DeRUSHA: The GREAT STEAK PRICE DEBATE, 7-Days to the State Fair!

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Had a fun conversation on the radio show this week with my producer Dan, who doesn’t eat out that often at sit-down restaurants, and experienced massive sticker shock looking at a suburban steak restaurant’s menu. YouTube Short is below - here’s an active Facebook discussion on the clip: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1682980179438862

The full podcast is here (and the full segment is below in this newsletter) - but naturally some steak restaurant folks reached out and were… perturbed. Talking price is always a tough one - as I’ve written here before, restaurant prices are way too high and at the same time not high enough. With steak it’s obvious, we all see the price of beef at the grocery store - the top grade of steak can easily run you $50 - $70 retail. So paying $65 at a restaurant is a no brainer. Paying $100 for a top-notch experience with great service and great vibes is also totally justifiable.

As diners - we have no obligation to just suck it up. Sometimes the raw dollar amount is just out of reach, and no one should feel guilty about that. I will say that there are so many factors that make dining out more expensive today than it was 10 years ago. Minimum wage in the cities is $16/hr., servers get that plus your tip. Digital costs are huge: the reservation software, the online ordering, the website, the social media marketer - none of these things were major factors a decade ago. Insurance costs are up, utilities, everything that affects your daily cost of living affects restaurants too.

I have no simple, pithy, inspiring message here: we all (including restaurant owners) are doing our best. I think cocktails and wine are too expensive, and food is priced about where it should be. I can share that view, and also respect that restaurants are trying to figure out how to keep the lights on.

• My restaurant tip of the week: in Long Lake

• News on Oro by Nixta, Aki from Aki’s Breadhouse

• Dario’s Punk Rock Burger Club

• Welcome Livea to the Newsletter!

• Owamni - pay what you can event

• Awesome Line-up of Things to Do + PODCASTS

COCKTAIL LEGENDS TO TEACH AT BAR MARA

I’m going to this - are you? TOBY MALONEY is doing a cocktail class at BAR MARA Sunday August 30 at 1pm. Toby founded Violet Hour in Chicago, he and Emma Janzen have written a book called “The Classic Cocktail Sessions.”

• COCKTAIL CLASS + SIGNED BOOK: This will sell out! Here’s a link to the class: Personalizing the Classics - Mixologist Class at Open Table.

• BOOK SIGNING + MEET & GREET at 3pm: LINK: Classic Cocktail Sessions – Book Signing!

Thanks to Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis for being a DeRUSHA partner!

RESTAURANT TIP OF THE WEEK: Visited the new Comal by Familia Luna, Finesse + Angel who were last the team behind 6Smith. They’ve opened a lovely morning/lunch/dinner spot across from Red Rooster in Long Lake - worth a visit for sure!!

ORO BY NIXTA HONORED BY NYT: The best Mexican restaurants in the United States - Oro by Nixta makes the list, deservedly so. https://www.nytimes.com/shared

RELISH DEBUTS A NEW SEASON - NO HOST: Yia Vang & TPT didn’t extend their deal (bummer) but the producers are popping-off 3 episodes you might want to check out. Relish Presents - starts Saturday at 10:30am on TPT 2 (soon to become Minnesota PBS 2.) They’re featuring Alex Roberts, Karyn Tomlinson, Lachelle Cunningham, Mecca Bos, Amalia Moreno-Damgaard, and Mateo & Erin Mackbee. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4622mpr

AKI BECOMES U.S. CITIZEN: This is so cool - Aki from Aki’s Breadhouse is becoming a U.S. Citizen Friday. They’re throwing a party with discounts in Northeast Minneapolis Friday night. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4zpm3oO (Alyssa and I checked out the new Aki’s at the Trailhead in Wirth Park last weekend, it was delightful!)

WHY’S EVERYTHING NAMED AFTER MN INSTEAD OF MINNEAPOLIS or SAINT PAUL? It annoys me. AUDIO: https://fluence-media.co/45CE3yh

HAI HAI POTLUCK BRINGS IN WOMEN CELEB CHEFS: We’ve gone to this every year, it’s so much fun, this year raising money for the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota. Get your ticket now- it’s September 13 (sadly I’ll be in Ireland). Who’s there? The Twin Cities’ most celebrated female chefs & bartenders plus special guests Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat in Chicago & LA), Claudette Zepeda (Chispa Hospitality in San Diego), Penelope Wong (Yuan Wonton in Denver). OPEN TABLE: https://fluence-media.co/4wBZPgJ

