aug. 25, 2008 –
Diver Scallop Ceviche. Tequila-Cured Salmon. Barbecue Pork Sopes with Habanero-Pickled Onions. This is “bar food?” It is when the bar is Barrio and the management team includes award-winning restaurateurs, Josh Thoma and Chef Tim McKee. The Twin Cities’ dynamic duo is at again opening their fourth restaurant – and their second this year. While officially Barrio is being positioned as a “tequila bar,” McKee and Thoma approached it the same way as they’ve approached all their projects; lots of attention to detail with service to match, menu items that feature top quality ingredients and fresh, authentic flavors; all offered up in a complementary setting. And this time around, they’re adding a few surprises and a bit of sass to the mix.
Barrio will showcase more than 100 tequilas and mezcals, but expect that number to grow as they discover new gems to add to the collection. (For the non-tequila aficionado, all liquors distilled from any agave plant are “mezcal,” but only those made from the blue agave are called tequila.) Patrons will have the option of ordering “Compadres” to complement their tequila order. These are a selection of chasers or sides designed to enhance the experience of the distinctive liquor. A few of Barrio’s “Compadres” include, Spicy Grapefruit, Pineapple Lime, Cilantro-Tomato Water, Melon and Ginger/Apple. Look for them under names such as “Night of the Iguana,” Treasure of the Sierra Madre” or simply, “Eastwood.”
Johnny Michaels, one of the city’s star mixologists, designed the drink menu, and continues the playful theme with intriguingly christened cocktails, such as “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” consisting of tequila with tamarind cinnamon cola, or “Cobra Verde” a cherry lime margarita with a touch of absinthe.
Barrio is designed by Shea, Inc. Founder, David Shea, and his team clearly had fun with the project. “It’s not Mexican. It’s not American. It’s all those things blended together,” explains Shea. “It’s a cultural festival with a twist.”
The space itself is not large, seating roughly 100 people on the main floor, seasonal outdoor seating along Nicollet Mall and second floor mezzanine combined, but it’s packed with personality.
The décor mixes iconic and irreverent south-of-the-border elements. A large hand-made, wrought-iron stand holds tiny votive candles where guests can light a candle and make a wish. Salvaged railings and balustrades add an aged, been-there-for-decades character to the space. Dark red walls set off a hand-painted mural of a bull fight by Juxtaposition artist, Roger Cummings, and three Mexican marionettes dance from the ceiling in front of the expansive bar.
Shea donated a bull’s head he owned to accent the bar’s logo which hangs from the mezzanine railing. The back hallway is lined with ‘40s and ‘50s pin-ups. The bar has the requisite TV monitor, but this one is tuned to bullfights, soccer and Mexican wrestling.
Another twist to the usual McKee/Thoma endeavor, is that this time while they’re investors in Barrio, the bar is actually the brainchild of business partner/owners, Tim Rooney, a local real estate developer, and Ryan Burnet, a partner in both Chambers and W Minneapolis – The Foshay.
Rooney and Burnet are responsible for bringing the various players together and allowing the concept to evolve. According to Burnet, they initially approached McKee, the James Beard Award-nominated chef, with the request to create a bar menu that included, “some tacos and guacamole.” While you might think the four-star chef would be affronted, he loved it.
“I approached the menu the same way I would for any of our restaurants,” said McKee. “This is the type of cuisine I absolutely love, but never have an opportunity to cook. The cuisines of Latin America have fresh, bright, bold flavors, and it’s great to finally have a venue where I can showcase them.”
Barrio’s kitchen is being run by newly appointed executive chef, Bill Fairbanks. Fairbanks has worked with McKee for the last six years, first at Solera then at La Belle Vie. McKee tapped him for the post because he knew Fairbanks shared his love for Latin street food. Together they developed a menu inspired by the cuisines of Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
The casual and affordable menu has three sections, Small Plates priced at $7.50, Tacos and Enchiladas ranging in price from $3.50 to $4 and Larger Plates ranging from $16 to 22. McKee is reluctant to select favorites. As he explains with a smile, “Bill and I created them. They’re all my favorites.” That said, he does expect the Crab Empanadas with salsa verde and avocado and the Potato Sopes with goat cheese and red-chile tomatillo salsa to be crowd favorites. He also encourages guests to check out the Spicy Crab Soup with cumin, cilantro and lime and notes the
Fried Mahi Mahi Taco is “the best.”
Location and Hours of Operation
Barrio opens at 5 p.m. Tue., Aug. 26. The bar is located at 925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minn., in the former Dunn Bros. location. Hours: (Barrio will open for lunch starting Sept. 2.) Bar Hours are11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 4 to 2 a.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday. Happy Hour is 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dinner is 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Late night menus are available from
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday.
Barrio Tequila Bar & Café
925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
www.barriotequila.com (coming soon.)
612.333.9953
Minneapolis, Aug. 25, 2008 –
Diver Scallop Ceviche. Tequila-Cured Salmon. Barbecue Pork Sopes with Habanero-Pickled Onions. This is “bar food?” It is when the bar is Barrio and the management team includes award-winning restaurateurs, Josh Thoma and Chef Tim McKee. The Twin Cities’ dynamic duo is at again opening their fourth restaurant – and their second this year. While officially Barrio is being positioned as a “tequila bar,” McKee and Thoma approached it the same way as they’ve approached all their projects; lots of attention to detail with service to match, menu items that feature top quality ingredients and fresh, authentic flavors; all offered up in a complementary setting. And this time around, they’re adding a few surprises and a bit of sass to the mix.
