A Weekend in Crocus Hill

By Max Palm

Talon staff writer

Minnehaha students have their choice of restaurants and shops, because our school’s inner-city location leaves us in close proximity with many businesses. However, many students don’t realize the huge variety of meals and goods that lie just across the river along Grand Avenue in Saint Paul. The Crocus Hill area’s businesses and residents pride themselves on the fact that so much of the market is locally and family owned. Driving down Grand, you will find authentic cuisine from an array of cultures, including Mediterranean, Nepali and Italian, along with more calm, trendy coffee shops than you can shake a stick at. Coming from Minnehaha, here are a few businesses you will pass as you drive east down Grand.

 

Bibelot

1082 Grand Avenue

 (651) 222-0321

An artsy boutique offering an interesting selection of upscale gifts, including cards, handmade jewelry, home decorations and women’s accessories and clothing. Popular items include table ping-pong sets, hot cider spice tea, and cedar mint soap and shampoo. Much of the merchandise is seasonal, Minnesota themed and earth friendly.

 

Billy’s on Grand

857 Grand Avenue

 (651) 292-9140

An expert in all-American foods, Billy’s offers everything from buffalo wings and onion rings to burgers and barbeque ribs. A large fireplace helps heat the front room on chilly winter afternoons, and the restaurant will not miss a game on its 50-plus TVs. It also features and outdoor patio.

 

Café Latte

850 Grand Avenue

(651) 224-5687

This cafeteria-style coffee shop is a relaxing place to get some reading done during the week, or an interesting place to spend a Friday night, as the café often features local music on the weekends. They sell desserts, bakery goods, sandwiches and soups, as well as an array of hot teas and coffee blends.

 

Grand Ole Creamery

750 Grand Avenue

(651) 293-1655

Homemade ice cream is what has given this place a name since its establishment. They offer 31 flavors daily, including “Black Hills Gold” and “Coconut Chip”. Grand Ole Creamery is especially known for its famous waffle cones, and was recently named one of the top ten ice cream shops in 2011 by            CBS.local.com.

 

The Barbary Fig

720 Grand Avenue

(651) 290-2085

This chef-operated restaurant offers genuine Mediterranean-style food, including lamb and chicken gyros as well as hummus, feta and pita bread spreads. Offers outdoor patio and indoor dining.

Author

You may also like…

Digital art apps: Which comes out on top?

App review: Which painting and drawing tool is best for you? Digital art is a well-traveled road in modern times, as many artists turn to the unconventional to fulfill their creative desires. The two most prevalent digital art apps both have dedicated fanbases, so...

International Music Can Open Up New Worlds

One summer day, in a house not far from Minnehaha, a family was cooking a delicious Japanese stir-fry dinner. This was none other than the family of Paula Vavreck, a first-year student at MA.  “My mom, as a joke, was like, ‘Hey, Siri, play some Japanese music,’  just...

Summer fun + summer sun = skin damage

Is there such a thing as a safe tan? Do all skin types need sun protection? It's a Sunday in May, and junior Greta Christiansen lays out her towel and favorite skin oils. As she lays down facing the sun, the light gleams on her skin. Baking in the hot sun, she soon...

Unique options for summer fun

What to do in Minnesota when school’s out With summer fast approaching, you need to make plans with your friends. But what’s there to do in Minnesota? Something for every type of friend? Well, here’s a guide of fun things to do for all kinds of groups, locations, and...

100 days of stock market volatility

The scale of the U.S. economy is difficult to wrap our minds around, especially when it is summed up by fluctuating graphs and numbers assigned to seemingly random acronyms that report the fiscal success of America and its citizens. Americans have grown accustomed to...