“Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary – star of the 2016 Twins Food and Beverage Preview.
Today (April 5), Baseball Roundtable again took part in a new rite of spring. No, it wasn’t the first robin or even the first Spring Training fastball thrown in earnest. It was the Twins (Seventh) Annual Media Food and Beverage Preview. Sponsored by the Twins and Delaware North Sportservice (the team’s exclusive food, beverage and retail partner), the annual event features a look at (and taste of) the upcoming season’s new Target Field food and beverage offerings. This year’s preview once again made it clear that the Twins’ continue to “raise the bar” when it comes for food and beverage at the ball park. The new offering for 2016 range from the “Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary (complete with a dry-rubbed Buffalo Chicken Wing and Bacon Cheeseburger Slider) to Nutella and Strawberry Sauce Pretzel Bites to Walleye Tacos. Let’s take a look at just a few of the new items that BBRT found both tasty and interesting. (I, unfortunately, have neither the space, nor the time, to touch on all the food and beverage items that were presented on Tuesday. For more information on Twins’ concessions, visit the team’s website – here.
Cluck and Moo and Buffalo Chicken Bloody Mary’s – A Meal in a Glass
Regular readers know of BBRT’s passion for Ballpark Bloody Marys. Well, the Twins are launching a couple of new ones designed to take this beverage to a whole new level. New to the menu at Hrbek’s (Section 114/Gate 14) is the Buffalo Chicken Wing Bloody Mary ($19) – which includes a Buffalo chicken wing, celery, pickle, multiple cheeses and olives, a pepperoncini and a pepperoni stick. (Still on the menu is The Bigger Better Burger Bloody Mary – also $19 – basically, the Buffalo Chicken Wing Bloody Mary with a bacon cheeseburger slider taking the place of the chicken wing.) For the really adventurous, there is the new “Cluck and Moo” Bloody Mary. Appropriately, you get the slider and the wing with this one ($23). This is truly a meal in a glass. (I’d ask the bartender to make your spicy.) Sad news for its fans, The College Daze Bloody Mary, which featured a slice of pepperoni pizza, has been released.
Longfellow Lemonade – Refreshment for a Hot Day
The Longfellow Lemondade – as refreshing as it get.
Sticking with liquid refreshment for now, one of BBRT’s favorites for the coming season is the Long Fellow Lemonade – an icy cold combination of Minnesota’s L’etoile Vodka, fresh lemon juice and Strawberry Coulis. It was a great combination of lemon tart and strawberry sweet. But, be careful, I have a hunch these tasty treats could sneak up on you. (Near Section 111/112.) This drink really was a home run.
Mango Lassi
If you’re looking for something tasty, refreshing and non-alcoholic – the Mango Lassi from Hot Indian Foods (Section 120) is for you. This cool beverage has yogurt, milk, mangos and unique spices. It was delicious and would go great with any spicy foods. BBRT sees this as an inside-the-park homer.
Walleye Tacos
Hrbek’s has gone local on its fish tacos, moving from Mahi Mahi to Walleye. The soft shell treat includes mango salsa, Napa cabbage and fresh lime.
Primed for Prime Rib
Prime rib sliders – a juicy treat.
BBRT is a fan of prime rib and the Prime Rib Sliders at Hrbek’s were among favorite samplings of the day – juicy thin-sliced prime rib, caramelized onions and horseradish boursin spread on a toasted bun. Tasty, but be ready to wipe the juice from your chin.
Hot Pretzel Bites and Brews
Sweet Pretzel Bites – a true summer desert. Great way to celebrate a Twins home run,/
Target Field is presenting a whole new take on pretzels and beer at Hot Pretzel Bites and Brews (Section 101). Ice cold beers and a variety of fresh hot pretzel bites: Savory – seasoned and topped with rich beef gravy and Monterey jack cheese; Local – topped with Summit Beer cheese sauce and candied bacon, then dusted with cayenne pepper; Sweet (BBRT’s favorite) – topped with strawberry sauce with macerated berries, a Nutella sauce and whipped cream.
Among the other new foods tasted and previewed:
- The Loon Café’s (near section 101) Pecos River Red Chili (topped with sour cream, green onions and shredded cheese) and Grape Ape cocktail (a signature drink featuring Pinnacle Citron Vodka, sour mix, and Buddy’s Grape soda).
- The Legend’s Club’s Buffalo Chicken Poutine and Chocolate Mousse Cup.
- Senor Smoke’s (Sections 105/205) new Barbacoa and Vegetarian Burritos.
The Twins also unveiled a new pub – Minnie and Paul’s – located in the center field area. Bright and open, Minnie and Paul’s should prove a popular gathering place for fans. Among its features will be food from local favorites Red Cow and Pizza Luce, a full bar and selection of draft beers. Red Cow will offer the Ultimate Red Cow, the Blues Burger, Turkey Burger and Beer Cheese Poutine, while Pizza Luce’s offering will include its Athena Pizza and a special TC Bear Pizza (sausage, Pepperoni, marinated chicken, ground beef, Canadian bacon.)
Of course, many past favorites will be back including Kramarczuk’s Sausages; Tony O’s Cuban; Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen; Mac’s Walleye and Chips; Butcher and the Boar; Izzy’s Ice Cream (which has added Gelato); Hot Indian Foods; Barrio; Murray’s – and I could go on and on. (Again,visit the Twins Website for more information on concessions – or just wander a bit at the ballpark and you’re sure to come across something tasty.) Fact is, it’s always a good day to be at the Target Field – especially if you’re hungry. And, Tuesday was a pretty good day to be a baseball blogger.
Coming soon – a look a few new foods from other ballparks.
I tweet baseball @DavidBBRT
Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; Baseball Bloggers Alliance.