Barrio will showcase more than 100 tequilas and mezcals, but expect that number to grow as they discover new gems to add to the collection. (For the non-tequila aficionado, all liquors distilled from any agave plant are “mezcal,” but only those made from the blue agave are called tequila.) Patrons will have the option of ordering “Compadres” to complement their tequila order. These are a selection of chasers or sides designed to enhance the experience of the distinctive liquor. A few of Barrio’s “Compadres” include, Spicy Grapefruit, Pineapple Lime, Cilantro-Tomato Water, Melon and Ginger/Apple. Look for them under names such as “Night of the Iguana,” Treasure of the Sierra Madre” or simply, “Eastwood.”
Johnny Michaels, one of the city’s star mixologists, designed the drink menu, and continues the playful theme with intriguingly christened cocktails, such as “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly” consisting of tequila with tamarind cinnamon cola, or “Cobra Verde” a cherry lime margarita with a touch of absinthe.
Barrio is designed by Shea, Inc. Founder, David Shea, and his team clearly had fun with the project. “It’s not Mexican. It’s not American. It’s all those things blended together,” explains Shea. “It’s a cultural festival with a twist.”
The space itself is not large, seating roughly 100 people on the main floor, seasonal outdoor seating along Nicollet Mall and second floor mezzanine combined, but it’s packed with personality.
The décor mixes iconic and irreverent south-of-the-border elements. A large hand-made, wrought-iron stand holds tiny votive candles where guests can light a candle and make a wish. Salvaged railings and balustrades add an aged, been-there-for-decades character to the space. Dark red walls set off a hand-painted mural of a bull fight by Juxtaposition artist, Roger Cummings, and three Mexican marionettes dance from the ceiling in front of the expansive bar.
Shea donated a bull’s head he owned to accent the bar’s logo which hangs from the mezzanine railing. The back hallway is lined with ‘40s and ‘50s pin-ups. The bar has the requisite TV monitor, but this one is tuned to bullfights, soccer and Mexican wrestling.
Another twist to the usual McKee/Thoma endeavor, is that this time while they’re investors in Barrio, the bar is actually the brainchild of business partner/owners, Tim Rooney, a local real estate developer, and Ryan Burnet, a partner in both Chambers and W Minneapolis – The Foshay.
Rooney and Burnet are responsible for bringing the various players together and allowing the concept to evolve. According to Burnet, they initially approached McKee, the James Beard Award-nominated chef, with the request to create a bar menu that included, “some tacos and guacamole.” While you might think the four-star chef would be affronted, he loved it.
“I approached the menu the same way I would for any of our restaurants,” said McKee. “This is the type of cuisine I absolutely love, but never have an opportunity to cook. The cuisines of Latin America have fresh, bright, bold flavors, and it’s great to finally have a venue where I can showcase them.”
Barrio’s kitchen is being run by newly appointed executive chef, Bill Fairbanks. Fairbanks has worked with McKee for the last six years, first at Solera then at La Belle Vie. McKee tapped him for the post because he knew Fairbanks shared his love for Latin street food. Together they developed a menu inspired by the cuisines of Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.
The casual and affordable menu has three sections, Small Plates priced at $7.50, Tacos and Enchiladas ranging in price from $3.50 to $4 and Larger Plates ranging from $16 to 22. McKee is reluctant to select favorites. As he explains with a smile, “Bill and I created them. They’re all my favorites.” That said, he does expect the Crab Empanadas with salsa verde and avocado and the Potato Sopes with goat cheese and red-chile tomatillo salsa to be crowd favorites. He also encourages guests to check out the Spicy Crab Soup with cumin, cilantro and lime and notes the
Fried Mahi Mahi Taco is “the best.”
Location and Hours of Operation
Barrio opens at 5 p.m. Tue., Aug. 26. The bar is located at 925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minn., in the former Dunn Bros. location. Hours: (Barrio will open for lunch starting Sept. 2.) Bar Hours are11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 4 to 2 a.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday. Happy Hour is 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Dinner is 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Late night menus are available from
10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Sunday.
Barrio Tequila Bar & Café
925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
www.barriotequila.com (coming soon.)
612.333.9953
Pirates of the St. Croix - Smalley's BBQ
A rum shot called Kill-Devil? A rum flight called Walk the Plank? Aye matey, there be a pirate bar in Stillwater.
By TOM HORGEN, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2008 - 4:38 PM
Arrr! Ever wonder why pirates always say that? Me too. I'd say it has something to do with all that rum they drink and the way it burns their throats on the way down.
Now Stillwater, a place that knows how to drink, has its very own "arrr"-inducing bar -- Smalley's Caribbean Barbeque & Pirate Bar.
While the drink list here has enough rum shots to make Captain Jack Sparrow wheeze, it also contains plenty of Caribbean cocktails capable of generating a refreshing "Ahhh."
Whatever your choice -- fiery shots or tropical drinks -- Smalley's is definitely a summer haven, located alongside the St. Croix in Stillwater's historic downtown.
