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Under new management, this year’s Taste of MN has attempted to “reboot” its offerings from an impressive four-day musical line-up down to its most distinguishable staple – the food – and they appear to have nailed it. After spending the better half of the day at Taste with family and friends yesterday – gorging ourselves on the fest’s delicacies (for ‘research’, of course!) – I’ve compiled a mini-guide on the fare of the feté. Whether you’re carnivorous or vegetarian, calorie-counting or a slave to your sweet tooth, there’s a little something for everyone. Here’s a run-down of some of this year’s not-to-be-missed edibles:

There’s nothing more daunting than entering a food-focused festival famished. But unlike the granddaddy of all MN fests – the State Fair – Taste actually has several options that even your mother would consider “real food.” My advice: go local. Not only is the cuisine from vendors representing local restaurants more appealing by sight and scent, but a seemingly better value for your precious food tickets. Take Crave’s sushi rolls featuring small portions of raw fish favorites – complete with wasabi, soy and ginger accoutrements – and filling Asian noodle salads (ranging from 3 to 16 tickets), or Seven’s menu of edamame, carved beef sandwiches or chicken wings – two local restaurants that bring upscale dining to traditional carny grub.

Bacon enthusiasts and burger aficionados can unite over the Pig-Pen from South Minneapolis’ 5-8 Grill. Like its sister burger – the crowd-pleasing Juicy Lucy – the Pig-Pen is a hefty chuck stuffed with melted goodness – bacon cheddar cheese and bacon crumbles to be exact. As excited as you may be to bite into the hot-off-the-grill delight, I would suggest waiting for it to cool to cut down on messy cheese squirting and mouth burning – you’re gonna need those taste buds for later!

Another local vendor well-worth the stop is MPLS/St. Paul’s famed tequila bar & restaurant, Barrio. At just 8 tickets, Barrio’s traveling Taco Truck serves up the perfect light ‘n’ summery snack: pint-sized tacos. Chose from pork carnitas with Serrano chile salsa, chicken al pastor with avocado and habenero-pickled onions or fried mahi-mahi tacos with citrus-cucumber pico de gallo. Vegetarians must try the Mexican-style grilled corn with chipotle aioli – in lieu of the Fair standard corn-on-the-cob – or their delicious chips, salsa and homemade guac – a steal at just 4 tickets.

Greek fare from Holy Land and Falafel King represent more options for the vegetarian fest-goer, offering up treats like falafel on a stick and grape leaves on a stick (6 tickets), to the larger-portioned falafel sandwiches (16 tickets).

Holding off on beer as long as possible to avoid the sleepy mid-day buzz, isn’t hard with thirst-quenching alternatives such as the perfect blend of sour/sweet freshly squeezed lemonade (8 tickets, or 13 for a Jumbo) and yummy pearl-infused bubble tea from the dessert drink gurus at the Tea Garden (8 tickets).

Cream Cheese Comets, photo by Nikki Miller

While pastry sweets like the “cream cheese comets – wonton-like fried puffs filled with either strawberry or brown sugar-cinnamon cream cheese (12 tickets for two) – and Retch’s deep-fried cookie dough (12 tickets) caught my attention – especially with their “you can’t say no to cookie dough” slogan – I thwarted temptation. That is, until I broke down and got a batch of mini donuts from MN’s own Tom Thumb - best washed down with another local fave, an ice cream/soda confection from 1919 Root Beer Float. For a healthier dessert choice, head back to Crave for a refreshing slice of fresh watermelon.

Top it all off – if you can – with a fittingly American dessert, warm apple pie (8 tickets) served a la mode (+3) with cinnamon ice cream from the Rogers-based, Minneapple Pie.

With so much local flavor at your fingertips, save the funnel cakes and corn dogs for the State Fair and delight your taste buds with the ultimate Minnesota “taste.”

It’s not too late to get a Taste of the Taste. The Fourth of July festival continues until 10:30 p.m. tonight with food, music and entertainment. Bring plenty of cash and dig in!

Taste of Minnesota, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., $20 in advance or before 4 p.m. or $30 after, $75-100 VIP, Free for ages 12 and under or 65+, eight food tickets for $5, Harriet Island, St. Paul, www.tasteofmn.com

Becky Sturm is owner/founder of StormSister Spatique, a local beauty boutique.  StormSister Spatique has been featured in Mpls. St. Paul Magazine, METRO Magazine, Minnesota Monthly, Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and various blogs.  Once you cross over the Smith Avenue High Bridge, it sits next to Capital View Cafe.   At first glance, you might miss this small storefront located on the West Side of Saint Paul.  Once you step in, you will see why it’s a gem — product junkies beware!  StormSister is filled with comforting products for your skin, body and mind — all products that Becky stands behind.  With warm weather upon us, its time to buff, exfoliate and cleanse.  What are you waiting for?  See below for comments from StormSister owner, Becky Sturm on why she loves Saint Paul and her recommendation for summer products!

Being a small business owner, it very important for me to spend money with other small businesses in my community.

