When someone asks me about the point of a chef’s tasting menu, and why it’s worth ordering, it takes me a while to get beyond “don’t you want to see what they can do when they’re turned loose?” I realize not everyone thinks that way, or that they might blink at a three-hour dinner. So … [ Read more]
Trailblazers 2016: Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone of Revival and Corner Table
When Nick Rancone and Thomas Boemer transformed Corner Table in 2013, they connected with a zeitgeist. High-end diners and food adventurers still craved sustainability, but with a little less bang-you-on-the-head zealotry. Instead, they angled for seasonally-focused, casual elegance with a side of soul—think coq au vin next to maple-roasted jowl. That modus operandi carried them … [ Read more]
Restauranteurs breathe life into the Schmidt Brewery Keg House
For nearly a decade after 2004, the Schmidt Brewery sat empty on St. Paul’s West Seventh Street—a fossil of Minnesota’s golden age of brewing. In 2013, the historic “castle” brewery and bottling house were once again filled with the bustle of people as residents filled the the newly developed Schmidt Artist Lofts. But still, a piece of the … [ Read more]
Wine pros set to battle in Somm Slam at Monello, Tuesday June 7
On Tuesday, June 7, eight well-known sommeliers will compete at Monello to be crowned the winner of Somm Slam 2016. Each guest sommelier will pair one wine with a food course and guests will vote for which wine and food pairing they prefer. Attendees will enjoy four courses, created by Chef Michael DeCamp, each paired … [ Read more]
Minnesota Spoon: Smoked brisket recipe from Thomas Boemer of Revival and Corner Table
The brisket hit the smoker at 8am. The whiskey was open by 11am. An early start is important. It’s well established that good barbecue should begin around dawn. It needs the better part of a day to drip, blacken, and break down into tender perfection. That’s why Thomas Boemer, chef at Revival and Corner Table, … [ Read more]