acqua restaurant & bar

White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Acqua in White Bear Lake has three dining spaces: inside a house and on the adjoining sheltered deck (pictured above) which overlooks the marina and a lakeside patio.  The patio is across the street so staff run back and forth. 

David and I have told several colleagues how amazing it is....really nice staff and locally sourced ingredients in Italian-inspired dishes.  We like to share an appetizer, get one or two salads and split an entree.  What we've had was excellent (Appetizers: Crostaceo, Carpaccio, Mais; Salads: Formaggio Arrostito, Insalata di Caesar; Entrees: Ossobuco, Saltimbocca, Gamberi e Capesante). The deck and patio areas are intimate and worth the wait. 

The Fresh Ginger Jameson was out-of-this-world!  Handcrafted Cocktails with nice views of White Bear Lake.

So Summer.   

Reservations for indoor eating only.  Their website has information about both the White Bear Lake and Forest Lake locations. 

monkey house

Be prepared for smiles and a strong desire to jump. 

I declare it impossible to bounce around in the inflatables at Monkey House and be in a bad mood. 

We had a grand time and I want to go back.  It's a 5,000 square foot play center.  It costs $7.50 per child and up to two adults can play with each paid admission.  Address:  1815 Buerkle Rd, White Bear Lake, MN 55110  

They do kid's pizza parties with a bring-your-own-cake feature.  Would it be odd if this grandmother invited all her family and closest friends to a Monkey House birthday party? #kiddingnotkidding