They support and encourage you, listen to and laugh with you, care for and cry with you. It’s no surprise to women that time spent with your girlfriends not only boosts the spirit, but also makes managing kids, careers, husbands and households much easier in a sometimes chaotic world. So gather your girls and get ready to celebrate a night out on the town. Here are our suggestions for turning that simple ladies’ night out into something special.
For the Dedicated Foodies
Serious food lovers can indulge their passion for all things culinary with an evening centered around some of the tempting offerings at 50th and France. Start at Sur La Table, where the fall line of Italian dinnerware, harvest linens and metallic chargers will inspire you to set a festive seasonal table and start entertaining. The new rustic ceramic bakers, cork-topped oil cruets and small storage jars in yummy autumnal colors like eggplant and mustard will add flair to your table or kitchen. With whimsical Halloween accessories that are certain to delight ghosts and goblins alike, you’ll have a hard time deciding just how many goodies to bring home.
Once you’ve whet your appetite with a little shopping, stroll down the street to Cooks of Crocus Hill for either an interactive cooking party or a themed demonstration. The store’s newly remodeled stylish kitchen, blissfully free of messy toddlers and teens, is an oasis for relaxing with good food and girl talk. Take a culinary journey with Chef Kevin Wencel as he helps teams prepare a multi-course Oktoberfest meal of Bavarian favorites (October 8, 6–9 p.m., $70). Or, just in time for Halloween, you could Dine with the Undead through a cooking demonstration featuring creepy conversation and vampire-inspired treats like blood orange sangria, baked brie bites and perfect t-bone “stakes” (October 22, 6–9 p.m., $70).
Finalize your gastronomic gala around the corner at Beaujo’s Wine Bar and Bistro, where dessert prepared from scratch by the restaurant’s pastry chef and a sample flight of assorted dessert wines will satisfy any lingering sweet-tooth cravings. Beaujo’s, which showcases a rotating collection of works by local artists, courtesy of Gallery 360, can also host your gal pals for sommelier-led wine tastings with appetizers as well as occasional readings by local authors. The restaurant’s Green Room seats private parties of up to 20.
For the Fitness Enthusiasts
If a serious workout followed by a soothing massage appeals to you and your girlfriends, visit the new Edina Steele Fitness facilities for one of its complimentary boot camps offered monthly for clients and prospective clients. The boot camps, designed for six to 10 participants, focus on stretching and strength exercises plus cardio workouts. During October and November, the Steele Fitness retail store is offering $10 off all purchases (with the exception of Lululemon Athletica) to Edina Magazine readers.
After working out, your achy muscles will appreciate a Stone Focus Massage (25 min., $59) or Thai Yoga Massage (55 min., $90) at nearby Spalon Montage. Or perhaps your sore feet would benefit from a reflexology session (25 min., $42.91). Spalon offers a variety of massages, body treatments and wraps, and can accommodate small groups of five or six.
When you’ve unwound and relaxed, cap off your evening at nearby Raku. The new Japanese fusion restaurant serves traditional favorites like sushi and sashimi with a contemporary twist alongside creative entrees presented with artistic flair by Master Chef Megu Lin. Try the seared peppered tuna, filet mignon talaki or Chilean sea bass yuzo miso. Or order a variety of tapas and drinks from the restaurant’s full sake bar. Consider taking advantage of the restaurant’s late night happy hour menu from 9–10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:30–11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, when soup, sushi rolls and appetizers are all half price.
For the Fashion Mavens
When exercising your credit card is more your style, peruse the latest apparel and accessories among the distinctive shops at the Galleria, several of which will offer up their stores to your private party. Fashionistas will enjoy the private “Styled Parties” offered by Styled Life for groups of five to 25. Sip and nibble your way through the flagship store as you circulate among several consulting stations where wardrobe experts will help you define your personal style and propose fresh fashion ideas for your wardrobe dilemmas. In the chic setting, you can learn more about scarf tying, fall trends and day-into-evening wear as well as sample Styled Life’s import music bar where a wide range of selections is available on iPods.
The fee for the Styled Life parties ($250) can be allocated to gift cards for guests with Styled Life matching the value of each card. You also can visit Styled Life during its anniversary celebration October 21-22 when New York fashion designer Zang Toi will be on hand to share his style expertise
Interior design aficionados may wish to reserve space for one of the free seminars offered by Gabberts Design Studio. During October, Gabberts’ designers will host sessions about how to incorporate aspects of French, Tuscan and Continental design. In November, Gabberts’ annual Holiday Open House will feature seasonal displays and seminars plus guest vendors from the Mill City Farmers’ Market. Check the Gabberts Web site for details and to make reservations.
Once you’ve had enough retail therapy, stop by Crave for cocktails and some seasonally inspired American cuisine. Late night happy hour runs from 9 p.m. until close, Monday through Friday. The restaurant has separate rooms for parties of 20 or more, while live jazz entertains diners every Friday night 8:30-11:30 p.m. year round.
For the Art Aficionados
The creative process is both energizing and healing, so why not spend a soothing evening surrounded by art? At the Edina Art Center, you can enjoy a customized private class or workshop (most accommodating 8 to 10 students) based on your group’s interests and experience level. Take a beginning watercolor workshop led by a local artist or a travel photography class that highlights tips and techniques for avoiding the cliché. You might also enjoy a jewelry design workshop, a card making course, clay mosaics exploration or a session with Dar Brooks, certified energy healer, who teaches “Expressive Art with Creative Visualization.”
Regardless of which course you choose, begin your evening by enjoying the exhibit in the Art Center’s Foss Gallery and stopping by the Clark Gift Shop. If you visit in October, you also can view the center’s juried show featuring the fine art of more than 200 Minnesota artists. In November and December, the Center hosts its annual holiday show “Gifts, Gifts, Gifts” with displays of original jewelry, pottery and holiday items.
Art Center guests are welcome to bring wine and appetizers when they book a private evening session and may enjoy them in the center’s Tea Room where there is seating for 12 to 15. For added inspiration, ask a personal chef to prepare some color-themed delicacies to match the imaginative mood of the evening. Heather Hartman of Nourish, for example, suggests a pink and red “Love in Art” theme with an heirloom tomato tart with beet goat cheese and fresh tarragon and strawberry empanadas with a red currant sauce among the offerings.
Beaujos Wine Bar and Bistro
4950 France Ave. S.
952.922.8974
beaujos.net
Cooks of Crocus Hill
3925 W. 50th St.
952.285.1903
cooksofcrocushill.com
Crave
3520 W. 70th St.
952.697.6000
craveamerica.com
Edina Art Center
4701 West 64th Street
952.903.5780
edinaartcenter.com
Gabberts Design Studio and Fine Furnishings
3501 Galleria
952.927.1500
gabberts.com
Heather Hartman
Nourish
612.781.3783
Raku
3939 W. 50th St., Suite 101
952.358.2588
rakumn.com
Spalon Montage
3909 W. 49½ St.
952.915.2900
splaon.com
Steele Fitness
3908 W. 50th St.
952.473.8001
steelefitness.com
Styled Life
3510 Galleria
952.928.8888
styledlife.com
Sur La Table
3901 W. 50th St.
952.656.0045
surlatable.com
