Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors—mow the lawn, splash in a lake, tend the garden. Summer also has a sultry side, one that is sensual and slow moving. It’s the song of summer, when the living is easy and the summer breeze makes you feel fine. It’s a late night under the stars, an extended lunch al fresco, cocktail hour with a glowing sunset, a star-kissed romantic date. Riotous colors, juicy flavors, dishes to share and beauty on the plate await you. Put a flower behind your ear and dig in.
FISH TACOS
The Tavern Grill
Fish tacos are an emblematic vacation dish. They’re light, so you can take a swim directly after eating; they’re also dependent on the freshest ingredients, particularly the fish. The Tavern Grill uses cod as sweet and clean as if it jumped right from the water into the fry-o-later; it’s lightly battered and piping hot before it meets its taco mates: crisp shredded cabbage and a creamy chili-lime sour cream, all snuggled into a warm flour tortilla. Citrus salsa and cilantro add an herbaceous tang. On the side, there is aromatic jasmine rice and colorful pico de gallo. It’s spicy, creamy, and completely of-the-moment. What a luminous moment it is. $12.50.
772 Bielenberg Drive; 651.578.3000
ADRIATICO PIZZA
Punch Neapolitan Pizza
It may be pizza, but this is no greasy carb-bomb. From Punch, you get an elevated pizza-esque experience that will transport you to the streets of old Napoli, which is, after all, on the banks of the azure Mediterranean sea. The Adriatico pie is named after the Mediterranean’s less famous but just as beguiling cousin, the Adriatic Sea, and its lavish resorts and ancient mosaics. The black-blistered, thin-crusted Adriatico pie combines San Marzano tomatoes and bufala mozzarella with fresh sheep-milk feta, salty capers, onion, green saracene olives and oregano. It’s delicious, and about as far away from that “uff-da” post-pizza gut as Minnesota is from the Adriatic. $11.55-$12.95.
8300 City Centre Drive; 651.714.7986
SEVEN YEAR ITCH MARTINI
Bonfire
Bonfire rocks the most giggle-worthy drink list around: witness the seven year itch martini, and that’s one of the more modest names. The drinks themselves are as delightful as their monikers: the “itch” is a powerful elixir of Pinnacle blackberry vodka and blackberry-infused simple syrup, muddled with blackberries and raspberries. It’s mixed with sweet pineapple juice and a splash of Sprite, with a blackberry on top. Leave all hand-held devices at home or at least in an “off” position at the bottom of a purse. Such a naughty cocktail calls for a little bit of anonymity. The menu also boasts a mocktail and refresher section, increasingly popular for all the designated drivers. $7 for a single pour, $12 for the shaker.
1424 Weir Drive; 651.735.0085
MESSY SUNDAE
Craft Beer & Kitchen
In certain contexts, the words “messy sundae” translate into “instant headache.” Like, when your child is covered with stickiness from head to toe and jacked up on a high- voltage dose of sugar. But this is a sundae for adults, and in that context, messy sundae sounds almost sinful. Grab your sweetest one and ask for two spoons to dig into this magnificent pile of hot fudge, vanilla and chocolate ice creams, bourbon caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, peanuts and banana. It’s a special treat that’s totally over the top and worth every dripping spoonful; in this case, sticky is good. Just don’t get handprints on the car’s leather seats. $8.
700 Commons Drive; 651.735.1997
CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS
Pei Wei
Surrender yourself to childlike impulse. Here is one instance where you may play with your food—in fact, it’s required, because it’s up to you to put together a tasty package with the ingredients before you: marinated tender minced chicken, velvety shiitake mushrooms, crisp water chestnuts and scallions, all soaked in a sweet garlic sauce. There is a neat pile of rice sticks (noodles) and iceberg lettuce leaves with which to build your creation: a pinch of this and that bundled up in a green leaf is tasty, refreshing, and oh-so-fun. And then you get to lick your fingers. $6.75.
8300 Tamarack Village, 651.286.3990
(The chicken lettuce wraps at Pei Wei are a refreshing summertime choice.)
STEAMED MUSSELS
Cravings Wine Bar and Grille
Anything slurpy within a shell can be filed under sensuous; our minds automatically jump to oysters, but oysters are so obvious. Mussels are a nice switch, and, to look at their orange and black design, as sexy as it gets. These are amped up with heat and spice to bring a sweat to your brow and sizzle to your tongue. Chorizo sausage, dried chilis, white wine and butter make the broth; it’s served with grilled crostini to soak it up. It’s light enough so you continue the evening with more active pursuits, whatever they may be. $13-$15.
755 Bielenberg Drive; 651.528.6828
COCONUT CURRY
Duc’s Vietnamese and Chinese Cuisine
Coconut equals the tropics; picture a fresh green one, sporting a straw from a made-on-the-spot puncture, or envision a tall palm tree swaying in the warm breeze, coconuts barely visible at the tasseled top. Coconut meat goes both ways, sweet and savory, and is often put to service in curries. Duc’s coconut curry is fairly mild, i.e., “Minnesota spicy,” and it’s full of colorful crisp-tender veggies: broccoli, pea pods, carrots, bok choy, napa cabbage, mushrooms and onions. It’s punctuated with slightly floral, citrusy lemongrass and a load of pungent garlic. The curry itself is bursting with coconut flavor and toasted spices like turmeric and cumin; peanuts jump in with extra salt and crunch. It’s a dreamy thing to eat, whether fishing for odd treasures or closing your eyes and letting the swaying palm trees take over. Choice of chicken, beef or shrimp, $10.95, $11.95 and $12.50, respectively.
783 Radio Drive; 651.735.1044
CHILI PAKORA
India Palace
Anything exotic conjures romance and mystery, and it doesn’t get more exotic than Indian food. Our local India Palace keeps us both sated and intrigued with familiar and not-so-familiar dishes; an adventurous soul will dine happily here—the aromatic spices and Indian music alone induce a languorous, woozy-in-a-good-way feeling at this cozy place. The chili pakora, hot peppers mixed with chickpea flour and deep fried, are a tasty snack to enjoy with a drink or launch a big dinner. $4.95.
8362 Tamarack Village; 651.731.6300
