Admittedly, the title EC Eats is a bit misleading. This past weekend, I visited my parents in my hometown of Lakeville, Minnesota.
Therefore, this article does not take place in Eau Claire, even though I’d hoped to write it on Sweet Driver Chocolates, but I changed my mind.
I had a lot to do this weekend and a lot of people to connect with, so I went out to eat a lot. I visited places I was familiar with, as well as some new ones, so if you live near Lakeville, Minnesota, please check out these awesome eats.
The first place I visited this weekend was Kyiv Cakes, a bakery that sells mousse in the shape of various fruits.
I’ve seen bakeries like this before in trending videos online, but I never knew a location like this was in my area. I knew I had to go.
Their mousse flavors are strawberry, raspberry, chocolate, mango, coconut, pumpkin and pistachio.
All of these cakes look like the food they represent, except for the strawberry and chocolate, which are in the shape of a heart and a present, respectively. I got the strawberry one for my boyfriend.
I would also say that pistachio falls under this category, because even though they’re intended to look like the nut, I think they just look like a big green poo. I didn’t purchase that one.
Now, I’m not a fan of mousse. I think it tastes like crap, and Kyiv Cakes is sadly not an exception for me, as I found the taste to be just alright. But for me, that is a rave review of a mousse.
The presentation was very cute, but I just don’t like the flavor profile of mousse, so I would only recommend going if you like mousse or want to try one of their other bakery items.
The second place I visited was one of my favorite restaurants, Tsunami Japanese, located in Burnsville, Minnesota. I am so in love with this place right now. To begin, the best thing about this restaurant is its happy hour menu for half-priced appetizers.
From 2-5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to close every day, edamame, tempura, spring rolls and gyoza are all half-priced. Speaking from experience, this is a great way to fill your belly and get a lot of food for cheap.
I would particularly recommend their tempura as the appetizer is a good enough portion to be a meal on its own.
The rest of their dishes are spectacular as well, with unique presentations for their sushi plates, which are decorated with flowers. No matter what you get, it’s sure to be delicious.
The next place I visited was Grand Szechuan, which is located in Bloomington, Minnesota. This place has a fantastic lunch special, which can be under $10 if you know what to order. My favorite dish is one of those specials.
Their tofu dish (Kung Pao Tofu) is spicy yet crispy, accompanied by rice and an egg roll. One tricky thing about this dish, however, is the fact that it is smothered in dried chilis.
These pack quite a punch, and for someone sensitive to spice, it can make the dish hard to eat without picking them out.
The other things included in the lunch special are a side salad and soup with a choice between egg drop and sweet and sour. The special also includes a pot of tea for your table.
This is one of my favorite places to visit with my grandparents, so I’d recommend it to anyone else who has grandparents who love Chinese food like mine do.
The last place I’d like to talk about is The Depot Bar and Grill in Faribault, Minnesota. This restaurant is located in a former train station with the tracks still beside it.
I will keep my review of the restaurant brief. I had the Reuben, which was very good but not enough for the $18.99 price tag. Additionally, this dish came with chips, and upgrading to fries would be an additional $6.
The atmosphere is nice, though, with many vintage decorations throughout the restaurant, including a ride car from an old tilt-a-whirl at the entrance. I’d go if you’re in the area and are looking for a place with a unique vibe.
Finally, an honorable mention goes out to the Sam’s Club food court. If you know, you know.
Curtin can be reached at [email protected].
