1. Kdwb–101.3 Fm
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Media
Address: 1600 Utica Ave. South
Description: Since the days of sock hops, KDWB has been the Twin Cities’ leading (and sometimes only) top-40 station. It’s the station of choice for most teens who actually bother listening to the radio, and a guilty pleasure for everyone else. The station sponsors many events, including a December “Jingle Ball” that packs the Xcel Energy Center with top hitmakers and reliably sells out.
2. Kqql–107.9 Fm
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Media
Telephone: (651) 989-2020
Address: 1600 Utica Ave. South
Description: KOOL 108 has been the Twin Cities’ “oldies” station for years, though its programming has changed many times as a result of both changes in its ownership and an evolving idea of what exactly counts as an “oldie.” Currently the station showcases the pop music of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.
3. Ktcz–97.1 Fm
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Media
Telephone: (651) 989-9797
Address: 1600 Utica Ave. South
Description: Cities 97 owns the market between WLTE’s light rock and The Current’s indie rock, playing adult contemporary music from artists such as John Mayer, Damien Rice, Wilco, and Death Cab for Cutie.
4. Park Tavern
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (952) 929-6810
Address: 3401 Louisiana Ave.
Description: The Park Tavern is one of the Twin Cities’ premier sports bars. Twin Citians come in hordes to watch sports on the big-screen televisions and enjoy the kitchen’s excellent food. Many other sports bars treat the food as secondary, but the Park Tavern excels, with delicious burgers and sandwiches. Plus it has some of the best beer specials in town during Vikings games.
5. Park Tavern
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (952) 929-6810
Address: 3401 Louisiana Ave. South
Description: Bar and bowling alley food is generally not highly regarded for its taste. The Park Tavern is an exception. The appetizers are tasty and edible, with or without suds, and include nachos, quesadillas, and chicken strips. Also featured are top-notch burgers and sandwiches such as the French dip au jus and the prime melt sandwich, which features prime rib topped with sautéed onions and cheese. Salads are another option for less ravenous diners. The Park Tavern serves lunch and dinner Monday through Friday, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekends.
6. Yangtze Chinese Restaurant
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (952) 541-9469
Address: 5625 Wayzata Blvd.
Description: The Yangtze Restaurant serves Hunan, Szechuan, Cantonese, and Mandarin Chinese dishes. Specials of the house include duck, Szechuan-style leg of lamb, and tangerine beef. The extensive menu also includes everything from lobster to eggplant in a garlic sauce, moo shu pork, several versions of lo mein and chow mein, two preparations including fresh Maine lobster, and much more. Yangtze Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner and features an excellent dim sum over the weekend lunch hours.
7. Taste Of India
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (952) 541-4865
Address: 5617 Wayzata Blvd.
Description: The Taste of India in St. Louis Park, similar in spirit to the Maplewood restaurant of the same name, offers an extensive menu of excellently prepared curries and tandoori (clay-oven) specialties. The restaurant specializes in north Indian cuisine, with treats from throughout the subcontinent thrown in to enthrall the taste buds. The tandoori items are especially tasty. Indian specialty drinks (mango milk shakes, mango lassi yogurt drink, etc.) as well as wines and beers, both imported and domestic, are offered. The restaurant features a daily lunch buffet with a particularly large spread. Taste of India is open daily for lunch and dinner.
8. Vescio’S
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (952) 920-0733
Address: 4001 County Rd. 25
Description: Vescio’s serves ravioli, rigatoni, tortellini, fettuccine, and spaghetti as well as sandwiches. The sandwiches are Italian-inspired creations that include the Big Boy Italiano (various meats and cheeses on French loaf) and the sweet fried pepper sandwich. And don’t forget Vescio’s pizza. The pizzas are available in small and large and include one notable specialty: Sid’s Special Pizza is topped with sausage, mushrooms, pepperoni, sweet fried peppers, extra cheese, and special seasoning and is named after longtime Minneapolis Star Tribune sports columnist Sid Hartman, who frequents the restaurant. Vescio’s Cucina in St. Louis Park is open daily for lunch and dinner. Vescio’s Originalé in Minneapolis is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
9. St. Louis Park Senior Program
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Retirement
Telephone: (952) 928-6444
Address: 6715 Minnetonka Blvd.
Description: The St. Louis Park Senior Program organizes dozens of outings, guest speakers, and special events. Events include such things as trips to the Minnesota History Center, State Capitol, Chanhassen Dinner Theater, Lunch and Learn sessions with speakers discussing issues of interest to seniors, holiday concerts, and flu shot clinics. Their Web site lists the latest happenings.
10. Midwest Homebrewing And Winemaking Supplies
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (952) 925-9835 or (888) 449-27
Address: 3440 Beltline Blvd.
Description: Midwest Homebrewing and Winemaking Supplies can get you started making your own beer, but the store also carries everything you need to make your own wine. The store features several “clone” kits designed to make beer that tastes like high-quality commercial brands, including local favorite Summit Pale Ale, as well as Foster’s Lager, Watney’s Cream Stout, and Redhook ESB. If your tastes lean more toward reds and whites, Midwest has various winemaking equipment kits, as well as wine kits for many popular varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and Chardonnay. You can also buy ingredients to make fruit wines, ranging from apple to plum. Midwest is open daily.
11. Kiddywampus
City: St. Louis Park, MN
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (952) 926-7871
Address: 4400 Excelsior Blvd.
Description: Opened in 2006, this unusual toy store carries things to monkey with from all over the world (not just China) and has a built-in play area. Products include an Alien Pizza-Making Kit (with green crust and purple pizza sauce), an Insect Color Paint and Draw Kit (not for use on real bugs), and a Balloon-Powered Boat (perfect for bath time). Kiddywampus actively courts parents looking for a birthday party venue and will host such gatherings, and the store also offers Abrakadoodle art classes for kids as young as 20 months.