On the Street Where We Work: A Day on Selby

When we’re looking for things to do and places to go, it’s not often we can plan an entire day where we barely have to leave our street. VIBE’s office is right on Selby Avenue in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood of St. Paul. We have so much to do around here, we wouldn’t even have to leave the building!

Get your day started off right by grabbing a coffee at either Nina’s or Claddagh’s “Wee Shop.” If you’re near the Summit end of Selby, Nina’s is located right in the Blair Arcade (where VIBE’s office is!). Grab a coffee and a quiche or, if you’re feeling like something a little more special, check out their Saint Paul themed drinks like the F Scott or the Gatsby.  If you’re closer to Dale, stop at Claddagh’s! You can get your favorite standards or check out something from their Signature drink menu, like a Black and Tan or a Hot Molly. Having trouble where to start? Grab one to start your day and the other in the afternoon for that extra kick to keep the fun going.

Hungry? Selby’s not lacking in places to eat. Whether you’re looking for lunch or dinner, we’ve got you covered! For something a little more unique, I suggest Moscow on the Hill. Personally, I’m a big fan of sitting out on their patio with a glass of wine (or try a vodka flight!) and an order of their hand-made dumplings. 

Looking for a burger? Red Cow and Revival have you covered. Red Cow has several options, including a 60/40 Burger (beef and ground bacon), their Double Barrel Burger (double patty) and even a Turkey Burger (the aioli and pistachios make this one of my faves!). Revival is known for their chicken, but everybody I know really loves their burger. You can get it as a single or a double and be sure to try their fried green tomatoes. Just trust me on this.

If you’re looking to get your Southern on, give Handsome Hog a try! You’ll find options like smoked chicken, jambalaya, brisket and ribs. I’m a big fan of their crab cake hushpuppies and you really can’t go wrong with the pimiento cheese dip (it’s served with Ritz crackers, yum).

For something a little more special, check out WA Frost. This Saint Paul landmark has one of the most talked about patios in town. It’s a good idea to make a reservation so they can save a spot for you. You’ll have options ranging from pasta to seafood to burgers. You can’t go wrong.

Back in the Blair Arcade, you’ll find Japanese cuisine at Yumi. Enjoy sushi, udon soup and tempura. And while you’re here, why not give Sake a try. Do you prefer it warm or cold? 

For goodness sake, take care of yourself! We’re very fortunate these next a great spot in the Blair Arcade: Onx +Amelia. This studio is here for all your yoga needs. Be prepared to work and to sweat, unlike me, who made dinner plans for right after the first class I took. 

Hoping to get some history into your day? While not actually on Selby, it’s very close. The James J. Hill House is a National Historic Landmark located at 240 Summit Ave. They offer guided house tours of this mansion built in 1891. If you were hoping to spend more time outdoors, they also offer walking tours of Summit Avenue, the longest stretch of Victorian minions remaining in the country. With the walking tour, you also get self-guided access to the house before or after your tour. Be sure to get your tickets ahead of time to make sure you don’t miss out!

As you can see, there’s enough to fill several days just hanging out on Selby. Don’t forget to stop in the VIBE office to say hi!