The concept came from Tim McKee and Josh Thoma, the owners of La Belle Vie and Solera, and the joint is operated by Shawn Smalley, one of their longtime cooks and a piratey-looking fellow himself. The long-bearded chef stuck to crafting the spicy menu -- full of jerk chicken and ribs -- leaving the drinks menu to two bartenders.
Johnny Michaels, the mixologist behind La Belle Vie's bold cocktails, took his drink artistry for an island cruise at Smalley's, while bar manager Frank Brewer amassed a gigantic rum list that could match the Caribbean's rich diversity.
The owners remodeled the longtime Esteban's space to give it a shaggier Caribbean feel. But don't think you're going to see bartenders walking around with eye patches and parrots. The theme is more nuanced. Wooden rum barrels decorate the front bar. Around the corner is a huge Red Stripe mural, a nod to the famous Jamaican beer. They also have a cannon. The back bar opens up onto a quaint patio.
While Michaels will stay at La Belle Vie in Minneapolis, his presence is felt at Smalley's. The Caribbean cocktail list is anchored by an array of mojitos -- their pirate names, such as Blackbeard and Barbarossa, reference their respective flavors (blackberry and red berry pomegranate). Here are a few noteworthy cocktails:
Kingston: A Caribbean allspice rum with house-made grapefruit soda, this is a variation on the classic Hemingway Daiquiri. $7.50.
Big Bamboo: A mojito with house-made ginseng bitters and a syrup distilled from pureed ginger. $8.50.
Sunsplash: Michaels calls this the most mainstream drink on the menu. "It's a turbo-charged screwdriver," he said. Basically a bright orange, citrus tang punch, made with pineapple rum. $7.50.
The bar's rum list is pirate heaven. Or at the very least, a surefire way to grow hair on your chest. Rum is a large part of the Caribbean culture, so Brewer has tried to capture that depth with a long list of rum shots -- 45 and growing -- that represents the various islands.
Popular brands, ranging from $3 to $50 per shot, include Mount Gay (Barbados), Appleton Estate (Jamaica), British Navy Pusser's (Trinidad and Tobago) and Kilo Kai (Curacao).
Much of the pricing depends on how long the rum has been aged. The two most expensive shots are the $50 English Harbor, aged more than 20 years, and the $45 Pyrat 1623, which is a blend of rums -- some aged 40 years. Brewer said he sold both shots to one connoisseur recently.
"It's one thing to sell a $45 shot to a customer, and another thing to have him turn around and order the $50 one," Brewer said.
If you want to try a few different rums without going broke, order a rum flight, which they call the Walk the Plank. It's three small premium shots served on a wood plank. The set changes daily and is usually about $12.
If you think treating rum like wine is a little too prissy, then here's a good tip when ordering at Smalley's. Ask for a shot called the Kill-Devil. The $3 shot is a tribute to the origins of Caribbean rum, which was first created when locals discovered that sugarcane byproducts like molasses could be fermented into alcohol. They called it Kill-Devil, Michaels said, because of its harsh taste. Smalley's version is a mixture of stuff, including Bacardi 151.
"If an actual pirate came in here and asked for a shot, this is what we would give him," Michaels said. "It's a drink for today's pirate."
By TOM HORGEN, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2008 - 4:38 PM
Arrr! Ever wonder why pirates always say that? Me too. I'd say it has something to do with all that rum they drink and the way it burns their throats on the way down.Now Stillwater, a place that knows how to drink, has its very own "arrr"-inducing bar -- Smalley's Caribbean Barbeque & Pirate Bar.
While the drink list here has enough rum shots to make Captain Jack Sparrow wheeze, it also contains plenty of Caribbean cocktails capable of generating a refreshing "Ahhh."
Whatever your choice -- fiery shots or tropical drinks -- Smalley's is definitely a summer haven, located alongside the St. Croix in Stillwater's historic downtown.
The concept came from Tim McKee and Josh Thoma, the owners of La Belle Vie and Solera, and the joint is operated by Shawn Smalley, one of their longtime cooks and a piratey-looking fellow himself. The long-bearded chef stuck to crafting the spicy menu -- full of jerk chicken and ribs -- leaving the drinks menu to two bartenders.
Johnny Michaels, the mixologist behind La Belle Vie's bold cocktails, took his drink artistry for an island cruise at Smalley's, while bar manager Frank Brewer amassed a gigantic rum list that could match the Caribbean's rich diversity.
The owners remodeled the longtime Esteban's space to give it a shaggier Caribbean feel. But don't think you're going to see bartenders walking around with eye patches and parrots. The theme is more nuanced. Wooden rum barrels decorate the front bar. Around the corner is a huge Red Stripe mural, a nod to the famous Jamaican beer. They also have a cannon. The back bar opens up onto a quaint patio.
While Michaels will stay at La Belle Vie in Minneapolis, his presence is felt at Smalley's. The Caribbean cocktail list is anchored by an array of mojitos -- their pirate names, such as Blackbeard and Barbarossa, reference their respective flavors (blackberry and red berry pomegranate). Here are a few noteworthy cocktails:
Kingston: A Caribbean allspice rum with house-made grapefruit soda, this is a variation on the classic Hemingway Daiquiri. $7.50.
Big Bamboo: A mojito with house-made ginseng bitters and a syrup distilled from pureed ginger. $8.50.
