PDD’s Best Restaurant Poll
Through the highly scientific method of asking people what they think, we developed a list of 38 nominees for Best Restaurant in the Duluth area. This poll whittles the list down to manageable list of finalists.
[poll id=”44″]
This poll is now closed. The four top restaurants in alphabetical order, are:
Duluth Grill
Lake Avenue Restaurant and Bar
New Scenic Café
Zeitgeist Arts Café
Lake Superior Aquaman Patrols Undersea Landscape
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwcX7kg_i_0
Missing cat alert in Hunters Park / Morely Heights area
My friends cat has gotten out. It’s been gone for 48 hours now, in the area of Sussex and Leicester.
Daycare recommendations Chester Park
Does anyone have any recommendations for daycare providers in the Chester Park neighborhood?
What is the best restaurant in the Duluth area? We’re working our way up to a poll.
Next in PDD’s series of restaurant awards is probably the one we should have started with — the grand champion: the best restaurant of them all. We’ll begin this process by taking nominations in the comments to this post.
The criteria is somewhat up to you. In our previous polls there were a limited number of restaurants that could be considered “new” or “breakfast” restaurants, but virtually any restaurant in the territory is eligible to be considered “best.” And whatever makes it “best” is certainly subjective.
We expect people will lean toward fancier operations and consider money no object on this one, but if you truly feel the best restaurant in town is a cheap pancake house or burger joint, we’ll respect that. However, if you nominate a fast-food chain we’ll tell you right now it won’t be on the ballot. So here it is right up front we so can all get a good laugh: “I nominate the West Duluth KFC.” Oh, ha ha ha. Very funny.
Also, we know some of you snobs are dying to rant about how Duluth doesn’t really have any good restaurants because your advanced taste buds can barely survive outside of New York or Marrakech. Shut up.
And, of course, we must define our territory: Any restaurant in Duluth or 10 miles of its border is eligible. So establishments in Superior, Hermantown, Proctor and the various bordering townships all qualify; Two Harbors and Cloquet are out of bounds.
With all that out of the way, let’s begin. Once the nomination list reaches a satisfactory conclusion, a poll will be posted.
Fresh Hops For Sale
Hello, kind Duluthians. I have for sale three varieties of fresh hops, all picked today (Tuesday) and yesterday. Hand picked, by me, no branches, no leaves, no pesticides applied ever.
3.5# Cascades
1.2# Centennial (these smell amazing, by the way)
4 oz. nearly dry Mt. Hood
$30 for the cascades, $15 for the Centennials, $8 Mt. Hood. I will also trade for beer. E-mail me, my PDD username at gmail
Christine Hoberg — “All This Hate”
Superior native Christine Hoberg has just released this video for “All That Hate” from her new album World Within. The video was produced by Duluth-based Lakefront Films.
This week: balloons, hawks and antiques
Here’s a sampling of what you have to look forward to this week on the PDD Calendar.
There’s a panel discussion on issues surrounding ethics of voter ID laws at UMD on Tuesday.
Suspect that painting of dogs playing poker hanging in your den may be a priceless antique? Bring it to the Depot on Wednesday for a free appraisal.
Renegade Theater Company opens The Pillowman at the Teatro Zuccone on Thursday. It runs for three weekends.
Not sure who you want to elect to the school board? There’s a candidate forum at Valentini’s on Thursday.
Get ready for bad French accents and hot air balloons this weekend with the first ever Le Festival des Montgolfières à Duluth at Bayfront. Elsewhere in Duluth airspace, there’s the annual Hawk Weekend Festival with hawk watching at Hawk’s Ridge. Both festivals run Friday through Sunday.
And, if that isn’t festy enough for you, the Chester Bowl Fall Fest is Saturday.
So what are you doing this week? Can we tag along? Any upcoming events that you want to promote? Let us know.
Jim Carlson vs. United States of America: How will court rule?
Last Place on Earth store owner Jim Carlson’s trial is scheduled to begin today. He’s accused of 54 55 counts of violating federal drug and regulatory laws. How many of them will stick? Perhaps you’d like to take a lucky guess. There’s a prize involved, so concentrate and read on.
More explanation below, poll question now:
[poll id=”43″]
This poll is now closed.
Following the ruling on the case, everyone who has chosen the correct number will be entered into a drawing for the prize. What is the prize? It’s a little vague, but PDD will buy you something nice at any shop located near the Last Place on Earth. Maybe you’d like a nice lunch at the Chinese Dragon, some copies at Shel-don, some tokens at Fond-du-Luth Casino or a couple Starfire Ales at Tycoons? We’ll figure it out.
