News | May 24th, 2018
Last Sunday we celebrated our annual Best Bets award ceremony at the Plains Art Museum and we had a packed house. With awards from over 50 categories, members of our community gathered, rallied and supported each other in our friendly annual competition.
We hit the ground running with a heartfelt speech from the folks of Darans Soul Food after they received their award for “Best New Restaurant.” You’ve come a long way, welcome to the community!
We had an unprecedented tie for “Best Photographer” between Kensie Wallner and Kaytlin Dargen.
Max Parker picked up the award for “Best Mixologist” at Mezzaluna, Mezzaluna came up a second time when it received the award for “Best Fine Dining.” The restaurant recently changed hands this past spring.
Wasabi won ”Best Asian” and “Best Sushi” while Drunken Noodle got “Best Vegetarian” and “Best Late Night Menu.” Needless to say, they’ll have a nice set of 2018 awards to adorn the walls of their new restaurant space. Youngblood too -- they received the “Best Coffee Shop Award.”
Tyler Maclean of Duffy’s notoriety received the highly sought after award for “Best Bartender.” We raised our glasses as he gave a heartfelt speech in honor of his friend and mentor Andrew “Beardface” Hardy who is no longer with us, at least in Fargo anyway. There may have been a few tears but they were only induced by laughter.
Kay Olin Johnson, mother of Paul Johnson of 46&2 Tattoo was asked to say a few words after Paul accepted the award for “Best Tattoo Parlor.” HPR staff votes to nominate her for “Best Local Celebrity” next year. Carson Wentz still holds the title but has yet to pick up his awards. If anyone sees him be sure to tell him we have a stack waiting for him at the office!
A big thanks to Erik Block for being the emcee of the evening. A big thanks to DJ Dextrious who also happened to win “Best Live Performance DJ.” Another big thanks to The Plains Art Museum, who also won “Best Art Space.” An especially BIG thanks to you, our readers for voting. Without you the Best of the Best would not be.
July 29th 2025
July 24th 2025
July 15th 2025
July 7th 2025
June 9th 2025
__293px-wide.jpg)
__293px-wide.jpg)
_(1)__293px-wide.jpg)
By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comDairy Queen restaurants across the country will raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals during Miracle Treat Day on Thursday, July 31. At least one dollar from every Blizzard…
By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comFM Pride Week returns to the Fargo-Moorhead metro August 3-10. A snapshot of events are listed below. Discover event descriptions and locations as well as volunteer opportunities online at…
August 28, 6-8 p.m.Plains Art Museum, 704 1st Ave. N., Fargo See this major exhibition firsthand and hear about Rimer Cardillo’s work from the artist himself at 7 p.m. Cardillo is an internationally renowned multidisciplinary…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com I’m going to go ahead and say it. I have trust issues with a lot of things and artificial intelligence (AI) is one of them. Yes, it’s a tool that can sit shotgun and make your everyday tasks…
By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comTrump: the new man for all seasonsFive hundred years ago, Lord Chancellor Sir Thomas More of England refused to write a letter to Pope Clement VII of the Roman Catholic Church asking that he annul…
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 Gionrickgion@gmail.com There seems to be a renaissance in Italian restaurants in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area. It’s a welcome change from just sporting an Olive Garden as a lone option. No offense to Marilyn Hagerty’s…
By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.com Bluegrass is a genre of music that is often associated with the American South. Many people would express incredulity at being told there is a thriving bluegrass and folk music community…
By Greg Carlsongregcarlson1@gmail.com There are so many memorable moments in the short life of musician Jeff Buckley that filmmaker Amy J. Berg could easily have gotten lost in an endless highlight reel. The veteran documentarian,…
By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com 2025 marks three years of the Annual Vergas Area Backroads Art Crawl. The art crawl is sponsored by the Vergas Arts Club. The Arts Club also happens to be part of the Vegas Community Club and both…
Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comPenn & Teller are returning to their roots. The legendary magic and comedy duo will appear on the Crown Stage at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota, where they first…
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 Dr. Marc Sapir, MD, MPHjessica@pellienpublicrelations.com Across America, families are quietly struggling with a rising challenge: how to care for aging parents, siblings, grandparents, neighbors and friends. Most seniors want…
By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…
By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…