This is What I’ve Learned

Today I did a little, what I like to call “a walk around”. It’s where I walk around town and just see what is going on, meet with some of our current partners, chat with potential partners and cool businesses.  Today was a very busy day and I learned a lot.  This is what I learned.  I’d heard that Cafe Maude was opening up next to Joe’s Garage and Bar Lurcat in Loring Park.  I learned that their awning is up making the appearance of being open, however they are not open, not quite yet.  They are looking at another couple of weeks.  So I strolled up around Joe’s Garage and caught sight of a bike shop called Alley Cat. I spoke with Roger one of the owners and I learned that they build and repair bikes.  They can help you reconstruct a bike that you used to own, but has seen better days, and at a much better price that most.  I’ll admit I don’t speak bicycle talk so some of it was a little confusing, considering my bicycle speak involves something along the lines of, “Help!!! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” But, if you think you might know what Roger from Alley Cat is talking about you should visit him, because I have a feeling he really knows his ‘cycle speak.  Roger was also so kind as to inform me that they are having a big party tonight in the Loring Park alleyway with a new Snowboard shop opening up in town on the alley.  I don’t know if you have heard of this but there is a Bill Murry Crash My Party Facebook Frenzy going around.  Apparently you are supposed to throw a big party and invite Bill Murry to the party and he might crash it.  Rumor has it that you have to have a big banner hanging in front so he knows where to find you and Karaoke must be on hand.  I’ve also heard that it is a total hoax and that if you call the Facebook listed number you end up calling some church in Omaha, or something like that.  But who really cares, it sounds like a great reason to throw a party, and I suspect these guys have a pretty fun sense of humor which makes me want to promote them even more!  When I find out who the snowboarding company is I will be sure to let you know!

Roger also informed me that I should swing further down the alley and check out the photography studio called Rat Race.  So I did. I learned Rat Race Studios is an industrial/commercial photography studio. They photograph everything from food, to Harley Davidson to medical/ technological devices the size of a grain of pepper.  A grain of pepper??? That what they tell me which I assume must be quite a photo-graphical feat.  So for those of you in charge of marketing for your company these guys might be worth checking out!

Just down from Rat Race is the Four Season’s Dance Studios.  You may recognize the name from the fliers in the elevators. I poked my head in, but didn’t get to talk to anybody because a  private lesson was in session.  I did get a quick peek at the space and I must say it would be a fantastic place to learn how to dance!  If anybody has any interest in dance lessons here let me know, we work with them and get a great  discount.  As I passed through the alley way to pop me back out at Cafe Maude I noticed the sparkle from Citylights and that lured me into a little offshoot alley that I didn’t even know existed, which lead me to the back patio space at Cafe Lurcat and it is CUTE!  Did you know that you can rent that patio out for private parties.  I say do it and pretend that you are in Europe! Wow I’ve already learned so much and that was just the beginning!

I decided that I needed to visit my friends at Bullfrog.  I learned that you guys are actually using those 10% discount cards that they gave to all Park Terrace and Oak Grove Towers residents!  Good for you!  I also learned that they now have Trivia Tuesdays hosted the peeps over at Geeks Who Drink.  I also learned that the Bullfrog just got a live music license so they are going to start having live music.  Be sure to check out Anna’s Weekly Picks now and again. I promise I’ll will be keeping my eye out for some great gigs at our bff’s the Bullfrog.  I also stopped into to the Butcher and the Boar, and though they are not our bff’s yet I’d like to think that someday I will wear them down with kindness and they will host us a happy hour someday.  So anybody who’s got connections be sure to let them know I’m on a mission.  I also learned that Butcher and the Boar is currently hiring and if you have serving or cooking experience you should apply…and then come tell me so you can help me make them our bff’s, happy hour buddies…who’s up for the task! DO IT!

Next down to our ever faithful Michelle at Buca, who I was hoping to see over at our Neighborhood night out party.  She couldn’t make it to the party but she sent cookies!  Have you had Buca chocolate chip cookies??? They are freaky good a pound of butter in each one and chock loaded with chips.  If you haven’t had one you’ll have to be sure to seek one out.  And one of the best ways to do so is to participate in our up coming Annual Food Drive (date TBD, but it’s usually in October).  Buca has agreed to sponsor it again this year!  Last year they provided us with some awesome penne pasta and chocolate chip cookies.  It’s a great deal, drop food items off for someone who needs them and you get free food from someone who is willing to help, Buca.  Everybody wins!  Keep your eyes peeled for more info on this not to distant event.

