Headed to Holidazzle in Minneapolis? Here's what's new to eat and drink

Keep warm (and full) with these fun new offerings at the Minneapolis holiday celebration in Loring Park.

December 7, 2018 at 12:40AM
Holidazzle kicked off at Friday, Nov. 23, 2018, at Loring Park in Minneapolis, MN. Here, Santa sported an umbrella while briefly strolling the Holidazzle grounds.] DAVID JOLES ï david.joles@startribune.com Holidazzle is a Downtown Minneapolis free holiday destination located in Loring Park that features ice skating, music, movies, fireworks and fun for all ages.
Holidazzle, at Loring Park in Minneapolis, continues through Dec. 23. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Gorkha Palace co-owners Rashmi Bhattachan and Sarala Kattel are well acquainted with street food, having launched their northeast Minneapolis restaurant from a potsticker stand at the Mill City Farmers Market. At ­Holidazzle, they're selling a hearty rice bowl topped with crunchy vegetables simmered in a curry sauce ($8), along with those signature dumplings, called mo:mo. Some are filled with ground turkey, onions, cabbage and ginger; the others are a blend of spinach, cabbage, ginger and garlic. Both ($8) are served with a lively tomato chutney, and they're a Holidazzle must.

Misfit Coffee is offering two festive new lattés for warming up from the inside out: One is infused with hints of maple and bourbon ($6), while the other has gingerbread spice flavor notes ($6) and is garnished with, yes, Teddy Grahams graham crackers.

The season's rib-sticker can be found at Lady A's. It's a paper boat filled with whole steamed potatoes buried under gooey raclette, a feeds-a-crowd serving ($12) that's garnished with vinegary cornichons, perky pickled onions and a slice of tender roast beef. Dessert? An array of cupcakes ($3 to $4).

Next door, the Kabomelette food truck folks are keeping the cold at bay with a stand that's selling well-seasoned chicken kabobs ($8), a bacon-potato-egg hash ($8), omelets ($6 to $12) and steaming cups of chicken-wild rice soup ($4).

It's too bad that Friday is the only time to enjoy make-your-own s'mores ($5) at North Mallow, which provides the sticks, the marshmallows (vanilla and chocolate flavors), graham crackers and chocolate (go for the Ghirardelli peppermint option) and then steers s'more makers to a nearby bonfire. It's tasty, nostalgic fun; why didn't someone think of this before?

Holidazzle (holidazzle.com) is open 5-9 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23 in Loring Park in Minneapolis.

about the writer

about the writer

Rick Nelson

Reporter

Rick Nelson joined the staff of the Star Tribune in 1998. He is a Twin Cities native, a University of Minnesota graduate and a James Beard Award winner. 

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