POP!! February 18th, 2009

Like opening a great bottle of Cava, the new Sample Circuit season began with the exciting POP!!

Chef Clark Knutson outdid himself with four interactive food stations featuring a variety of items from his highly acclaimed, eclectic menu. Dishes ranged from the traditional fare of Latin America to the warm and familiar comfort foods, a la Midwestern kitchens.

As guests entered the space they were greeted by the wine aficionados, Roy Goslin and Dianne Ferrandi, of Z wines. Fresh off the plane from South Africa, they poured an array of their delicious and unique varieties. Among my favorites were the Heron's Nest Un-Oaked Chadonnay, Bush Camp's - Our Daily Red and the Hugo's Hill Cape Vintage Dessert Wine.

Bar Manager and POP!! resident mix-oligist, Bob Parker whipped up a recipe for a Ketel One Cocktail – POP!!ularity: citrus, pomegranate, sparkling wine and Ketel One Citron - delicious!

The atmosphere was dynamic with so much to taste and experience. The first station featured Chef Clark’s popular Petit Citrus BBQ Pork Asada Sandwiches and his delectable Achiote Marinated Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Pineapple-Serrano Salsa which was carved to order.

POP!! Sous Chef Jason Martin

Sous Chef Jason Martin was tossing, Sliced Flank Steak with White Bean Salad and Patata's Brava with Aioli and handing warm platefuls right over the line!

In the wine cage, decorated by POP!!’s signature Warhol-esqe soup can design, were Spanish Romesco and Black Bean Hummus with Assorted Flatbreads and the famous Swedish Meatballs (yes, Swedish Meatballs!!) with Lingonberry Sauce.

Servers swirled around with Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche garnished cleverly with popcorn and Corn Nuts, Shrimp and Black Bean Fritters with Guasaca Dipping Sauce and Ham and Cheese Croquettes.

And to top it off, Chef Clark did not forget the dessert! The delightfully sinful Chocolate Tres Leches Cake with a Rum, Caramel-Banana Sauce, Dulce de Leche Filled Crepes with Hazelnut Brittle and the Tropical Tapioca Parfait were among the offerings and did not disappoint the most discering sweet tooth.

A special thanks to Fitness Together (www.ftmsp.com) for offering an incredible grand prize: a Jumpstart Package including two personal training sessions.

This event truly got Sample Circuit 2009 off to a great start. Don't forget to check out more photos on the Sample Circuit website or find yourself on our Facebook page. While your at it - become a fan and be among the first to receive updates and photos from our events.

We look forward to seeing everyone at SEVEN Steakhouse and Sushi on March 11th! (Buy Tickets)

Photos by Chris Bohnhoff Photography

Pop!!

Five and a half years ago, an opportunity in Northeast Minneapolis opened up for Clark Knutson (chef/owner of Pop!! restaurant) through an abandoned building a few blocks down from his mother's place. After traveling the United States, cooking with ingredients unknown to the Midwest, he was ready to settle back into Minnesota. This building would become his first restaurant, Pop!, and would later be followed by its St. Paul-sister, Pop!!. (Notice the two exclamation points.) Knutson inquired about the empty building, and it snowballed from there. Knutson's idea found its place.


Photo by Chris Bohnhoff


The restaurant's decor is worth paying the place a visit. “The overall vibe and look of the restaurant makes a difference,” said Knutson. While going to culinary school in the late '80s, he was exposed to the large pop scene and soon became fascinated with all-things pop culture, which is exactly what his restaurant is themed on. There's nothing more rejuvenating than walking into Pop!! on a cold January afternoon, whose bright colors bring life back to any Minnesotan's frozen heart. "People come in and they're happy," he said. Pop art's bright colors lends itself not only to the decor, but also the food.


Photo by Chris Bohnhoff


What's 'pop' about the food is its ability to make accessible the world cuisines Minnesotans may think unusual, at an unusually affordable price. One needs only to glance at Pop!!'s menu before they notice the range of world cuisines represented. And they're represented for the best of reasons - it's the food Knutson knows and a taste of his culinary experience, as his menu is flavored with the Latin and Caribbean food he's cooked. (Think Carne Asada, Cubana, Picadillo Empanadas, and Black Bean Soup.) Having many years of experience cooking at large resorts in Florida and being a chef in Arizona, Knutson has gained a knowledge base of these cuisines, and generously shares it with his fellow Minnesotans.


As the food reaches Pop!!'s restaurant-goers, Knutson hopes it both comforts and challenges them. (You'll find the Swedish meatballs very close to the Israeli couscous on the menu.) Don't want to spend a fortune on something you can't pronounce? Pop!! is your place. Its location in downtown St. Paul also lends itself to be both a good neighborhood bistro and destination restaurant. Overall, Pop!! strikes a balance between familiarity and diversity with a price-point nobody complains about - especially during these times.

If quality food and vibrant decor weren't enough, you'll find a DJ there on Thursdays - adding to what's already an alive environment. Lively. Casual. Fun. A restaurant that makes all three easily accessible - what's more pop than that?

-Melinda Feucht