On a mission to find a place to hold our impending nuptials, K and I have been on a whirlwind tour of Twin Cities venues and nearby restaurants over the past two weeks. Highlights include:

* If you are in downtown Minneapolis for a weekday lunch or dinner or have a small to medium-sized private event to hold, do it at the Atlas Grill. Their grilled chicken with citrus glaze is succulent, their saffron rice is flawless and they are absolutely wonderful, accommodating and treat you like family.

* Geordie’s in St. Paul (in the old Blondie’s space) has some work to do on their decor, but their food is simple, seasonal, tasty and solid.

* The chicken wild rice soup at the Wilde Roast Cafe in northeast Minneapolis is creamy, smoky and the cup is a perfect size for a snack on a blustery cold day.

* The angel food cupcake at Yum in St. Louis Park is everything a cupcake should be — light, fluffy, airy, sweet but not too sweet and topped with whipped cream and strawberries. Wish I’d purchased one to have for breakfast the next day.