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

Okay, we resolved on our trip to Singapore that once we got back home, we would finally face up to our new economic circumstances and start dining out less and eating more peanut butter sandwiches - if we can find peanut butter that is safe to eat. Except there is one tradition that we are not going to let go of, which is our annual Valentine's Day dinner at the Atlas Grill, 200 S. 6th St., Minneapolis, where Carol and I had our wedding reception and dinner.

What's next, green stamps? With the cost of food and dining going up, and the economy going down, restaurants are scrambling to find new ways of keeping diners coming in the doors. Both Parasole, Inc. and the Twin Cities Originals have recently introduced customer loyalty programs that use member cards to track purchases and reward customers. With the Twin Cities

Where would Count Dracula dine if he visited the Twin Cities?

A little taste of the Midtown Global Market will be making an appearance on the Nicollet Mall this Saturday night, as the Minneapolis Mosaic kicks off a summer of multi-cultural arts and entertainment. Manny's Tortas, La Loma

I don’t do ten best lists, but looking back over the last year, I can recall some memorable dining experiences. For now, at least, I am going to limit myself to the new places – the list will just get too long if I try to work in more than just a mention of old favorites like the Grand Café Vincent, and Atlas Grill.

You can argue whether globalization is good for the planet or good for workers, but when it comes to gastronomy, the influx of foreign flavors has definitely enlivened the local dining scene.