June's Flavor of the Month - Sokol Blosser Winemaker's Dinner

We're honored to announce that June's Flavor of the Month will be a winemaker's dinner featuring Sokol Blosser wines on Wednesday, June 17th. We'll have seven courses paired with seven wines, three of which are vineyard exclusives, and hear comments from Alex Sokol Blosser, co-president of the Sokol Blosser Winery. Social hour at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m.

In 1977, Sokol Blosser wines were some of the first to come out of Oregon's Willamette Valley. Oregon now boasts some 300 wines and the confidence in those vintages arose from the success of Sokol Blosser wines. In recent years, the winery has championed sustainability by becoming certified organic and by shifting 1/3 of its power demands to an onsite solar array.

There is limited seating for this event. Call 701.478.1000 for reservations or details. Cost is $85/person with tax, tip and all food and wine included. This will be a tremendous opportunity to sample wines, learn about the craft of winemaking, and enjoy a beautiful meal.

.menu.

Spicy Prawn and Scallop
grilled and served with peas, white beans, bacon & an avocado puree,
finished with coriander cardamom oil and citrus zest
Evolution

Rose Wine Strawberry Flan
rose wine roasted strawberry flan with a
watermelon yogurt sauce, candied grapefruit,
kirsch tuille and a walleye pike quenelle
Rose of Pinot Noir

Mixed Greens
with apple vanilla vinaigrette, grapefruit segments, green apple, Delice cheese,
pink peppercorn dust, apple blossom honey roasted chestnuts and prosciutto
Dundee Hills Pinot Gris

Lamb Chop
grilled and served with saffron and turmeric scalloped root pave
with cilantro pea puree and a red curry berry compote
Meditrina

Venison Tenderloin
grilled mocha crusted venison, smoked pork belly,
black berry and cherry chutney, roasted mushrooms, and a balsamic cola sauce
Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

Cocoa Duck Breast
cocoa crusted duck breast served
over a mixed berry gelatin with roasted mushrooms
Estate Pinot Noir

Riesling Poached Pears
riesling poached pears served with salted taffy,
Montagnolo bleu cheese, apple chips with rose water and hazlenuts
Dessert White Riesling

Nick The Feelin' and You: Together, You're Stronger

Nick "the Feelin'" Mrozinski is gaining attention for his passionate songs that echo strains of Randy Newman and James Taylor. Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine picked him as June's "Artist of Note" and his new album, "Together We're Stronger" will be formally released on June 5th. An earlier Feelin' show at the HoDo generated serious interest and we're glad to have him back tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. No cover, 21+.

You can hear some samples here, at his home on the interwebs.

Lunch specials, May 26th - 30th

(Lunch specials are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the HoDo Lounge.)

Fried Portobello Sammy on focaccia with marinated veggies and classic aioli, served with sweet potato chips* - $8

Roasted Guinea Hen Pasta - Ziti with peas, sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts in a garlic cream sauce - $9

Roasted Lamb Sandwich, open-faced on sourdough with blanched asparagus, greens, mint pesto and an orange port reduction, served with sweet potato chips* - $9

Pork Loin Cutlets with ancho BBQ sauce, roasted potatoes, vegetable and avocado relish - $9

(*sub fries, cup of soup, side salad or fruit, +$1)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend

The staff of the Hotel Donaldson wish everyone a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend. As you take the opportunity to spend time with loved ones, please remember to lend a few thoughts to our fellow Americans in the Armed Forces, especially those who have died in service to our country.

In observance of the holiday, the HoDo Lounge and HoDo Restaurant will be closed Sunday, May 24th and Monday, May 25th. Enjoy the long weekend!

Front Fenders - Be Alive Again!

It's one of the best weeks for weather we've had so far this spring and downtown Fargo has livened up considerably. Folks are out walking around, businesses have their doors and windows open and the trees are beginning to green. It's a fitting time to welcome back the Front Fenders, whose rollicking shows got us through a frosty winter and gave downtown a chance to shake off the '09 Flood blues. Stop on by, check out Sky Prairie (open 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. tonight, weather permitting) and enjoy the sounds of early summer at the HoDo. Music starts at 7:30 p.m. No cover, 21+.

Backyard BBQ - May's Flavor of the Month

We'll get the warm months off to a sizzling start by continuing the time-honored tradition of the backyard BBQ. We're going to throw open the big restaurant doors to let the air in and set the mood with music by the Inside Out String Trio. Call 478-1000 for details or reservations.

