The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

The Twin Cities' gastronomic bio-diversity seems to be concentrated in three main hot zones: Eat Street (Nicollet Ave.), with its mix of Mexican, Chinese, Vietnamese and German eateries; Central Avenue in northeast Minneapolis, where the blend is Indian, Mexican, Ecuadorian, and Middle Eastern; and University Avenue in Saint Paul, where Vietnamese, Chinese, Cambodian, and Thai restaurants predominate.

It sounds like the Namaste Café might have an image problem. A couple of days ago, I emailed a friend and invited her to meet me for Happy Hour at the Nepalese/Indian restaurant and tea house at 2512 Hennepin Ave. S.

"I have never even noticed Namaste," she replied. "They have wine?? It sounds so — vegan?"

photo by Tom McConnell

What's a girl to do when she's snacky for a quick samosa?

Sure there's the appeal of a buffet lunch at one of the all-stars ... but then there's the pre-schooler and his crankiness level and the crunch of time that doesn't allow for full-service AND an on-time arrival at school.

Thank goodness I was in Maple Grove. (NEVER thought I would write that.)