MGM: The Phoenix of Midtown Minneapolis

Someplace Africa, the resident village community gathers around a melting pot with a healthy fire underneath. On weekends and on days of celebration, nearby villages are sent out invitations to break bread together. An important aspect of this custom is to revere the melting pot before any cooking begins, as the pot more than the food is seen to be the lifesource of this North African tribe.

So how is this all connected to Mpls? Well, no connections really, except I'm trying to draw a far out parallel with the Midtown Global Market, which is reviving a once notorious Minneapolis neighborhood - the Midtown and some parts of Chicago Ave and Lake St. in particular.



The MGM brings the kitchens of the world under one airconditioned roof. Greek, Carib, Tibetan, Chinese, Mexican (of course), and even Nepalese, which generally doesn't make an appearance as frequently as some others (and is there any such thing as authentic Nepalese?).

Arts, crafts, jewelry are the main pieces of attraction here, hemmed in by good world cuisine, all under the watchful eyes of Shiva-Parvati.



Located centrally in a complex that houses the Metro Transit Center, a major hotel, and a big hospital, the MGM makes it easy for lots of Minneapolitans to include it on their weekend to-dos. And they're doing it!

For its food or for music, the MGM is providing nourishment to an area that had long been written off. If in Mpls, this is a highly recommended visit.