Eva was scheduled to have a Pilates conference in Edina the 4th weekend in April and this coincided with her trip back to Hungary so I decided to tag along and visit with family at the same time. Unfortunately the conference was cancelled a week before we were to go but all was not lost because it allowed us to spend some quality time catching up with the family.
Eva had not been back to Minnesota for a visit for a few years and eventhough I was back in the fall it was good to get back up there as a couple. We stayed with my aunt and uncle in Bloomington (thanks Liz and Bob for the hospitality) and arrived late on Thursday because both of us had to work in the morning before our departure. We were a little late getting into town because we had to be rebooked on another flight due to a tight connection in Denver. It was the first few days of the Air Traffic Control furlough and things were starting to affect the NAS (national airspace system). When we landed it was cold as heck outside! A few days before our arrival there were snow storms and needless to say a few days after we left another snow storm came through and dumped another 15 or so inches of snow on the ground. Good timing on our part all the way around!
Friday Eva and I headed to 50th and France an eclectic little area in Edina so we could grab some lunch and Eva could go by the Athleta store and exchange some clothes. Liz coordinated for a few people to come over to her place that evening so we could catch up and visit over snacks and drinks. Saturday morning we went to a competitive high school girls hockey try out in Plymouth. I have never seen a hockey game in real life but these girls were good! My cousin had made the first couple of cuts and was trying out for a competitve travel team. There were college scouts from all over the great lakes region watching and taking notes. It was a neat thing to see and it was great to catch up with my cousins at the same time. We headed over to another one of my aunt's houses for a mid afternoon get together and to soak up some of the heat and sunshine. The temps actually touched the 80's during our trip and I saw pictures from a few days before where there was snow everywhere! Thanks again Mary and Dennis for the hospitality and good luck on the remodel.
Saturday evening we headed downtown to meet up with Jade and her boyfriend at the Foshay W hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The vibe was so cosmopolitan and the atmosphere was amazing! They have a large bar area downstairs but there is another bar on the 27th floor so if you ever visit be sure to check out both. It's a great place to people watch and they had a female DJ from the Check Republic spinning tunes late into the evening. However one of the coolest things about the evening happened over dinner before going to the W.
With the help of YELP we found an awesome restaurant to eat at and if you're ever in MSP I highly recommend it! Go to the FireLake Grill House and Bar website at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at 31 South 7th Street. We had one of the best meals I have eaten in a long long time. We sat at the bar and talked with the bartender and he made a couple food suggestions for us. We were not starving and usually share a a few things and the menu was full of food we don't get in SoCal. We opted for the Walleye Cakes, Quail Legs and Lamb Fritters...each and every one of those things was amazing! I was so blown away by the flavors, presentation and best of all the prices. We paid $45 for all three and felt as though it could have been priced much higher. The executive chef James Kyndberg even came out to say hello and visit for a few minutes. The experience was incredible! If you get the chance check the place out when you're on your next visit to MSP. Both the W and the Firelake Grill were right up our alley and I don't think you would be disappointed either...
Eva flew out on Sunday evening and headed to Hungary for two week trip to visit family. I met up with Jade and Grant on Monday morning for a late breakfast headed to the airport. My luck did not change much on the way home due to maintenance issues with the plane. I ended up getting home about 4 hours later than planned and through PHX again instead of Denver as originally booked. Overall is was a great trip and even though Eva's conference was cancelled we were able to spend some good times with family and a little evening out on the town enjoying life. I always say it does not matter where you are make the most of your time...and I like to think that's exactly what we do....thanks again to everyone for everything!
Eva had not been back to Minnesota for a visit for a few years and eventhough I was back in the fall it was good to get back up there as a couple. We stayed with my aunt and uncle in Bloomington (thanks Liz and Bob for the hospitality) and arrived late on Thursday because both of us had to work in the morning before our departure. We were a little late getting into town because we had to be rebooked on another flight due to a tight connection in Denver. It was the first few days of the Air Traffic Control furlough and things were starting to affect the NAS (national airspace system). When we landed it was cold as heck outside! A few days before our arrival there were snow storms and needless to say a few days after we left another snow storm came through and dumped another 15 or so inches of snow on the ground. Good timing on our part all the way around!
Friday Eva and I headed to 50th and France an eclectic little area in Edina so we could grab some lunch and Eva could go by the Athleta store and exchange some clothes. Liz coordinated for a few people to come over to her place that evening so we could catch up and visit over snacks and drinks. Saturday morning we went to a competitive high school girls hockey try out in Plymouth. I have never seen a hockey game in real life but these girls were good! My cousin had made the first couple of cuts and was trying out for a competitve travel team. There were college scouts from all over the great lakes region watching and taking notes. It was a neat thing to see and it was great to catch up with my cousins at the same time. We headed over to another one of my aunt's houses for a mid afternoon get together and to soak up some of the heat and sunshine. The temps actually touched the 80's during our trip and I saw pictures from a few days before where there was snow everywhere! Thanks again Mary and Dennis for the hospitality and good luck on the remodel.
Saturday evening we headed downtown to meet up with Jade and her boyfriend at the Foshay W hotel in downtown Minneapolis. The vibe was so cosmopolitan and the atmosphere was amazing! They have a large bar area downstairs but there is another bar on the 27th floor so if you ever visit be sure to check out both. It's a great place to people watch and they had a female DJ from the Check Republic spinning tunes late into the evening. However one of the coolest things about the evening happened over dinner before going to the W.
 |
| View from 27th Floor of Foshay |
With the help of YELP we found an awesome restaurant to eat at and if you're ever in MSP I highly recommend it! Go to the FireLake Grill House and Bar website at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at 31 South 7th Street. We had one of the best meals I have eaten in a long long time. We sat at the bar and talked with the bartender and he made a couple food suggestions for us. We were not starving and usually share a a few things and the menu was full of food we don't get in SoCal. We opted for the Walleye Cakes, Quail Legs and Lamb Fritters...each and every one of those things was amazing! I was so blown away by the flavors, presentation and best of all the prices. We paid $45 for all three and felt as though it could have been priced much higher. The executive chef James Kyndberg even came out to say hello and visit for a few minutes. The experience was incredible! If you get the chance check the place out when you're on your next visit to MSP. Both the W and the Firelake Grill were right up our alley and I don't think you would be disappointed either...
Eva flew out on Sunday evening and headed to Hungary for two week trip to visit family. I met up with Jade and Grant on Monday morning for a late breakfast headed to the airport. My luck did not change much on the way home due to maintenance issues with the plane. I ended up getting home about 4 hours later than planned and through PHX again instead of Denver as originally booked. Overall is was a great trip and even though Eva's conference was cancelled we were able to spend some good times with family and a little evening out on the town enjoying life. I always say it does not matter where you are make the most of your time...and I like to think that's exactly what we do....thanks again to everyone for everything!
Comments