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Keep It Local

Keep It Local by City Cast Twin Cities features spotlights on local businesses we love and personal, curated, and neighborly recommendations that will help you live your best Twin Cities life right now. So, if you’re ready to ditch the national chains, e-commerce giants, and big box stores,

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Roseanne Pereira

And welcoming is one way to describe Marhaba Mediterranean Grill’s atmosphere especially during the World Cup, where games are shown on screens throughout the restaurant. The alcohol-free restaurant has been in operation since 2012 and is family-owned.

“Soccer is a huge part of Egyptian culture,” Mohamed Shehata, Marhaba’s owner, says. “We show every match, creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere where fans of every country can come together to cheer on their teams. Families are always welcome, making it a great place for parents, kids, and friends to enjoy authentic food while experiencing the excitement of the tournament.”

Marhaba serves authentic Egyptian dishes made fresh daily from family recipes passed down through generations. Some of their most popular 

 include kofta kabob, chicken kabob, beef and chicken gyro, falafel, koshari, hummus, baba ghanoush, stuffed grape leaves, and freshly baked pita bread. (Did anyone else just get very hungry?!)

 include baklava, kinafa (golden shredded pastry over sweet cheese in syrup), and basbousa, semolina cake served in citrus blossom syrup.

There are a few different ways to approach the restaurant including ordering items a la carte off the menu, or by partaking in unlimited visits to their lunch or dinner buffet. Shehata recommends the buffet for first timers since you can experience the variety of Egyptian flavors in one meal. He also recommends the fresh hibiscus juice, a refreshing traditional Egyptian favorite.

For Shehata, the tournament and restaurant are aligned in other ways, too.

“The World Cup brings people together, and that's exactly what Marhaba Grill is all about,” he says. “It's one of our favorite times of the year because it creates a sense of community that goes beyond soccer.”

Marhaba Mediterranean Grill’s atmosphere is welcoming, especially during the World Cup, where games are shown on screens throughout the restaurant.

World Cup Fans Welcome at Minneapolis' Marhaba Grill (Buffet Alert!)

World Cup Fans Welcome at Marhaba Grill (Buffet Alert!)

Ninth Street Soccer and Coffee (Minneapolis)

If you’re looking for an atmosphere that’s energetic, welcoming, and fun for all ages, why not head to a place that celebrates soccer and community year-round? At 

, parents can watch games inside the cafe while their 

 on a nearby indoor field for free. A full espresso bar, smoothies, and local beer are all available, and Ninth Street will screen the finals right on their indoor turf, projected onto the wall.

This Highland Park family-owned and operated spot has been around since 1971. With 37+ TVs throughout – including popular dual-TV booths – no seat has a bad view. During the World Cup, 

” to their American grill-style menu – those are four different flavors of wings inspired by countries competing in the cup, including French lemon pepper beurre blanc wings and Mexican mango tajín-chamoy wings.

This women-owned, popular mercado and cantina on the West side features vibrant community watch parties, projector screenings on their spacious outdoor patio, and game-day food and drink specials. 

 food and drink offerings include classic margaritas, nachos, and tacos, as well as horchata and Mexican coffee. Games are also 

Qamaria Yemeni Coffee (Blaine, Eden Prairie, Little Canada)

, (also known as Khalyet Al Nahel, a honey-drizzled sweet bread stuffed with cream cheese) or other traditional Yemeni sweets. And check out location-specific discounts, like 15% off for wearing your favorite national team jersey.

If you’re looking for an atmosphere that’s energetic, welcoming, and fun for all ages, why not head to a place that celebrates soccer and community year-round?

Family-Friendly World Cup Watching in the Twin Cities

Family-Friendly World Cup Watching

I first visited Tamu Grill at Taste of Minnesota with my mother, who used to live in Kenya. She’s a hard grader yet gave their samosas two thumbs up.

At the festival this year, the beef samosas will again be served, along with vegan samosas, Kenyan beef sausage, passion juice (a drink made from passion fruit), and Kenyan coffee. A must-try is Chef Jojo’s seasoned fries – he uses a house spice blend on the fries I’m still thinking about. Manager Fanaka Ndege tells me this year the seasoning will be on sale, dubbed “potato buddy.” Another new offering will be Kenyan beaded bracelets from Nairobi.

