Sunday, March 23, 2014

Minneapolis

Heading to Minneapolis in March was not my choice...  after all, it's FREEZING up there!  But knowing that a chance work trip would result in seeing my North Dakota relatives, I was happy to venture up there on St. Patrick's Day.  I stayed at the W Minneapolis - The Foshay, a posh and modern hotel with an abnormally dark lobby, but I guess it's all about the ambiance!  The room was great, with a fancy little pink bar and big windows.  The bathroom was beautiful too.

We decided to stick to the hotel area to eat, so we ate at the Keys Cafe, a local chain of cafe/bakeries that serve breakfast all day!  I had eggs and turkey sausage, with some sourdough and their delicious homemade strawberry jam.  Then they told us about their dessert case, and I had to have some warm apple pie a la mode.  I suppose I should have looked at the portion size, because it was HUGE.  All the desserts and portions were big, and the prices very reasonable.  It felt like a diner, but with a fantastic bakery to boot.
Keys Foshay on Urbanspoon


We then headed up to the bar at the top of the W, Prohibition, which as windows that provide a 360-degree view of the skyline around the building.  It was beautiful!  There were lounge areas all over, definitely a neat space to mingle.  It really picked up as it got later, with a pretty hip crowd stopping by for $15 cocktails.  I had An Epiphany, with Grey Goose La Poire vodka, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, sparkling wine, and an orchid garnish.  An ORCHID.  Okay, so that's why the cocktail costs $15.  Delicious, refreshing, and yum.  Definitely on par with the pricey drinks in Nashville at places like Patterson House.
Prohibition on Urbanspoon

One thing about Minneapolis that really impressed me was the Skyway system.  While I was surprised by the number of homeless people wandering the Skyway (then again, it is COLD outside) I was more pleasantly happy to find that I didn't have to carry my heavy coat everywhere.  I could walk blocks and blocks without every going outside, navigating the maze.  There are also coffee shops and quick service restaurants all throughout, which is great for a caffeine fix.  I also really liked the big City Target store!

Also, I felt super cool for using Uber for the first time!  It's one of those use-your-phone-to-call-a-towncar apps that shows you what cars are near you, pays the fare/tip via your phone (Paypal, credit card, etc.), and you know what your wait time is.  I really like that you can drop a pin on a map and they come to you, vs. hailing a cab in an unfamiliar city on your own.  I also think it's great that you get a photo of your driver for safety.
This is the only business trip I've ever made to Minneapolis, and I honestly hope it's not the last.  I hear it's a great place to visit in summer, and the foodie scene is booming.  It seems to be a pretty young and hip city, and I like it!
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2 comments:

  1. Glad you enjoyed the land of 10,000 (frozen over) lakes! Next time you're up in these parts, swing up to North Dakota! I'm always up for a blate! :)

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  2. My relatives were saying the same thing! My family lives in Mandan area so I'd probably fly into Bismarck if I ever make it up there... but I don't think that's super far from you, in North Dakota terms! I also have a friend in Grand Forks.

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