Every Wednesday during the Summer a handful of local food trucks form a stationary convoy along Kellogg Boulevard in Downtown Saint Paul to feed the lunchtime crowd. Word of warning: Most of these trucks do not take plastic. Food Truck Court In Saint Paul Minnesota from David Erickson.

I had the Grilled Trout from 128 Cafe. It was absolutely delicious:

Grilled Trout from 128 Cafe Food Truck

Here’s 128 Cafe’s food truck menu:

128 Cafe's Food Truck Menu

Caribou Coffee Mocha Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans

This is why I prefer Caribou Coffee over Starbucks: Chocolate-covered coffee beans!

I’d be all about this even if Punch Pizza were not a client of my employer, Tunhiem. My favorite pizza will be half off at the Stadium Village Punch Pizza location on Saturdays and Sundays through April. You’ll need to redeem this hilarious coupon to take advantage:

Punch Pizza Late Night Out Coupon

This week, we helped Punch launch their latest online initiative, PunchPizza.tv, so when you go, take your video camera with and tell your Punch story: Punch Pizza Wants Your Stories from Punch Pizza.

DeVotchKa plays with Scotland Yard Gospel Choir on Friday at First Avenue at 8 p.m. I’m a big fan. Watch How It Ends at Audiolicious.tv. [DETAILS.] Found at YouTube from Devotchka.

All The Sand In All The Sea by DeVotchKa

I’m ashamed to say it took me this long to try Wuollet Bakery because as a Minnesotan born ‘n bred, I know the bakery is an institution in these parts. Wuollet Bakery has five locations in the Twin Cities. I went to the Saint Paul location. Wuollet Bakery from David Erickson.

Jersey Mike’s makes makes fresh sliced, authentic Northeast Style Sub Sandwiches on fresh baked bread. I can’t recommend them highly enough. They have one location in Minnesota, in Saint Anthony, in the strip mall right across from the Village Pub. Jersey Mike’s from David Erickson.

My favorite dish at Bascali’s Brick Oven is the Wood Roasted Chicken & Garlic over linguini with a roasted garlic sauce. I definitely recommend Bascali’s; I go to this mom and pop shop often and I’ve never been disappointed…except once I ordered the vegetarian chili by mistake, which I don’t recommend. But just because that’s not my thing. You might like it. Bascali’s Brick Oven from davideerickson at YouTube.

Bascali’s Brick Oven
1552 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108 [MAP]
(651) 645-6617

I stopped by the Cheeky Monkey Deli in Saint Paul on Selby Avenue yesterday and got a meatloaf sandwich to go. The meatloaf sandwich includes meatloaf, of course, as well as cheddar cheese, bacon, spicy mustard, and pickled chilies on toast. It was delicious. Found at YouTube from davideerickson.

I finally got around to trying out Crave. I know I’m late to the game but now I can see what I was missing.

I visited the Crave at The Galleria in Edina on Friday night about 6 p.m., so I got in just before the dinner rush began. We were seated quickly and courteously and escorted to the back dining area, a well-lit room due to the floor-to-ceiling windows. There was a fire crackling in the fireplace at one end of the room. The fire, the lighting, and the uncluttered solid wood tables contributed to an ambiance of comfort and elegance.

We had yam and beet chips for an appetizer and I was surprised to learn that they are delicious…just something about the word “yam” that has always struck me as inedible-sounding.

I had a gin and tonic for a cocktail because most places don’t know how to make a good gin and tonic. The waitress asked what kind of gin I wanted. Sapphire. The trick to a good gin and tonic is 1) using good gin, 2) going easy but not too easy on the gin, and 3) a tall glass. Crave got everything right but the tall glass. It was wonderful.

For my entree I chose the Roasted Chicken & Penne, made with roasted red pepper, kalamata olives, Donnay Farms goat cheese, and organic basil. I wasn’t too hungry so I chose the small size. The meal arrived served in a tilted bowl and proved delicious, as they mixed the aforementioned ingredients with shaved garlic and topped it off with a sprinkle of pine nuts.

I was full by the end of the meal; the small portion proved more than enough. The prices are a little on the steep side but the food is well worth the extra dinero. The chocolate-covered raspberries from nearby Bissinger’s were the perfect desert.

I’ll  be back.

Crave at The Galleria
3520 W. 70th Street, Edina, MN 55435
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As Summer approaches every year, I always anticipate July because it is in that month that Bissinger’s in the Galleria in Edina starts selling their seasonal chocolate-covered Raspberries, an absolutely delicious treat. I went again yesterday and here’s the evidence.

Here’s a photo slideshow of the chocolates: