2011 Mill City Flashback - The Zen Box Izakaya Experience

Zen Box Izakaya(602 Washington Avenue South) is now open, and it was so worth the wait!  From the moment you walk in and are greeted with a cheer of “Irrasaimase!” (“Welcome!”), until you leave to chants of “Arigato gozaimashita” (“Thank you very much for coming!") - it's a wonderful experience.

Many people know owners John and Lina Goh (below) from their popular lunch-only skyway location.   Per Lina, "We are very blessed with a group of loyal fans whom embraced us from the beginning when we came from San Francisco to open Zen Box Japanese Eatery in the skyway. They are one of the reasons why we opened the second location, so that they can also share their love for good food with their friends and family."

She added, "We simply love to eat, and love to share with others our passion for Japanese comfort food. We believe that Food brings people together and good food comes from the heart."

We started off with Japanese beers exclusive to Zen Box - Asahi and Hitachino Ginger.  Zen Box has created their own version of pub nibbles, Buckwheat Soba Sticks, lightly fried for a crispy texture and seasoned with sea salt.

Our server, Heidi, recommended four items for our first visit, starting with the Crab Croquettes with Spicy Mayo ("Big Brother" Kani Korokke on the menu) and Tuna Poke', a melt-in-your-mouth marinated raw tuna with Poke' dressing.   Both were absolutely delish.

Next, the Zen Box Short Ribs.  The flavor reminded me of a steak grilled to perfection - mmmmm.

Finally, the Chicken Kara-Age (Crispy Chicken) with Kamikaze Sauce.  Words can't describe the incredible delicate crunch - I don't recall having anything like it.  Again, the accompanying sauce was delicious.

In addition to creating a relaxing atmosphere and wonderful food, John and Lina have assembled a staff who share their passion.   Beyond the lively greeting at the door (which immediately sets a "feel good" tone), the servers are attentive, helpful and genuinely excited to discuss the menu and make suggestions. 

So now the dilemma we're faced with is what to have on our next visit.  While there are many tasty items on the menu, we'll be tempted to order the same four dishes again - they were just soooo good.

Per Lina, most of the lunch and dinner menu items are available for take-out, with the exception of the Ramen dishes.  They are currently working on a take-out menu.

You can reach Zen Box at 612-332-3936, and follow them on Facebook.  Check their website for the lunch and dinner menus.

2011 Mill City Flashback - "Spider" John Koerner & Tony Glover at Mill City Live [Video]

A slight breeze, not too hot, blue sky overhead, seated in the historic Washburn A Mill ruins - what a perfect night to watch two Minnesota Folk Music legends perform.  Oh, and it was the first day back in business for the Mill City Museum after the State shutdown to boot.

Spider John and Tony Glover treated us to a 24 song concert of "'1960's bar style" folk music.  The acoustics were surprisingly good for an outdoor setting, excellent in fact.  Technically, the production team pulled off the show without a glitch.  Here's one of many videos we'll be posting over the coming weeks:

2011 Mill City Flashback - Cub FOODS Distributes 2,000 Thanksgiving Meals for People Serving People families as Part of Unity in Community Campaign

The holidays are a time when families look to celebrate the joy of the season with a traditional turkey meal that includes all of the trimmings.  But for those living on the fringes of homelessness and hunger, it’s difficult to envision securing even the simplest of meals.

This Thanksgiving season, thanks to Cub FOODS, 2,000 free turkey meals will be distributed to formerly homeless families and clients of People Serving People (PSP), Simpson Housing Services, Project Pride for Living and St. Stephen’s Human Services at a special distribution event.

During a November 21 event at People Serving People, 150 families, many of whom used to stay at PSP, were invited to recieve frozen turkeys and dinner ingredients.  Hundreds more families who did not attend the event will receive gift certificates.

“Homeless families have a long journey to stability.  Through the “Unity in Community” effort, Cub is helping PSP and our partner organizations give these families hope for tomorrow and a good start on the road to recovery.  Indeed, Thanksgiving is the one day where everyone deserves a place at the table,” emphasized Daniel Gumnit, CEO, People Serving People.

Special Guests Included:                 
- Mr. Sherman Patterson, Policy Aide for Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak
- Cathy Ten Broeke, Coordinator, End Homelessness, Minneapolis/Hennepin County
- Mary Tingerthal, Commissioner, Minnesota Housing Finance Agency

MinnPost posted a story yesterday on one of the families attending this event.  It's a great example of the difference PSP and events like Unity in Community make.

2011 Mill City Flashback - Oktoberfest at Mill City Farmers Market

Oktoberfest was celebrated at the Market and Museum on September 24. The Elk River German Band entertained people on Chicago Mall, and The Bavarian Musikmeisters provided music in the Ruins courtyard.

 

2011 Mill City Flashback - Breakfast at the Newly Opened Crooked Pint Ale House

The Crooked Pint Ale House, 501 Washington Avenue South, opened at 7am Saturday, September 10.   We dropped in for breakfast before heading off to the Mill City Farmers Market.  

I opted for the caramel apple walnut french toast (above), which had a nice apple/sauce/walnut ratio.

They did a beautiful job renovating the former 501 Club space.  Removing the wall between the two levels really opened it up, and the new stage area is a huge improvement - both in size and location.

We spoke with Manager Matt Saffert, who filled us in on some of the upcoming and ongoing events and activities. Check out the schedule online.

Welcome to the neighborhood, Crooked Pint Ale House, and thank you for bringing us early morning weekend breakfast option!

2011 Mill City Flashback - Canines Celebrate 2011 Pride Parade

Hundreds of 4-legged supporters turned out for the 2011 Pride Parade:

2011 Mill City Flashback - The Lego Guthrie Theater

This was displayed at the Stone Arch Arts Festival last weekend.

2011 Mill City Flashback - Lorenzo's Ovens at Mill City Farmers Market [Video]

Lorenzo Terregrossa of Lorenzo’s Ovens fired up one of his outdoor brick ovens to make authentic Italian pizzas at the July 30 Mill City Farmers Market.

In addition to custom pizza ovens, outdoor kitchens and portable ovens, Lorenzo also caters.  Talk about a pizza party to wow your family and friends!  You can reach Lorenzo at 651-890-6991, or email lorenzosovens@msn.com.

2011 Mill City Flashback - Washburn "A" Mill Tour - Sights and Sounds of the Mill City Museum

Photo shoot from a recent guided tour at the Mill City Museum.  Music by "Spider" John Koerner & Tony Glover from a 2011 performance at Mill City Live.

Description from Mill City Museum:

Take an in-depth look at the historic Washburn A Mill complex and the award-winning Mill City Museum building on a guided tour of the building. A museum interpreter will take visitors into the building’s many nooks and crannies, highlighting the lives of the men and women who worked there, how the building functioned during its peak flour milling years, and the many changes to the building over time. Also covered will be how the mill ruin was converted to a museum and office building.

Although many parts of the A mill can be explored on a self-guided basis during a regular museum visit, this is the only opportunity for a guided tour through the entire museum building, and the only chance to see some of its non-public spaces. The tour includes admission to the museum gallery as well as the Flour Tower show.

2011 Mill City Flashback - Aquatennial Festivities & Fireworks

One of the highlights of the festivities was a group of bucket drummers who could really pound it out.  They played to a big crowd all night.

The rain threatened, then arrived, but it was a warm rain at least.  We shot video from different vantage points as we sought shelter from the rain under nearby trees.  The huge crowd stayed for the show.  The first video is shot using our "good" video camera and tripod, the last three handheld with our Flip HD.

Finally, a slideshow of the photos we shot (best viewed in full screen mode).

2011 Mill City Flashback - Fireworks Over the Stone Arch Bridge [Photos] [Video]

We watched the fireworks from our balcony this year.  There was a big turnout to see an awesome finale.  Notice the crowd on the Stone Arch Bridge in the first picture - the hill at Gold Medal Park is in the foreground. Video at the end of this post.

The Red, White & BOOM Fireworks over the Stone Arch Bridge in the Mill District of Minneapolis.

View the whole set of 84 photos on Flickr...

2011 Mill City Flashback - Mayor Rybak Leads August 1 Dedication of the 35W Memorial Garden

In remembrance of Sherry Engebretsen - Artemio Trinidad-Mena - Julia Blackhawk - Patrick Holmes - Peter Hausmann - Paul Eickstadt - Greg Jolstad - Scott Sathers - Christina Sacorafas - Hanah Sahal - Sadiya Sahal - Vera Peck - Richard Chit.

