Oh my. This was truly the best night of 2016 so far. And…read moreit's going to be tough to top. How does one convey in words such high levels of epicness? I will press on. If you have a deep appreciation for heritage pork, then you should be at this venue. If you don't, then you clearly do not belong in such a place with this kind of zeal and squeal. Nothing less than 5-stars, my friends; nothing less. First, I have history with pigs (aren't reviews really just a way to tell the stories of our lives?). I grew up loving pigs. Miss Piggy was my favorite. In 6th grade, I begged my parents to get a pot-bellied pig (one day I'll give them the kudos for sticking to their guns on not letting that happen). Also in 6th grade, I ate too much candy and started to resemble a pig, so I decided to stay quiet about my love of pigs until I got my waistline under control about a decade later (phew). While loving pigs, pork did nothing for me...until I learned of heritage breeds back in 2008. The color! The flavor! The texture! There was no going back. And just to show off ('cause that's fun to do from time-to-time), I discovered & tried, at a fundraiser dinner back in 2011 for the Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund, Mangalitsa pork belly for my first time, and knew right then there could be no other. And this is where the Cochon555 story begins... My sweet Mangalitsa was here in many culinary creations (and other breeds, too). And many of its dear relatives were here. It was a big family reunion and I was on cloud nine. Out of sheer randomness (& a reminder from God that He loves me), I won 2 VIP tickets from Yelp to this event! I wasn't even aware of what Cochon555 until I saw the contest (HOW did I MISS THIS?). When I read up on it, I realized that this evening was scripted for me and soon enough I found that I won! The joy! The rapture! The tears! Thank you, Yelp! The machine bots that chose my name were Divinely guided! I will write reviews for you until I perish from this earth. I invited a foodie friend that gets as excited about sustainably raised heritage piggies, from our beloved local farmers, as I do. Our tickets were thoroughly redeemed with every delicious, lovingly prepared, & creatively presented piece of pork. People talk about how drugs have altered their mind and enhanced their experience. I can't speak to that. But I can speak to what THIS pork did to me. There were top notch, sustainably & creatively-based restaurants, competing & representing at this event, including: Travail Kitchen & Amusements Spoon & Stable Chef Shack Ranch Surly Brewing (who won the MN Pork King title) Zen Box My favorite food delivery mode was a man, from Travail Kitchen, scuffing around the room on his knees in a sombrero. The sombrero contained a delicious & subtly sweet pate in the center of the hat and the rim of the hat contained chicharrones broken up from a large hide they fried late the night before. The server was on his knees so that people could just grab from his hat at standing height...it was brilliant. There was prociutto-like bacon (I know, it's either one or the other...but in this case, it wasn't!) "skewered" in waves on a thin crispy bread stick (no, it wasn't a pretzel ;-). There were also sweet lard-filled chocolates (I could have eaten those all night!). I was blown away by Spoon & Stable's creation of marshmallows made out of pork blood (same whipping properties as egg whites; who knew?!) and so much more. There was also the whole hog butchery going on right after the votes were taken. This is something IMPORTANT! We're a society that is detached from where our food comes from. Majority of us aren't going to be able to tell others what portion of an animal that a particular cut comes from, so this was valuable, precious, AND educational. All parts of the animal were put out for sale! Loved that feature, too! For as much gushing as I'm doing, I will say there were a few items that I thought were boring and uncreative for it being at an event like this: wonton-type items (wrapping pork in pasta is most likely what all of us would have thought of doing...just wasn't a "wow" (not that it has to be). Another item is that this is NOT a gluten-free friendly event. Considering the focus on sustainability and that wheat is an overcropped item (which is overshadowed by those who have gluten allergies & sensitivities). While I CAN consume wheat, I choose not to, because of past wheat sensitivities. I was truly surprised that at this day and age how many chefs went with the bland wheat berry. There was even a separate pie outfit that came in as a pop-up towards the end that didn't offer gluten-free options. Wha? Yes, one can consume the filling if they must, but one can also create a stellar gluten-free pie crust. Regardless, I would go to this event again & again. Oh, and ladies, 3 out of 4 attendees (or more) are men. If you're looking for a piggy-partner-in-crime, you may find your match here ;-)

I had never been to an event like this so I knew very little about what to expect. It ended up…read morebeing awesome! There is a wide selection of local wine and other beverages to try. It was a great opportunity to learn more about some of Minnesota's local food and wine producers! There were many different variations of pork as well as other dishes to try. The seafood bar was phenomenal! Overall, great experience. I highly recommend d for those who love pork or are just looking for a unique food experience!

