Looking for a beautiful way to spend a weekend afternoon in Minneapolis? Here’s your itinerary:

Head to the American Swedish Institute on Park Avenue.

Settle into the light-filled cafe, Fika, or (if it’s a nice day) the courtyard and enjoy a leisurely meal.

One of our recent visits included this savory sandwich (smorgas). Crispy, beer battered cod on top of tangy turnip slaw, remoulade and horseradish on rye toast. It’s deceptively simple  with a beautiful balance of hot, cold, crunchy and creamy.

I really enjoyed the spring fresh grilled asparagus with the house-cured ham, radishes, scallions, hollandaise sauce and brown butter. This really was like spring on a plate and a generous and shareable side.

For dessert, share the fluffy, tender and just-rich-enough bread pudding with caramel sauce.

Well fueled, it’s time to enjoy your visit to ASI — prowl the halls of the turn-of-the-century Turnblad Mansion (which houses the original wing of the museum) and marvel at how well the past integrates with the modern in the new wing.

From now until October 2013, you can marvel at what humans do with glass in the exhibit “Pull, Twist, Blow — Transforming the Kingdom of Crystal.”

Go! Have a wonderful lunch and a wonderful day. You won’t regret one moment of it!