Sunsplash: Michaels calls this the most mainstream drink on the menu. "It's a turbo-charged screwdriver," he said. Basically a bright orange, citrus tang punch, made with pineapple rum. $7.50.
The bar's rum list is pirate heaven. Or at the very least, a surefire way to grow hair on your chest. Rum is a large part of the Caribbean culture, so Brewer has tried to capture that depth with a long list of rum shots -- 45 and growing -- that represents the various islands.
Popular brands, ranging from $3 to $50 per shot, include Mount Gay (Barbados), Appleton Estate (Jamaica), British Navy Pusser's (Trinidad and Tobago) and Kilo Kai (Curacao).
Much of the pricing depends on how long the rum has been aged. The two most expensive shots are the $50 English Harbor, aged more than 20 years, and the $45 Pyrat 1623, which is a blend of rums -- some aged 40 years. Brewer said he sold both shots to one connoisseur recently.
"It's one thing to sell a $45 shot to a customer, and another thing to have him turn around and order the $50 one," Brewer said.
If you want to try a few different rums without going broke, order a rum flight, which they call the Walk the Plank. It's three small premium shots served on a wood plank. The set changes daily and is usually about $12.
If you think treating rum like wine is a little too prissy, then here's a good tip when ordering at Smalley's. Ask for a shot called the Kill-Devil. The $3 shot is a tribute to the origins of Caribbean rum, which was first created when locals discovered that sugarcane byproducts like molasses could be fermented into alcohol. They called it Kill-Devil, Michaels said, because of its harsh taste. Smalley's version is a mixture of stuff, including Bacardi 151.
"If an actual pirate came in here and asked for a shot, this is what we would give him," Michaels said. "It's a drink for today's pirate."
New Shealink Website Launched!
Hey, check out our NEW website! http://www.shealink.com/
Surf around. Some items are still coming but it's still great to see something so many have worked on for so long come to life.
Surf around. Some items are still coming but it's still great to see something so many have worked on for so long come to life.
Barrio Sneak Peek – Check Out the New Tim McKee Tequila Bar
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Minnesota Monthly
Tim McKee, the stratospherically talented chef and co-owner of La Belle Vie and Solera (and now Smalley’s, the Stillwater barbecue restaurant which will I review in the magazine’s August issue) has yet another restaurant opening in August: It will be called Barrio Tequila Bar & Café. Curious? Of course you are/ I know I was, so I called up McKee to find out more.
McKee told me that, as the name implies, Barrio is indeed a tequila bar and will offer more than 100 tequilas—that is, the top shelf sipping kind, as well as fancy margaritas and such, concocted by the supremely gifted Johnny Michaels, the La Belle Vie bar manager and creator of another of the Twin Cities most creative and delicious cocktail menus, at Café Maude. Barrio, slated to open in downtown Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall (near the Local) is actually owned not by McKee and Josh Thoma, his business partner, but by Ryan Burnett (son of Ralph, the developer/art collector behind the Chambers Hotel) and Tim Rooney, a one-time Manny’s waiter turned real estate developer. (Yeah, that confirmed some suspicions for me about how much money Manny’s waiters take home, too.) McKee and Thoma have a small ownership stake and are responsible for the creative side and staffing—staffing like longtime La Belle Vie sous chef Bill Fairbanks, who will be the head chef at Barrio.
I got a sneak-peek at Fairbanks’ and McKee’s Barrio menu, and it looks pretty great. As of today (and, of course, a lot of things could change before the place opens) the menu is divided into three categories: small plates; tacos and enchiladas; and large plates. The small plates include dishes like spicy crab soup with cilantro and lime; diver scallop ceviche; potato sopes with goat cheese; and tequila cured salmon. The tacos are a little more haute than the ones on Lake Street: There’s a spiced shrimp taco, with a grilled tomato and mint salsa; a red chile enchilada with potato, chorizo, and fried egg; and a fried mahi-mahi enchilada, with citrus cucumber pico de gallo.
To me, the set-up of the menu bears a resemblance to the one at Solera, with the biggest plates being the most conservative ones. So far, some of the tentative big-plates include a grilled skirt-steak with chile lime tequila butter and fried yucca; roasted chicken with apricot pine-nut mole with sautéed greens; and seared tuna with tomatillo-avocado salsa and quinoa salad.
Sound good? It does to me. It also sounds like it could revolutionize late night dining in this city: Barrio plans to offer their full menu till 2 a.m. nightly.
What’s next for McKee and his crew, now that they have the cities’ most comprehensive sherry list (at Solera); the longest rum list (at Smalley’s); and, possibly, the longest tequila list. (Both Bar Abilene in Uptown and Barrio will have “more than a hundred” tequilas; if anyone wants to make surprise visits to each in August and count the bottles on the premises, let me know.) I asked McKee if he’s going to open a gin bar or single-malt scotch bar in, say, September. He laughed. “No way,” said McKee. “I’m the oldest of 8 kids, and my mom would always be saying, ‘Mark! I mean Matt. No, I mean Tim.’ I’m already doing that with my restaurants. I say Smalley’s when I mean Solera, Barrio when I mean Smalley’s. The guys think it’s hilarious. I think I’m losing my mind.”
