Thanks Leo Mezzrow! Leo is a writer for The Minneapolis Observer. He included the Wilde Roast Cafe on his Leo’s Favorite List. Check out his other picks in the February 2005 Minneapolis Observer.
Dean and I were watching the NBC Today show when we saw the Belinda commercial shot at the cafe. But, don’t blink. It is quick, and hard to see that she is the Wilde Roast Cafe. It is a commercial for KARE11.com weather. The shot starts on the piano and scans to Belinda sitting by the window with the palm tree in the background. She is working on her lap top and the voice over talks about being with KARE 11 anywhere…even your favorite cafe.
I now know why Oprah changed her book club to the classic book club. Ann DeGroot (OutFront) led a great book chat on Oscar Wilde’s The Picture Of Dorian Gray at the January Lavender Book Club. About 15 people showed up, some had read the book and others wanted to find out about the book. I remember hating the classic books in high school, but now something has changed (maybe a larger vocabulary) and it was enjoyable finding out about this book and trying to figure out what Wilde was saying. Thanks Ann!
Several members of the book club wanted us to keep incorporating classics into the clubs reading list (this we will do), but the main focus of the Lavender Book Club will remain to feature local GLBT authors and books.
Andie is finally caught up with the desserts at the cafe, meaning people love her desserts so much it was hard to keep our display case full. She is now going to attempt to create some fresh homemade muffins and scones. This will start next Monday (1/24). That woman is awesome!
Belinda Jensen came into the cafe today to film a commercial for KARE 11 online. She is a very friendly person. Look for the commercial soon and let us know if you see it!
She wants us for her and Eric Perkins’ Saturday show.
We got a huge call yesterday…from KARE 11! The KARE 11-Today Show, with Pat Evans and Roxane Battle, has invited our Chef Jason to come on the show and prepare a crab cake salad. This will take place on the February 4th (Friday) show. So, if you love our crab cakes make sure to tune in or set your VCR for the show.
http://KARE11.com/mornings/kare-today.aspx
Jim, a favorite customer, wrote us this letter for our upcoming 1 year anniversary: March 2005
Dear Tom and Dean,
Well, we’ve traveled nearly around the sun in your marvelous caf�. Thanks for this remarkable creation.
Central meets Hennepin. What a collision of worlds! And within this environment you feature inclusion — for all minorities, majorities? I recall a straight acquaintance embarrassed at reflecting passing through Query: what, by that GAY bookstore?HaHaha! But what an enlightening experience! Cultural Sampling 101. A majority being a minority within a minority. And surviving without a chastity belt.
Grateful for tasty fare ? from Fritta/Stratta to post-movie infatuata. Grateful for continued kindnesses regardless of bounty of my business, of your busyness, of bother of my baggage, of state of my �lan, ? My gratitude abounds, resounds.
Always there. A warm, beckoning oasis. Beacon to the weary. A delightful stop on my way home or toward the bigger, random, conspiring, complicated world.
Thanks,
Jim Billings
Some people were surprised that Dean and I could get away to Mexico for a week when the cafe has not even been open a year (March 1st). Well, we must admit, it is because we have a great staff. Jason (Executive Chef/Kitchen Mgr.) and Paul (Front Mgr.) really pulled it off for us. We also have a wonderful support staff that helped out too. THANKS!
We got some fun information yesterday. KARE 11 is going to tape a weather commercial (cross fingers) in front of the cafe next Friday.
Did you see us in the January Mpls/St. Paul Magazine? They did a photo shoot of the fireplace and gave a quick review of the cafe. Also, we were luck to have Rick Nelson on our side this year…he included us in his Year in Review in his Star Tribune article last week! We have been so lucky to have the support.
Don’t forget to check our our food review in the current Lavender magazine: http://www.lavendermagazine.com/artman/publish/article_301.php
