Apple Dishes in Woodbury

It’s hard not to notice when autumn’s apple season rolls around. These big ruddy fruits fill barrels and boxes at the farmers market, the grocery store and every produce pop-up on the roadside. The aroma of rosy Haralsons begging to be baked into a pie and the audible crunch of dimpled Honey Crisps—these are delicious signals that fall is in full swing. Seeing as how there are such a diverse array of pastries, salads, entrees and desserts that include these crunchy-sweet pommes, Woodbury Magazine went apple picking. Only instead of trolling down rows of apple trees, we sorted through the offerings of local eateries. We found everything from cinnamon-spiced autumnal breakfast to rich and rustic dinner options. Take a timeless tip from your doc and have one of these local apple offerings a day.Apple CrostataGreat Harvest BreadThe aroma of freshly baked bread is like a siren’s song, luring wayward pedestrians toward soft breaded deliciousness. Great Harvest Bread offers a hotbed of these temptations, especially at this time of year, when local apples are aplenty. We recommend hurrying to this bakery and getting your paws on an apple crostata. It’s the jewel of apple pastries, galette-like and open in the center, revealing a panoply of apples, dried cranberries, raisins and spices. $9. Do you have more than just your own mouth to feed with apple-y goodness? Then buy a loaf of the apple crunch bread, made with whole grains, rich applesauce and slivered apples, capped with a delectable crunchy-streusel topping. Looking for a loaf that’s a bit more classic? Try the apple cinnamon swirl bread, made with whole grains and scads of cinnamon spice. Both varieties are $6.95 per loaf. 8160 Coller Way; 651.578.9756.Chicken Calvados Lake Elmo Inn Apples are little flavor bombs that deserve to be included in rich, hearty dishes. The Lake Elmo Inn is well aware of apples’ awesomeness and has included them in a couple of must-have menu items this fall. We recommend the Inn’s long-time classic, the chicken calvados ($19.95). The dish includes succulent chicken prepared with apple brandy, topped with sautéed apples and mushrooms and served with a velvety cream sauce. The marriage of tender chicken with sweet apples is so mind-blowing, you’ll wonder why you don’t see this delicious combo more often. Once you’ve licked your plate clean, order a slice of the upside-down caramel apple pecan pie ($6.50). This baby is as incredible as it sounds. To really do it right, try it à la mode. 3442 Lake Elmo Ave. N., Lake Elmo; 651.777.8495. Minneapple Pie Kowalski’sA pastry whose moniker plays off of the fair city of Minneapolis, the minneapple pie ($3.99) is a must-have that you’ll find in Kowalski’s donut case. This indulgent dessert shows its pretty face at the Minnesota State Fair every year, and folks by the dozens love it for its decadence. It’s a deep-fried apple pie rolled in sweet cinnamon, boasting an incredible crust woven with bits of chopped apples and more cinnamon plus sugar. If that sounds a little too sweet for you, try one of the Kowalski’s bakery’s traditional pies: the apple brown Betty pie, the double-crusted apple pie ($13.99 each) or the rustic signature apple pie (loaded with 4 pounds of apples), $15.99. 8505 Valley Creek Road; 651.578.8800.Caramel Apple CrêpeBrix Coffee, Crepes, CustardThe espresso machine hisses and churns, the baristas call out fancy drinks, and the thick aroma of roasted coffee beans hangs in the air. But it’s not the java you’re jones-ing for; it’s the crêpes. At Brix, you can certainly find a solid cup o’ joe, but you can also find a super-satisfying and sweet breakfast. This month we’re all about the caramel-apple crêpe ($5.90). You get one glorious, golden crêpe that’s wrapped around a slew of thinly sliced Granny Smith apples. The tart apples are combined with dabs of butter and a healthy sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. That rolled-up beauty is then drizzled with caramel and topped with candied pecans and a puff of whipped cream. Trust us—c’est bon! 572 Commons Drive; 651.730.7284.Dutch Apple PieKeys CaféThere’s something magical about a neighborhood café and its homemade pies. Yes, magical. That’s an apt word to describe how it feels to plop down into a plush booth, order a bottomless cup of strong black coffee and carefully ponder what flavor of pie you will indulge in. Well, at Keys Café it’s hard to go wrong with any of the fruit-filled desserts, but you might want to go all-American this time and get the dutch apple pie ($3.50 for a slice). Inside the flaky, buttery crust is a pile of sugary-sweet apple chunks that practically drip with cinnamon spice. Up that magic by a factor of 10 when you get that thick slice heated and served with dollop of whipped cream. 1750 Weir Drive; 651.731.5397. Apple Chicken SaladThe Lakes Tavern & GrillAre you looking to escape the influx of sugar-soused apple-stuffed pastries and pies? Try a healthy spin on apple deliciousness this fall by going to The Lakes Tavern & Grill for an apple chicken salad ($10.95). You’ll gawk at the gorgeous greens, tossed with crisp apples, gorgonzola cheese crumbles, dried cranberries and crunchy candied pecans—all topped with grilled chicken breast and drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. If you want to go all-apple, why not order a chilled glass of hard apple cider, either Angry Orchard ($6.25 for a pint; $8.25 for a mug) or Crispin ($5.95 for a bottle). It’s a light and refreshing break from the infiltration of apple desserts. 9240 Hudson Road; 651.287.2000. Chicken Gouda FondueTavern GrillDream it, build it, eat it—that’s Tavern Grill’s mantra. Pizzas, burgers and salads materialize from your culinary imagination. It’s a fun concept, but we’re impressed with what the chef has dreamed up for apple season. The chicken gouda fondue ($11) is an appetizer comprising juicy morsels of sautéed marinated chicken, oven-toasted herb focaccia croutons, and crisp apple slices, all served up with a tantalizingly delicious smoked gouda cheese fondue for dipping. Follow that up with a Tavern’s chop salad ($12.50), which features crisp romaine plus spring greens tossed with honey-lime dressing and topped with grilled chicken, Granny Smith apples, cucumber, candied pecans and bleu cheese crumbles. End that lineup with a favorite from the dessert menu: apple crisp ($7.50). This mouthwatering sweet is served in a hot skillet, drizzled with caramel and paired with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. 772 Bielenberg Drive; 651.578.3000.