Star Tribune Going Out

24 June

Just reintroducing ourselves (and sharing some news). We want to share the best arts, culture + food reporting Minnesota has to offer. Our goal is for you to stay informed and stay connected. Starting today, all links we share here will be gift links 🎁 Happy reading! - @abbysliva.bsky.social

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

startribune.comThe Big Gigs: 11 top concerts in Twin Cities this weekHighlights for Oct. 22-28 include Sienna Spiro, Sylvan Esso, Ryan Bingham, Zac Brown Band, Duane Betts and Judy Collins’ farewell tour.

Two nights with Sylan Esso, the return of Ryan Bingham and buzzy newcomers Sienna Spiro and Greg Freeman in this week’s Big Gigs. www.startribune.com/sienna-spiro...

startribune.comHippo Campus rocks Turf Club ahead of singer’s brain surgeryOne of the Twin Cities’ hottest bands of the past decade played the undersized gig to rally behind Mayo Clinic-bound frontman Jake Luppen.

Just announced last week, the surprise gig came with a shocking sidenote of news: Jake Luppen, the Twin Cities’ indie-rock band’s affable frontman, is soon facing a daunting round of surgery at the Mayo Clinic for a brain tumor. (🎁🔗)

startribune.comModern Times, the restaurant that had no prices, plans to closeThe south Minneapolis restaurant that once fed anyone whether they could pay or not had returned prices to the menu but continued to struggle.

The restaurant, a beloved neighborhood fixture with farm-to-table brunch fare and a quirky atmosphere, took prices off the menu in late January during the depths of Operation Metro Surge. (🎁🔗)

startribune.comExclusive: Behind the scenes at Nicolas Cage’s zombie shoot in StillwaterThe Oscar winner’s post-apocalyptic film “Parish” will shoot in Minnesota through the end of the month.

Our reporter Neal Justin spent time on set with Nicolas Cage in Stillwater, Minn. Here’s what it was like 🎥🎬 (🎁🔗)

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

Minnesota Star Tribune

@startribune.com

We want to see your scary-cute animals dressed up for the spooky season! Submit your pet in our annual Halloween Pet Costume Contest for a chance to win a prize: bit.ly/4s9SvZd Here are a few of our past winners!

startribune.comJust 31, this Minnesota musician will play Turf Club gig before brain surgeryHippo Campus’ Jake Luppen posted details about his health on Instagram, promising an Oct. 19 gig in St. Paul.

Hippo Campus’ Jake Luppen posted details about his health on Instagram, promising an Oct. 19 gig in St. Paul. (🎁🔗)

bit.lyAfter 41 years and a contentious sale, French Meadow in Minneapolis has closedThe groundbreaking organic bakery and restaurant was the subject of litigation amid a changing of hands.

When French Meadow opened in 1985, it was at the forefront of organic baking, evolving into a beloved neighborhood staple known for its vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free foods using local ingredients.

Bon Iver in the house at today’s Lynx playoff game 🏡🏀

startribune.comThe essential Kramarczuk’s: 11 dishes to order at the Minneapolis institutionFrom handmade pierogies to towering tortes, a guide to the classics (and a few secrets) at the James Beard-honored landmark.

Over several visits our food critic Raphael Brion methodically worked his way through the lengthy menu at the Minneapolis stalwart. Here are his top picks 🌭

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

startribune.comReview: Iron Maiden’s zombified metal defies age in ShakopeeThe enduring British band sold out Mystic Lake Amphitheater and packed it with old-school thrills ahead of a hall of fame induction.

20 Sept

How good was last night’s sold-out Iron Maiden concert at Mystic Lake Amphitheater? You might not believe it. www.startribune.com/iron-maiden-...

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startribune.comDevo and B-52s whip it together weirdo-style at Shakopee amphitheaterThe late-’70s innovators made an oddly charming pair together but played to an undersized crowd.

21 Sept

Review of last night's fun & funky albeit short-lived & underattended pairing of Devo & B-52's at Mystic Lake Amphitheater. www.startribune.com/devo-b52s-co...

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

startribune.com5 fresh twists on Oktoberfest parties in the Twin CitiesPretzels and polka still abound, but there are also now options for pizza and punk rock with the German festivities.

18 Sept

Oktoberfest season kicks off this weekend in droves, with many of the usual breweries and German places offering their usual megaparties. Here are some new or unusual spins on the old traditions. www.startribune.com/5-fresh-twis...

startribune.comReview: Phoebe Bridgers was fully dialed-in at phoneless St. Paul concertThe “Motion Sickness” hitmaker offered a big-spectacle of a show at a sold-out Grand Casino Arena, but there’s no video to prove it.

