The Taster and I are getting married next month. (The count is below 30 days!) Then, we are moving. While we absolutely love Minneapolis…it is time for a change.

So after the wedding we are packing up and heading to Los Angeles, California. We are excited, thrilled and beyond ready but there are many other emotions that come along with it. Will we make friends? What will we do without our best friends here? Being so far from family? Jobs? A lot of people think we are crazy. But sometimes life requires a leap.

Oddly enough, I have this strange sense of calm around the whole thing. (You can tell me I told you so next month if I’m losing my mind)

I have a really good feeling and I know that this is the right decision for us at the time. My Mom has always told me to put intentions out into the universe – and while I’m lying on my yoga mat before every class begins, I see us out there and I see it being the right thing.

 Any tips on moving across the country? We’ll gladly take them.

We are actually making a dent in our Diners, Drive-In’s & Dives restaurant list here in Minneapolis. Let me tell you, it hasn’t been exactly easy, the list is rather lengthy, but slowly but surely we’ve been making our way around town. I have to admit it has been rather fun! The latest crossed off the DDD list: Victor’s 1959 Cafe.

Victor’s 1959 Cafe has been inching its way towards the top rather quickly however as I love small, kitchy, restaurants that serve delicious food without being overly fancy and stuffy. Located in South Minneapolis, Victor’s itself is tiny. The walls are bright, the patio upbeat with cuban music and the vibe is what I would consider to be eccentric. And absolutely perfect on a summer day.

I was surprisingly in the mood for a mojito (I’m normally just a wine girl) but Victor’s doesn’t have a liqour license so it is beer and wine only. I was a little disappointed until I saw a champagne mojito on the menu….

It was amazing/life-changing/completely delicious and I’m actually glad they didn’t have a regular mojito – this was bubbly, refreshing and we will be making them at home soon. Seriously.

In terms of food though, which was the whole reason we were there, we started with the Cubano Mix – a plate of fried tostones, croquetas and empanadas. Much of the food reminded me of the food I ate in Haiti- fried plantains, rice, beans, etc. and brought back many good memories.  The appetizers were pretty average – they were good, but nothing amazing.

We weren’t really there for the appetizers though, we were there to try the “as seen on the food network” specialties: the Sandwich Cubano and Ropa Vieja. The Cubano was the classic sandwich – ham, pork, pickles, swiss and mustard between pressed bread. It was simply delicious. And everything I had hoped for.

The Ropa Veija (literally “old clothes”) was outstanding. Served with your choice of rice and beans (we went with rice + black beans) and some plaintains, this was amazing. You can tell that the meat simmers for hours, it is so flavorful.

I love living in a city with so many cultural food dishes to experience – it is one of my favorite things to do! Victor’s was great and definitely a trip if you are in the twin cities!

Victor’s 1959 Cafe

3756 Grand Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN

612-827-8948