The651.com

Grand Old Day is said to be the biggest Minnesota one-day festival of the year, and always boasts a great roster of live music. (Check out St. Paul STAYcation’s Juleana Enright’s blog for more on the event in general, and Arts & Culture blogger Kate Iverson’s Grand Old Day Art Guide.) Besides a chance to check out some of the Twin Cities’ best musical acts, art, and parades, Grand Old Day provides the perfect opportunity to explore everything Grand Avenue has to offer every day of the year – namely, shopping.

SHOPPING

Courtesy jenontheradar.blogspot.com

St. Paul’s two most fashion-forward boutiques, Karma and Picky Girl, are both hosting special Grand Old Day in-store events. Karma, which carries mid-priced designer lines like Trina Turk, Tulle, Velvet, and Betsey Johnson, will be setting up their pop-up shop Beeline Boutique in front of the store. Expect deals on clothing, handbags and accessories ranging from $5-and-under to $34. (867 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-291-1997.) Picky Girl (home of lines like Kenzie Girl, Covet and 213 Industry) will be featuring special in-store guests Allison and Ashley Abbott of AbraCadabra Vintage, a new locally-owned online vintage shop. They will be giving tips on how to mix vintage with modern styles, plus there will be a fashion show and storewide sales. (949 Grand Av. @ Hamline Av. 651-698-4107.)

The lesser-known but equally chic boutique Sorrayah Studios boasts a sophisticated mix of Free People and Ella Moss, and for the plus-size shopper, the popular line Big Shirt. (794 Grand Av. @ Avon St. 651-228-0414.)

More Grand Old Day specials:
Lillian’s on Grand: The designer-inspired shop will be having a doorbuster sale, free gifts to first 200 to stop in, free EcoDiva tote bag with purchase of $25+. (841 Grand Av. b/w Avon St. & Victoria St. 651-290-2040.)
Stella.blu: The bohemian-styled shop will have sales booths in front of the store and on Grand & Victoria in front of Dixie’s. (1104 Grand Av. @ Lexington Pkwy. 651-644-4830.)
Trade Winds: The free trade boutique will have storewide sales of up to 20% off plus bounce-back coupons. (857 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-293-9275.)
Hot Mama: The chic maternity shop is having a 10% off storewide sale. (867 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-209-0222.)

Some of my other fave shops to hit up when I’m on Grand:

My Sister's Closet

My Sister’s Closet, which is a consignment store built into one of the old Victorian-style houses that line Grand Avenue. It has a great selection of vintage dresses, shoes, hats, and jewelry, and is owned by two sisters, natch. (1136 Grand Av. b/w Dunlap St. & Lexington Pkwy. 651-222-2819.)

Flirt is a new-ish independent lingerie shop. If I had money to be so fancy, I would totes buy all my undergarments here. (1330 Grand Av. @ Hamline Av. 651-698-3692.)

Photo by David J. Turner courtesy Minnesota Monthly

Getting married seems to provide a great excuse to buy delicate jewelry, frothy veils, and sweet little handbags. If you’re so inclined, hit up Che Bella, one of the most sophisticated and sweet bridal boutiques I’ve seen. (611 Grand Av. @ Dale St. 651-209-8822.)

Locally-owned gift shop Quince has a decent mix of gifts, accessories, and clothing. They’re a little on the crunchy granola side but you very well could stumble upon a handmade treasure or super-cute baby gift. Plus it happens to be in the same building at Café Latte, so you can get your fancy caffeine fix at the same time. (850 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-225-9900.) For more gifts, there’s always locally-owned chain Bibelot (1082 Grand Av. @ Lexington Pkwy. 651-222-0321.)

The Grand Hand Gallery is primarily a fine art and sculpture gallery, but it also carries jewelry from some of my favorite local jewelry designers, Karin Jacobson, Brittany Foster, and Emily Johnson. Karin in particular does a lot of work with fine metal and semi-precious stones, but I fell so in love with the laser-cut plastic earrings she made for a Cliché show that I commissioned her to create oversized versions for the Voltage ’09 runway. (619 Grand Av. @ Dale St. 651-312-1122.)