Driving rain ended shortly before the 5:00pm Memorial Garden ceremony dedicated to the victims and survivors of the August 1, 2007, 35W bridge collapse.

The Memorial Garden features 13 columns, which bear the names of the individuals lost to the collapse. Names of the survivors are engraved in the black wall behind the columns. Behind the wall is an observation deck for viewing the river and new 35W bridge.

Following speeches by Mayor Rybak and Governor Dayton, loved ones shared sentiments and there was a performance by Christina Baldwin, Jennifer Baldwin Peden and Bradley Greenwald.

Governor Dayton had ordered flags in Minnesota to fly in half-staff in observation of the fourth anniversary of the 35W collapse.

2011 Mill City Flashback - Joe Hatch-Surisook of Sen Yai Sen Lek at Mill City Farmer Market

Joe Hatch-Surisook of Thai restaurant Sen Yai Sen Lek, 2422 Central Avenue NE, prepared a Green Papaya Salad (substituting melon for papaya) at the September 3 Mill City Cooks demo.  It was out of this world tasty!

The recipe can be found on the Mill City Farmers Market website.   Also, here's a link to a great piece on Joe and his wife from 2010.

2011 Mill City Flashback - 600 Sluts on the Stone Arch Bridge - SlutWalk Minneapolis

A diverse crowd participated in Saturday's SlutWalk Minneapolis 2011, including barely dressed women, fully dressed women, men, parents with babies, trannies and even pets (plus a Segway tour and horse-drawn carriage inadvertently got in the mix).

The purpose of this rape-awareness event was to spread the messages of 'don't blame the victim' and 'don't rape'.   Details are available on the website, and there are news clips from Kare11 and the StarTrib with more info.

Slide show best viewed in full-screen mode

2011 Mill City Flashback - Meg Ashling and Friend at Mill City Farmers Market

 

2011 Mill City Flashback - Runners Get in the Spirit of the 2011 Mill City Suds Run

Creative runners turned out in full force for the September 10 Mill City Suds Run (formerly known as the Blubber Run).

 

Here's a slide show with a more expansive group of pictures:

2011 Mill City Flashback - First Mill City Museum Minneapolis History Pub Crawl

The Mill City Museum added a Minneapolis History Pub Crawl to the tour offerings this year. Unfortunately, the State shut down forced them to cancel two of the three scheduled tours.  We were fortunate enough to join the only tour available on Tuesday, August 30.

The trolley departed from the Museum and took us over the Stone Arch Bridge and along Washington Avenue, with a few stops and jogs along the way. Our guides, Rod and Dave, presented a wealth of history and provided each of us with a Washington Avenue Photo Guide inclusive of pictures ranging from 1860 to the mid 1960's, along with a list of references and links for further research at our leisure.

We stopped for a drink at the Milwaukee Road Depot and The Loop, allowing enough time for attendees to get to know each other and discuss the sites and info in more detail.

Hopefully they'll bring this tour back next summer - it was both fun and informative.  The Mill City Museum has a very talented and engaging staff, and we highly recommend all of the tours and special events they offer.

Mill City Commons Seeks Part Time Program Coordinator

Do you know a flexible, hard working person looking for a part time opportunity? 

Mill City Commons is in the process of hiring a part time Program Coordinator.   You'll find position details on the Ecumen website.  Note - although the website states the application deadline is December 31, the closing date is actually January 6.

2011 Mill City Flashback - Molly Maher & Her Disbelievers at Mill City Live

From Mill City Live at the Mill City Museum in the summer of 2011.

2011 Mill City Flashback - Sights and Sounds of July 16 KidsFest at MacPhail Center for Music

This past Saturday MacPhail Center for Music was alive with joyful noises as parents and their future musicians (some still in diapers) soaked up KidsFest.  This action packed 2-hour event gave little ones a chance to experience as many string, brass and percussion instruments as they could handle.  They also got to make their own instrument to take home, and enjoy a performance by the Dakota Combo.

Below are two slide shows - one silent (the Sights) and one quite loud (the Sounds), followed by a video of the Dakota Combo.  MacPhail's talented Early Childhood Music teachers provided guidance with smiles and ease. 

(best viewed in full screen mode)