Had a great time. Per usual!…read more I didn't go as many times this year is my only complaint. And i missed the crop art (dang it). I did the sky ride, giant slide, and grabbed a ton of foods! I never miss mouth trap for cheese curds, and fresh squeezed lemonade surprised me with their orange-ade (different than orange juice!) Overall I love it. I did notice a ton more folks this year, and was happy to not get sick after. I always get worried after being in a large crowd like thatenjoy your stay next year, it's such a blast!

Who doesn't love the MN State Fair?!…read more I'm a visitor from Arizona who's been a handful of times in my life now. I love it - so much better than any other state fair I've been to. It's busy, tons of food vendors, GREAT concert in the grandstand, shopping for everyone in the family. Love the exhibits, the animals, the Department of Natural Resources, and of course a pronto pup! Gotta check it out!!!

I used to go to the Metrodome as a kid in the late 90's/early 2000's, and this was my first time at…read moreTarget Field since it replaced the dome several years ago. This is such an amazing and beautiful upgrade!! My review is based on a concert experience, but I hope to come back for a game someday! I visited from out of state for the Noah Kahan concert and everything was very well organized. I arrived during the opening acts and there was no line at all to get in. There were plenty of staff in place to keep crowds under control and ensure that people got to the correct section. My seat was on the field and I loved that there were bathrooms and concessions available in this area so that I didn't have to leave the field while I was there. My only complaint is that it was extremely difficult to get phone reception, and others around me had the same issue. I really liked the area surrounding this park as well. Lots of hotels, restaurants, etc in walking distance, and so many parking lots and garages that were very reasonably priced.

A NORTHERN PASTIME…read more The Minnesota Twins' home ballpark is a great venue to watch a game. I took my family on vacation to Minneapolis in early June, and in doing so I was able to check off Target Field from my list of MLB stadiums (7th in the AL, 12th overall).  Tickets on a weekday afternoon to see the Twins play the Chicago White Sox were pretty cheap, far less than what I expected. Security was friendly and we got our stroller + stuff in easily.  We sat in section 133, an area in right-center field that always has shade thanks to a large upper deck directly above it.  In front of us were some planted flowers, props to the Twins landscaping crew for keeping things green and colorful. In several spots at Target Field, you can find grab-and-go kiosks stocked with a number of classic ballpark snacks at reduced prices: $4 hot dogs, $3 peanuts, $3 popcorn, $4 pretzel w/cheese, and $5 cans of light beer. These no-frills offerings were PERFECT for me and the fam, plus it saved us a bunch of money. When we stopped at guest services to get a "my 1st Twins game" certificate for the kids, the guy behind the window tossed a couple of dog-eared papers our way and said nothing.  No midwestern warmth for visiting fans as my Sox proceeded to paddle the Twinkies 8-0. Once the game ended, we hit a massive traffic logjam trying to leave the top deck of the parking garage.  Since there was only 1 way out--the bottom floor--we had no choice but to wait for all the lower levels to clear in turn.  A full hour and a half later, I was able to drive everyone (now fast asleep) back to the hotel.  Ooof. When a Twins player hits a home run, a large neon sign in center field features "Minnie and Paul" shaking hands, a nod to Minnesota's former minor league teams the Minneapolis Millers and the St Paul Saints.  This sign also flashes 'Twins Win' anytime the home team secures a victory. * TL;DR * Target Field is one of the nicest stadiums I've experienced in the big leagues--Truist Park (Atlanta) and Nationals Park (D.C.) also fit this mold. Being able to get ballpark snacks for cheap was absolutely clutch, as my kids weren't interested in a $12 Kramarczuk's sausage and I was thankful to not shell out $14/beer.  We dug the open-air vibes of the right field concourse and overall facilities were nice. I still gotta dock a star because leaving the game was absolutely brutal.  No stadium is perfect and exiting traffic can often be a hassle, but 90 minutes of not moving isn't fun for anyone.  A different parking scenario for us and it's a 5* experience for sure. If you find yourself in the Twin Cities between April and October, check the Twins schedule and try to catch a game here.

