2 dead, multiple people injured after vehicle plows into Park Tavern patio in St. Louis Park  KARE11.com

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2 dead, multiple people injured after vehicle plows into Park Tavern patio in St. Louis Park - KARE11.com

New details on driver, victims of Park Tavern patio tragedy  Bring Me The News

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New details on driver, victims of Park Tavern patio tragedy - Bring Me The News

2 killed when man drives into St. Louis Park bar patio, and more headlines  CBS News

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2 killed when man drives into St. Louis Park bar patio, and more headlines - CBS News

2 dead, 4 injured after man drives his car through restaurant patio in Minnesota  newsradioklbj.com

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2 dead, 4 injured after man drives his car through restaurant patio in Minnesota - newsradioklbj.com

Patio parties are back with drinks, eats and music at the Ella Sharp Museum  MLive.com

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Patio parties are back with drinks, eats and music at the Ella Sharp Museum - MLive.com

The 12 Best Patio Furniture Deals on Amazon to Revamp Your Outdoor Space for Summer  Entertainment Tonight

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The 12 Best Patio Furniture Deals on Amazon to Revamp Your Outdoor Space for Summer - Entertainment Tonight

What is Wayfairs Black Friday in July? Save up to 80% on patio furniture, hot tubs, more  OregonLive

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What is Wayfairs Black Friday in July? Save up to 80% on patio furniture, hot tubs, more - OregonLive

If nobody will say it, I will: most restaurant patios are overrated. I know, I know. Nice weather is precious here. You want to eat outside, and thats fine. But personally? Im kinda tired. Patios are fine except for when youre breathing in exhaust from passing cars and shielding your eyes and exposed skin from the sun when it moves beyond the shade of the umbrella. Securing a table is competitive in some places and a form of exile in others. Throw in a bit of weather and youve set yourself up to face many an unknown.

I am, however, not opposed to eating outside in general. In fact, eating outside is an animalistic pleasure I consider on par with looking into a fire or swimming naked in a stream. Im not advocating for indoor dining forever, but maybe for a little more connectivity between the great outdoors and eating. And since the weather is finally agreeable, I decided to explore this concept by eating handhelds in Milwaukees most noteworthy urban spaces. The assignment was simple: get a handheldwhich I defined as anything consumable and meant to be gripped in your pawsand take it to the nearest park, chew it over in a philosophical manner, and report back. Heres what I ate and where.

This Italian institution on the East Side has been peddling old-world specialties, from mortadella to Montepulciano, since 1946. And their sandwich menu is legit. I am not sure why the deli spells the sandwich name this way. My theory is because we are not in New Orleans, so it cannot be labeled a true muffuletta. Either way, the Milwaukee Muffalatta contains thinly sliced mortadella, genoa, ham, and provolone folded over a muffuletta mix on a sesame seed hoagie roll. It is slick with oil and sharp with vinegar, crowded with the titular olive salad containing celery, sport peppers, red peppers, and Italian herbs. The oil soaks into the meat and spills off the edges of the roll.

I took this sandwich to McKinley Marina and ate it between the Lakefront Colectivo and the Roundhouse Beer Garden. This was a pretty good choice. You cant really go wrong eating a sandwich on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Benches and hills and places to sit in the grass are plentiful if youre willing to trek the short distance from Brady to the parkway. 8/10.

Optional alternatives: Dogg Haus hot dog, La Masa empanadas.

I arrived at Oscars hungry to the point of disorientation, and ordered the patty melt in a rushed fugue state. Immediately I wished Id have tacked on an order of onion rings and custard as well, and I waited for my number, stewing in regret and approaching a hangry state that made the edges of the room blur. It felt criminal to drive all the way here and not leave with frozen custard, our citys pride and joy. Why did I pick this place? Why didnt I order the special of the month (queso burger)? On the other hand, my bill was under $7 and I was laid off in May.

Getting from Oscars to Greenfield Park is not really possible without a car in this part of Milwaukee, despite them being deceptively close to one another on a map. Initially, I wanted this article to include only parks and handhelds that were within walking distance of each other. This proved much more difficult than expected. Most of our loveliest parks are far enough from quality sandwiches to necessitate driving. The city density just is not there. The to-go bag in my car smelled like vanilla custard and I was so mad at myself for not getting one to go. This park was a mile away. Why did I do this?

