So my dining companion and I were looking to get our grub on last Sunday night: It was about 10:30PM, but we figured, “Hey, this is a big city, this isn’t a problem!” Oh ho ho! While not a huge hurdle, we did run into some frustrations that led to the idea for doing this little series and future investigative work.

That night, we stopped in at a favorite of mine, Nick and Eddie, only to find that even their bar menu wraps at 9PM on Sunday evenings. Damn! We stuck our head in over at Joe’s Garage, only to get a similar story. Thankfully, my compatriot in hunger mentioned Chiang Mai Thai’s late-night happy hour so I gave them a call and confirmed that they were still serving food before we hustled down there, stomachs ready to be stuffed.

While our actual entree ended up coming to the table first, we waited a few more moments for the appetizers to come to the table before digging in.

We started things off with an order of the Fresh Springrolls with curried beef (comes with two per order, $5) as well as what turned out to be a ton of their Burning Wings of Fire (big plate of 12 tasty wings, $9). Certainly, both were devoured quickly. *Note that app prices do not reflect the great happy hour that runs 10PM to 12AM Sunday through Thursday.

Considering that we ordered two big appetizers, we decided to just split an entree: Garlic Pepper Stir Fry (with chicken, $13), served over white rice. Very, very peppery and really hit the spot for my craving of spicy food. The chicken was moist and tender, the veggies seemed pretty fresh and not overcooked (I hate limp broccoli).

To drink, I went for the “Urban Monk” (Stoli Blueberi Vodka with lime, orange and mango juice, $7.75). While tasty, think I’ll just stick to the wine and beer lists next time… the flavored vodka made for an interesting mix that was actually pretty good, but I’m not really into paying 8 bucks for a cocktail (I live close to the 19 Bar, home of cheap and strong drinks).

All in all, I was a very happy girl when we left: Full of delicious, fairly-priced food. And since we loaded up on apps first, I had leftover stir-fry for lunch the next day. This will definitely be on my list of places to hit up if I’m looking for a bit of spice late at night. I attempted to take pictures with my little cam phone, but no dice: it’s pretty dark in there at night.

Quick Facts
Located in Calhoun Square
3001 Hennepin Ave #109E
Minneapolis, MN 55408
(612) 827-1606

Business Hours: Everyday 11:00 AM -1:00 AM
Full menu until 11:00 PM

Happy hours:
Sunday-Friday 4:00-6:00 &
Sunday-Thursday from 10:00 PM-Midnight

Next time: Rinata

This Wednesday at 6:30 PM I’m going to take my friend Tyler from Idaho to the Red Dragon for dinner and drinks… you are hereby invited to join us. If you’re at least considering it, drop me a comment or email so I have a rough guess of how big of a table to get. It’d be great to see you! It’s been a while since I’ve seen a few of ya.

So in “celebration” of 4/20 I thought I’d start up on season 4 of Weeds. (Mind, the only thing besides some macaroni & cheese I’ve ingested this evening was a glass of wine, though I have been living vicariously through friends on Facebook and text.) I love this show. And it’s been so long since I’ve watched it, I’d forgotten how freakin’ awesome it is.

Once I’m through with this season (I have episode 9 queued up, but it’s officially passed Late now), I have season three of Dexter to view.

On Hulu, I’ve subscribed to Sarah Connor Chronicles, Dollhouse, and Kings. All fantastic.

So, what are you addicted to on TV these days?

I’m just about done reading Natsuo Kirino’s first novel, Out. It’s actually the second one of hers that I’ve read now (the first being Grotesque). I knew after that first one that I was hooked on Kirino’s writing, but I waited quite a while to pick up another one of hers because Grotesque was incredibly dark, and I’d read that all her books reflected that as well.

While the plots themselves are brutal enough, it’s like she strips the good out of people so all that’s left is the hideous, selfish and despicable parts that you loathe but can’t stop reading about.

When I finished Grotesque, I was in a weird place. There are little characteristics in myself, as well as other people I know, in characters of hers; seeing that made me feel something indescribable. It’s really that a person can spend all this time trying to get rid of a part of their self, only to find themselves confronted with it full force. It’s both appalling to me to see that side, as well as appealing in that I can learn a bit more about personality characteristics and mannerisms when they’re exploded into the full characters she portrays.

Anyway, I ought to work now. Do you have any recent favorite books weighing on your mind that you’d like to share?

I have a friend coming to visit for about two weeks come the end of the month, and I’ve been compiling a list of possible places to check out while he’s here… can you think of more? I’m sure you can, so fork over those ideas! I’ll update my list as we go. Certainly, if you think something already listed is either a big don’t miss place/thing to do, or something to pass on, let me know that too… and feel free to include events that are going on (he’ll be here from 4/27 to 5/11).

Food & Drink (including clubs)

19 Bar
Bar Abilene (Guacamole & margaritas)
Black Forest (for liver pâté & beer on the patio if it’s nice enough)
Bob’s Java Hut
Bolt (for Chamber night, Thursdays)
Craftsman
Duplex restaurant
First Avenue
Ground Zero (Saturday nights)
Grumpy’s
Hard Times Cafe (thanks @mrbispo)
Hell’s Kitchen
Jasmine 26
Kieran’s & The Local
Matt’s (for Jucy Lucy’s, of course!!!)
Midtown Market
moto-i
Nick & Eddie
Nye’s
Pancho Villa
Pizza Luce
Punch Pizza
Quang Deli
Red Dragon
Saloon (For Hard Monday)
Sebastian Joe’s
Spyhouse
Strip Club (restaurant, mind you)
Town Talk Diner
Triple Rock (Thanks for the Bacon Wednesday reminder @mrbispo!
Uncommon Grounds (Go for the chai — thanks @mrbispo)
Uptown Bar

Out & About

Big Brain comicbook store
Guthrie
MIA
Minnehaha Falls (thanks Lexinatrix!)
Minnesota Zoo
MOA
Science Museum (thanks Lexinatrix!)
Sculpture Garden
Taylors Falls - hiking (thanks @josefbig)
Treehouse Records
Uptown Theater for a Saturday Midnight Movie
Walker Art Center for Free Thursday (thanks @newcoventry)

few things will make me grin like a quick read-through of my favorite Twitters. Thanks for the laughs everyone!

After I got home (about 11PM), made myself a turkey wrap and had a cuppa yogurt. Felt WAY better… amazing how 12 hours of no food, then eating, can improve your mood.

Somehow, I managed to avoid April Fool’s Day until about 10:30 this evening, when the bus driver told everyone that the Uptown station was his last stop. Naturally, we all believed him and got up to file off… then he started laughing and said, of course, “April fools!” *sigh* At least I didn’t have to change buses.

So, Fang thought he’d help out by laying across the table. That’s covered completely by a puzzle I’m working on so thought I’d share.

My first reaction was, “Damnit!” But, it quickly turned into an “Awww… you’re cute”. I’ve come home to find the occasional puzzle piece on the floor, so I knew he was getting up there while I was at work, but… first time he’s been caught so far!