Ndege’s top recommendation for someone new to Tamu Grill is to try their beef samosas and fries. “It's delicious, filling, and most importantly easy to eat on the go. And if you're a spice lover like me, we'll have hot sauce on the side you can add!”

Tamu Grill is a weekend restaurant (available for dine in/take out: Fri to Sun. Hours: 2 - 8 p.m.) and posts updates on TikTok (

). Ndege says a phrase that characterizes what they offer is, “The taste of Kenya in Minneapolis.”

For instance, he says, “it’s very rare to find ugali in the Twin Cities.” This is a staple of Kenyan cuisine that resembles cream of wheat shaped in a round ball. It’s made from scratch with cornmeal and water and served hot. Ndege says, “it screams ‘home’ for those familiar.” It pairs well with other offerings at Tamu Grill like tilapia fish, beef curry, and coconut-curry beans. Other offerings at the restaurant include slow-cooked greens (collard and spinach) and chapati (pan-fried flatbread).

The restaurant offers many vegan and gluten-free options and Chef Jojo stays away from excess grease. This is another reason those tightly wrapped samosas are so good! You can eat flavorful without feeling weighed down. That means more energy to wander the festival and try even more.

Many consider Chef Jojo, the man behind the menu and a person noted for his tremendous hospitality, a pillar of the local Kenyan community. He grew up in Nairobi, where he got exposure to a variety of foods, including Middle Eastern, Indian, and Kenyan. 

He relates his food philosophy on Tamu’s website: “I believe one does not have to be wealthy to enjoy delicious food. I cook from my heart, enjoy experimenting with spices, and go for flavor.” I saw this philosophy come through firsthand when tasting Tamu’s food. If you try it at Taste of Minnesota, maybe you will, too.

Tamu Grill: Kenyan Food Spotlight in Minneapolis

Tamu Grill: Kenyan Food Spotlight

The food and music festival, Taste of Minnesota, converges in downtown Minneapolis this week. Check out this sampling of the varied cuisine all found in this one great state.

This Spanish one-pot wonder will delight you. 

 offers a signature chicken and chorizo paella with optional add-ins of fried egg, seafood (shrimp, clam, and mussel), or both. They’re also serving agua fresca with flavors such as Guava-Hibiscus, Mango-Pineapple-Basil, and Mixed Berry-Mint. The paella is made on the spot in enormous paella pans so you can see the crisped-up Bomba rice with all the fixings come together in front of your eyes.

Hot hushpuppies – crisp and golden on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside – are on the menu at popular 

. The goal is to experience a bit of NOLA culture with every plate of food – whether fried catfish, fish and shrimp po’ boys, gumbo, or cajun fries – all craveable soul food served with Southern hospitality.

A beloved Egyptian street food dish, koshari, is yours to try this weekend from 

. Each bowl includes rice, pasta, lentils, and a savory-spicy homemade tomato sauce topped with fried onions. There are three varieties – the classic veggie koshari, beef, or chicken. For those who enjoy a little extra heat, a signature garlicky vinegar sauce and a mild hot sauce are also available.

You can taste the Caribbean twist in the food served up by 

. At Taste of Minnesota, this includes Puerto Rican rice made with a sofrito base of cooked down aromatics and peppers.

Esquites (Mexican-style corn bowls) are on offer from 

. The roasted sweet corn is served hot with cotija cheese, tajin, mayo, cilantro, and lime. The family-run business has its roots in Ukraine, where Oleg Peliavskyi once operated a flower farm. War forced the family to relocate and pivot. Since then, the corn and sweet potato offerings cooked in The Orange Roaster’s custom-built roasting machine have been a treat at farmer’s markets around town.

The food and music festival, Taste of Minnesota, converges in downtown Minneapolis this week. Check out all the cuisine found in this one great state.

World Cuisine Arrives in Downtown Minneapolis

The Twin Cities ice cream scene is in full swing. Check out the variety of cooling, sweet treats.