Barrio Tequila Bar & Café
925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
www.barriotequilabar.com
Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 in Permalink
Tim McKee, the stratospherically talented chef and co-owner of La Belle Vie and Solera (and now Smalley’s, the Stillwater barbecue restaurant which will I review in the magazine’s August issue) has yet another restaurant opening in August: It will be called Barrio Tequila Bar & Café. Curious? Of course you are/ I know I was, so I called up McKee to find out more.
McKee told me that, as the name implies, Barrio is indeed a tequila bar and will offer more than 100 tequilas—that is, the top shelf sipping kind, as well as fancy margaritas and such, concocted by the supremely gifted Johnny Michaels, the La Belle Vie bar manager and creator of another of the Twin Cities most creative and delicious cocktail menus, at Café Maude. Barrio, slated to open in downtown Minneapolis on Nicollet Mall (near the Local) is actually owned not by McKee and Josh Thoma, his business partner, but by Ryan Burnett (son of Ralph, the developer/art collector behind the Chambers Hotel) and Tim Rooney, a one-time Manny’s waiter turned real estate developer. (Yeah, that confirmed some suspicions for me about how much money Manny’s waiters take home, too.) McKee and Thoma have a small ownership stake and are responsible for the creative side and staffing—staffing like longtime La Belle Vie sous chef Bill Fairbanks, who will be the head chef at Barrio.
I got a sneak-peek at Fairbanks’ and McKee’s Barrio menu, and it looks pretty great. As of today (and, of course, a lot of things could change before the place opens) the menu is divided into three categories: small plates; tacos and enchiladas; and large plates. The small plates include dishes like spicy crab soup with cilantro and lime; diver scallop ceviche; potato sopes with goat cheese; and tequila cured salmon. The tacos are a little more haute than the ones on Lake Street: There’s a spiced shrimp taco, with a grilled tomato and mint salsa; a red chile enchilada with potato, chorizo, and fried egg; and a fried mahi-mahi enchilada, with citrus cucumber pico de gallo.
To me, the set-up of the menu bears a resemblance to the one at Solera, with the biggest plates being the most conservative ones. So far, some of the tentative big-plates include a grilled skirt-steak with chile lime tequila butter and fried yucca; roasted chicken with apricot pine-nut mole with sautéed greens; and seared tuna with tomatillo-avocado salsa and quinoa salad.
Sound good? It does to me. It also sounds like it could revolutionize late night dining in this city: Barrio plans to offer their full menu till 2 a.m. nightly.
What’s next for McKee and his crew, now that they have the cities’ most comprehensive sherry list (at Solera); the longest rum list (at Smalley’s); and, possibly, the longest tequila list. (Both Bar Abilene in Uptown and Barrio will have “more than a hundred” tequilas; if anyone wants to make surprise visits to each in August and count the bottles on the premises, let me know.) I asked McKee if he’s going to open a gin bar or single-malt scotch bar in, say, September. He laughed. “No way,” said McKee. “I’m the oldest of 8 kids, and my mom would always be saying, ‘Mark! I mean Matt. No, I mean Tim.’ I’m already doing that with my restaurants. I say Smalley’s when I mean Solera, Barrio when I mean Smalley’s. The guys think it’s hilarious. I think I’m losing my mind.”
Barrio Tequila Bar & Café
925 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis
www.barriotequilabar.com
Posted on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 in Permalink
Friday, August 22, 2008
Amanda's Recommended Product Updates
Please check out these sites to see some great products!
http://www.slidingdoorco.com/products/office_partitions.html
Thanks to an innovative design company called The Sliding Door Co., today’s doors come in clear, frosted, laminated or linen glass…with clean, contemporary frames in a variety of finishes…and a number of striking designs. Sliding, swinging or stationary. Room doors, closet doors and dividers.
And today’s walls can move. Open them for light. Close them for privacy. Use them as part of a total home design to make the best use of large spaces. Create new rooms in lofts. Enhance functionality in office structures.
http://www.brindisiamo.com/Brindisiamo/main.htm
Offering a wide range of Italian artisinal crafts to design professionals and the clients they serve.
http://www.magisdesign.com/#/products/collections/
Founded in 1976 in the bustling north eastern corner of Italy by a newcomer to the furniture business, Eugenio Perazza, Magis is today a giant international design laboratory that constantly puts itself to the test, seeking technological sophistication and employing a highly diversified workforce.
Magis seizes the day. It embraces the creativity of leading global designers (Richard Sapper, Jasper Morrison, Stefano Giovannoni, Marc Newson, James Irvine, Konstantin Grcic, Ron Arad, the Bouroullecs and many others)and channels it towards objects perched on the cutting edge.
The company even earned kudos from the trendsetter’s bible, Wallpaper, which placed Perazza on top of its list of “Ten who will change the way we live”.