A selection from the "Lotus Collection" by Karin Jacobson

I can’t say I’m the biggest fan of the crunchy-granola style of most organic goods, but there are definitely some items worth checking out at eco-friendly shop Eco-tique. There’s a lot you can do with the soft, basic organic scarves, and it’s a go-to for organic home items like bath towels. The latest addition is goods from St. Paul-based all-organic online cosmetics shop The Nature of Beauty. (1045 Grand Av. @ Oxford St. 651-222-3127.) For more eco-friendly goods, check out Ten Thousand Villages, which offers fair-trade jewelry, gifts and home décor from around the world. (867 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-225-1043.)

The Twin Cities have a huge Scandinavian and Irish heritage, so it’s no surprise there are a bunch of shops selling themed goods along Grand Avenue. For the Finnish, there’s Saga Living, which boasts the largest selection of Marimekko products outside of Finland. (1055 Grand Av. @ Oxford St. 651-290-8577.) For the Danish, there’s Danish Bohemia, a children’s apparel and accessories shop from Scandinavian designers. (1144 Grand Av. b/w Lexington Pkwy. & Dunlap St. 651-222-8383.) For the Irish, check out Irish On Grand for Irish-themed gifts (i.e., a gigantic Guinness tambourine). (1124 Grand Av. b/w Lexington Pkwy. & Dunlap St. 651-222-5151.)

Little known fact: I was a dancer for 13 years throughout my childhood, so I made regular visits to locally-owned dancewear shop Grand Jeté. Funny thing is, I still take inspiration from dancewear, whether it be little black leather oxford-style jazz shoes, ballet flats, leotards and tights. Why go to American Apparel when you can get the real deal? (975 Grand Av. @ Chatsworth St. 651-227-0331.)

Speaking of which, why buy the $200 military-inspired bag or jacket when you can get the real thing for $20? Now that Ragstock has dropped their St. Paul and Minneapolis Warehouse locations, the go-to now is Zimmerman Dry Goods. It’s a little rough around the edges, sure, but you’ll walk out with a steal. (1656 Grand Av. b/w Macalester St. & Cambridge St. 651-699-4273.)

J. Crew: What can I say, it’s a chain mall store, but such a guilty pleasure. Clean and preppy basics are always chic, especially for the fellas. And if Michelle O approves, so do I! (870 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-292-1470.)

SALONS AND SPAS

phresh salon spa

You’ll need a break from the craziness and heat of the Grand Old Day festivities, so what better retreat can you have than a facial or mani/pedi?

The ladies of phresh spa salon treated me to a facial yesterday. Phresh is located in one of the old charming houses of Grand Avenue, so had a much cozier feel than your typical sterile white-walled spa. My esthetician Jessica offered me two options – one, a dermatologist-approved treatment and the other an organic treatment, which I chose. After applying steam to my skin, she cleansed, toned, and exfoliated it. After she applied a Quince Ice Wine Masque, she treated me to massages to my feet, arms and shoulders. Finally, the best (and least fun) part: The extractions! Good to get that junk out. She then used this electronic machine that restored my skin’s pH balance and finally applied a Rose Whip Moisturizer, Cucumber Eye Gel, Honey Apple SPF, and Citrus Lip Balm. Today, my skin feels amazingly smooth and looks radiant once again! I may very well go back in the recommended 4-6 weeks for another. ($85-90 for 60-minute facial.)

Other salons and spas on Grand Avenue worth checking out:

Juut Salonspa: Regardless of the location, Juut’s got the best haircutters, colorists, estheticians and spa specialists around, plus all yummy Aveda products. (857 Grand Av. @ Victoria St. 651-222-4121.)
Grand Hair and Beyond: The full-service hair salon specializes in color and cuts. (1674 Grand Av. @ Cambridge St. 651-699-7074.)
Mella & Co.: This specialty spa is St. Paul’s only day spa; it’s dedicated exclusively to facials, ultrasonic, peels, and massage. (1204 Grand Av. b/w Ayd Mill Rd. & Dunlap St. 651-292-8406.)

