Big Wood Brewery hopes to set up a taproom in White Bear Lake (zoning code update required), Northgate Brewing is opening early this fall in Northeast and will make English session beers, DeRusha digs Cafe Levain and praises the short rib burger, a construction boom in Lowertown could bring some new restaurants and bars, Madison will soon be home to a local grenadine by Quince and Apple and a Death’s Door Spirits distillery, and why you should grill clams, cheese, and other crazy stuff.
James Norton / Heavy Table
Fireroast Mountain is one of the best (if least-recognized) bakeries in the Twin Cities — this charming Longfellow cafe turns out terrific linzer tort cookies, oatmeal fudge bars, and a treat called Lemon Cloud Cake. At $3 for a generous slice, it’s about as good a dessert value as you could hope to find.
Your piece will be disconcertingly large, but have no fear — the texture is light and spongy, and the flavor a mildly sweet counterpoint to the fireworks-in-your mouth impact of the lemon (and what tastes like orange) curd spread between the cake’s layers.
While many desserts (and most cakes) are a sledgehammer of sweetness, Lemon Cloud Cake succeeds through its light, spongy texture and the citric kick of its filling. With a cup of tea on the side, this is a fine way to unwind over the course of an afternoon.
Yes! The world needs more lemon cake.
I’ve never had a bad pastry at Fireroast.