Old Favorites Are Waking Up and Smelling the Flowers This Weekend April 24-16

Oysters at Chef Shack Bay City. Photo by Stephanie A. Meyer

Friday, April 24

April Showers bring chard and ramps

After a long winter slumber, Chef Shack in Bay City, Wisconsin opens its doors for the season this Friday. Carrie Summer and Lisa Carlson’s weekend-only dining destination, just across the river from Red Wing, serves what they lovingly refer to as "ranch rustic country French" cooking in a gorgeous room and country view. This weekend’s ambitious menu will include Prince Edward Island mussels, beet juice pasta with chard and smoked duck breast with ramps. Road trip!

Chef Shack Bay City is open 5-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.

Golden Fig Spices. Photo courtesy The Golden Fig Facebook page

Saturday, April 25

Savor the flavors of Minnesota

The sixth-annual Savor Minnesota, held at Canterbury Park, offers a chance to sample wine, beer and fare from local purveyors like Caves of Faribault, Golden Fig, Minnesota Nice Spice and many more. Doors open at noon. Wine and beer tasting will run between 1 and 5 p.m. Tickets are limited to the first 1,200 people. All attendees must be at least 21. Proceeds go toward scholarships at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Grape Growers’ annual Cold Climate Conference.

Mmmmm…pancakes!

While opening day is a few weeks away, the Northeast Minneapolis Farmers Market will host their yearly pancake breakfast, complete with honest-to-goodness good for you whole-grain pancakes, locally made sausage, and fair-trade coffee. This year’s fundraiser will be held at East Side Neighborhood Services and will support the continuing operation of the farmers market.

The breakfast runs from 9am - 1pm. $10 for adults and $5 for the kiddos.

Katie Cannon / Eater Twin Cities

Inside The Buttered Tin. Photo by Katie Cannon

Sunday, April 26

Local art and hey, more pancakes!

The St. Paul Art Crawl runs all weekend. Catch it on the tail end after a lovely breakfast at the even lovelier Buttered Tin. This sunny, welcoming neighborhood diner serves up generous plates of classic American comfort foods that are sure to leave you sighing blissfully into your coffee cup. Try the daily preparation of soft scrambled eggs or the loaded hash browns that never disappoint. The gorgeous cupcakes beckon from the gleaming bakery case, so save room for dessert. Now mosey (okay, waddle) over to the many open studios showcasing local artists and their talents. It’s a great chance to meet the artists, admire their work, and possibly bring home a new painting for that spot about the fireplace.

Saint Paul Art Crawl hours are Friday 6–10 PM, Saturday 12–8 PM, Sunday 12–5 PM.

-by Alex Lodner