When you think of eating downtown in the Twin Cities, do you think of Minneapolis first? Come on, be honest? Maybe you think of St. Paul, but I wonder how many do. You really need to if you don’t.  St. Paul has a lot to offer beyond the Excel Energy Center, the St. Paul Science Museum and the Ordway Theater. It has a good number of places to eat as well. One of which is The Liffey, just kitty corner from the Excel Energy Center.

Frickles

The Liffey is one of 4 pubs operated by Cara Irish Pubs. The others are Cooper in St. Louis Park, The Local & Kieran’s in downtown Minneapolis. It’s got a nice and comfortable feel inside when you arrive. Even though it’s attached to the Holiday Inn in St. Paul, you don’t necessarily notice or “feel” that. Back in July of 2011, it was given fresh look inside and out, and so you have a number of seating options available to you to choose from. If  you’re looking for something private or secluded, there’s the “Nook” space which provides you with a more intimate space to eat and talk in for a small group. Then there’s the booths along the windows that you can eat at, similar looking and feel as if you were riding on a train.  There are also some high-stools and counters near the piano area for another kind of eating and social engagement with other fellow customers.

A 1/2 order of Fish

As an Irish Pub, they have a good deal of brews and drinks for you to try, as well as a good number of menu options sure to fill your appetite, whether your looking for a little or a lot to eat.  On my lunchtime visit, I tried a 1/2 order of their fried fish with an order of their “frickles”, deep fried sweet-pickle chips.  What a treat!  The fish is good with a nice coating on i,t so that the fish had good flavor and was great for dipping into the tartar sauce that’s provided. The lightly oiled salad that came along with it was also very tasty and fresh. Next were the “frickles”. I would HIGHLY recommend them for your first or next visit to The Liffey. They’re sweet, juicy and delicious. Especially with the dipping sauce that comes with the oder. They’re sliced a little bit on the thick side for me, I’d actually prefer them to be a little thinner, but the taste was great!

The look, feel and the food at The Liffey shouldn’t be missed. So the next time you’re in or near downtown St. Paul, give The Liffey a try. Your stomach with thank you!

Q – #1    Dawn, please share a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and where did you go to college?

Dawn: I grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts (Duxbury & Whitman) and went to Boston College.  I was an athlete my whole life, as well as a dancer.  I am one of five children..and yes, the only girl!

Q – #2    What did you major in, and when did you get your first start in Television?

Dawn: I majored in Communications at Boston College.  I also took graduate courses my senior year (finished my major early) in Speech Pathology through Boston College’s Lynch School of Education.  I did an internship at Boston’s WBZ in the sports department and they hired me two weeks before I graduated.  I was the assistant to the Sports Director and also did some producing.  Soon after, I worked part-time at CH 38 and NESN/ESPN/CBS Network behind the scenes before NESN put me in front of the camera.

Q – #3    Was sports your 1st assignment?

Dawn: My first on-air assignment was at NESN (New England Sports Network). I did sideline reporting covering some Providence Bruins games. Then, I was promoted to anchor “Sportsdesk” as well as Studio Host for the Boston Bruins.

Q – #4    With Minnesota having all 4 of the major sports, did that make coming to KMSP easier or a bigger draw for you?

Dawn: Before Minnesota, I was in Chicago, so any job beckoning me would HAVE to have four major sports…so yes, it made coming to KMSP more enticing.  The major draw was the chance to get into the “Fox Sports Family” and do some network sideline reporting for the Vikings.

Q – #5    Can you give an example or 2 of some of your most favorite interviews that you’ve conducted, and why did you enjoy them?

Dawn: Wow, I’ve done so many interviews…interviewing Brett Favre on national TV after he broke the touchdown record (then with the Packers here at Minnesota against the Vikings). Also, right up there as my favorite interview was getting the chance to speak to Twins’ players in the locker room live for almost two hours when they captured the AL Central in 2006.  I think I interviewed everyone in the clubhouse that day; we had live extended coverage and it was awesome!

Q – #6    How has Social Media changed how you report stories?

Dawn: Social media has made my job an “up-to-the-second-thing.” It is fun and addicting.  You get breaking news right to your phone, you can interact with the athletes immediately and interact with the fans.  I’m still an old school firm believer in confirming a fact yourself through at least two sources before you go with a story.  The impulse as a journalist is immediacy but above all else, you want to be accurate. Every day, I check several outlets to follow up on leads before reporting a story…Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc…the world is fast-paced for sure!

Q – #7    Besides reporting on sports, do you play any currently or did you in school?

Dawn: I have been an athlete my whole life.  I played soccer since fourth grade and a few years of little league baseball.  I was on the traveling All-Star soccer team for my town growing up every year from fourth grade through high school.  In high school, I was a three-sport athlete all four years. Four years starting line soccer, basketball and was captain of my track team. I went to college to play soccer, got hurt, and ended up playing rugby. Due to my hectic schedule at work, I currently do not play an organized sport. However, I will often go out with friends and play tennis, shoot hoops, golf, etc… but not on what I call an athletic level, unless you count my Yoga sculpt class.

Q – #8    What is your favorite: Restaurant, store, winter activity, sport, Twin Cities neighborhood and national sports reporter/broadcaster.

Dawn: There are so many great restaurants here in the Twin Cities. I love Manny’s – although (gasp) I eat red meat maybe once a year, the fish is great there. I love sushi so Origami, Crave, Raku…I love restaurants in so many different neighborhoods, too many to pick.  I love to walk my dog around the lakes and get coffee and hang out. My favorite coffee shop is Dunn Bros at 43^rd and Upton in Linden Hills.  My favorite national broadcasters are Mike Tirico, Greg Gumble, Doc Emrick, Pete Gammon and Jim Kaat from the MLB Network.