Becky Sturm, Owner of StormSister Spatique

Most of my weekends include: the Saint Paul Farmer’s Market in Lowertown and a stop at my favorite bread bakery, located on the West Side, BC2 Bakery — their sourdough could certainly compete with the original in San Francisco.

I have been a resident of the West Side for 22 years; my husband and I have raised both of our sons here.  I love living so close to the river and to downtown.  It is the perfect community.

My oldest son Brett, recently graduated from College of Visual Arts and my youngest son, Bailey, is a high school student at River’s Edge Academy.

Living on the West Side with its large Hispanic population, has given me the opportunity to enjoy some of the best, authentic Mexican cuisine available in the U.S.  Just head down Cesar Chavez Street and you will find several!  I have a weakness for guacamole, so I always have a hard time deciding between the ones served at Barrio and El Burrito Mercado.

Living just over the river from downtown, it’s a quick five-minute ride to amazing museums, theaters, and one of my favorite dining establishments — Meritage.

Meritage Crepe Stand

A stroll downtown wouldn’t be complete without a stop into Candyland.  Oh Candyland, you and your tantalizing Chicago mix (caramel, cheese, and real buttered popcorn)!

Finally, that beacon of light on West 7th, Mickey’s Diner — the perfect middle-of-the-night cultural experience after much imbibing.

Having grown up in my grandmother’s beauty shop and then spending 23 years in all aspects of the salon/spa industry, it was time to follow my true passion, retail.  So, I took a break and started StormSister Spatique online in 2005.  Then, late in 2006 I had decided I really missed that intimate relationship I had with my clients and opened up StormSister Spatique’s storefront in my neighborhood on the West Side.

What’s the deal with StormSister Spatique and PEZ?  Click here to learn why!

My head-to-toe beauty must-haves for summer include:

Greenbody Greenplanet haircare by local hairdresser, Lorri Weisen.  When you use organic, chemical-free ingredients you not only enhance your own well-being, but the environments!

NONTOXIQUE hand and footcare by local manicurist, Sheila Mossberg.  NONTOXIQUE will help you get your hands and feet looking more youthful and glowing with their age-defying ingredients.

Organic Tinted Lip Balms by Badger.  These shimmer lip balms will keep your pucker moist and colorful during the hot summer days.

I heart Saint Paul!

StormSister Spatique is located at 635 South Smith Avenue in Saint Paul, combines luxury spa products in an artsy boutique setting.

Phone:  612-716-5480

I’m sure you’ve been hearing everyone and their mother rave about Minneapolis’ Barrio Tequila Bar, which opened to much praise last Fall. But St. Paulites rejoice! There’s no reason to make the trek across the river, as Barrio just opened a bigger and better St. Paul location on Wednesday! A combination of festively contemporary decor, delightful Latin street food and strong liquor makes Barrio a mandatory destination for hip foodies and Tequila lovers alike.

Barrio offers a primo selection of over 130 tequilas and mescales that will please any boozy connoisseur (or frat boy). A curious addition to the drink menu are the specially created “Compadres” from the mind of famed cocktail concoctor, Johnny Michaels. The “Compadres” are carefully crafted chasers or sides designed to enhance the distinctive flavor of the tequila. Try Spicy Grapefruit, Pineapple Lime, Cilantro-Tomato Water, or Melon and Ginger/Apple, with fun names such as “Night of the Iguana,” Treasure of the Sierra Madre” and “Eastwood.” Michaels has also created a divine menu of fancy specialty cocktails for those of you who have tequila shot terrors (thanks, college).

The food is enticing as well, with a unique Latin street food theme. Nibble on small plates priced at $7.50; Tacos and Enchiladas ranging in price from $3.50 to $4; and larger plates ranging from $16 to $22. Try glorious entrees such as Seared Tuna with Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa and Quinoa Salad, the Grilled Skirt Steak with Chile-Lime-Tequila Butter and Fried Yucca and the Sautéed Shrimp with Tangerine-Serrano Mojo and Cilantro Rice. This is important: do NOT forget the house-made Guacamole!

Call me obsessed, but what I am most excited to see at the new Barrio is the art! One of my favorite artists of this year, Andrea Stanislav, is a permanent fixture in the new space, as is brilliant furniture and fixture designer Atom Pechman, who also happens to be a St. Paul resident.

Says co-owner Tim Rooney, “When we were developing the first concept in Minneapolis, we came up with more ideas than we could execute in that small of a space. The St Paul site has given us the opportunity to play with those ideas and even expand on them. While we have Western movies, bull-fighting and motorized marionettes in Minneapolis, in St Paul we’ll have all those, plus original art by Andrea Stanislav and Atom Pechman and a few other surprises you’ll have to come in to experience for yourself.”

Barrio is located at:

235 East 6th Street

Lowertown St. Paul (next to The Bulldog)

Restaurant Hours:

Open daily at 11 a.m. Monday through Friday.

Happy Hour is 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The website does not appear to be updated with the St. Paul info yet, but it should be soon: www.barriotequila.com