But as soon as I sat on the park bench beside the lake at Greenfield Park, my mood improved among the steady alarm of red winged blackbirds and contented turtles sunning on a fallen log. The sandwich is a thin patty with melted Swiss cheese and sauted onions. The bread is heavily buttered and perfectly grilled. When it was gone, I felt so calm. Whether it was the reliably Zen effects of watching water move in green areas, or the soporific potency of bread, meat, and cheese, I started to feel like this assignment wasnt a total bust. I spaced out for a while on the bench, thinking about how to obtain gainful employment. Would I do this again? I would both eat the sandwich and visit the park again, but maybe not together. 4/10.

Optional alternative: Theres nothing else in this area I feel confident recommending. My only alternative suggestion is just to get more food at Oscars.

This is what I had been waiting for. This pairing is the reason I pursued this story in the first place. If you have not had the Paloma Taco Pocket, consider this a sign to level up your handheld game. Its $13 and massive. A hands-held rather than a hand-held treat. Paloma in Bay View opened in April following the success of their first location. Although I live closer to the flagship Paloma, and Washington Park is high on my list of Good Parks, the Bay View Paloma is open during the lunch hour.

The Taco Pocket is basically a gourmet Crunchwrap Supremea burrito wrap folded over a tostada shell piled with lettuce, cheese, tomato, onions, cilantro, and beef. I think this is one instance in which the facsimile is actually better than the prototypical. You can sub out the gringo beef for chicken, carnitas, or one of several vegetarian options, but the beef has the same finely ground consistency of its inspiration and a spice mixture that passes, with flying colors, for the real deal.

Humboldt Park is a gem in the summertime. Sitting on the verdant hillside with a gooey hexagonal burrito gripped in both hands, I tried to connect the Taco Pocket experience to all remembered nights with a Crunchwrap Supreme. The CS/Taco Bell version is advertised as plump and layered, with cheese spilling out an a clearly defined cut between the healthy stuff and that finely ground pasty meat seasoned with an explosive mix. But to my memory, the CS always comes out a little too flat, the burrito-to-filling ratio all askance. The tomatoes always seem a little too cold, shocked into coexistence with the cooked meat which, when cooled, starts to hide behind a greasy layer of the Taco Bell mystery spice. On the other hand, the Taco Pocket is hefty and unshy. It is hot the whole way through and generously loaded. If you wish to compare the Crunchwrap Supreme to the Taco Pocket, the Crunchwrap Supreme is like meeting someone superhot but ultimately underwhelming, and the Taco Pocket is like meeting your soul mate. 10/10.

Optional alternatives (although I dont know why you would): Anything from Vanguard, a slice from Classic Slice, tacos from 7 Estrellas.

I had a flashback to Oscars, so I did not make the same mistake twice: I went to SmallPie and ordered a slice of pie with the herbed chicken handpie. Aside from the pies, crafted by Honey Pie, SmallPie claims the handpie as their signature item. They are piled up and falling over each other in the display case like stacks of poker chips anted in a game.

South Shore Park was not crowded on a Tuesday afternoon. Groups of twos and threes gathered on blankets in the grass. A family fed a gaggle of geese at the small beach along the bay. Someone meditated near the water. The wind swung the sailboats on their moorings, and the skyline to the north sparkled in the clear day, showing-off and pretty by this magical body of fresh water by which we are so privileged to live. When the beer garden is open, you dont really need to trek in outside food to the park.

The handpie was hot and gushing in a buttery crust. I felt the filling-to-crust ratio was a little low, but this could be for structural reasons, since the handpie maintained its croissant-like consistency all the way through. It was nicely herbed with small cubes of chicken, a flaky and toasty exterior, and just the right size for a quick lunch on the run. For dessert I had a slice of the chocolate hazelnut pie. It was a rare miss for me, more pure sugar-forward than mellow and custardy, which would have paired better with a bitter espresso than my pastry and Topo Chico. 7/10.

Optional alternatives: Anything from the South Shore Terrace menu.

