What We’re Into FUN

I finally made it to Jay Cooke State Park, and I loved everything. The overlooks, the Swinging Bridge, the otherworldly rock formations on St. Louis River Gorge, and the Silver Creek hiking trail. The latter is 3.5 miles of woods and some slopes. Only twice did I came across other humans, and both times, we seemed surprised to see each other. I’m not an avid hiker; I’ve been to Gooseberry a couple times, Chester Bowl, Lester Park. Maybe because it was new to me, Silver Creek felt a bit easier to get lost in the woods, which is exactly what I wanted that day.

MELINDA LAVINE, Duluth News Tribune reporter

Zenith Bookstore features handwritten recommendations on their “staff picks.” That, along with the inviting space, good music and elegant-looking chairs, drew me in something fierce. Oh, and the rows and rows of books.

I spent more than an hour perusing their local author selections, cookbooks, the latest by Sarah Seidelmann. None of that was why I went there.

I’d just finished my first soiree into the wonderful world of Anne Lamott, and I was hungry for more. The bookstore clerk directed me to Lamott’s area, where I sat cross-legged on the floor. Something about the Zenith Bookstore reminds me of being a 7-year-old again. I remember my family making a stop at a two-story chain bookstore while we were on vacation. The wonder in my eyes, the excitement in my heart. Now, at 35, I find the same joy in the intimacy and personality within the four walls in West Duluth.

MELINDA LAVINE, Duluth News Tribune reporter

Dessa’s memoir “My Own Devices: True Stories from the Road on Music, Science and Senseless Love,” is (sound of brain exploding). The singer-songwriter-rapper who is a longtime member of Doomtree, the Minneapolis hip-hop collective, has created a book of essays centered largely on what it has been like to not be able to stop loving P.O.S. — referred to as X in the collection. He was her gateway into Doomtree and despite break-up, make-ups and years of negotiations, they’ve stayed crew-mates first. First she tried moving from Minneapolis to New York City — which, at the very least has been good for expanding her career — then she tried rewiring her brain. Dessa teamed up with brain specialists to find out if she could use wires and brain exercises to change the way she feels about X. “My Own Devices” is also about life in a van, her very cool family and digging into her genetic makeup. It only confirms what you’ve seen on stage: Dessa is a wicked writer, thoughtful and smart.

CHRISTA LAWLER, Duluth News Tribune reporter

Beef stroganoff is not a particularly fancy dish. It� s not exactly pretty, either.

Neither of those things matter when it�s done well. In the hands of a good cook, stroganoff can be the food equivalent of well-worn afghan, both familiar and warming.

With both cremini and oyster mushrooms galore, Zeitgeist Arts Cafe�s wild mushroom stroganoff is a perfect blend of nutty earthiness and savory cream. Add in fork-tender sirloin, and you�ve got a hearty sauce perfectly suited to a cold, dreary day.

While I typically prefer egg noodles with stroganoff, Zeitgeist�s take comes with pappardelle noodles cooked just a skosh or two past al dente. The noodles might seem an insignificant part of a dish, but they can spoil an otherwise good meal if they�re undercooked or overcooked — an unfortunately common occurrence in the hustle and bustle of restaurants. But Zeitgeist nailed it with the noodles, just one more thing that helped push the dish from good to great.

Topping everything was a dollop of sour cream and a smattering of fresh dill, both of which helped give the dish a fresh and lively flavor that�s a fun counterbalance to the overall comfort-foodiness of stroganoff.

PETER BAUMANN, Duluth News Tribune managing editor

I�m a sucker for simplicity, which is probably why I� ve ordered this uncomplicated treat more often than any other menu item in town.

Behold the California burger at 7 West Taphouse, nothing but meat, American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato and mayo on a bun. While it would be easy to mess up the execution, these pros never have and, I expect, never will. Everything is in proportion, fresh and flavorful, and it�s always served right off the griddle with a lightly toasted bun. At $5.29 without sides, you can see how easy it is to get hooked.

You can sub out the beef for a veggie burger or turkey burger or grilled chicken, but I usually stick with the classic. I�d recommend parmesan-dusted chips, beer-battered fries or beercheese wontons if you�re looking to fill out your plate; I�d also recommend keeping the pickles on the side, as they�re served.

It has become almost a nostalgic tradition, harkening back to that long-ago time of autumn 2016 when I first got to town. I came down to the Superior Street pub to watch a Vikings game and ordered the Cali with a stout (recommended over a palate-wrecking IPA to pair with this meal). It�s still a lovely Sunday tradition, yelling at the TV with deliciousness hanging out of my mouth.

BROOKS JOHNSON, Duluth News Tribune reporter

Some people are into travel and reading and discovering new restaurants. I’m into all that, too, but if I’m being honest, lately, I’m happy to finally start getting some kills in Fortnite.

Fortnite is a first-person shooter, multiplayer online game that came out last year. My son in college plays it, and I’m trying to get better so I won’t be as much a burden when we play together as I’m sure I am in real life.

I’ll use my headset sometimes, connecting with other, random players in squads of four. It’s an interesting social experiment to see the wide variety of people I’ll run across. Some are little kids who can’t pronounce their R’s yet; others are foul-mouthed, perpetually angry young men whom I pretend not to hear. The best, though, are groups of funny, open-minded people who play together and let this random, middle-age mom into their group. It’s fun to run around the game world with a well-rehearsed, talented team who will give me their extra ammo and bandages, even revive me when I’m wounded.

BEVERLY GODFREY, features editor