3 Things to Eat This Week: June 12–19

French fries, chocolate chip cookies, and a new twist on the iced latte

It is gloriously summer out there. I am bursting through those doors and into the fresh air with hair that looks like a dandelion puff and the can-do attitude of Kimmy Schmidt. There is a lot going on around town right now. It’s hard to narrow down the food choices, but these are the top three can’t-miss bites for the week.

The Lynhall’s Chocolate Chip Cookie

This crazy ambitious project opening across from Bob’s Java Hut is part community space, part TV studio, part food business incubator, a little bit bar and a whole lot of lovely cafe. They open Wednesday, June 14, at 6:30 a.m. and while I’ll wait and see what Shane Oporto is cooking up in the kitchen, I already got a full taste of pastry chef Katie Elsing’s ridiculously buttery, rich, ever-so-salty chocolate chip cookie, and it is divine.

Sandcastle’s Horchatte

Every summer my love affair with Sandcastle’s house-made horchata is renewed, and my first sip this year was no exception. Get the horchatte—a decadent, icy mix of the cinnamon-infused rice milk drink with Peace coffee cold brew. 

Meritage’s Moules Frites

Wednesday, I’ll be appearing on Twin Cities Live with a couple of friends to talk about the very best French fries in the Twin Cities. My pick has got to be the hand-cut beauties at Meritage. They aren’t too crispy or too soggy, and that puffy texture is just right. For the month of June, they’re also doing a Summit tap takeover that includes that French classic of mussels. Dip those fries in the toasty sauce, studded with fennel sausage, and tell me that isn’t heaven in a bowl.