Last but not least I stopped my buddy Alain Lenne, owner of La Belle Crepe on Nicollet and now of the Harriet Brasserie.  I really did not expect him to be there as I assumed he must be super busy with his new restaurant in Lindin Hills, (click here to see the review).  But, somehow I struck luck and he was there along with the Chef, Fernando Silva and Pastry Chef, Silva’s wife and their child all sitting around slurping up some Pho.  Which Mr. Lenne informed me that they are now selling at La Belle Crepe.  That might have really surprised me had I not just read the review for the Harriet Brasserie which sounds to have an extremely eclectic menu. Which after hearing that Chef Silva is Brazilian, Alain is French and Ms. Silva had an accent that sounded french but seemed of Asian decent, no doubt this is and eclectic crowd.  And given that Pho is Vietnamese and Vietnam was once colonized by the French, some how the pieces just all seem to fit together.  And they really did.  Alain gave me a taste of the broth and let me tell you Le Belle Crepe is giving Quang (my fave pho spot) a run for it’s money in the Pho department.

After a fun little catch up with the crew from Harriet Brasserie I’m starving, for I have been walking and meeting with people for three hours. I am way over due to get back to the office or would have stayed for a bit of Pho. They do make it to-go but I was on foot and sort of wanted to try out another food truck before I headed back.  I was a little bit disappointed by my selection.  Apparently most food trucks pack up by two, but the one that I had wanted Taqueria la Hacienda was still parked on Nicollet.  I was in the mood for the tacos al pastore.  That is normally a pork taco roasted on a spit like gyro meat, pink in color and crazy good with flavor.  In Mexico they normally add a lil’ slice of pineapple along with the traditional onion and cilantro, but I didn’t get one and I have to say I was VERY disappointed.  The pineapple is the best part, the sweet paired with the special pink pork is what keeps me coming back.  Boo.  Maybe they just forgot it, or maybe they didn’t think I’d notice, but I did and was sad to not have it.  The salsa was mediocre as well.  So I guess the point is, is if I’m walking down Marquette at 2:00pm and the only food trucks that are left are the Taqueria la Hacienda and the Hola Arepa truck. I will exclaim Holy AREPA (reference a previous blog) and go running towards that beautiful azul truck and skip the “meh” tacos al pastor at Hacienda.

Everybody Looks Cool on a Segway

….or should I say Human on a Stick.  Last night’s, Park Terrace and Oak Grove Towers, Happy Hour event at Bar Lurcat was an absolute blast.  Bar Lurcat hosted the event with their awesome sliders (mini burgers) and cheddar bites for food, excellent happy hour drink specials and an entire patio space all to ourselves. I don’t think it was intended solely for our group, but considering the weather conditions (HOT and sticky) and the main attraction happening right out the patio gate, we just sort of took over!

Our friends over at Mobile Entertainment brought the fun, with a fleet of eight or so Segways (aka personal transporters)  instructor/tour guides. Residents were encouraged to grab a slider, sign a waiver, slip on a very fashionable helmet and take a ride around Loring Park on their new most favorite mode of transportation, the Segway.  Everybody was given a little driving instruction in the parking space in front of Bar Lurcat, adding to the other diners entertainment no doubt.  I think everyone pretty much got the hang of it and by the end of the ride many felt comfortable enough to even give a two thumbs up to the affair.

On a personal note I am absolutely thrilled at the turn out for our Happy Hour events.  They just seem to grow and grow!  We had record numbers for this event. I can only assume it is due to the fact that Bar Lurcat is right across the pond from our buildings and that Segways were on the menu! Whatever the reason, we are building a real sense of community, and promoting our local businesses and that makes me real happy.  Some OGT’ers even told me that after meeting a bunch of cool people at one of the events, they started a wine club and meet every Wednesday night.  I think that is rad! Please let me know if you have any suggestions for events and I will see what I can do! Email me loringpark.concierge@sentinelapts.com, or just comment here.