Stair & Railing Design and Fabrication company. Very modern
http://www.moroso.it/home_moroso.php?n=12&l=en
Since 1952 MOROSO has been designing its sofas, armchairs and accessories with wellknown designers such as Ron Arad, Carlo Colombo, Enrico Franzolini, Marc Newson, Toshiyuki Kita and Patricia Urquiola. MOROSO has been constructing its sofas and armchairs aiming at top quality. For its quality, the company was the first producer of upholstered furniture in Italy to receive on 24 June 1994 the ISO 9000 certification for firm management and the ISO 9001 certification for design, production and customer service.
http://www.moroso.it/home_moroso.php?n=12&l=en
Since 1952 MOROSO has been designing its sofas, armchairs and accessories with wellknown designers such as Ron Arad, Carlo Colombo, Enrico Franzolini, Marc Newson, Toshiyuki Kita and Patricia Urquiola. MOROSO has been constructing its sofas and armchairs aiming at top quality. For its quality, the company was the first producer of upholstered furniture in Italy to receive on 24 June 1994 the ISO 9000 certification for firm management and the ISO 9001 certification for design, production and customer service.
http://www.slidingdoorco.com/products/office_partitions.htmlThanks to an innovative design company called The Sliding Door Co., today’s doors come in clear, frosted, laminated or linen glass…with clean, contemporary frames in a variety of finishes…and a number of striking designs. Sliding, swinging or stationary. Room doors, closet doors and dividers.
And today’s walls can move. Open them for light. Close them for privacy. Use them as part of a total home design to make the best use of large spaces. Create new rooms in lofts. Enhance functionality in office structures.
http://www.brindisiamo.com/Brindisiamo/main.htm
Offering a wide range of Italian artisinal crafts to design professionals and the clients they serve.
http://www.magisdesign.com/#/products/collections/
Founded in 1976 in the bustling north eastern corner of Italy by a newcomer to the furniture business, Eugenio Perazza, Magis is today a giant international design laboratory that constantly puts itself to the test, seeking technological sophistication and employing a highly diversified workforce.
Magis seizes the day. It embraces the creativity of leading global designers (Richard Sapper, Jasper Morrison, Stefano Giovannoni, Marc Newson, James Irvine, Konstantin Grcic, Ron Arad, the Bouroullecs and many others)and channels it towards objects perched on the cutting edge.
The company even earned kudos from the trendsetter’s bible, Wallpaper, which placed Perazza on top of its list of “Ten who will change the way we live”.
The company is currently run by the third generation: Elena and Carlo, who are continuing the company’s tradition of constant evolution and are responsible for its most recent success stories: Isy, Aguablu, Soft, Pan, Bellagio. These lines interpret the Zucchetti philosophy perfectly, where design and technological innovation blend together to produce items that represent a point of reference all over the world.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Flame: not the usual mall restaurant
(Note to readers: I just previewed the published version of this blog post, and it looks like the odds are pretty good that you will be looking at this positive write-up of Flame side-by-side with an ad for Flame, which might lead you to conclude that there was some kind of connection between the two. There isn’t.)
Flame does follow the mall restaurant formula, right down to the logos and uniforms, but it actually has more personality than its cookie-cutter neighbors. The theme is “cooking with fire”, so I expected to see meat on spits, but instead the fire-roasting theme is symbolically represented by a row of roaring gas torches, mounted above the open kitchen. The fire-roasted meats are a legacy of the Atlas, where chef Abbas Shahbazi serves delicious Persian-inspired beef and lamb kabobs, as well as fish and chicken, fire-roasted over a 1200 degree grill.
The menu is basically updated meat-and-potatoes, with a smattering of other flavors: the starters include a ceviche made with grilled shrimp and smoked scallops ($8.95), and a barbecued shrimp skillet in a creamy barbecue sauce with grilled baguette ($8.95), and there are a couple of pasta entrees as well: pappardelle with smoked chicken and crimini mushrooms ($12.95), and penne marinara with bacon and fresh tomatoes ($10.95)
Prices are very reasonable: on the dinner menu, except for the $21.95 filet mignon, everything is under $20, and there are a lot of choices for under $15, including the half rotisserie chicken ($12.95), broiled Alaskan cod ($13.95), and eight-hour pot roast ($14.95). The rotisserie chicken, roast beef and baby-back ribs are all offered as platters for four, six or eight ($49.95 / $77.95/ $99.95 for dinner; less for lunch) with 2-4 side dishes, which works out to less than $13 per person (or less than $11 per person for lunch). The lunch menu is similar, with lower prices, fewer steaks and an expanded list of burgers and sandwiches, most under $10.
I enjoyed my lunchtime plate of rotisserie beef ($11.95 lunch / $13.95 dinner) – juicy slices of slow-roasted beef, served with a choice of two sides – I opted for the green beans and cheddar hashbrowns – and took home enough for an ample lunch the next day.
Flame is one of the few non-chain restaurants that will participate in the Rotary Club of Roseville’s first annual Taste of Rosefest on Thursday, June 26, in the Muriel Sahlin Arboretum. Other participants include Ol’ Mexico, Old Chicago, Axel’s Charhouse, Baker’s Square, Schroeder’s Bar & Grill, the Outback Steakhouse and a bunch more. For a complete list and other details, visit http://www.taste-of-rosefest.com/, or call 651-204-9209.
Flame stands out from the crowd, but not far enough.
By RICK NELSON, Star Tribune
Last update: August 20, 2008 - 1:51 PM
Last update: August 20, 2008 - 1:51 PM
There's a showstopping moment in the musical "Gypsy" when the young naif who is about to become Gypsy Rose Lee receives a valuable piece of advice. It's an insider's tip concerning the secret for achieving success in the -- ahem -- career that she will soon embark upon: "You gotta get a gimmick" belts her stripper mentor, "if you wanna get ahead."