DARIO BURGER CLUB: Still a few tickets left on Resy for next Saturday, August 29: Your ticket includes: two burgers, chips, your choice of welcome drink, and a punk rock DJ set by local artists Annie Sparrows & Katie Thornton! https://fluence-media.co/4g8GUoL

INDÍGENA by OWAMNI NEWS: They’re taking part in an national pay-what-you-can event on Wednesday, and TOMORROW there’s a special guest chef at their new private table. A couple tickets still left for the Tiyošpaye Table — or Kinship Table — and Chef Dante Hill, who was born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, and is now executive chef at Senate Kitchen in Austin, will bring his perspective to Minneapolis for this dinner. The seven-course menu explores local game, wild herbs and seasonal vegetables. BOOK: opentable.com/r/indigena-by-owamni-minneapolis

TASCA MADRID: Opened last Saturday - man this looks great! Cathedral Hill, Saint Paul, former Handsome Hog. IG: https://fluence-media.co/3U7UEHK

PASTA CLUB at Malcolm Yards: Opens next Tuesday: Chef Beth Wells has been teaching how to make pasta in Stillwater, selling online, and now she’s got a spot. Spinach Pesto Fusilli, Cacio e pepe Mafaldine, and Spagattini Al Limone. IG: https://fluence-media.co/4x6jXIK

MODERN TIMES RETURNS: No more “pay what you can,” back as a no-tipping neighborhood restaurant. Opens Wednesday, August 26, 9a-3p. Details: https://fluence-media.co/46ibrul

SAFFRON MPLS: I talked with Robb Jones this week about the cocktail/wine program - my story coming soon to Minnesota Monthly!! Sameh Wadi’s project in the former Young Joni should open in the next couple weeks. https://fluence-media.co/4wB9iFb

OG ZAZA UPTOWN: Opens September 7th and open late!! Until 1AM Sunday–Thursday and 3AM Fridays & Saturdays. https://fluence-media.co/4qrsdk9

SWEDE HOLLOW CAFE: After 29 years, they’re closing on August 31. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4g4uLkH

BOBA IN THE BALLPARK: Fun interview with Jonathan Chong - Niko Niko Boba is such a great operation. LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4zuzOm7

SHIKI NOODLE BAR: https://fluence-media.co/4zqJ0rw

ARE YOU A SEDAN FAN? hard to find these days! https://fluence-media.co/4zudVDs

LAUNCHPAD GOLF in PRIOR LAKE:

STILL BLOWN AWAY BY THE COMMENTS ON MY “Where to go in Rochester” Facebook post: https://fluence-media.co/4wId0wy

STEAK STICKER SHOCK: Almost $100 for a restaurant steak? Part of this hour: https://fluence-media.co/4xQXhw9 Or watch below:

MICHELE TAFOYA Raised the issue: ARE YOU EMBARRASSED TO BE FROM MN? Podcast: https://fluence-media.co/4gj1ykP

PETE STAUBER IS MAD AT GOV. WALZ for the MINING BAN: Listen -https://fluence-media.co/3Ur9x85

TRACY PERLMAN FIELD OF DREAMS: LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/4zqre7R

DO YOU FLOSS? https://www.facebook.com/reel/1083478617574881

Minnesota Monthly Fine Spirits Classic (THU) at Orchestra Hall. 6p-9p https://www.minnesotamonthly.com/fine-spirits-classic/

Tullibee x Vinai pop-up at Hewing Hotel: seating tonight (THU) at 5:30p and 8p https://resy.com/cities/minneapolis-mn/venues/tullibee/events/kindling-a-tullibee-dinner-series-with-chef-yia-vang-2026-08-20

Mötley Crüe at Mystic Lake Amphitheater, Shakopee FRIDAY: https://www.livenation.com/event/1Ae7ZbUGkBp8sBt/the-return-of-the-carnival-of-sins-motley-crue

Minnesota Renaissance Festival — Opening Weekend SAT & SUN Kids ages 5-12 get in free with an adult ticket purchase this opening weekend.
🔗 Renaissance Festival

Woodbury Days - FRI/SAT/SUN https://www.woodburydays.org
(Shuttles will be available between Bailey Elementary School and Ojibway Park)

Tim McGraw at Target Field SUN https://www.mlb.com/twins

THURSDAY: Minnesota Monthly Fine Spirits Classic

FRIDAY: Taking the 21-year-old out with his aunt & uncle - either hitting Surly or Anoka or both

SATURDAY & SUNDAY: No plans. WHO AM I?

THANK YOU FOR READING!!! You’re the best, I appreciate your support!!