Photos by Joy Summers
This week for me is all about the wind up to Minnesota Monthly GrillFest! This weekend inside CHS stadium the briquets will be blazing, the Big Green Eggs smoldering and Jason DeRusha roasting. Well, maybe not so much on that last part, but you can believe you me that I’ll be in the crowd when my co-critic hits the stage on Sunday, May 15. The event goes all weekend long, so you’ll have time to celebrate summer at even more food and wine events.
Bent Paddle
My first stop at GrillFest will be for a sample of my favorite Duluth brewery’s beer. I’m partial to the Paddle Break Blonde—which tastes like sunshine, but all of the varieties remind me of the seven or so days of summer in my adopted home town. If you haven’t got a couple in your fridge, GrillFest is the place to try it and see what I’m talking about. Preview the beer and wine list here.
Rosé at Solo Vino
I’m cramming my summer kick off into Sunday, May 15. This is the 8th annual rosé tent tasting at the Cathedral Hill wine shop. It’s the most fun spot to see restaurateurs and sommeliers outside of their usual habitat and I always come away with a new favorite pink variety of wine. facebook.com
Hola Arepa
One more event for Sunday is the two year anniversary for these guys. No matter the hour or time of year, I always feel like it’s summer inside Hola Arepa. Now that the craving has been activated for those fluffy, griddled masa cakes packed with slow braised, tart and spicy sauced goodies, there is no denying it. facebook.com