I have been a Rupenas customer for a long time. This family-operated grocery store and deli in West Allis is approaching its 100th year in business and is still managed by members of the Rupena family. It maintains a neighborhood deli feel and carries esoteric grocery items not found in bigger stores. Their shining beacon is the butcher counter and the knowledgeable staff behind the cuts. Rupenas has yet to steer me wrong.

In addition to the house sandwich menu and a build-your-own option, Rupenas rotates daily specials on a chalkboard at the counter. I visited on a Friday during their fish fry special, but thats not my beat in this town, so I ordered the Taste of Milwaukee. This roast beef sandwich is served on a flat and crispy ciabatta with an even spread of horseradish cream, melted cheddar and provolone, and coarsely chopped fresh red onions. It is pressed in a panini maker until the ingredients heat and meld and the bread is lightly toasted. As I waited for my sandwich, I hovered over the meat cuts at the butcher section, admiring tenderloin and rump roasts and hefty pork shoulders, familiar main courses at family gatherings in my clan. I stopped to snap a picture of the ticket number specifically for Milwaukee Record.

Can I helpoh! A woman walked into my shot.

SorryIm just taking a picture, I stammered. Its forits a long story, I said.

I bet it isnt, she replied and grinned. I offered a quick explanationIm eating sandwiches for a publication that has made a running joke out of 69 degree days via the Allen Bradley temperature tower. She chuckled.

Our butcher never changes the number. Its our inside joke.

Perfect! I immediately felt more at ease. This was Maria Rupena, after all.

I collected my sandwich and made my way across the street to a cluster of picnic benches at McCarty Park. The grass had been recently mowed, flattening the green expanse and revealing mud traps in the shade. Kids tore around the nearby playground, but the tennis courts and baseball diamonds were still empty. My Taste of Milwaukee sandwich was warm and creamy, the ciabatta crunchy and lightly buttered, the roast beef and cheese nicely intertwined. The park is just okay, at least on the side I found myself on. Eating beside busy Beloit is not super relaxing. 6/10.

Optional alternative: A different Rupenas sandwich.

At the end of this assignment (which I assigned to myself) I had some thoughts about what I would do differently. Traveling from the origin of the sandwich/handheld to the nearest worthy park was a hassle just to eat one item, so next time Id order an entire meal or a bigger variety and make sitting in the park a bigger part of my day. I may not have this luxury for long. Id also bring a friend along. Not for reasons that facilitate my research, but because friends are great and eating alone in a park while taking notes blocked some pure human pleasure from the experience. It also taught me to always keep a blanket in my car, something to toss out on a grassy hillside and dish out a midday meal.

And there ya have itno patios required!

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A case against patios: Eating sandwiches in parks - Milwaukee Record

The popular JazzBuffalo Summer JazzMondays on the rooftop patio of Tappo Restaurant will return for the summer of 2024 for its 9th season! My Cousin Ton will be back to perform on the rooftop patio every Monday night through Labor Day!

Voted as the favorite Jazz Large Ensemble in the 2023-2024 JazzBuffalo Annual Poll, My Cousin Ton promises to entertain you with tunes from its repertoire of jazz standards from the Great American Songbook and straight-ahead jazz classics. Sit back, relax, and enjoy dinner and a bottle of wine while soaking in the live jazz music.

The weekly JazzMondays have become a beloved tradition during the summer months. We take joy in the celebrations it brings and in providing the musical backdrop to make each gathering special. Whether youre planning a birthday, anniversary, reunion, or simply getting together with friends, JazzMondays is the perfect setting to create lasting memories.

Please note that the rooftop patio will be open weather permitting. So pray for no rain on Mondays!

The Summer JazzMondays will kick off on Memorial Day, starting Monday, May 27th, and will continue every Monday through Labor Day. My Cousin Ton, together for over 12 years, features Jim Matteliano on keyboards, Bill Savino on bass, Andy Peruzzini on trumpet, Dalton Sharp on saxophone, Pete Dauphin on trombone, Bill Basil on drums, Tony Zambito on percussion, and Kathy Carr on vocals. And who knows? You might even catch a surprise guest dropping by to sit in for a song or two!

Once again, the Tappo Rooftop Patio will fill the downtown sky with the sounds of jazz, complementing the outstanding menu and drinks of Tappo Restaurant. JazzMondays has brought new life to downtown Mondays and we hope you can experience it!