Paletas at La Michoacana Monarca (St. Paul and Minneapolis)

Both water- and cream-based paletas (Mexican fruit-flavored ice pops) are available at La Michoacana Monarca, a Mexican ice cream shop with a hot pink interior. Paletas fruit flavors include passion fruit, mango, soursop, nanche, and chamoy. A popular draw for kids is the colorful Fruity Pebbles pop. Ice cream flavors include Gansito (a Mexican cake flavor with jelly), Mamey (google this 

), and Pinguinos (which includes a chocolate-covered Mexican cake similar to a Hostess cupcake).

A Flight of Flavors (St. Paul and Minneapolis)

Indecisive? You don’t have to choose just one flavor! At 

 in St. Paul, a $5.50 “snowball flight” includes four mini cones of any flavor. Or ditch the cones and get the $6 mini scoop flight at 

 – locally-sourced, and known for its made-from-scratch, keep-it-simple philosophy, often regarded as one of the 

Gelato at Cossetta’s Pasticceria (St. Paul)

Ice cream in Italian is “gelato” – this treat uses less cream and is churned more slowly, incorporating less air. The result is often a more concentrated flavor. 

 in St. Paul sells vanilla gelato, but for a wider variety of flavors, head to 

 has classics like Gianduia (chocolate-hazelnut), Pistacchio, Cioccolata Al Latte (milk chocolate), and Fragola (strawberry).

Rolled Ice Cream at Mrs. Dessert & Kumpir (Minneapolis x2)

May this summer be the one where you try rolled ice cream. Turkish-inspired 

, in Northeast Minneapolis and on Lake St., offers flavors such as Baklava, Mango Madness, Crazy Oreo, and ones that include cereals such as Cocoa Pebbles and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. You can see the process of rolling the ice cream while you wait (a thin layer of ice cream is scraped and curled into scrolls). The shop also offers a variety of other intriguing treats like a Dubai Chocolate crepe!

Head to the lakefront, where for over 35 years 

 has offered fresh batches of frozen custard. Unlike Italian gelato, frozen custard is a classic American dessert that includes milk, cream, and a large volume of egg yolks. “Treat Yourself & Enjoy Happily Everliciously!” they say at Adele’s – easy to do when you see their rotating flavors: Snickerdoodle, Ferrero Rocher, Fresh Peach, Black Cherry, and more.

Ice Cream Craze, Ice Cream Days in the Twin Cities

Ice Cream Craze, Ice Cream Days

Pssst - there’s something going on in Hopkins. Long lines form on Main Street as though for a concert, but this is not for any show. Instead, people move up one by one to a pickup window, then leave with their bag of goods. Or goodies?

I’m referring to A to Z Creamery, a small-batch business built by Zach Vraa through social media. Each week across the metro potential customers are on pins and needles for the next flavor “drop.”

. Subscribed customers get notified via text when flavors are on sale. Texts are sent mere minutes before sales go live and once that happens, hundreds are checking out the flavor and ordering pints through the online platform, Hotplate. At checkout, the lucky ones choose from a few different offered time slots during which they must pick up their orders.

Most of the flavors are never to be seen again, creating a this-is-my-only-chance frame of mind during an already tense situation, where the available numbers of pints are visibly dropping as you decide. A to Z’s website clarifies that they do 

 re-release a flavor (typically, the four most popular flavors from the year before).

A to Z Creamery makes their own base from scratch and tailors the recipe for each new flavor. The goal? To make a one-of-a-kind scoop every time. Recent flavors include “The Key to my Heart” made of a key lime pie ice cream, marshmallow fluff, graham cracker crunch, and “Biscoff Airlinez” – biscoff ice cream, brown butter cookie dough, and cream cheese frosting swirl. Other popular flavors included an ice cream made with red velvet ice cream and ooey gooey butter cake, and “Marley’s Pint” – peppermint ice cream, white chocolate caramelized pretzels, and chocolate fudge swirl. Last week’s offerings included a “Shake Ya Money Maker,” a strawberry malted milkshake ice cream, with white chocolate stracciatella and marshmallow fluff.

A to Z’s devoted fanbase swears by the ice cream, calling Vraa a wizard. But, is the ice cream really that good? 

, good? Does cognitive dissonance kick in when you’ve pre-paid and gotten yourself to Hopkins for a 15-minute pick-up window? So many questions and only one way to answer: with your tastebuds. For many in line, you get the sense that ordering from A to Z is not just about eating a treat, but about playing a game. If you make it to the front of the line, and pick up your pint, you’ve already won.