18 Sept

She sings beautifully, passionately, poetically and touchingly, but is she meant to be doing it in sports arenas under NHL team banners and Bud Light signs? 👀 (🎁🔗)

startribune.comFour-star Myriel excels at the art of focused simplicityBehind the understated food at Karyn Tomlinson’s St. Paul restaurant lies a complex network of farmers, teamwork, butchery, preservation and exacting technique.

17 Sept

Our restaurant critic Raphael Brion’s first four-star review of his tenure is for St. Paul’s Myriel. He writes: Karyn Tomlinson’s restaurant remains warm, intimate and deeply personal 🫜😌 (🎁🔗)

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

startribune.comThe Big Gigs: 10 top concerts in the Twin Cities this weekHighlights for Sept. 17-23 include Phoebe Bridgers, Kacey Musgraves, Iron Maiden, Public Image Ltd., Herb Alpert and Devo with B-52’s.

17 Sept

One 2026 RRHOF inductee, another amphitheater show with two acts that should be inducted, Kacey, Phoebe, Johnny and more in this week's Big Gigs concert roundup. www.startribune.com/phoebe-bridg...

startribune.comHow a chicken sandwich rocketed this St. Paul restaurant to one of New York Times’ favoritesFollow the path that brought chef Eric Pham and Khue’s Kitchen national acclaim, from first bites to the fire that almost destroyed a dream to a place to call home.

16 Sept

Khue’s Kitchen was also selected as the Star Tribune’s Best New Restaurant in 2025. Critic Raphael Brion wrote, “Eric Pham cooks like he’s got something to prove.” (🎁🔗)

startribune.comA love letter to Summit as the St. Paul craft-brew pioneer faces foreclosureThe financially strained St. Paul craft-brew pioneer doesn’t make the trendiest beers, but it has made good ones, plus a lot more.

16 Sept

Before Summit, the term “pale ale” might’ve been mistaken for a Scandinavian skin ailment in Minnesota. @chrisrstrib.bsky.social explores the legacy of Summit Brewing and what a closure would mean for the Minnesota beer community 🍻 (🎁🔗)

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

startribune.comHow indie star Phoebe Bridgers jumped to playing sold-out arenasThe second stop on the California strummer’s phone-less tour, St. Paul’s show is a good indicator of why she’s gotten so big.

15 Sept

How in the world did indie-minded, fame-avoidant Phoebe Bridgers wind up selling out a sports arena in Minnesota? She'll play to a packed Grand Casino Arena on Thursday night, only the second stop on her tour. www.startribune.com/how-indie-st...

startribune.comObsession-worthy chips arrive; Mandalay Kitchen reopening soonPlus, Michelin announces the date Minneapolis stars will be awarded, Bewick is open and get ready for three levels of boozy soft serve.

15 Sept

In this week’s Minnesota restaurant news: Michelin announces the date Minneapolis stars will be awarded, Bewick is open and get ready for three levels of boozy soft serve 🍽️ (🎁🔗)

startribune.comMinnesota may be the best place in the country for fall colors this yearThe DNR has a Fall Color Finder to help leaf peepers plan their outings.

14 Sept

Sun-drenched days combined with just enough summer moisture have set the stage for a brilliant display in Minnesota 🍂🍁 (🎁🔗)

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

Abby Sliva

@abbysliva.bsky.social

8 Sept

I wrote about the influencer-fication of the Minnesota State Fair for @stribgoingout.startribune.com :) with my amazing colleague Rachel Hutton :)

startribune.comMove over, Coachella. The State Fair is where it’s atCall it the influencerfication of the fair. The internet’s cool kids are embracing the folksy vibe at the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

3 Sept

Threading the 2026 MN State Fair 4-H Llama and Alpaca costume contest contestants here because you deserve it 😇

3 Sept

More llamas!!! All photos by Aaron Lavinsky/The Minnesota Star Tribune 🦙

4 Sept

More llamas 🎥: @abbysliva.bsky.social + @stribrooks.bsky.social on the 🦙 beat

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

startribune.comBarrel Theory to take over Lake Monster brewing site in St. PaulThe brewery plans to close its Lowertown site by October and will gain a much bigger facility across town.