That song was constantly floating through my mind when I dined at Flame, the gimmicky restaurant that landed at Rosedale a few months ago. It's not a criticism. I mean, when you're wedged in between a Romano's Macaroni Grill and a Chipotle -- and a neighbor to California Pizza Kitchen, Potbelly and Granite City -- you've got to do something to stand out, right?
Still, I'm trying to imagine the marketing brainstorms that led to the ring of flickering torches that encircle a kitchen hood, or the flame jets that dramatically flare off a grill. "I'm glad I'm not susceptible to seizures," said a friend of mine, a former nurse. "Because those things would send me straight to the ER."
Or the over-the-top sparkler that's speared into a piece of cheesecake; seriously, in terms of firepower it very nearly rivals the opening ceremonies at the Summer Olympics. Or the cocktails that percolate like so much straight-from-the-volcano magma. Or the minor blaze over the front door, beaconing diners from the vast parking lot like a Stone Age neon sign. Or the singed-edge menu, made to appear as if it got a little too close to the candle.
There is obvious value
Yeah, the contrivances are a little silly. Not that Hemisphere Restaurant Partners, the company behind Mission American Kitchen, Via Cafe & Bar and Atlas Grill, isn't a shrewd operator. They clearly studied their corporate competition to glean what works, while doing their best to discard what doesn't. There's obvious value here: Portions are generous, and, with few exceptions, prices don't venture above the mid-teens. The roomy setting is unusually handsome. The kitchen's pace seems dead set on getting diners in and out fast, a nod to the nearby cineplex. Maybe too fast, because on half my visits, we had barely sampled our appetizers when our entrees arrived.
If the playing field is its big-box brethren, then yeah, Flame gets it right on many counts. The menu is more tightly focused than, say, Ruby Tuesday or TGI Friday's (no sandwiches or pizzas, for example). The simple food doesn't strain to stand out, yet it often steps above what passes for lunch or dinner across the mall.
I loved the salads, particularly the thick, crisp wedge of iceberg garnished with sweet cherry tomatoes and a robust Thousand Island dressing, as well as a well-composed Caesar, its croutons excellent, its dressing not afraid to lay on the anchovy. Best was a generous toss of field greens blended with sweet roasted corn and juicy chunks of pulled chicken, all splashed in a spirited lime vinaigrette.
A big helping of that rotisserie chicken is also the cornerstone for a value-packed dinner plate (just add a few perfunctory side dishes) and a decent quesadilla topped with fresh guacamole. Chicken chunks, skewered and nicely browned, are paired with creamy rice, another likeable idea. A decent fajita, which produced a head of steam that rivals anything coming out of Old Faithful, was packed with lime- and cilantro-marinated chicken. A hearty bowl of pappardelle was finished with more of that chicken and lots of woodsy crimini mushrooms.
Flavorless tomatoes during tomato season?
A second pasta, blanketed with bacon and basil, would have been better if the restaurant avoided the trap of using cottony, flavorless blobs that Americans have distressingly come to accept as tomatoes, a slight magnified because it took place during our brief tomato season.
With the exception of a burger -- a juicy half-pound monster -- I can't say that I was bowled over by the beef selections. A dry, stringy pot roast needed some serious TLC; ditto the accompanying selection of root vegetables, which all tasted the same. A strip, a rib-eye and a sirloin had interchangeable tastes and textures; that's not good. Thin, pink slices of rare slow-roasted beef veered from impossibly tough to meltingly tender, sometimes on the same plate.
It's not just the beef where I have a beef. The same two or three sauces seem to blanket too many dishes. For all the talk of flames, there isn't much obvious smoky flavor insinuating its way into anything. All I tasted in the gigantic beer-battered onion rings was oil. Mini-burgers were grilled into oblivion. The less said about a mushy, colorless seviche, the better. Had I not been told that I was eating lamb, I never would have guessed it. Oh, and the kitchen needs to adjust its salt-o-meter down. Waaaay down.
It's the old quantity-over-quality argument that routinely drags these shopping mall bruisers down to a lowest-common denominator. Case in point: Flame's requisite flaming dessert, a platter of do-it-yourself s'mores -- amusing, right? -- starts with a stinky and somewhat unruly hunk of blue-flamed Sterno and proceeds to sprint downhill from there. Call me funny, but for $6 I don't think it's unreasonable to expect more than Jet-Puffeds, Honey Maids and what tastes suspiciously like Hershey's chocolate syrup. Come on, if my two left thumbs can make a marshmallow, a professional kitchen surely can.
Flame has got a lot going for it, but when it acts like a heat-and-serve corporate food factory, it loses the best gimmick in its arsenal: that it's a free-spirited, locally owned indie sailing in a sea of by-the-book chains.
That song was constantly floating through my mind when I dined at Flame, the gimmicky restaurant that landed at Rosedale a few months ago. It's not a criticism. I mean, when you're wedged in between a Romano's Macaroni Grill and a Chipotle -- and a neighbor to California Pizza Kitchen, Potbelly and Granite City -- you've got to do something to stand out, right?
Still, I'm trying to imagine the marketing brainstorms that led to the ring of flickering torches that encircle a kitchen hood, or the flame jets that dramatically flare off a grill. "I'm glad I'm not susceptible to seizures," said a friend of mine, a former nurse. "Because those things would send me straight to the ER."
