Minnesota Monthly‘s annual Food & Wine Experience is just around the corner, taking place a week from now, on Saturday and Sunday March 2 and 3. The event upgraded its digs a couple years ago, moving into Target Field’s VIP/event spaces on the Club Level tier, above the main-level seating, with a stellar view of the diamond. Here’s what’s new and notable this year:
Grand Red Tasting Takes Place at the W Hotel
This year, we’re partnering with the Parasole restaurant group and hosting the Grand Red Tasting at the swanky W Minneapolis – The Foshay. Think of the Grand Red as a more focused, intimate offshoot of the main Food & Wine Experience. Chef Tim McKee, now the VP of Culinary Development for Parasole, will be pairing a carefully curated selection of red wines from around the world with food prepared by his team of chefs from Chino Latino, Manny’s, Muffaletta, etc. (Also: the W, as well as the Chambers, are offering a special rate of $109 a night for those who would rather not have to trek home after the event.)
More Beer!
There will be nearly 200 exhibitors offering food samples this year—a very effective way to get a taste of some of those restaurants that have been lingering on your to-try list. While grapes obviously predominate—more than 350 wines will be poured this year!—there will also be more than 75 regional craft beers, including several local up-and-comers like Third Street Brewhouse and Pour Decisions.
The Chance to Win a Freaking Wall of Wine or Pizza and Beer for a Year!!
The new Liquor Boy in St. Louis Park will stock one lucky winner’s cellar with $400 bucks worth of bottles! Show-goers can also register to win a pizza (Brew Pub, a new brand from Bernatello’s in Maple Lake—I just tried one of their samples for breakfast and it’s good stuff) and a six-pack (Leinenkugel’s) each month for a year. Sounds to me like instant Friday night plans for the next 52 weekends!
For more inforamation about the show and to purchase tickets, visit foodwineshow.com/tickets.
See you next weekend!
