NEW York

This week I went on a work-sponsored trip to New York City where there were many New to Me opportunities! Click here for my photos.

Top 5 highlights:

1. Superheroes Fashion and Fantasy exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art - included Christian Bale's sweet Batman costume from The Dark Knight.

2. First time for me at the Whitney Museum of Art where I was very excited about the exhibition of Buckminster Fuller's innovative work - he was pushing sustainability and humanitarian design long before anyone else.

3. Viewing 5 New York photographers' interesting work at the Public Library's Eminent Domain show. Check out the subway train cars by Ethan Levitas and the Chinatown family images by Thomas Holton. I might be inspired to map out the Minneapolis borders in a study similar to the borough edges, nyc project.

4. 100% organic dinner at Gusto Grilled Organics near Union Square. Wine was delivered to our table by the liquor store down the street. Loved watching all of the street action from the outdoor patio.

5. Twins v. Yankees game at the final season in the current Yankee Stadium.  Twins lost (it is an intimidating place for the away team), but I still loved experiencing the place before they move to the fancy new ballpark across the street. 

Not New Two

I'm thinking about reducing the scale of this project. There are certain places I just love to go (especially in the summer), and I may just need to try a new thing at the old place. Last week:

Sunday: Bastille Day at Barbette was new to me. Jonna, Ed, and I enjoyed the lovely day and great people-watching.

Monday: Celebrated Tab's first architecture exam being over at Cafe Maude. I love the atmosphere here. Continued my mission to find the best macaroni & cheese in Minneapolis by trying out Maude's fancy version. Not my favorite.

Tuesday: Nothing new here. Was at St. Cloud Zoning Board trying to get approval for a facility for homeless chronic alcoholics. They voted it down for the third time in three years. A hostile place, St. Cloud.

Wednesday: Barbette again. Perfect place anytime of year, but I especially like sitting at the outdoor tables. Tried the field greens instead of my usual favorite fondue. A nice salad for a hot night.

Thursday: Hmm, think I'll skip this one.

Friday: Another Twins game, but the New to Me highlight was attending the pre-game BBQ fundraiser for People Serving People with Tab, Jeffrey, and Rich. Tab had Tony Oliva sign her shirt!

Not New

Although I am really excited about the New to Me project, I have been breaking the rules left and right. Everything i did this week was NOT New to Me. I'll get back on track soon. Summary since the last post:

Tuesday: Fish and chips at Brit's - possibly the nicest outdoor patio space in Minneapolis. Did try one of my friend Mary's samosas which was new to me and excellent.

Wednesday: Happy hour at Amore Victoria - great place to have a cheap drink at an outdoor table but the food is unbelievably horrible. Green olive pizza at Dulono's to make up for it.

Thursday: Tin Fish at Lake Calhoun. Makes you think that Minneapolis is paradise (for a few months). Kate and I absolutely love the stuffed grape leaves. Huh, just looked up the website and see that it is a chain!

Friday: Became a regular at Namaste Cafe. 

Saturday: Saw 'Sex and the City' for the second time. Funny, sad, happy-sad, I cried for a second time.

Vacation in Minneapolis

Fourth of July may be the best time of the year in Minneapolis. I love being in the city when most people are out of town. For those of us who stayed, the weather was exceptional for a holiday weekend. Had 3 days off from work and house projects and enjoyed my vacation in the city with my old friend Jen and new friend Jenn. This New to Me project is only sort of working. I'm finding that I have a lot of favorite things that I don't want to give up in favor of anything new! So here are my Top 5 favorites that may be New to You and my Top 5 New to Me things of the last few days:

New to You:

1. Artichoke dip at Pizza Luce - vies with Loring Pasta Bar for the best art dip in the city.

2. Canoeing on the St. Croix - only an hour outside of the city and you can experience Nature.

3. Mill City Farmer's Market - not as big as the FM on Lyndale but under the cool space of the Museum train shed.

4. Namaste Cafe - only my 2nd visit and already a Favorite. Go there right now!

5. Butterfinger Glacier at Liberty - reward for walking there from my house.

New to Me:

1. Birchwood key lime pie ice cream at Izzy's - worth the drive to St. Paul. Every day.

2. Friedlander photography exhibit at MIA - loved the streetscape photos, could have skipped the nature scenes.

3. Urban bean coffeeshop - good atmosphere and modern design by architect friend's architect wife.

4. 10 second film festival at the Soap Factory - interesting but outdoors and too buggy despite the tiki lamps.

5. East Hennepin location of Punch Pizza - lovely courtyard seating. Pizza makes me want to go to Sicily.