Pssst - there’s something going on in Hopkins. Long lines form on Main Street as though for a concert, but this is not for any show. 

Hopkins' A to Z Creamery – Order Fast, Savor Later

A to Z Creamery – Order Fast, Savor Later

If you haven’t bought a Father’s Day gift for dad yet, how about an experiential one? Here are some ideas for honoring dad with time together over loads of food.

 includes a 50-foot (!) salad bar as well as baked ham, chicken fajitas, homemade pot roast, cheesy hashbrowns, pizza, chicken noodle soup, and homemade waffles. Now until August 31, mention this newsletter and receive 15% off up to two adult dinners Mon-Fri from 4 p.m. to close. (Not valid holidays, or with other coupons.)

The spacious atmosphere and affordable all-you-can-eat menu make 

 a popular option for any Japanese food lover. In addition to enticing sushi rolls (including ones with cooked seafood) expect fried rice dishes, udon soups, and gyoza. Favorites include shrimp tempura, beef teriyaki, “sushi pizza," and deep-fried scallops. Wine, sake, and beer are great dinner complements.

You’ll find all the American Chinese food classics at 

 like egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken, lo mein, beef with broccoli, and shrimp with lobster sauce. The restaurant also includes a Mongolian BBQ station.

 include sushi (available by the piece so you can sample different rolls), fried fish, chilled peel-and-eat shrimp, Crab Rangoon, General Tso’s chicken, mussels, and clams. Come early to get first dibs at sushi, and don’t forget the green tea ice cream for dessert.

Buffets for Dad

“It was perfectly charred, glistening from the golden and slightly crispy fat,” Evandro Caregnato recalls in 

 of his first churrasco bite of skewered beef. “The look and smell enticed me to take a bite, and when the meat hit my lips, it was salty, juicy, and delicious. That one bite was pure perfection.”

If you’ve tried churrasco, you know he’s not wrong. For the uninitiated, let me introduce you to Bullvino’s Churrascaria Brazilian Steakhouse, which has locations in both Bloomington and downtown Saint Paul. Churrasco is a way of grilling premium cuts of meat that dates back centuries when gauchos (cowboys) used hot coals to cook meat, seasoning it with coarse salt. At the restaurant, servers, called gauchos, carve the meat tableside to the customer’s preference of doneness.

At Bullvino’s, customers flip a card to a red or green side indicating to stop or keep going with the meat offerings. Beef is the star, but 

 include lamb steak, bacon-wrapped chicken, pork ribs, chicken hearts, and more. Abacaxi, pineapple roasted with cinnamon, is a sweet reprieve. Blake Hagert, a Bullvino’s owner, says to “come hungry and stay a while. This isn't a quick meal. It's meant to be enjoyed over a couple hours with the people you came with.”

Hagert recommends the picanha, the top sirloin with the fat cap on, and for a warm weather treat, pairing it with a 

 (Brazil’s classic cocktail made with lime, sugar, and cachaça, a spirit distilled from fermented sugarcane juice). Though picanha didn’t originate with the gauchos way back when, they 

 develop the technique of folding meat to create a fat cap. This protects the meat during cooking, allowing it to remain moist and juicy and creating a distinct delectable crust.

Sauces (ask for these!) are available at no additional cost and include chimichurri and a Hmong pepper sauce.

Vegetarians, take note. In addition to the green-means-go card-flipping and hot-off-the-grill meat, there’s also 

. Hagert’s advice is to pace oneself. That’s difficult to follow when faced with hearts of palm, asparagus, roasted zucchini, roasted bell peppers, salads such as shrimp or caprese, and multiple potato salads as well as grain salads: farro, quinoa, and couscous, to name a few. Cold foods include fresh fruit, ceviche, smoked salmon, as well as charcuterie – salamis and cheeses such as Manchego, Swiss, and blue cheese crumbles.

Hot sides include feijoada, the Brazilian black bean and pork stew, arroz carreteiro, or wagoner’s rice (a rice mixed with bits of meat), pão de queijo, the well-known cheesy bread (these are not popovers, people!) crispy polenta, velvety garlic mashed potatoes, and caramelized bananas. (Some hot items are delivered directly to the table.)