You know him, you love him: it’s Cal Clutterbuck! The 08-09 Minnesota Wild rookie insta-sensation (and did we mention he broke the NHL record for hits? Yup: 356. Broke Dustin Brown’s record of 311 hits by a smash-tastic 45…but I gush) shares his St. Paul Top 10 List. See what the Clutterbuck likes about St. Paul when he’s not tearin’ it up on the ice.

1. Sakura’s sushi

2. Patios on Grand Ave

3. Casper Runyon’s Shamrocks’ pub-style food

4. Xcel Energy Center

5. Cossetta Italian Market

6. The Mississippi River

7. Kincaid’s Fish, Chop & Steakhouse

8. Eagle Street Grille

9. The people

10. The architecture

Cal Clutterbuck made quite an impact during his rookie season in 2008-09 setting an NHL record with 356 hits. He also recorded 11 goals and seven assists in 78 games with Minnesota.

Who knew that just off Grand Ave there was a bit of the Himalayans hiding inside the quaint restaurant, Everest on Grand. While not exactly the grandiose of all restaurants, what this modest dining spot lacks in decor it makes up for in memorable and authentic flavor.

Inside, Everest’s red and white walls and glass tabletops are adored with photos of Nepali natives, gorgeous landscapes and handmade paper lanterns, adding a subtly exotic flair. Although their close quartered dining area might allow for some unplanned eavesdropping, for the most part your senses will be preoccupied by the savory flavors in Everest’s specialty Indian dishes.

For such an intimate restaurant, the dinner menu was surprisingly extensive featuring a traditional cuisine of tandoor dishes, several kinds of naan bread, veggie and chicken pakora, dumplings, soups, noodle dishes and an assortment of Indian curries catering to carnivores and herbivores alike by conveniently listing each dish vegetarian, vegan or with meat. And, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, Everest offers dishes prepared with the less common proteins, goat and ground yak (yes, yak. I’m guessing it doesn’t taste a thing like chicken). It was also surprising to see that with only ten selections of wine by the glass (5 reds and 5 whites), two organic and vegan wines were among the beverage list (a Pircas Negras Malbec and Torrontes).

Although I made it in time for their popular lunch buffet special (which lasts from 11:30 until 2 p.m.), I ordered from the regular menu, starting with a samosa appetizer and mango juice and for my main entree, the jogi-tarkari – a spicy curry of potato, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot and pea pods. The samosas were deliciously paired with Everest’s specialty house sauce, achaar – a tangy mix of tomato and tamarind – and the curry tasted as complex as it was aromatic.

Despite enjoying everything on my plate, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy for the diners near me who ordered the lunch buffet, making seconds and thirds long before I received my entree. For just $10, the buffet menu includes soup, naan bread, curries, a salad bar and dessert items.

If visiting Everest on your lunch break, to save yourself the coveting experience I endured, I suggest ordering off the buffet special. With items that change daily and fully listed by day on the backside of the regular menu, the buffet is your best bet for a tasty sample of Everest’s talented cooks and fine Nepali and Tibetan cuisine.

Everest on Grand, 1278 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN, (651) 696-1666

Hours: Monday – Thursday & Sunday 11:30 a.m.- 9:30 p.m., Fridays & Saturday 11:30 a.m.- 10:30 p.m.

I live in St. Paul. I work in St. Paul. I shop in St. Paul and I play in St. Paul. For me, there is no better vacation than to stay right here in the capital city and enjoy so many wonderful things just steps or a bike ride from my front door.

Me and the kids by the beach

This past Memorial Day weekend, my family stayed close to home and enjoyed some wonderful time outside. If your family loves to bike ride, I have a great place you must go to on the next sunny day. The bike path along the Mississippi River from Harriet Island toward Mendota Heights is a wonderful getaway. It is pretty level path, which is great for the young ones. At points along the path, there is a wonderful canopy of trees that almost makes you feel like you are on the North Shore of Minnesota.

If you have some budding archaeologists in your family, I highly recommend a stop at Lilydale Park. You can wind your way along the big hill and take part in some great fossil hunting. My 8-year old son went on a field trip with his third grade class to this area and now we love going there as a family. You play the role of an explorer and you sift through rocks looking for the ones that qualify as fossils. You may have to ask a friendly third grader to help you identify those clues! If you plan on keeping the fossils, be sure to apply for a permit.