Great little community event at Island Lake Park. It was super hot out yesterday, but still…read morebearable. Plenty of parking at Deluxe Check or the surrounding lots. Attractions: Smallish carnival- most of the rides are for younger kids which is nice for us. Fun Slide, mini cars, spinning dragons etc. Lake Johannah Fire Station open house with lots of freebies, fire tucks, water hoses, education etc. Nice little open house. Parade Vendors Food Vendors Jump Station for the kids- $5 Some of the prices are ridiculous for things. $7 for a lemonade and $3 for a refill. Good turn out. Nice community event.

Fun free event for the whole family...I was there yesterday and they had an AMAZING band playing…read morecalled THE POWER OF 10. I had so much fun dancing! Loses one star from me because of the expensive food truck items and lemonade...also everything is cash only...so bring cash! There is an ATM on the ground but there's a $3 fee!

Dropped in last night for their free Thursday evening admission. All I had to do was check-in at…read morethe front desk and receive a small medallion to wear. They even had a fun free craft going on in the basement, all supplies included and snacks! Yay! I just took an explore at my own pace through a couple of exhibits. The docents are a little creepy... I know they're just doing their job by standing there staring at you or following you around (probably because guests are bad at respecting the rules), but yeah, I found them a little distracting/detracting from the experience. Oh well. I just tried to ignore it and focus on the art as best I could. Moving from room to room and spiralling up gradual stairways will kind of get you lost inside the building. It's large and has multiple floors. The space will shift from cozy to grandiose at a moment's notice. If you don't like being lost, grab a map before you go in. If getting lost is a fun part of the experience for you, then by all means, just enjoy following your nose like I did, haha! I happened to be there on opening night for the new kid's exhibit they added, where you are encouraged to touch as part of exploration. It's not terribly large, but I like things that encourage imaginative play. Shame I saw one lady just staring at her cell phone like a drone while her kid played beside her. There are all-gender bathrooms on the ground floor by the lobby, and additional restrooms scattered throughout the center (when you stumble across them, lol). There are also coat closets for you to hang your coat if you don't need it; they keep the center nice and warm inside! There is an occasional water fountain as well, which is a godsend since they do not allow you to carry ANY drinks (even recloseable water bottles like Hydroflasks) into the exhibit spaces. There are also a couple of gift shops. The one in the lobby has affordable things, the one deeper in on the second floor is like modern art for your home + a wall of books. There are a couple of theatres inside, along with a full restaurant (y'know, if you have money for fancy-schmancy things like eating, oops). For parking you have a couple options: you can utilize the surface lot for $5 and it'll last you until midnight, or you can use the underground lot for $8. Depending on the weather conditions, that extra $3 might make it worth it to you to choose the underground space. On a chilly Thursday November evening, I still chose the outdoor lot and there were plenty of parking spaces available. There is also the option of squeezing into parallel parking along Vineland and using the meters. Obviously, the sculpture garden is also right next door to explore at any time of day for free. I highly recommend it, if only to take a quick selfie with the Cherry & Spoon or blue Cock.

I had the pleasure of attending the performance of Shamel Pitts - Tribe: Marks of Red on Saturday…read moreand it was interesting. I was very entertained as the performers were absolutely AMAZING. I enjoyed the space and I will be back another show and all of the other art parts that offer because I really love the arts. Go and be inspired.

This is a small, but very good and free modern art museum on the campus of the U of Minnesota…read more The building has the iconic shape of architect Frank Gehry. The exhibits are on one floor with restrooms and a small terrace with a great view of the river and downtown Minneapolis. I really liked the permanent collection and the special exhibit by Asian artists, including a 165 foot-long beautiful painted scroll. If you are into modern art, it is well worth a visit. Another nice touch is the inexpensive, garage parking in the base of the building. You part and take the elevator directly up into the museum lobby.

