@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to a Friday-Foodie Twitterview with our guest @emilynystrom. Lets get things started!
@emilynystrom – Happy to be here, Joel!
Q – #1 Glad to have you as a guest. First, where were you born, and what were some of the job/life steps that you’ve taken?
A: I was born/grew up in Minnetonka, MN. Graduated @CarletonCollege as English major bc I loved working w/ words, editing.
Knew I loved food, restaurants but didn’t edit food-based content until I heard about open position at @heavytable.
Q – #2 So how long have you been with @heavytable, and what kinds of places have you covered lately?
A: I’ve been with @heavytable 1.5 years now as copy editor. In July I wrote about fun street food cart @foxyfalafel …
Mostly I edit, tho, for @heavytable. I loved our recent cheese flowchart, & also our comprehensive State Fair coverage
Q – #3 A cheese flowchart? Scratch-n-sniff? Any new local restaurants you care to recommend? Is the local scene changing?
A: Hah, I wish it’d been scratch-n-sniff! As far as new restaurants, I had some fab appetizers at @Parma8200.
As far as changing scene, many restaurants are offering more vegetarian dishes.The Craftsman is making an effort there.
Q – #4 Sometimes there is a perception that only chain restaurants go to the suburbs and outer rings of the city. True?
A: I’d agree most suburbs are packed w/ chain restaurants. But those like @ApertifMN, Porter Creek are defying that trend.
Woodbury is home to @Apertif; Burnsville is home to Porter Creek
Though, admittedly, I live in Eden Prairie and usually venture to Minneapolis or St. Paul for my dinners out.
Q – #5 Nice point on veggie dishes. Where do you go for good comfort food, and what’s yours specifically?
A: My comfort food is Mom’s cooking…
Also I’d love to find a restaurant making a veggie pot pie or vegetable & dumplings. Perhaps your readers can suggest!
Q – #6 I think they can! Now to your FAVS:Favorite – restaurant, clothing store, grocery store, cooking show and unique food.
A: Favorite restaurant: @tanpopomn. Friendly, casual atmosphere. I recommend the cold tofu teishoku.
Favorite clothing store: I love shopping on @Etsy to support local artists who use repurposed materials.
Favorite grocery store: I love @lakewindscoop. It’s near me and never as crowded as The Wedge.
Favorite cooking show: Barefoot Contessa. Ina Garten is so lovable!
Favorite unique food: I love ants on a log (raisins, peanut butter, celery)! Not so much unique as so 3rd grade.
Q – #7 LOL! Flashback-Food-Friday! Do you think @Foursquare, FB and @Twitter are making an impact in your industry?
A: Esp. @Twitter. It lets ppl interact with restaurants+chefs, giving feedback, hearing what’s on the menu for tonight
It’s really interesting to see restaurants interacting with their followers, sometimes successfully, sometimes not.
Q – #8 Final question – what advice or mantra would you like to share today?
A: In life, work, & volunteering, “It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little.”
It’s easy to feel like nothing makes a difference, but that quote by Sir John Golding helps keep me positive.
@JoelECarlson – Nice comments today @emilynystrom! Thanks for taking some time to be Twitterviewed today. Have a great weekend!
@emilynystrom – Delighted to have been asked, Joel! Thanks to those following along, too. See everyone around town!