Spooky Halloween in St. Paul

I am all about family adventures and St. Paul has many more places to go with your kids. If you are looking for a nice place to have a great meal, be sure to check out The Highland Grill at Ford Parkway and Cleveland Avenue. While you wait for your food, the waitress hands your children a tub of small toys to keep them occupied. When the food arrives, you realize why you came. They have wonderful gourmet meals that the kids will also enjoy. I think my husband and I lived on the Highland Grill food when our son was a baby. They got to know us pretty well!

We also really like going to a few other kid-friendly places on Grand Avenue. D’Amico and Sons feeds kids for free on Sunday nights. They also make sure the grown-ups glass of wine is always refilled for free. That is a nice bonus when you are going out with the family.

The beauty of the visit for us is that it is a short walk home after that. We also enjoy Billy’s on Grand. My son is a sports nut so we all enjoy watching the big game on the big screen while we wait for our burgers. If you don’t eat meat, they have a very nice veggie burger with any toppings. Bonfire on Grand provides a nice loud place so your kids won’t feel to intimidated to just be themselves. They have a great deal where kids make their own pizzas and watch them go into the woodfire oven. They also make their own sundaes for dessert. You can bet your young chefs will love being able to eat what they made.

If you are looking for a good spot to grab breakfast, Bread and Chocolate has the best Florentine

At the grand-opening of Rice Park powered by Xcel Energy

croissants. Get there early because they sell out fast. My kids love the cinnamon rolls. It’s a great way to kick back on a Sunday morning.I am “the” person to talk with about St. Paul. I often wish I would’ve grown up here. It is a big city with a small town feel and you really get the best of both worlds. I am just glad my children can call themselves St. Paul natives. Why would they want to leave when we have it all here?

- Vineeta Sawkar is an anchor on the Emmy-winning 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS mornings from 5-7 and Midday at 11a. Vineeta is a St. Paul resident and a die-hard Minnesota Wild fan (holding season tickets since the very first season in 2000)

Matt Thomas (right) and Joe Mauer (left) are probably talking about Saint Paul in this picture

As much fun as we have doing things together as a family, St. Paul offers us a chance to have some fun when just hanging out with friends , without having to leave the area. For me, I rarely even need to leave Grand Avenue.  It’s a street that I consider the perfect locale for a “Split up Session”.  My guy friends and I can find a game on TV at one of the great bars and restaurants.  Or sometimes we just enjoy a beverage on one of the pub patios while our wives check out the what they call “too cute” shops all along Grand.

Matt Thomas and Family

Since St. Paul is my neighborhood, here’s by “Best of” list for spots around town:

Best burger joint-  The Nook

Best place to go have a beer and strike up a conversation at the bar-  Groveland Tap

Best get dressed up and have dinner place-  The Lexington

Best breakfast served til 2:30pm-  The Grandview Grill

Best street to go take the kids for a walk- Along Mississippi River Boulevard

Best place to go sledding-  on the huge hill across from the Town and Country Country Clubhouse

Best summer programs-  St. Paul Parks and Recreation Urban Tennis

Best arena-  Xcel Energy Center (I’ve been to over a hundred different arenas in the country and this is one of the best)

Best way to enjoy the river-  Paddleboat ride from Harriet Island

Best Mom/Dad overnight trip away from the kids-  Saint Paul Hotel with a do not disturb sign

-Matt Thomas is the primary host of Twins baseball coverage on AM1500 KSTP. Listen to him on AM1500 as you drive to the stadium. Look for him broadcasting live from the plaza when you head into the ‘dome.

When I want to trick myself into a spa-cation and work in a challenging yoga class that ends with a blissful dose of relaxation, I head to Core Power Yoga on Grand Avenue.

My husband and I decided to make an afternoon date of it, finding a babysitter and going out for a late lunch after. (Yes, there are men in the class, too, I reassured him, since he was concerned he’d be the only guy there.) We stopped in on a recent weekend, showing up 30 minutes early to find parking—more on this later—rent towels, buy bottles of water (oops, we forgot our SIGGs!) and secure decent spots in the always crowded yoga studio.