Normally we turn off the commenting feature on polls, but this time we are leaving it on, because it could be interesting to get into some discussion about strategy.
It should be noted that there are three other defendants in this case, charged along with Carlson on some of the counts. For the purposes of this poll, we are considering them irrelevant.
Any changes to the ruling on appeal do not apply to this poll/contest.
Also, because this poll was recklessly hatched overnight, we reserve the right to change the rules at any point, should there be something stupid we overlooked.
Below is a copy of the indictment, courtesy of Minnesota Public Radio. Click here to read it bigger.
Transplants
Last night was another night of hipness for me.
I joined Kate VTB and Katie B for dinner at the “last Thai restaurant standing,”Sala Thai in Woodland (remember, Thai Krathong closes this week). Yummy.
Then, off to Prøve Collective. The “Transplants” show featured amazing work by Rob Adams, Ray Allard, Rodrigo Bello, Zach Gorr, Marcus Meldahl, and Aphtin Rapp. Bello did the amazing image posted at the top, and his work was worth a thousand times the price of admission. (Have I mentioned how lucky we are that events like this, with music by the Crunchy Bunch, are free?)
Prøve has an Indiegogo Campaign working to help bring it to the next level. It deserves your support. My life in Duluth would be less without its efforts.
Crystal Cerulean Lake Superior vs. Duluth Aquaman
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2dfgu-KhDw
Pollution Prevention
It’s National Pollution Prevention Week starting Sept 15. How we dispose of things and what we purchase to use all matter. The city of Superior will be hosting a speaker night on Sept 17 starting at 6 p.m. at the Superior Public Library. Speakers on e-waste, pharmaceutical disposal, lead and children, household hazardous waste, and more will be there. Also, check out the billboard up on Belknap on the left side as you go over the viaduct. It has a stormwater message and photos. Keep storm drains clear for a clean Lake Superior.
John Mark Nelson – “The Moon and Stars”
httpv://youtu.be/YbnXm7_3nMY
John Mark Nelson’s video, “The Moon and Stars,” shot in Duluth aboard the William A. Irvin, is getting some MTV love.
Hey! Where ya taking that there dredger?
I’ve never seen a tug this far up the shore – photo was taken from the pier at Glensheen. Anyone know where they were taking this dredger?
Duluth 2013 Primary Election Results
With 34 of 34 precincts reporting:
Duluth At-large City Councilor
Four candidates advance to general election; two will be elected
Barb Russ – 3,943 | 35.8%
Zack Filipovich – 3,081 | 28.0%
Ryan Stauber – 2,295 | 20.8%
Ray (Skip) Sandman – 1,175 | 10.7%
Ray Whitledge III – 525 | 4.8%
Duluth At-large School Board
Four candidates advance to general election; two will be elected
Annie Harala – 2,850 | 25.9%
Harry Welty – 2,103 | 19.1%
Nancy Nilsen – 1,948 | 17.7%
Henry L. Banks – 1,835 | 16.7%
Loren Martell – 1,175 | 10.7%
Joshua Bixby – 1,043 | 9.9%
Duluth District One School Board
Two candidates advance to general election; one will be elected
Rosie Loeffler-Kemp – 871 | 54.3%
Joseph Matthes – 454 | 28.3%
Marcia Stromgren – 278 | 17.3%
Duluth District Four School Board
Two candidates advance to general election; one will be elected
David Bolgrien – 463 | 37.6%
Art Johnston – 411 | 33.4%
Justin Perpich – 356 | 28.9%
Red Plan versus Let Duluth Vote?
For those us who are new here, having only lived in Duluth for a decade or less, can any of you proud professional Duluthians add any clarity to this murky and mysterious topic?
I’m sure it goes deep, and emotions run high, and minds are made up, but I can’t seem to find any unbiased sources that describe what has exactly happened here. The available info, that which surfaces when one Googles the keywords seem somewhat scrambled and wishy washy, or Bud Lightish, considering the impact and money involved. So, who are the good guys? Who is right? What’s the deal with Johnson Controls? And did the deal have anything to do with Duluth’s irascible money woes back when taxes spiked when the JCI took control? Also, seeing as how I heard a couple of old timers complaining about this too, is the recent sewage water runoff charge mega increase on city utilities somehow all tied to this, or the casino? Is it starting to read like a Tarantino script? Help the undereducated non-native tax-paying simpletons like myself get up to speed on this complex matter. Thanks.