November 9th, 2016
By Chris Larson
Cjlarson75@gmail.com
It’s once again time for the annual Cocktail Showdown in which our three judges experience and then highlight the best libation creations offered by a variety of local participants. Ranging from local tavern to fine cocktail bars, the showdown will bring our judges all across the metro area to sit down with some of the most creative cocktail minds in town and be served up two entries from each location.
Each week we will visit and rate two creations…
March 3rd, 2016
Last Sunday the Crystal Ballroom was transformed into a little slice of sin city, representing class, sass, and everything in between for the third annual Bartender’s Ball. Attendees were spotted donning their finest evening garb, leisure suits and tuxes along with a few patrons channeling the late great Hunter S. Thompson. Ladies rocked sky high heels, high hemlines, chic cocktail dresses, glitter, and evening gowns.
Blue Belle’s Burlesque greeted patrons in little more than smiles…
February 17th, 2016
As the sun sets on the Cocktail Showdown we soon find ourselves in the eve of the third annual Bartender’s Battle. Eight of Fargo Moorhead’s finest mixologists will be presented with a fully stocked bar with the finest and freshest ingredients. Here they mix, head to head -- tournament style in front of an audience and four judges. Think “Chopped” but live and booze infused.
The eight participants were the highest rated contenders during our cocktail showdown. During the showdown…
January 27th, 2016
by J. Earl Miller
Now that the Cocktail Showdown has wrapped up this year, we needed to gather all of our scoring notes and information, to find out who will take part in this year’s Bartenders Battle. For those of you who are not familiar with the Bartenders Battle, it is a head-to-head competition, pitting one bartender against another mixing craft cocktails in a small amount of time on stage in front of all their peers.
The bartenders are supplied a full bar with an array of many of…
December 22nd, 2015
The ninth and final week of the seventh Annual Cocktail Showdown
By Sabrina Hornung
For the ninth and final sampling during the Showdown our judges experienced Eric Johnson’s Tennessee Fiery Apple and The Swaderita at Chub’s Pub. We were then off to Sidestreet to try Mistelle Stein’s Russian Tea and Eddie Gonzalez’s Afterburner. Soon we found ourselves at Pounds where Kory Wiler introduced us to The Hoser and Peach Kuchen. The last stop in the showdown brought us to sample The…
December 12th, 2015
__250-wide.jpg)
Week eight of the cocktail showdown brought our fearless judges to Monte’s to sample Nate Eversman’s “Guavalada” and the “Spicy maple bacon”. We were then off to Rustica to experience Kyle Berglund’s “Brandied apple” and the “Savory Spaniard”. Our last stop of the night brought us to Hennessey’s where Eric Krogh laid down the law with the “Irish tour” and the “Cider and black”.
Monte’s Downtown
Monte’s is located at 220 N Broadway and has been a…
November 28th, 2015
__250-wide.jpg)
Week seven of The Cocktail Showdown featured Alison Shape’s “Alison Wonderland” and Jessie Tank’s “Pepper’s Fireside Cafe” at Pepper’s Sports Cafe. Matthew Lewellen’s “Pie Cups” and “Fall Smash” were featured at The Hodo Lounge at The Hotel Donaldson downtown. Last (but not least) we sampled Tori Luck’s “James and the giant Peach” and James Hein’s “Pear Amour” at The Toasted Frog.
Pepper’s Sports Cafe
Pepper’s Sports Cafe is located at 2510…
November 20th, 2015
__250-wide.jpg)
Week six of the cocktail showdown featured Stephie Basol’s “Adult Lemonade” and Jeremy Tjon’s “Mandarin Mule” at The Empire, as well as Tryoy Wall’s “Great Pumpkin” and “The Woody’s Mule” at Woody’s in south Fargo; From there, we ventured to The Cork ’n Cleaver and were presented with “Just one S’more” and “The Thriller” from Steve Dahl.