1 Sept

Barrel Theory confirmed it's leaving Lowertown to take over the now-shuttered Lake Monster taproom. "Did someone say an entire parking lot?!" www.startribune.com/barrel-theor...

startribune.comBream: Dave Matthews Band shows why Minnesota needed a big amphitheaterThe jam-band kingpins played an outstanding concert with surprise guest Sierra Ferrell.

1 Sept

After the June 20 rain-out, the Kingpin of Jam Bands made it to the Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee on Monday. (🎁🔗)

startribune.comWe tried and ranked more than 100 new foods at the fairFrom Hmong corn dogs and savory pickle pie to ube and cheesecake everything, this year’s new crop of foods leans sweet, fried and global.

28 Aug

Every year, we scour the Minnesota State fairgrounds for all the new foods — not just those with “official” designations. And we taste every one of them. This year: 109 foods from 71 vendors. Here are our ratings 👀 (🎁🔗)

We’re out with the Strib Taste Team at the Minnesota State Fair trying all the new foods 😋 Follow along here for updates throughout our odyssey 🫡

Pickle Korean Corn Dog ($18) from Chan’s Eatery is a savory, crunchy, briny yummy snack 🥒

28 Aug

We got a little slow here at the end of the day but 12 hours later we did eat probably over 100 new foods. Reviews + more content coming soon 🫡

We’re out with the Strib Taste Team at the Minnesota State Fair trying all the new foods 😋 Follow along here for updates throughout our odyssey 🫡

Butter Soft Serve ($8) from Libby’s near the grandstand ….guys….let’s save the butter for the princess carvings 😨

Dubai Whoopie Pie ($13) from Dino’s is a great option for a sweet treat 😋

We’re out with the Strib Taste Team at the Minnesota State Fair trying all the new foods 😋 Follow along here for updates throughout our odyssey 🫡

Beer Soft Serve ($12) at Pryes slaps, as always. New this year: peach flavor! 🍑

Bao Belly ($16 for 2) from RC’s BBQ did not disappoint 🥹

We’re out with the Strib Taste Team at the Minnesota State Fair trying all the new foods 😋 Follow along here for updates throughout our odyssey 🫡

Ranch Beer ($8) from Dual Citizen!!! Pretty good lowkey!!!!

Cracklin’ corn ribs ($15) from Blue Barn are a hit with our crew 🌽

We’re out with the Strib Taste Team at the Minnesota State Fair trying all the new foods 😋 Follow along here for updates throughout our odyssey 🫡

^^^ from the Farmer’s Union Coffee Shop 🫡

Shrimp Basket ($11) from Shrimp Shack is deceptively delicious! Breakfast of champions 🍤

We’re out with the Strib Taste Team at the Minnesota State Fair trying all the new foods 😋 Follow along here for updates throughout our odyssey 🫡

Here’s Mancini’s Walking Chopped Italian Grinder ($13). Anything can be a walking taco if you put your mind to it 🤯

The Apple Donut Ham Grinder ($19) is unwieldy, but if you get all the components in one bite…it’s pretty darn tasty 🍎

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

Abby Sliva

@abbysliva.bsky.social

26 Aug

I’ll be eating all the official and unofficial new Minnesota State Fair foods tomorrow with @stribgoingout.startribune.com and our Taste team. Follow along as I attempt to live Bluesky and Instagram post my way through the day 🫪🎡🌽

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

startribune.comThe Big Gigs: 10 top concerts in the Twin Cities this weekHighlights from Aug. 27-Sept. 2 include Bonnie Raitt, Wu-Tang Clan, Tame Impala, Alabama Shakes, Santana and Dave Matthews.

26 Aug

The big Wu, Alabama Shakes, Tame Impala and some stellar State Fair headliners, plus Weird Al too, in this week's Big Gigs roundup. www.startribune.com/bonnie-raitt...

startribune.comBrighten your State Fair morning with these 10 breakfast standsRise and shine with blueberry pancakes, whipped honey lattes spiked with cayenne and breakfast sandwiches served with a hearty dose of neighborly welcome.

26 Aug

These are our picks for the first 10 stands to visit within an hour of the gates opening ☕️ (🎁🔗)

Star Tribune Going Out reposted

Minnesota Star Tribune

@startribune.com

25 Aug

After six months and 30,000 free meals, Post Modern Times took a break to recalibrate and “give everyone some rest.” It’s now back as Modern Times, as of Wednesday, Aug. 26, and while prices are returning to the menu, it will be a no-tipping establishment.

bit.lyModern Times cafe is back, and so are menu pricesPlus: Marc Heu’s new cafe is open, a notable new patio debuts with momos and more, Sun Street Breads on the North Shore and more food news.