This weekend was jam packed with Minneapolis fun! On Friday DC and I went on a Block E date. We felt like high schoolers eating at Applebee's amongst all the real high schoolers. Except we got alcohol. Being old has its perks. The chicken finger basket tasted exactly the same as it did back in 1997 when I frequented the Applebee's in Fargo. Memories... After dinner we caught a movie in Crown Theatre also located in Block E. I don't want to do movie reviews on this blog so I'll just say this - skip "the Libertine". Neither of us had any idea what it was about. Only that Johnny Depp was in it so it probably involved him playing some neurotic character in a zany costume that you want to like, but he makes it hard. Except this neurotic character was a creepy sex-oholic in London in 1660. His face rots off from some alcohol related ailment towards the end of the movie. Luckily I slept through most of it, unfortunately I woke up just in time to see him wet himself. Sorry, should I have put a spoiler warning on that comment? Oh, and John Malkovich's fake nose was really distracting.

Anyway... back to the good parts of the weekend. Saturday was a surprise dinner for C-Style's 26th birthday. PS had us meet at Buca Di Beppo. I love Buca's. Their garlic mashed potatoes can't be beat and their lemon green beans are always crisp and bright green and cooked to perfection. I've been good about this restaurant because I almost always get to try something new thanks to the family style portions. It's such a great restaurant for an informal group meal. My only complaint - Every time I'm there I feel as if at any moment the investigative team of reporters from Fox 9 News are going to barge in the door and shut the place down because of fire hazards. There are SO many tables crammed in that place. You're constantly getting bumped by people trying to get by or you're bumping people as you try to get by. The table we were at was for 8 people and pushed into a corner making it impossible for anyone sitting against the wall to get up to go to the restroom. But I guess it helps make it feel like you're in a little family owned and operated restaurant in southern Italy and not an Americanized chain restaurant. Actually, now that I think about it, I think Fox 9 News did an expose on restaurants in Mpls that weren't up to fire code. I'm pretty sure Buca's was one of them, but that's ok. I'll keep taking my chances.

After dinner, and a round of Limoncello shots, we headed over to Mell's Beauty Bar. It's been way too long since I was last at Mell's. I spent New Year's 2004 and many, many nights there with KM sitting at the bar feeling ever so posh. This trip to Mell's was bitter sweet. We were told by LN that the bar might not be open much longer. When I got there I immediately saw why: It was a Saturday night at 10:30pm and there were only 6 non-employees there. We were the 6 people. When we left 6 more showed up. I liked the great service since there was no one else to serve. I also enjoyed not being in a ridiculously packed bar for once on a Saturday night, but I was so sad that no one goes there anymore. It is SUCH a cute place! I prefer it for the atmosphere and because it's slightly off the beaten path, in the North Loop of the Warehouse District instead of on First Ave. Maybe that's why it's not doing well. And what could be better than getting your nails done with a side of martini?? I've never had my nails done there, but I do like having that option should the mood strike me.

Sunday was another small surprise for C-Style. We met her for brunch in one of the most coveted brunch locations in Minneapolis. (That's my opinion, I don't know that for a fact.) WINDOWS on Minnesota. I did not know we were dining here, so I was very pleased when the concierge at the Marquette Hotel informed me that I needed to go to the main elevators and up to the 50th floor for brunch reservations. 50th Floor.



This was our table. The view was just as it says on the website: Breathtaking. It literally took my breath away. Even in the cloudy weather, the brown and grey city was so beautiful. TG I had my camera with me! Look at these views:



This is the building above the City Center. It used to be called the Multifoods Tower. Now it is 33 South Sixth. This building is often over looked in Minneapolis. Even though it's right next to the 3 tallest buildings, no one seems to really take notice. It happens to be one of my favorites. It's so simple yet something about the repetition of the floors and windows makes it very striking. It's 668 ft tall and 52 stories. It's the 4th tallest building in Minneapolis.



This is the Wells Fargo Tower. It's 774 ft tall and 57 floors making it the 3rd tallest building in Minneapolis. At night the stepped parts of the building light up making it quite a spectacle.



Here we have 225 South Sixth, the building with the saucer on top. I've never been a fan of this building because I think it looks really 80s and out dated already. But seeing it from this angle made me appreciate it. It's huge. 776 ft tall and 56 floors. Second tallest building in Minneapolis.

I didn't take any pictures of the IDS tower, since I was in it, but here's a stock photo to get an idea:



792 ft, 55 floors. The unique thing about this building is that it was built perpendicular to Nicollet Avenue instead of parallel carving out a perfect space for the Crystal Court - a glass ceiling court yard with trees and a 3 story fountain spraying down from above. I also read that because of the stepped building outline, each floor has 32 corner offices. Amazing! If you look at it just right, it seems to disappear into the sky. Or it will become the buildings reflecting on its shiny surface. I know Minneapolis isn't known for its tall buildings, but I like the IDS Tower. Here are some more views from brunch:


That's the Metrodome there.


This one looks down onto City Hall with the green pointy roofs.

Looking east...


Looking northwest...


For those of you interested in building facts, like I am, I found this wonderful website that gives you heights, floors, and architects of basically every skyscraper in the world:

http://www.emporis.com/en/bu/

The actual brunch was ok. I thought it was great until the bill came and it was $25 each plus tax and tip. Seriously? I mean I guess we were paying for the view, which was totally worth it. I did get to eat 2 mini creme brules which were FABULOUS. I also ate some chocolate mousse, an apple tarte, some chocolate covered strawberries, another chocolate desert-y thing, a caramel roll, blueberries, raspberries, honey dew, bacon and eggs. I guess I was in the mood for sweets. I have a hard time justifying paying $33 for breakfast. Even though I listed a lot of foods, my appetite isn't very big and I doubt I ate $33 worth of food. I should have grabbed another creme brule. Too bad I got the last one my second time around. I will definitely go back though. I think my parents would LOVE eating there. Next on my brunch list: Wolfgang Puck's 20.21 in the Walker.