The “Core Power 1 Intro to Power Yoga” class provides a good base to start with. Even though I’ve been practicing yoga for many years, I love going back to the basics, focusing on my alignment, and most of all, paying attention to my breath. Meanwhile, my husband, who doesn’t have much yoga experience, found the instruction thorough enough for a beginner. Our teacher for the day, Saren, reminds us frequently to come back to our breath, synchronizing our movements with our inhales and exhales. The music is motivating, but not distracting, and it builds with intensity as our practice does, before slowing down as we cool off.

While this probably sounds silly, I always plan a little extra time after class for a shower in the spa-like locker room simply because it is a serene place to be. Complete with smooth stone shower mats, luxurious shampoo, conditioner and body wash (not the smelly, bright pink stuff at my gym), a neutral decor and bamboo, it’s hard to believe I’m on the 2^nd floor of a building on bustling Grand Ave. The locker room is even stocked with natural deodorant and hair dryers. Clearly I get excited about the little things.

Afterward, we round out our afternoon date by walking across the street to Café Latte for a bite to eat and drink. I’m known for caving into my cravings for sweets—especially at a place that tries to sell you dessert before you go through the rest of the cafeteria-style line—but I’m feeling so relaxed and rejuvenated that I really just want a salad. The lemon basil shrimp salad hits the spot. For those who want to try more than one thing, I recommend choosing the 3-salad sampler plate.

The particulars: First try to find parking in the free Victoria Crossing lot just north of Grand Ave. between Victoria and Milton. If that doesn’t work, you can cruise the street for an open spot. Or, make things easy from the get-go and drive straight to pay lot across from Core Power (located adjacent to Pottery Barn). Core Power will validate two hours of free parking before 5 p.m., or $1.00 after 5 p.m., so don’t forget to bring your ticket inside with you.

Nestled in between an army surplus store and a natural fabric apparel store on Grand Ave, lies an easy-to-miss eclectic restaurant, Coffee News Cafe. Open for 11+ years, CNC is a part self-serve, part sit-down casual yet quirky cafe – as one glance at the “Be Nice or Leave” counter sticker would suggest.

When I visited Coffee News Cafe, the alternative-looking counter staff, comprised of tattooed and pierced indie kids, were friendly, helpful, and yes, even charming. After placing an order at the counter, I received a DIY table sign (think French Meadow Cafe) which, upon further viewing at my table, turn out to be a vocabulary flash card. My word of the day? Gams – slang used describe a person’s leg. The card even offered a spiffy example sentence, “Can you believe her hairy gams?” Good food and campy vocab building all in one sitting, total score.

Among the cafe’s other idiosyncrasies are the super tiny plastic water glasses and a décor that mixes an antique mosaic style with classic dinner quality, with stained glass art, marble titled tables and old-school swivel bar stools.

CNC’s menu, though relatively small, is full of tasty breakfast, lunch and dinner items, complete with vegetarian and vegan options. The tofu scramble -which I order on my visit – made without the feta is a delicious, morning vegan delight of fresh basil, tomato, potato wedges and firm tofu.

With breakfast served breakfast until 2 PM, smoothies, coffee drinks, appetizers, salads, a large list of paninis and cold sandwiches, you’ll find a neighborhood treat of eccentric flair and savory eats no matter what hour you visit.

Coffee News Cafe

1662 Grand Ave

St. Paul, MN

(651) 698-3324

I hate to admit this publicly, but as a milquetoasted stay-at-home dad, the highlight of most of my weekends has now become an afternoon nap – not exactly a rocking lifestyle. As the father of a five year old boy, I spend a large part of my day stuck in a giant pile of gobbledygook. Art projects usually become a heap of paint, glue, and sparkle. Sports activities, no matter the endeavor, normally turn into Wrestle mania. And after about twenty minutes of imaginary play, my brain turns to sludge (I can only make the Chewbacca groan so many times). This is say; parenting can be an exhaustive cycle of mind numbing domesticity. After taking care of Murphy all week, I usually look like Nick Nolte’s mug shot. In an on-going attempt to spice up my domesticated life, my son and I venture out into the hip Twin Cities landscape. But the problem is that all of our fun happens on the west side of the Mississippi. We never go to St. Paul.