I attended a gala here a few years ago and it was such a fun venue space. We were able to mingle…read moreamongst the art exhibits as well. Great experience

Armory is now my fav venue to see a concert in the Twin Cities! The acoustics are amazing and the…read morebathrooms are super clean! Bar service was quick and friendly so we were able to get back to enjoying the music ASAP. I loved that they had hot food available on the menu. Had I known, I may not have eaten so early before the concert. I'd love to try their food next time.

He Said: I have attended many concerts at The Armory, and I…read morealways enjoy the experience. The venue is a converted...wait for it...armory. The place is huge and smack in heart of downtown Minneapolis. There are street and parking ramp options. The Armory holds events other than concerts. Take a look at your personal calendar, see if there is a show you like, and buy a ticket. *Hint - if you can, go to their on-site box office to buy your tickets, so you save on the online fees). My friends have been in the suites, and they say they are great. There is, also, and small outside spot to grab some fresh air, so you do not have to exit the venue. Pros: - The place is huge, clean, and easy to get to - The sound system is great - When the crowd is really into it, you can feel the ground shake! Cons: - Some shows can be pretty expensive

Beautiful fall evening to enjoy vendors showcasing their craft beer and wines. Roseville has a…read morebeautiful park system very well manicured and clean. A nice sized crowd turned out and people seemed to be enjoying themselves chatting and mingling. There was a huge band playing some 70's musics with a full horn section. Giant Jenga and the game where you pound a nail into a slab of wood not sure what it is called Hammicker Slamicker or something like that...hahaha by the time I played I had already indulged so forgive my memory. There was a breathalizer on display so you could test how inebriated you may be. I thought this was a great idea. They should be in every drinking establishment out there. He explained that it does not cost the bar a thing to put in and it is affordable for people to use 2.00. Me thinks much better than a DUI. The boys in uniform were right there when you left wishing you a good evening as this was held in a parking lot adjacent to the police station. I got an opportunity to try some beers I would not normally sampled and leaned about some local breweries and wineries. Some I can remember are Lucid, Summit, Big Wood, Barley Johns, Rush River, Burning Brothers, Tin Whiskers, Bent, Mankato Brewing, Insight, Brau Brothers, Sidhe and Granite City. They were all very generous with the pours and happy to speak with you about the product. The wineries that showed up were slim and a bit stingy with the sample amount. So was not a good evening for wine but no shortage of beer. It was a great event with proceeds supporting the local community by providing clean, safe, park facilities for the residents.

For the past 3-6 weeks, my wife has been trying to convince me that we should buy a home in…read moreRoseville, where she works, instead of staying in downtown St Paul. Events like 'Tapped and Uncorked' work in her favor. Tapped and Uncorked was a great way for a couple of Twin City Transplants like ourselves to get up to speed on local microbreweries, wineries, and distilleries. It didn't take us long to discover new, local favorites such as the pumpkin ale created by Tin Whiskers (the secret is in their blend of spices). It was like drinking fall on tap. Everything we tried from Northern Vinyards Winery, in Stillwater, was a hit. This included the house red, house white, and house rose. We also fell in love with Yellow Belly Cider from Sapsucker Farms because its neither too sweet nor too dry. The secret? Minnesota apples? Hmm. Food at the event was provided by food trucks. Our favorite was A Cupcake Social, which made two special cupcakes for the event. I was disappointed when I saw that the Tot Boss food truck was there, but that we didn't see it. Perhaps they didn't make it? The event was well organized. The music was excellent and there was plenty of space to mill around. Had there been seating, more than six tables, and more than two fire pits, we probably would have stayed all night. Instead, we found ourselves wandering home shortly after dark with a bright smile and wine-warmed bellies. Next year, I definitely plan to bring folding chairs and a jacket (based on weather) so that we can spend more time enjoying the samples, the music, and the company. The location of the event is ideal because there is plenty of parking, party area, and access to clean public bathrooms. As a transplant to the Twin Cities from Wisconsin, it might not surprise you that I'd give an event like 'Tapped and Uncorked' five stars. On the other hand, I know how beer tastings should be done... and that this event surpassed my expectations. Given that this is only the event's 2nd year, I expect that it'll only get better in 2016.