Vacation and Food!!!! Short and Sweet

Well, I really do hope everyone is safe in that cold weather. As they say here in Jamaica, I am really “irie.” The light is good, and of course the beach here is wonderful. Ah, but let me back up.

Before we got here, we stayed in Minneapolis at my brother’s place in Edina. He and his wife recently moved into a great twin town-home. For the last two years, whenever we visit I always want to either go to the Big Bowl in the Galleria in Edina or drive into Uptown and eat somewhere there. Of course I never paid any attention to the little strip mall across the street from their home.

However, with the temperature at minus 18 degrees in Minneapolis, I didn’t want to go too far to eat. So, we went to the Cahill Mall across the street. Love that name. In fact, I might have to see if the coffee shop has it written on anything (it is the last name of the bass player in my band).

Anyway, there were three main choices for us at the strip mall: Italian, Asian and Indian. Well, Mike and I love spicy, but my brother has to be careful with what he eats. He told us that he could figure it out on the menu. The name of the place is Chapati. Well, let me tell you we were blown away. This is the definition of “good things come in small packages!”

When we first walked in, there were a group of ladies waiting to be seated and maybe one table with people at it. We were greeted by Jose. Once seated, we were also greeted by Rodue. He informed us that he was the chef. I think it took about fifteen minutes before I noticed that they were the only two I ever saw! Customers continued to come in and were all met very graciously by one or the other of them. There were about five tables, one with about eight people at it.

I had to have the tomato soup. I am absolutely hooked on the tomato soup at Passage to India in West Fargo, and I thought this would be the same. It was nothing at all the same. My brother just loved it and I loved it, too. I think both places have their own unique take on the standard soup and do a great job at it.

For my main course, I had the Chicken Marsala. This dish comes in a creamy spinach sauce. It had a little spice to it, and I loved it. Mike got the lamb dish, of course, and my brother got a beef dish. We could not say enough about how wonderful the food was.

When we left, I just knew I had to share this place with you. I know we have a trillion places to pick from in the city, but you will really want to experience this taste bud heaven. I highly recommend this place.

The prices range from $4 for a bowl of soup to $14 and up for the main entrées. Oh yes, when leaving, I asked for a card and their names and that is when I saw one more person working there, the dishwasher. Jose also informed me that Rodue is his brother and the manager. Although they do not own the place, I hope they make good money because they work like they own it!

Chapati is located at 7078 Amundson Ave. Edina, MN. They have another location in Northfield, MN at 24 Division St. They are open for lunch, dinner, catering and carry out. I cannot wait to go back.

My next adventure with food on this trip was right under my brother’s and his wife’s roof . They invited over the friends and family; however, the friends in my book are family. That would be Sue and Dimitri. Everyone was to bring something.

Earlier during the week, Sue, Rita and Natalie got together and made meat patties, yum yum! I guess it took them all day to do it. They tasted perfect! The color was right and for the average Joe the spice was just right.

It was a very interesting combination of foods. Dimitri brought chicken wings from another favorite place of mine, Art Sung’s Wings. And their rice—perfect.

I brought spicy meatballs and my new obsession: bread pudding with a twist—no raisins! Instead, I use pineapple. When I make it I make a double batch of the sauce, and when the pudding comes out of the oven, I poke holes in it. Then I pour half of the sauce over it. I do this in memory of my mother and her rum cake. She would just soak it in rum. So, I thought: why not soak this? After all, it could only make it better. When I get back, I will give you the recipe.

We also had a great southwest salad that Natalie made and lemon cake that Rita made. Oh, Rita also made some yummy green beans. So, as you can see, we had a variety of interesting and filling foods. In the end, it is about the gathering of people. And I was so happy to be with everyone.

So, I am now in Jamaica, and I’m writing this at Selina’s Coffee Bar and Eatery while listening to a live reggae band and having their famous Bloody Marys. Mike is patiently waiting for me to be done, and off to the beach we will go. Oh, and the temperature? Well, higher than below zero. Until next week.