I’m about as Minneapolis as it gets. I grew up on Nicollet Avenue, directly under the long shadow of down town Minneapolis. I attended Catholic school for thirteen years in south Minny. I’ll take the Replacements over Husker Du any day of the week. I currently live and work in Linden Hills, a trendy little hamlet just a few blocks from Lake Harriet, the picturesque Minneapolis landmark. When STAYcation asked me to cover the “Family” blog for this website, I initially wavered. How could a Minny-Apple nimrod like me cover the Capital City? After several preliminary reconnaissance missions into St. Paul, I whole heartedly said, “Heck Ya!” The way I see it, writing for the website is a way to improve the quality of life for me and my 612- stricken son.

Raising Murphy is at times the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done and the hardest thing I’ve ever done. We can only go to the Linden Hills library, Linden Hills Park, Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream, and Lake Harriet band shell so many times before it begins to feel like an episode of Lost. This summer, though, the city of St. Paul will offer us a new world to explore, one beyond the confines of both our imaginations and neighborhood boundaries. For the entire summer, I will be visiting both the large scale places (the Science Museum, Flint Hills Festival, etc.) and the mom and pop neighborhood spots (Carbone’s Pizza in Mac Groveland, etc.) that make St. Paul such a wonderful city. We will try Izzy’s ice cream and burritos from El Burrito Mercado. We will cheer on the St. Paul Saints and invade Grand Avenue. And even though the relation between West St. Paul, the West side of St. Paul, and South St. Paul, is a geographical conundrum for me, I will joyfully cross the river that separates our two cities.

Do I need a passport?

I’m a tried and true Saint Paul girl. I grew up in Highland Park, went to High School at St. Paul Central, and have worked and played in pretty much every nook and cranny of our fine capitol city. My career as an arts writer, photographer, curator, and general arts instigator has led me through the Twin Cities and beyond. However, the streets of St. Paul are the streets that I will always consider home.

From the bustling shopping mecca that is Grand Avenue to the festive and colorful borough of Saint Paul’s West Side, and from the classic, tree-lined scenery of Summit Avenue to the beautiful architecture of Downtown — Saint Paul is truly a place to live a charmed life. We revel in our gorgeous parks and the rampant bits of lovingly maintained green space that pepper the city from end to end. We are constantly encouraged to learn about and appreciate our rich history, as a city, and as people, with unparalleled cultural and educational resources. Our arts community thrives and flourishes, feeding off its own creative energy and inspiring new artists to join its ranks each day.

Last weekend I fell in love with St. Paul all over again. My evening began at the Fitzgerald Theater, with a dazzling performance by the Classical Ballet Academy and Ballet Minnesota, as part of the Minnesota Dance Festival. Dozens of darling children graced the stage with rousing theatrics and whimsical choreography, followed by a progressive lineup of pre-teens to young adults whose talents seemed to almost trump themselves with each act. Ballet Minnesota finished the night with a mesmerizing performance of La Bayadere, a production filled with glittering ballerinas and brilliant movement. The intimate theater set the backdrop perfectly; it’s no surprise that Ballet Minnesota has pegged the Fitz as its new home.

My night continued at Lowertown’s AZ Gallery, where the College of Visual Arts was holding its annual thesis show, which runs through May 31st. The impressive work by this slew of young emerging artists was inventive and eclectic. I ended up buying a piece of work from 2003 CVA grad D.C. Ice, an AZ Gallery resident artist. Next on the itinerary was a bottle of red wine and some experimental music at the cozy Black Dog Cafe, followed by a late-night burger at Mickey’s Diner.

My experience in Saint Paul last Friday was a lovely and memorable. The kind of night I know can be re-created 1000 different ways this summer — for you, and for me. I want you to use STAYcation as your personal concierge, a resource to inspire you to live that “charmed life” that I previously mentioned. Please come back often, I’m so excited to tell you all the city’s secrets!