foodie Archives – Studio Laguna Photography

Marin’s Liquid Intelligence

March 1, 2015 By katrina Leave a Comment

If you haven’t been to Marin yet, you absolutely should go, it is a fantastic restaurant and bar with great atmosphere! For those of you foodies that enjoy a little extra, the restaurant has started a series called Liquid Intelligence, which highlights a couple favorite drinks and is a step by step how to. It really is a fun class for all levels of expertise. I personally enjoyed the vintage bar utensils that were on display, most were part of the bartender’s personal collection.

The class had a very easy going atmosphere, and you could ask questions along the way. We learned why certain drinks are shaken and certain ones are stirred, all about flavor profile, the importance of ice, qualities of a good vermouth, and how to properly stir a drink. We made the best sidecar I’ve ever tasted and were given a great simple syrup recipe.

Delicious snacks were served alongside the drinks, and we were all joking and hanging out by the end. This event would be a fantastic date night, or friends night out. I can’t wait to go again!

Mike and Kelly

July 20, 2013 By katrina 1 Comment

Mike and Kelly were married today!

Guests traveled from all over the United States and even from overseas to witness these two tie the knot…which fit in perfectly with the vintage travel theme of the day. Kelly did not see Mike until she walked down the aisle at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, so everyone was very excited for the ceremony to start. The ceremony was beautifully traditional, with the most lovely music. And there were lots of stolen glances between the couple.

After the wedding, we hopped into Renee’s Royal Valet‘s vintage trolley to take pictures. Luckily, I had just purchased a steamer trunk a month before, so I grabbed a few of my vintage items and included them in some pictures!

I LOVE this picture, it is when one of the bridesmaids figured out that you can make snapdragons talk…they gave their snapdragons names and voices. This was such a fun group!

We titled this one “Minnesota Gothic”

We also had to stop for a quick view of the St Paul skyline and a few more pictures! Since many of the wedding party were from the east coast, it was fun to show off the twin cities.

The ring bearer loved the loud speaker on the trolley!

We were all eager to get to Christos Union Depot for the reception. The Vintage Type decked out the entire place with travel themed vignettes including maps, vintage travel posters, suitcases and books. Train tickets served as escort cards, with vintage postcards for the couples’ favorite destinations named each table.

On top of loving travel, Mike and Kelly also love food. LOVE IT. They are true foodies and their reception definitely reflected that. A custom cookbook served as the favor for guests to take home and the amount and variety of the food offered left no one wanting. Their dinner was truly a trip around the world, from Austria, to Asia, the east coast to good ole Minnesota, their favorite regions were represented in delicious nosh! Christos truly went above and beyond with this food, everything tasted amazing!

The guests at this wedding were a hoot…this mom had written up a checklist for the kids at the table to do…including getting reprimanded by security (notice that one was already checked!)

The Instant Request DJ had his hands full with this bunch, I loved the songs they chose and they were there to DANCE!

The couple let us pull them off the dance floor for some blue light shots and the evening was just gorgeous! I’m so happy the guests were able to enjoy a beautiful Minnesotan summer night!

Mike and Kelly, it has been a joy getting to know you! We were so happy to be a part of your day and thanks for being adventurous with pictures! Enjoy your sneak peek!

Foodie Heaven

June 21, 2013 By katrina Leave a Comment

Though John and I love shooting weddings, and it is truly our passion…my other love is photographing food. I enjoy shooting foodie events because the presentation is gorgeous, the guests are always gracious and in high spirits, and I pick up some education along the way. This week I photographed two events. The first was Thomas Keller‘s book signing at La Belle Vie, and the second was the private opening of Marin, the new restaurant in Le Meridien Chambers.

Thomas Keller’s new book, Bouchon Bakery, is so beautifully photographed and a true work of art. His book signing drew in an enthusiastic crowd of long time fans and some of the most celebrated chefs in the Twin Cities.

Chef Mike DeCamp and his kitchen put together the most delicate bites of food. There was so much variety and the guests were lining up trying to get a sample.

Andrew Zimmern came to the event to host the lively Q&A.

It was a lovely night!

Two days later, I was back among chefs and beautiful cuisine at Marin’s private opening. The new decor of the space is comfortable and warm, the food is divine, and the farm to table style menu caters to all kinds of dietary restrictions, they even have the nutritional information on the menus…love it! The bar is gin focused, with a cute periodic table of gins and flavors to add. They grow their own garnishes right on the patio, and the bartenders are very informative. Besides the main dining room and patio, there is a lower level library perfect for a romantic date or private party. You can tell the spaces were lovingly planned. This is a fabulous concept and I think this restaurant is going to take off!

Darling garnishes at the patio bar.

Rooftop Goodness

May 24, 2013 By katrina Leave a Comment

Uptown Cafeteria and Support Group is a great place to eat in Minneapolis. There is such a spirit of playfulness AND the food is delish! Craft cocktails and a beefed up Sky Bar menu feature fresh ingredients and unique flavor profiles. The Sky Bar is a gorgeous rooftop deck with modern funky decor and gives a great vantage for people watching.

Take a look at some of the new menu offerings that I just photographed (and also covertly tasted…) and I bet you’ll be planning your next visit to uptown so you can try some of these dishes! Enjoy the sneak peek!