Menu:

.from the grill.
(served with choice of 2 sides:)

Walleye $23 - grilled in foil with lemon, onions and thyme
Chicken $22 - your choice of molee, Jamaican jerk or Chinese 5 spice
Smoked Brisket $22
Braised Beef Short Ribs $22
Pork Ribs $23 - with Ancho chili BBQ sauce
16 oz. T-Bone $35

.sides
($4 each)

Coleslaw
Grilled Corn & Scallion Hash
Potato Salad
Baked Bean with Bacon
Corn on the Cob
Dill Carrots
Roasted Potatoes

Lunch Specials, May 18 - 23

(Lunch specials are available 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

Asian-style nicoise salad - tuna, shiitake mushrooms, marinated tofu, Asian slaw and avocado on a bed of greens with sesame miso dressing - $8

Mac & cheese cavatappi with prosciutto and cheddar pepper jack cheese sauce - $8

Spinach, bacon and poached egg sandwich - open faced on a sun-dried tomato & rosemary bagel - $8

Monte Cristo sammy - ham, turkey and havarti fried and served with rosemary jalapeno sauce and sweet potato chips* - $9

*sub fries, cup of soup, side salad or fruit +$1

Bad Mojo is Always Stealing Your Lucky Charms

Join us for an evening with F-M legends Bad Mojo. Rock shall visit itself upon our l'il ole HoDo Lounge at 8 p.m. tomorrow night. No cover, 21+.

You can check out some Bad Mojo tunage here.

Lunch Specials for May 11-16

(specials are available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Steak caesar wrap - Grilled steak, romaine, pamesan, tomatoes and a roasted red pepper caesar dressing, served with sweet potato chips* - $9

Buffalo chicken sandwich - a breaded and fired chicken breast on ciabatta with blue cheese, served with sweet potato chips* - $9

Shrimp enchiladas - with onions, peppers, feta cheese and a poblano & tomatillo sauce, served with sweet potato chips* - $9

*sub fries, cup of soup, side salad or fruit +$1

Give Your Mom a Hug

What would you do or have done without your mom? She's the lynchpin of your life, a firm rock to stand on and a treasured confidant. There should be more than one day on the calendar devoted only to her, really, but let us make that day special.

Our Mother's Day brunch will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Sunday, May 10th. Reservations are requested; call 701.478.1000 or make them online here. To view the menu for the day, please click here.

Also, Happy Mother's Day to every mom, mom-to-be and mom-no-longer-with-us out there. We at the HoDo thank you for putting up with us and loving us just the same.

Amanda Standalone and the Pastry Shop Girls Tonight

Downtown for the flood victory party? Be sure to stop by and say hi to Amanda Standalone and the Pastry Shop Girls, taking the stage at 9 p.m. tonight in the lounge. Luscious harmonies, work songs and washtub bass ... it's a treat. No cover, 21+.

Going the Distance - Flood Victory Party & the Fargo Marathon

Downtown Fargo will be at the epicenter of two significant celebrations this weekend. Tonight, Thursday, May 7th, a flood victory party will be held in the US Bank plaza from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. It will feature live music from the Front Fenders, Post Traumatic Funk Syndrome and Tucker'd Out, the trio that wrote a tribute song for the flood (view a performance of the song here). A beer garden will be available and Mayor Dennis Walaker is lined up to do a toast. Plus, if you haven't heard, there will be free beer. Be sure to stop by the HoDo for Amanda Standalone and the Pastry Shop Girls beginning at 9 p.m.

Friday, May 8th, downtown will be an excellent place to shop as many stores and boutiques will be open late and offering discounts. See individual stores for details.

Saturday, May 9th, the downtown area will a primo spot to view the running of the 2009 Fargo Marathon. The race will come through downtown four different times, so take the chance to have coffee, breakfast or lunch outside as the race goes by. Bring a chair and camp out your spot or, if you prefer, watch from our rooftop! We will open Sky Prairie, our rooftop patio, for the first time this year, giving you a bird's eye view of all of the marathon action.

Lunch Specials for the Week of May 4 - 9

(Lunch specials available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the HoDo Lounge)

Shrimp Cavatappi Primavera with roasted vegetables and a tomato cream sauce - $9

Smoked Turkey Salad Sandwich on a baguette with salami and havarti cheese, served with sweet potato chips* - $9

Elk Patty Melt on sourdough with sherried red onions, provolone cheese and aioli, served with sweet potato chips* - $9

(*sub fries, cup of soup, side salad or fruit, +$1)

Also of note: Due to its popularity, General Dirty's Chicken (our version of General Tso's Chicken) has now become a regular menu item. Huzzah!

Summit Brewery Field Trip

On Saturday, May 2nd, we piled a bunch of folks onto a bus and took a field trip to the Summit brewery in St. Paul. We had a great trip, enjoyed good Summit beer, and had a wonderful tour of their facility from Summit founder Mark Stutrud. A big thanks to everyone who came along and a big thanks to Summit for showing us around.


(Mark shares a laugh by the brewing tanks.)

(Lotsa bottles.)

(In the bottling room.)

(Cheers!)

You can find more photos here, at our Facebook page.

This Weekend - NDSU Newfangled Theatre presents When the Birds Take Flight

This is the final weekend for the Newfangled Theatre Company's production of "When the Birds Take Flight." Ticket and pricing information here.

"Written, produced, designed and directed by NDSU theatre students, "When the Bird Takes Flight" is a disturbing look at how young people forge a new existence when “the system” has left them only smuggled goods, contraband and death. Presented by the Newfangled Theatre Company, an organization of NDSU students that will present two fully staged productions during the academic year." (Via Culture Pulse.)