Scusi ***3.5/5 stars

 

So somehow I got drug out to St. Paul again. Luckily it was worth the trip cuz Scusi is super adorbs. I found out that these guys are part of the Blue Plate club, who also owns the Lowry, whom I awarded 4 stars last year. 

Scusi isn't far from Mcalester University. Being poor white trash, I am not familiar with all of the fancy colleges of this area. Luckily Brandon was able to clue me in on a few important aspects. One, is that the school is EXTREMELY liberal. I asked if that meant that it was a bunch of ultimate frisbee playing hippies. He said, no, I think it's a bunch of lesbians. Okay, then.

So the dining room is very classic Italian atmosphere. Nice lighting, checkered table cloths, butcher paper and crayons for the kiddos. Our server was easy on the eyes, if you're into dudes. He gracefully fulfilled our wishes for coffee, eggs and copious amounts of champagne and fresh-squeezed OJ.

The menu here is pretty great. Lots of standard Italian fare mixed in with some great brunch options that I never saw on the menu when we were in Italy. I don't function on croissants and espresso. Some of you might fight me on that one, but I stand firm. Eggs are king. And mimosas are queen.

There's no hard booze here. The Bloody Mary, apparently, was invented at a New York bar in France. Or was it a French bar in New York???

Brunchitizer™!!!! These were donuts with Masala soaked cherries, chocolate and cream. I'll just leave it at that...

Lobsta and eggs with the most beautiful brioche. Somehow I had come to believe that brioche was some nasty crustless, dense, white bread. Well, maybe this wasn't real brioche, but it was fantastic.

Spinach and ham omelette. Those potatoes will make you slap your mama.

Here's your classic eggs, bacon, toast brekky with homemade jam. I kinda want to punch myself every time I use the term "brekky"... I'll have to reconsider that one...

And the number one reason we were lured to the netherlands = eggs benny with risotto cakes, arugula and a tomato reduction. Bellissimo!!!!!

So the coffee had some grounds floating in it, the dishes took a little longer than normal, but all in all, I would say this place is worth the long distance travel. Just watch out for the crazy liberals from Mcalester... You might come back to MPLS with a conga drum and a women's studies minor. #MattSharma

Blackbird Cafe ***3.5/5 stars

This review on Blackbird has been a long time coming. And they're lucky that I waited, because there are a few major things that bug me about this place. I've been to Blackbird several times for brunch and dinner and have walked away on more than one occasion with a bone to pick. But there are always redeeming qualities, and after my last visit, the bird is alive and well.

The first chalk-up to Blackbird is the killer interior design. Beautiful corner location with large windows, high ceilings and funky found items arranged neatly on the walls. Feels warm, inviting, energetic. And a literal chalk-up to the chalkboard menus. Love.

Second "ching" is the graphic design. The logo, the signage, the menus...Super fab. Good morning.

Bone #1. In a neighborhood where you mostly expect to find tacos, enchiladas and cervezas on the menu, BB apparently has something against black beans. While they serve several Mexican-inspired dishes, not one includes my most favorite breakfast accompaniment aside from mixed greens. Donde esta frijoles? This is a huge nicht nicht in my book... Sorry, my high school didn't have a Spanish teacher, so I took German, which I will probably never use for any real purpose other than to drunkenly sing German folk songs with my sister at stateside Octoberfests, and in cases like this, where my Ganglish overrides my Spanglish.

Oh fer cute. Each table is personalized with mid-western flair. The lamps really enhance the lighting scheme...and the tabasco.

The mimosas here are great. I know it doesn't seem like it should take a mixologist to make one, but these are good, and priced right @ $5 per. (FYI, beer and wine only...sigh.) Those are the swedish pancakes with cranberrys and currents. They were the special and they were magically delicious. BB usually has great daily specials with fresh and/or local ingredients. Bone #2 - prices here are more on the fat side of the wallet.

This is the Oxtail Hash. A staple favorite.

This was another special - corned beef hash with brussel sprouts. Dang good.

Now I have to say I'm an idiot, because I got the veal sweetbreads benedict and forgot to take a photo! It may sound adventurous to many, but I assure you, it was really tasty. The sweetbreads were crisp and salty and complimented the dish amazingly.

Mirror wall. I wonder if that is good feng shui? Google check: Yes, mirrors bring energy into a room. But don't face two mirrors or you'll get trapped in a vortex...or something like that.

Shout out to my dad, Rick, shed hunter extraordinaire, who would love all the antlers in this place. This rack above the dining room is very impressive.

So yeah, Blackbird is pretty great, despite their bean racism and lack of hard liquor. Put on your fancy pj pants and hit it up!

Tschüss bis spater!