Residents of Octane Street love good food, good wine and good craft-brewed and micro-brew beer. This page has links to recipes, restaurant recommendations, favorite brews , etc. If you want to recommend others feel free . We'll check them out.
Cookin' with the Duct Tape Guys
Jim and Tim's favorite recipies and a few of Tim's originals. (No kidding!)
Hey Baby What's Cooking?
A delightful and quite thorough food blog by Tim's German sister-in-law, Marina. (Not that being German is an issue, other than it probably had a lot to do with her being a great cook!)
Restaurant Recommendations
St. Paul, Minnesota
Kopplin's Coffee
Probably the most excellent coffee drinking experience you'll have in your entire life. Plus a great community - located in a new spot at Marshal and Cleveland in St. Paul
Algoma, Wisconsin
Skaliwag's
A real find! We were delighted to find a 31 seat bar with a GREAT Chef - imported from Southern Georgia by way of a resort in Park City, Utah. You've GOT to check this one out!
Sister Bay, Wisconsin
Sister Bay Bowl
You've gotta love this family-owned supper club. Owned by the Willem's family since 1950. A trip to Door County isn't complete without a stop at this classic American Super Club! Steak and perch are fabulous, and Tim's favorite are the Scallops.
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
The Bluefront Cafe
A local favorite for inventive, fresh food. The new digs on Sturgeon Bay's west side are clean and spacious with a feel of a large metro bistro.
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
Washington Square Bar and Grill
Since they went non-smoking, our favorite pub in the northern Twin Cities is even more of a favorite. Not only do they have one of the best selections of tasty micro brews on tap, their food is a giant step above typical bar food, and their atmosphere architecturally pleasing (a nod to John's dad).
Oregon and Washington
McMenamin's
You know the kind of place that you tell visitors and tourists, "You have to see..." Well, any of the McMenamin's establishments are that kind of place. If you are touring the pacific northwest (particularily around the Portland area) you must visit at least one McMenamin's property. Full of original architectural art, good beer and wine, always an interesting atmosphere.
More to come - check back!
Dogfish Head Beers
Any of them are great, but the favorite on Octane Street is the 90-minute IPA - WAY hoppy. Yum!
Rogue Brewery
Our favorite Oregon-based brewery (yeah, we like McMenamin's, too). Again, pick any of their beers and you have a treat in store.
99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall
Why not buy Tim's book to help you through all of the verses? Click here to learn more.
Lefthand Brewing
Really good beer that comes out of Colorado... (To think we used to think that Coor's was da bomb! Yikes!)
Boulevard
From Kansas City... We recommend the Pale Ale - but then, we have a propensity for ales... the hoppier the better.
Summit
Hometown favorite (Tim). Their Extra Pale Ale is always a sure bet - as is anything that they brew. For those trying to wean themselves off of those lame American pilsners, try the Summit Grand.
Bell's
Once again, another brewer (this time from Kalamazoo, Michigan) that can brew no wrong. My favorite is the Two-Hearted Ale. Find a pub with any Bell's brew on tap and you've found your watering hole.
Art of Brewing Poster
I've combined my art with love of beer and created this "Art of Brewing" poster. It features twelve faux beer labels created using my paintings. Wouldn't this make a nice addition to your pub? Click the poster to order yours today!
More to come - check back!