An Apple Store on Grand Ave in Saint Paul? Humm... that would be a huge project for a street known for wanting to remain locally owned, slow food, low-rise, and homespun.

Of course, Pottery Barn, CVS, and Starbucks have bare-knuckled the neighborhood high street character off Grand but an Apple Store is like introducing Prada or a Porsche dealership.

Were you a just little jealous when the list came out to see Bourdain on it and you're not? Come on Andrew, you can out-muscle, out-hustle Bourdain in the morning hours while he's sleeping it off. You've got five or six unfettered morning hours jump on him.

How could Forbes possibly failed to have listed Emeril? For goodness sakes, he sold his enterprise for close to $50 mil. As for Jun Bo, it was open as recently as Sunday evening when we stopped there to pick up some take out on our way home from the airport. Probably the worst take out we've ever had locally - so indeed it might be (have been) on its last legs. Definitely well below what I have experienced there before.

I would have thought that Bobby Flay's soul was worth more than $1.5 million. that poor SOB is so clearly owned by the Food Network.

I think what Steven Brown needs is to stay in one place for a while, even if it is in the doomed Ivy Hotel.

Every time I go out for a big fancy-to-do dinner in this town and walk away thinking, "I just spent $200 for what?!?!?!?", I'm reminded of just what a value Heidi's is providing. Top flight cooking, and not an entree over $20.

Jun Bo was the best dim sum in the area, which is akin to being the tallest dwarf. any other local recs for dim sum?

Believe the Apple Store. If you go to Apple's employment page and put in a local zip, you get openings for the Grand Ave store. Thank goodness! I hate having to drive to a mall to go to an Apple Store...though I do still love First Tech.

Considering there is a Patagonia on Grand, the two of these stores combined makes a compelling argument for me to visit Grand more often.

I second the raves for Stewart and Heidi Woodman's Heidi's in South Minneapolis. I only wish there were no name on the front of the storefront as it is going to become impossible to get a table there. Unbelievably good food at an incredible price.

The problem with Emerils new show is that everytime I have watched it he comes across as being totally depressed. He seems to have very little energy or interest in what he is doing. At least compared to his younger years. If I would of made $50 mil from selling my enterprise the only place you would see me is poolside

David's right, the Apple Store at Grand Place is listed on the retail employment opportunities page of Apple's web site and it is slated to go into the same block of shops that Pottery Barn is in at Victoria & Grand. Now, how is Apple's design firm Eight, Inc. going to install the brushed aluminum facade on the storefront?

Never go to Victoria and Grand anymore since the parking is horrible.

I'm thrilled to hear that Brasa may be opening on Grand. I love the idea of more serious restaurants in the area for a more cosmopolitan sort of air. Speaking of, the folks at Solo Vino told me that a deli is opening in the former Zander's space, called Cheeky Monkey Deli. Is there any more information on this?

Carrie,

I know that Pioneer Press reported that Parasole took a look at the Zander spot a few months ago with a deli in mind. I'm not sure if this Cheekey Monkey Deli you describe is tied to that, but it sure sounds like the Parasole brand of humor.

I wish them the best of luck because the toughest thing to find on Selby and Grand Avenue are restaurants that serve sandwiches.

Andrew,

As a manager at Jun Bo, I can assure you that we are fully alive and bustling with the usual dim sum crowd. Please do stop by for some char siu bao, we'd love to have you.

Dan

Well, Danny, I have to agree with the comments about the decline in quality. As manager of Jun Bo, any response to these?

Jun Bo Serves Such a Large Assortment of food I would like to know what was declining. I work in the mornings and some nights. If there were some bad experiences i would like to know and could correct these problems. My name is Dan you can contact me danlo88(at)gmail(dot)com or call the Restaurant and talk to me. It would be greatly appreciated.

Also, to add to closing posts, Relax on Nicollet closed last week.

Rachael Ray makes more than Wolfgang Puck? That is WRONG.

Chutney Indian Grill on Central has closed.

Personally I don't know why you need a sandwich place or deli on Grand when just a hop and skip away is the best deli in the Twin Cities, Cecil's on Cleveland. I live for pastrami on their egg bread and good poppyseed hamantashen for dessert! Yummmy!

As for the Green story, there appears to be some more movement toward more credentialling and certification there but it would be nice to see a "green" meat processing plant added to the five-state area with the number of sustainable farms now in the area. I would think that may not be a bad investment.

Very disappointed in you, Andrew. For all of your shaming of other celebrity chefs and your professions of support for local food and producers, I was shocked to hear you ringing the corporate bell for Target and their not-local-but-sounds-homey-and-natural Archer Farms brand.

SuperTarget is everything that is wrong with grocery shopping and yet you endorse them in search of the mighty buck. Shame on you.

Look in the mirror before you go off on celebrity chefs and their paychecks again. It is disdain, or envy?

1. To Danny: Overall dim sum quality is off, I would say 30% if you want a number, since a year ago. Greasier, less fresh, less meat in the bow, etc.. Service is iffy, but that's almost a tradition in the dim sum environment so I won't count that as a negative.
2. Agreed on Super Target. Easily the most unpleasant shopping experience available. Pre-bagged, sorry-ass lettuce from lord know where, meat plumped with injected water (example: Hormel pork), no service, no choices. Archer Farms products are sourced strictly on price, then sold as "premium". Hooey.
Everyone's entitled to make a buck...I have nothing but disdain for Ms. Ray, but I echo Robert. Walk your talk or you'll get caught out.

Dang spellcheck. That "bow" should be BAO.

Andrew, I think it is time for you to quit writing your sporadic blog and leave this blog to other writers at the MSP magazine who are more in tune with our state and Minneapolis. Your writing has turned boring.

twa-coffee...I thought you truly meant "less meat in the bow". as in "give me less meat in the bow, more meat in the stern". as in "baby got back". that's all.

I think that all of you do not appreciate what Minneapolis truly has to offer. Good food, good restaurants, and good people. What we need in MSP is a marketing campaign that truly distinguishes the MSP as a food and overall fine living destination.

Andrew,

I read your "food & dining" blog because I am interested in your "taste" not your political opinions. Your comments on the GOP ticket were inappropriate and unprofessional. Your readers appreciate that you share your culinary expertise. Don't fail them by bastardizing your journalistic integrity.

PS Ease up on the name dropping, it makes you look desperate.