Hagert says Father’s Day is one of their favorites all year to host. He says, “On Father's Day especially, I want Dad to sit back, not lift a finger, and leave full.”

The Brazilian Churrasco Experience

June is often a time of celebrations – graduations, weddings, and summer festivals worth reveling in. Often we’re tasked with purchasing a card or gift to mark the occasion. Don’t go for generic! Check out these unique shops for local, artist-designed cards and gifts.

Seward-based design and letterpress company 

 that will delight your giftee. "Tongue-in-cheek with a little sweet" is how owner-operators Jane and Andy Shannon describe the vibe of many of their cards. For custom printing jobs (like 

Located in the Open Book building in downtown Minneapolis, 

 is full of curated artist creations. Its offerings include handmade zines, gifts, books, papers, and cards for kids and adults. The shop is part of the 

 on printing, box making, papermaking, marbling, and more (another gift idea for an artsy, handy person you know!).

Created by two Hmong-American sisters with illustration and graphic design backgrounds, this 

 offers an array of products, including journals, notepads, and stickers. Chia and Hleeda’s work is rooted in the belief that life is about the little things, that there is beauty in the mundane, and magic in the simple. Customers shop through 

Since they started their business, Sarah Sweet and Angela Lessman have collaborated with over 300 artists. Their mission: To showcase handmade work by Minnesota artists. 

 include wearables, housewares, cards, and much more. Their 

 is only a small fraction of what they offer, so take a look in person, or pick up a gift card so giftees can choose something themselves among all the wonders.

June is often a time of celebrations in the Twin Cities and beyond. Check out these unique shops for local, artist-designed cards and gifts.

Where To Find Cards, Stickers, and Other Gifts This June in the Twin Cities

Making Your June Gifts Pop - Cards, Stickers, and More

, your eyes may have to adjust to the bits and baubles of beauty everywhere. Congratulations, you have made it into a space where art and local artists are celebrated. When Sara Nachreiner opened the Washington Avenue shop more than 20 years ago, she did not want it to feel like a stuffy art gallery, but instead somewhere where people could come as they are and explore (“Come in your gym clothes,” she says). She’s planted a candy bowl of gold-wrapped Werther’s originals, tootsie rolls, and gummy bears by the register, and has water and tea on offer. There’s even a 

 in the back. On a recent visit, an employee told me that people are welcome to cut through the shop to reach the patio — no need to purchase anything and they encourage it, he said.

This is where I buy most of my cards because they are vivacious, artful, and thought-provoking (also because I like the curated candy bowl, something sweet for the walk home). Candles, jewelry, books and prints are also on offer. This is where you could give a graduate the gift of having their diploma custom-framed.

“It’s way more fun than choosing glasses, almost as good as choosing your shoes,” Nachreiner says. The process, like the store, is not stuffy, but fun.

For Nachreiner, getting something custom-framed, whether it’s a print or diploma, is a way to put your personal spin on it. It’s not 

 you, the way your clothing is, but it can still express something 

 you. Nachreiner says choosing a frame is akin to playing in the sandbox, where you get to play around with different looks. Mitrebox has a vast array of colors and styles of frames – from more vintage looks to more modern, futuristic ones.

She says one way to describe how the frame selection process works is “co-create something beautiful.” The well-trained staff offer their specialized skills and know-how, and the customer offers their opinions on the various options, and ultimately their personal taste. After selections are made, the custom frame is made in a workshop a few blocks away.

Nachreiner emphasizes that people don’t need to know anything about framing when they walk in. Many people, “come in and ask for black,” and she or her team will show them the black frames, but if they’re open to it, also, “charcoal, warm gray, blue gray, black with silver, black with gold…” Diploma specials are going on now, something that Nachreiner started in part because of how “corporate” and “tight” some standard framing options feel to her.

What strikes me about Nachreiner is her good eye. While it’s not shocking given her many years of experience and interior design background, it still comes out in surprising ways. When I confess I’ve often entered the shop just for the Werther’s Originals, she says, “The gold shines really well.”

Mitrebox Framing & Gifts opened 20 years ago on Washington Avenue, and is a place where you can get custom frames and other gifts.