Or the over-the-top sparkler that's speared into a piece of cheesecake; seriously, in terms of firepower it very nearly rivals the opening ceremonies at the Summer Olympics. Or the cocktails that percolate like so much straight-from-the-volcano magma. Or the minor blaze over the front door, beaconing diners from the vast parking lot like a Stone Age neon sign. Or the singed-edge menu, made to appear as if it got a little too close to the candle.
There is obvious value
Yeah, the contrivances are a little silly. Not that Hemisphere Restaurant Partners, the company behind Mission American Kitchen, Via Cafe & Bar and Atlas Grill, isn't a shrewd operator. They clearly studied their corporate competition to glean what works, while doing their best to discard what doesn't. There's obvious value here: Portions are generous, and, with few exceptions, prices don't venture above the mid-teens. The roomy setting is unusually handsome. The kitchen's pace seems dead set on getting diners in and out fast, a nod to the nearby cineplex. Maybe too fast, because on half my visits, we had barely sampled our appetizers when our entrees arrived.If the playing field is its big-box brethren, then yeah, Flame gets it right on many counts. The menu is more tightly focused than, say, Ruby Tuesday or TGI Friday's (no sandwiches or pizzas, for example). The simple food doesn't strain to stand out, yet it often steps above what passes for lunch or dinner across the mall.
I loved the salads, particularly the thick, crisp wedge of iceberg garnished with sweet cherry tomatoes and a robust Thousand Island dressing, as well as a well-composed Caesar, its croutons excellent, its dressing not afraid to lay on the anchovy. Best was a generous toss of field greens blended with sweet roasted corn and juicy chunks of pulled chicken, all splashed in a spirited lime vinaigrette.
A big helping of that rotisserie chicken is also the cornerstone for a value-packed dinner plate (just add a few perfunctory side dishes) and a decent quesadilla topped with fresh guacamole. Chicken chunks, skewered and nicely browned, are paired with creamy rice, another likeable idea. A decent fajita, which produced a head of steam that rivals anything coming out of Old Faithful, was packed with lime- and cilantro-marinated chicken. A hearty bowl of pappardelle was finished with more of that chicken and lots of woodsy crimini mushrooms.
Flavorless tomatoes during tomato season?
A second pasta, blanketed with bacon and basil, would have been better if the restaurant avoided the trap of using cottony, flavorless blobs that Americans have distressingly come to accept as tomatoes, a slight magnified because it took place during our brief tomato season.
With the exception of a burger -- a juicy half-pound monster -- I can't say that I was bowled over by the beef selections. A dry, stringy pot roast needed some serious TLC; ditto the accompanying selection of root vegetables, which all tasted the same. A strip, a rib-eye and a sirloin had interchangeable tastes and textures; that's not good. Thin, pink slices of rare slow-roasted beef veered from impossibly tough to meltingly tender, sometimes on the same plate.
It's not just the beef where I have a beef. The same two or three sauces seem to blanket too many dishes. For all the talk of flames, there isn't much obvious smoky flavor insinuating its way into anything. All I tasted in the gigantic beer-battered onion rings was oil. Mini-burgers were grilled into oblivion. The less said about a mushy, colorless seviche, the better. Had I not been told that I was eating lamb, I never would have guessed it. Oh, and the kitchen needs to adjust its salt-o-meter down. Waaaay down.
It's the old quantity-over-quality argument that routinely drags these shopping mall bruisers down to a lowest-common denominator. Case in point: Flame's requisite flaming dessert, a platter of do-it-yourself s'mores -- amusing, right? -- starts with a stinky and somewhat unruly hunk of blue-flamed Sterno and proceeds to sprint downhill from there. Call me funny, but for $6 I don't think it's unreasonable to expect more than Jet-Puffeds, Honey Maids and what tastes suspiciously like Hershey's chocolate syrup. Come on, if my two left thumbs can make a marshmallow, a professional kitchen surely can.
Flame has got a lot going for it, but when it acts like a heat-and-serve corporate food factory, it loses the best gimmick in its arsenal: that it's a free-spirited, locally owned indie sailing in a sea of by-the-book chains.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Check this out in the skyway!
IDS skyway between IDS and Macy's. Check out this cool stuff. The exec. director at the Soap Factory assisted on this project. RK may have more details in the future.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Lunds picks new grocery store site for downtown Minneapolis
Lunds supermarket announced Tuesday it's building a store at 11th Street and Hennepin Avenue in downtown Minneapolis.
The 30,000-square-foot store will be on the main level of a mixed-use project being developed by Alatus Management.
In 2006, Lunds opened a supermarket just across the Mississippi River in northeast Minneapolis at University and Central avenues.
Lunds original plans called for opening a multi-level store on a site the company owns at 12th Street and Hennepin Avenue, which is one block west of the new location.
(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved)
The 30,000-square-foot store will be on the main level of a mixed-use project being developed by Alatus Management.
In 2006, Lunds opened a supermarket just across the Mississippi River in northeast Minneapolis at University and Central avenues.
Lunds original plans called for opening a multi-level store on a site the company owns at 12th Street and Hennepin Avenue, which is one block west of the new location.
(Copyright 2008 by KARE. All Rights Reserved)
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