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JazzMondays on the Tappo Rooftop Patio ft. My Cousin Ton - All WNY News

At the first sign of the sun breaking through, BBQ enthusiasts dust off their best grills to get them up and running for a summer of outdoor cooking. No longer limited to eating indoors, we can all enjoy freshly cooked, sizzling food al fresco.

While the warmer weather encourages us to get outside into our yards, it also inspires us to create an attractive outdoor space to relax and spend time with friends and family. So, once youve invested in outdoor patio landscaping, garden furniture, and the best plants for your patio, youll want to ensure you take good care of them.

However, although your patio area may be fit for a BBQ banquet, Andy McLaughlin, landscaping and paving specialist at RF Paving, warns that hosting a barbecue could be detrimental to your garden and paved areas if not done safely and correctly. He reveals where in the garden you shouldnt have your grill, what materials can be damaged, and how to clean up ash and food stains from your paving.

When using a grill, McLaughlin says that (apart from the obvious caution that the user needs to take to protect themselves), care should also be taken of the surfaces and surroundings where the grill will be used. It is advised never to place the grill directly onto any surface or paving; the direct heat that is generated may cause harm to the surface.

Surfaces such as wood and plastics, and grass may be the obvious ones to avoid, but even with natural stone and external porcelain, grills should never be placed directly on the surface.

He explains how high temperatures can cause damage: Although some materials may be more tolerant to higher temperatures, if the temperature is too high, this may cause material like natural stone to crack. Even with porcelain, which is produced at around 1300C/2372F, it will likely scorch the finished surface, spoiling the aesthetic appearance.

However, McLaughlin adds that the mistake of grilling directly on surfaces is more common with disposable BBQs. In this scenario, he suggests raising it off the ground. Use a spare piece of non-combustible material, supported by other pieces, such as a spare piece of paving supported by house bricks, he explains.

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Its less of an issue with standard grills, as he says they are raised off the ground on stands, adding, Although there may be some sort of heat transfer through the stand, it is very unlikely that the heat is enough to harm the surface.

When youre grilling outside, your patio will inevitably become stained with food spills and ash from the grill. Although McLaughlin says that most marks can be easily removed, he adds, Attention should be given to the type of mark you want to remove from the paving and what type of paving is being cleaned. If using cleaning solutions, check with the manufacturer that the cleaning substance is suitable for removing the stain, and that it is also suitable to be used on the type of paving.

He says that fatty foods and drinks are often dropped whilst guests enjoy the hospitality and can stain the paved area. Often there will be substances that can remove these if staining occurs, but removing these early is key to minimizing long-lasting marks.

McLaughlin also mentions that some materials are more porous than others, and once stains impregnate the surface, they can become more stubborn to remove. He advises, Checking with manufacturers regarding application methods and suitability is a must when using any cleaning materials, as some cleaners may not be suitable for the stains.

When oils or fats are spilt on the patio, McLaughlin says the simplest and often most cost-effective way of removing the marks is to simply use household dishwashing soap.

This should be applied neat to the affected area, scrubbed with a stiff brush, and then rinsed with water after a short period (15 20 minutes) to help remove marks, he explains.

Household detergent contains sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as caustic soda, which breaks down fats and greases, turning them into a water-soluble solution that can be easily washed away.

The same approach can be taken with cleaning ash or soot spillages from the patio. However, if there are any more stubborn stains or marks, he advises that a specialised cleaning fluid may be required, but adds, Always check with the manufacturer that it is the correct solution for the stain being remove and that the solution is compatible with the paving.

One of the main concerns when using a grill in your yard is safety, which is why McLaughlin says, Having a flat and even surface where the BBQ is to be placed is essential.

If this cannot be achieved in the desired area, then consideration should be given to an alternative area to carry out the grilling. Having an uneven surface could be hazardous, leading to the BBQ being unstable, possibly falling over, and potentially spilling hot coals, he adds.

Apart from being dangerous, leading to burns and possible objects catching fire, it can damage the grill, while also giving you the task of having to clean a stained area, if the grill was positioned on paving.

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How to save your patio from cracks and stains this BBQ season advice from an expert - Tom's Guide