The Empire
The Empire is located at 424 N Broadway and is one of downtown Fargo’s staples. The Empire is the…
November 11th, 2015
__250-wide.jpg)
Participating as a judge in the cocktail showdown has opened my eyes to a whole different bar experience. Since week one I have learned new bar vocab terms, techniques, flavor combinations, and have tasted exotic liqueurs I never knew existed. Needless to say drinking on the job has never been so rewarding...and educational.
Week Five of The Cocktail Showdown featured Kent Larsen’s “Barbacoa Coquito” and “The Ghost Rider” at Barbacoa. Molly Fontaine’s “Irish Italian” was…
November 5th, 2015
Cocktail Showdown Week 4
By, Sabrina Hornung
For Week Four of the Cocktail Showdown featured “The Noks Mule” and “The Blood Orange” from Cassie Hanson at Ft. Noks, “The Farmer’s Market” and “The Maduro Rustico” from Jared Winmill at Rustica, “The Blueberry Embrace” from Marcus Dennis and “The Auburn Tide” from Gennifer Christianson at The Radisson.
Fort Noks Bar of Gold
Fort Noks is located at 52 Broadway, Fargo. It is housed in a former bank building that retains…
_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
_(1)__293px-wide.png)
By Bryce Vincent Haugen By his own account, Edwin Chinchilla is lucky to still be in the United States. As a 12-year-old Salvadoran, he and his brother were packed into a semi with a couple dozen other people and given fake…
By Michael M. Miller Rev. Salomon Joachim, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah, North Dakota., delivered an address to the Western Conference of the Dakota District of the American Lutheran Church in 1939. His presentation was…
Wednesday, March 25, Group lesson 7 p.m., Dance 9 p.m.Sons of Norway, 722 2nd Avenue North, FargoCare to dance? If you don’t already know how to dance, the Northern Lights Dance Club can show you a thing or two about social…
By John StrandDisclaimer: This editorial is the work of someone who’s spent most of his adult life working in the media — most of those years co-owning this very entity, the High Plains Reader, since 1996. The notion that folks…
By Ed RaymondBernie Sanders is on the world’s longest and oldest walkaboutAdolescent Australian Aboriginal males often volunteer to challenge the transition to adulthood by performing well (that means staying alive) in a…
By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…
By Rick GionFor those folks with busy lives who can’t afford or attend culinary school, community cooking classes are a good way to learn new tips and tricks in the kitchen. Cookbooks, instructional online videos and watching…
The Slow Death at The AquariumSaturday, March 21, doors at 7:30 p.m. The Aquarium above Dempsey’s, 226 N. Broadway, FargoThe Slow Death is a punk supergroup led by Jesse Thorson, with members and collaborators that include…
By Greg Carlson A number of critics and media outlets have already noted the variety of cinematic antecedents that have influenced writer-director Amy Wang’s movie “Slanted,” pointing out how the story of a frustrated…
Saturday, March 7, 4-8 p.m.Swing Barrel Brewing, 814 Central Ave., MoorheadEmpty Bowls is a nationwide, grassroots, artist-led movement to support hunger related organizations in their communities. On March 7, prepare to fill your…
Saturday, January 31, 6:30-9 p.m.Transfiguration Fitness, 764 34th St. N., Unit P, FargoAn enchanting evening celebrating movement and creativity in a staff-student showcase. This is a family-friendly event showcasing pole, aerial…
By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…
By Ellie Liverani In January 2026, the 2026-2030 dietary guidelines for Americans were released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are supposed to be revolutionary and a “reset” from the previous ones.…
January 31, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.Viking Ship Park, 202 1st Ave. N., Moorhead2026 marks 10 years of frosty fun! Enjoy sauna sessions with Log the Sauna, try Snowga (yoga in the snow), take a guided snowshoe nature hike, listen to live…
By Vern Thompson Benjamin Franklin offered one of the most sobering warnings in American history. When asked what kind of government the framers had created in 1787, he replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Few words…