Q – #9    Who is one person that you would love to have a 30 minute one-to-one interview with, and why?

Dawn: So many to choose…maybe to get Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, Mario Lemieux and Ray Bourque in one room and talk to them about hard work and success…Also Ted Williams..(if he were alive obviously) and find out what he thinks about Joe Mauer and ask why he decided to really have his head frozen….crazy stuff.

Q – #10    As a sports reporter/anchor, has the 2010 Vikings season been one of the most interesting sports stories that you’ve ever worked on?

Dawn: This year’s Vikings season hasn’t been the most interesting, but it’s been the most frustrating.  To see talented men go through difficult times, absurd situations, it’s not fun to watch.  You are always wondering what will happen next.  Now with that said, it was never boring for sure, but it was exhausting at times.  I don’t derive enjoyment from seeing other people fail…so it will go down as the most bizarre season I’ve ever covered.

Q – #11    What is one personal or professional goal you have set for yourself for the next year?

Dawn: Each year, I always strive to be better.  My goal for next year is to bring the stories people at home want to hear whether it is the pro athlete or the college and high school player doing well to some curiously fun and quirky stories.  I also enjoy doing radio shows and I hope to continue doing that.  I would like to become more savvy when it comes to social media. It’s been a fun learning curve and it’s a fabulous way to stay connected.  Fox 9 is interested in social media and is currently doing its own survey, so I definitely plan to do more of that.

Q – #12    What piece of advice would you give to others looking to get into your line of work?

Dawn: Don’t listen to others who tell you can’t do something.  Be realistic. I always say follow your heart and do the hard work and you’ll never regret it.

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody, and welcome to today’s Twitterview of @rstanzel of the @mnwild. Lets drop the puck and get started!

@rstanzel – Hey Joel, thanks for having me.

Q – #1    Lets get some background on you @rstanzel. Where did you grow up, and what schools/jobs led you to the @mnwild?

A: Grew up in upstate NY, went to @WingateUniv (Charlotte). Intern with Albany (arena football). Jobs in Louisiana/Houston

was with @houston_aeros for 3+ years, then got the “callup” to #mnwild in Sept 07. Also worked ML baseball (pulled tarp 2!)

Q – #2    What advice did you you get about playing baseball that guided you to your current profession?

A: I always wanted to play for the #Yankees. In a slump my senior year in HS, Galway HS Coach Bill Higgins told me..

“Kid you’re not going to play for the Yankees, you may as well try to work for them.” Kind of set me down this path

Q – #3    Interesting. So what is your role with the @mnwild, and what kinds of things does that mean that you’re responsible for?

A: I’m coordinator of media relations and team services. So a liaison between media and coaches, management and players…

Also, in charge of managing travel, player ticket requests, etc. Making sure plane and bus take off on time, etc

Also added twitter to our dpt’s duties last year. We find #mnwild fans enjoy behind the scenes looks on road trips, etc

Q – #4    I would imagine that the plane/bus work can be tricky with weather & other elements out of your control.

A: Yes and thankfully, never had to spend night on plane. Many teams have. We deal with a lot of snow at MSP, of course

On way to Finland, #mnwild had 2 hr delay (engine problem). I was standing on stairs just staring at mechanic working

As aggravated as people get with flying, there’s no longer time than waiting 4 plane to take off when u play next nite

Q – #5    I can imagine. So with all of the travel that you do with the @mnwild, do you do a lot of reading? sightseeing? movies?

A: I read on plane occasionally and watch TV on DVD. Infatuated with Trailer Park Boys (Canadian “The Office” style doc.)

I try to find “dive” restaurants/bars in most cities I go. Off the beaten path. Wear out couple pairs of shoes walking

We typically practice at 1 while on road, but we do then have evenings free

Q – #6    Do TV shows like 3D w/@ChefGuyFieri or @ManvFood help you in making selections?

A: Love @ChefGuyFieri and @ManvFood. Go to some of those spots, + I have friend with DDD and have sent them couple spots

Found my favorite wine bar in San Jose (Perfect Finish) just walking around Election Night ’08 post-game

Q – #7    Cool! Now the @mnwild had a special moustache event recently. Can you talk about that?

A: the #mnwild #Movember campaign was terrific, raising awareness for men’s cancer issues. Wound up with over 1,100 ppl…

with Mo’s at Friday’s game. Special thanks to @kare11 @david_watkins for their help. Broke Guinness record by 1000 ppl!

Q – #8    Great! Lets now find out your favorite: Restaurant, store, winter activity and city outside of MN.

A: Favorite restaurant is tough. Maybe Joey Tomato’s in western Canada. Store, I have to go @BestBuy.

I am no fan of winter, so activity would be watching NFL/NHL next to fireplace. Favorite city, hands down, Vancouver

Also can’t leave out my love for desserts. @MPCheesecake, have heard about it forever, looking forward to trying soon

Q – #9    @MPCheesecake is de-lish! How has it gone in acclimating to MN, and is being in the “State of Hockey” make your job tough?

A: I’m from cold weather climate but lived in south 10 years so it was tough on me and my little Mazda.

Being the State of Hockey makes my job easy, IMO. Plenty of passion from both media and fans.

Q – #10    Nice. To close then, what life advice or mantra would you like to share with people today?

A: I would say u have to love what u do. At least if you want to work in sports. See a lot of people get burned out early

at the same time be balanced. It can’t be all about work. You have to have interests outside sports

@JoelECarlson – Thank you @rstanzel for your comments and time today. Have a great one and “Go Wild!”

@rstanzel – Thanks Joel! Make sure you bring up the #yankees to @dave_schwartz on Wednesday!