This Year's PINK
By Andrew Zimmern
So here’s a fun idea for local restaurant owners: One of my fav eateries in Portland, Maine, is selling seats, literally. Back Bay Grill is selling seats. You put down a grand (or more if you like) and get 150 percent on account, plus reservation privileges, etc. It’s going gangbusters. BBG serves superb fare in a casual bar setting with some hip touches in the dining room. Reminds me of Levain when it was good. But it is not a precious or spendy place. And the seat sale is a great idea. Restaurant gets the cash upfront, customers saves 50 cents on the dollar for the duration of their scrip splurge, and it’s fun.
Would it work here? Not sure, but if a town the size of Portland, Maine, can do it and have it work, can’t we? Well, given the fact that restaurants are less popular a cultural exercise in the Twin Cities than in many smaller cities, I doubt it. Sad.
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The Voice of Minnesota, AM950, is starting a new weekend food show called Fresh and Local in partnership with the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Hopefully it won’t be an infomercial for the MFM, and hopefully the host, Susan Berkson, will ask them why they sell pineapples and avocados. They don’t grow here. If she doesn’t, I sure will in July when I tour the market with her and go on air. Hey, MFM, get rid of all the stuff that’s not local, fresh, and best!
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Volun-tourism is this year’s PINK. Everyone I know is taking some time, traveling to another state or abroad, and doing good works. I like Empowerment International in Grenada, Nicaragua. It is operating out of Barrio Esperanza, another place in the world desperate for everyone’s help. Check it out here. The organization teaches kids the importance of education and then grooms one generation of street-smart, enthusiastic youngsters to teach the next crop of kids who walk in the door.
Kathy Adams is doing amazing work down there, and you can buy pics taken by children at the center online. I visited there last week, and I am in love with the mission and philosophy.
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Now that NWA is really a part of Delta (finally), I get to travel through Atlanta a lot on my way to far-flung, exotic places. So I always bookend my trips with the best chicken sandwich in the world, the Chik-fil-A classic. Not even close, it’s the best, and it’s in several of the airport concourses at Hartsfield. Don’t skip the Polynesian sauce.
Would it work here? Not sure, but if a town the size of Portland, Maine, can do it and have it work, can’t we? Well, given the fact that restaurants are less popular a cultural exercise in the Twin Cities than in many smaller cities, I doubt it. Sad.
****
The Voice of Minnesota, AM950, is starting a new weekend food show called Fresh and Local in partnership with the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Hopefully it won’t be an infomercial for the MFM, and hopefully the host, Susan Berkson, will ask them why they sell pineapples and avocados. They don’t grow here. If she doesn’t, I sure will in July when I tour the market with her and go on air. Hey, MFM, get rid of all the stuff that’s not local, fresh, and best!
****
Volun-tourism is this year’s PINK. Everyone I know is taking some time, traveling to another state or abroad, and doing good works. I like Empowerment International in Grenada, Nicaragua. It is operating out of Barrio Esperanza, another place in the world desperate for everyone’s help. Check it out here. The organization teaches kids the importance of education and then grooms one generation of street-smart, enthusiastic youngsters to teach the next crop of kids who walk in the door.
Kathy Adams is doing amazing work down there, and you can buy pics taken by children at the center online. I visited there last week, and I am in love with the mission and philosophy.
****
Now that NWA is really a part of Delta (finally), I get to travel through Atlanta a lot on my way to far-flung, exotic places. So I always bookend my trips with the best chicken sandwich in the world, the Chik-fil-A classic. Not even close, it’s the best, and it’s in several of the airport concourses at Hartsfield. Don’t skip the Polynesian sauce.
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why dont you ask jp's how he got his financing when he was starting. This idea isnt new at all...
Posted by: moroco topo on March 7, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Thank you moroco! So true.
Posted by: andrew on March 7, 2009 at 9:26 PM
Not for raising capital, no, and JP's wasnt first or last either. The idea i am talking about is for raising dough to see people through the cold winter slow season with a tough economy piled on top
Posted by: AZ on March 8, 2009 at 7:09 PM
I haven't been on campus for a while, so I can't say for certain this is still true. There has been a Chik-Fil-A franchise in Coffman Union for a while now. The Chik-Fil-A website says it is still there, and one in Mankato's student union as well.
Posted by: Paul Maki on March 10, 2009 at 6:04 AM
The Chick-Fil-A in Coffman sucks. Nothing at all like the actual restaurants.
That said, I just don't get the hype about places like Chick-Fil-A and In-N-Out. Yawn.
Posted by: MSPD on March 10, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Good fresh and local question, Andrew. Here's the scoop: Minneapolis locals now hail (and eat) from all over the globe, including places where pineapples and avocados are available year-round. Minneapolis Farmers Market growers actually respond to requests from Minneapolis' diverse communities and grow what locals request. That's why you now find lemongrass, cilantro, zaub paj, etc. Alas, pineapples and avocados won't grow here. But the community wants them so the MFM provides them. If folks can't get that one veggie at the MFM, off they go to a grocery store and get nothing fresh and local. Keep those Fresh and Local Questions coming. See you in July!
Posted by: Susan Berkson on March 16, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Andrew-Just wanted to update you on Fresh and Local Show progress. Been booking local chefs including Chef Vincent, Lucia Watson, Mike Phillips, and Tammy Wong. And we've added Bonnie Dehn's pal Bobby Jensen to the regular crew so we can cover growing as well as cooking and eating. See you in July!
Posted by: Susan Berkson on April 16, 2009 at 12:34 PM