MSP Happenings book?

[jenniegirl]

We're trying to put the Happenings book to work so we can eat out twice as much on our limited budget. Anyone try anything good using a Happenings or a Blue Sky guide coupon? The coupon for Cafe Bonxai was my favorite one so far, but I already knew that place was good.

[AnneInMpls]

I've got the Blue Sky book, but have only used the Birchwood coupon so far. It was great, as always - especially on half-priced wine night (Monday and Tuesday). But I've marked a bunch of coupons that I want to use.

Places I love and visit often: Tanpopo (always fab), Seward Cafe (love this hippie haven), Trotters, and Be'wiched (coupon for dinner only).

Places I liked but have only been once: Spoonriver, French Meadow, Barbette (weekday breakfast only), and Lucia's To Go.

Places that I want to try: Ecopolitan, Galactic Pizza, Lucia's To Go, Namaste, Red Stag (lunch only), and St. Martin's Table.

I'd better get busy and start going out!

Anne

[kevin47]

I thought the Ecopolitan was all gimmick, as did my dinner companion.

Where and when can you buy the Blue Sky book? It sounds like all the good restaurants have gravitated there...

[AnneInMpls]

Most of the co-ops have the Blue Sky Guide. I bought mine at the Wedge in December, but I saw them by the register last week.

See the web site for other places to buy it (click on the "local retailer" link):
http://www.ecometro.com/twincities/co...

But call to check, as some places might be sold out by now.

Anne

[The Dairy Queen]

WOW! Those are a lot of terrific options. I had no idea all those were in there.

~TDQ

[AnneInMpls]

If you're a co-op shopper, the Blue Sky guide has some really good co-op and grocery coupons, too. Plus gourmet food places like Golden Fig, Ingebritsen's, Legacy Chocolate, Premier Cheese, Clancey's, and Cafe Finspang at the MidGloMo. Oh, and Calister Farms chicken (at the St. Paul Farmer's Market).

Not to mention the tons of coffee places, but I gave those coupons away because I can't drink coffee (sob).

My book has already paid for itself, and I still have 9 months to go!

Anne

[clepro]

I used to buy other coupon books and forget to use the coupons. Probably because they contained few coupons for things I'd buy, places I'd go. So I quit buying them, no matter how charming the little school kids were selling them.

But the Blue Sky Guide is a whole different kettle of fish.

I buy mine from a local Montessori School that sells them as a fundraiser (Great River Montessori, St. Paul) every autumn. They go for $20, and the school retains $10 for each. That's a great percentage; kudos to the Blue Sky folks for being so generous.

Mississippi Market sells them for the same price, and usually has some in stock, in stands by the checkouts or scattered throughout the store. The Market did a promotion a few months back on them, selling them for $15 rather than the usual $20.

I have *ahem* four. I mark all the coupons that suit me, and then sit down with friends and share what's left. I agree with Anne; they quickly more than pay for themselves.

[kevin47]

In the Happenings book, Erte, Al Vento and China Jen are all very good. I have heard good things about Kabab's in Bloomington. I used to like Jerusalem's, but that place seems to be going downhill.

That said, the Happenings book has fewer restaurant offerings every year. I wonder if the economy will change this fact next year.

[spunky_monkey]

Kabab's in Bloomington is great. Not much for atmosphere, but some really great Indian food. Other restaurants I've enjoyed from the Happenings books are Marino's Deli (in NE Mpls) and Red Pepper (in Richfield).

[jenniegirl]

Well, I always like China Jen (besides the fact that my name is Jen, which the Boy finds very amusing...

[tex.s.toast]

There was a blue sky guide coupon for kopplins where you paid up front for the equivalent of about 3 cups of coffee and got 5 credits, they just punched your ticket each time you picked up a cup.

[faith]

In the Blue Sky book there are decent coupons for Ecopolitan (get the young coconut shake, alfredo pasta, or lasagna) and Sapor in Mpls. Also one for French Meadow. I would say any of them would be worth checking out.

[TDS1]

I would recommend trying Joey Nova's for their New York Pizza. It hasn't gotten much attention on this site, but their 18 inch NY pizza is among the best I have had in the Twin Cities. Plus it's 50% off with the happenings coupon.

As an aside, I have found the Metro Dining Club to have better quality restaurants in it. Plus, you can use the coupons once monthly. It's worth checking out.