Meryl Streep plays Julia Child, pictured here learning to cook at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris in the movie “Julie & Julia.”

Well, of course you can’t actually dine with Julia Child. But you can enjoy a meal inspired by the movie “Julie & Julia,” at the Le Cordon Bleu restaurant in Mendota Heights on Wednesday, Aug. 5.  Julia Child learned how to cook while at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris (in a kitchen of all men who weren’t so happy to see her). In honor of that connection, the local Le Cordon Bleu will offer a three-course lunch and dinner for a minimum $20 donation which includes a ticket to an advance screening of the movie, which opens Friday. All proceeds from the meal go to the Ronald McDonald House in Minneapolis.

Such a deal! The meals begin at either noon or 6 p.m. and include chilled watercress soup, boeuf bourguignon and chocolate cream pie. The movie screening starts at 9 p.m. at the Regal Eagan 16 that same evening. The restaurant is the Minnesota Room at Le Cordon Bleu, 1440 Northland Dr., Mendota Heights. Call 651-286-2400 for reservations.

Here’s how the hardworking folks behind the counter at Al’s Breakfast answer the phone: “Al’s, we close at 1.”

Except this Wednesday, July 29, for one night only, when the Dinkytown landmark will be serving dinner. Don’t expect to see eggs Benedict, bacon waffles and blueberry-walnut pancakes flying off the well-seasoned griddle. Instead, co-owners Doug Grina and Jim Brandes will be turning over their spatulas to Ranee Ramaswamy, artistic director of Ragamala Dance. She’ll be preparing a home-style Indian dinner, served by members of her company.

The price is right, with a minimum donation of $12, and because tiny Al’s only seats 14, Ramaswamy is wisely also offering a take-out option. Dinner is served between 5:30 and 9 p.m. Al’s is located at 413 14th Av. SE. in Minneapolis. Along with your appetite, bring plenty of quarters; the neighborhood’s parking meters run until 10 p.m., and there’s also inexpensive parking in a lot behind the restaurant.

At lunch, chef Vincent Francoual’s standard-setting burger – a ground beef patty stuffed with slow-braised short ribs and smoked Gouda cheese – goes for $13.50. During happy hour (4 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday) at his eponymous downtown Minneapolis restaurant, the same monster burger is priced to move at $8.

Today marks the last day of 50 percent off the price of truffles and bonbons at Chocolat Celeste. That’s quite a deal. Owner Mary Leonard is placing two caveats on her pre-Fourth of July clearance event: it lasts only as long as inventory allows, and it’s strictly cash; don’t even think about pulling out a credit or debit card. Her fragrant shop is located just east of Hwy. 280 on University Avenue in St. Paul.

I just met an unforgettable burger. Nevermind that burgers are everywhere. This one stands out and is available in only two spots – Golden Valley and St. Anthony (later in the year, Smashburgers move into Roseville and Plymouth). Made of Angus beef, it’s definitely “smashed” – that is, flatter rather than rounded. And it’s definitely flavorful and filling. (How filling? Though the burgers come in 1/3 and 1/2 pounds, even the smaller size seems too big for a single diner because it’s topped with a lot and spills over the egg bun). Reasonable prices at $4.99 for a classic 1/3 pound. But I’m going back for more than the burger. It’s the smash fries, thinly cut and tossed with rosemary, olive oil and garlic. Wow! (You only need to order a single portion to feed several with these.)

 Two locations: 509 Winnetka Av., Golden Valley, and  3900 Silver Lake Road, St. Anthony

If you’ve tried them, tell us what you think.

Soft-shell taco with pulled pork

Fabulous food and beautiful gardens: What could be better? That was the case at Wednesday’s Toast & Taste in the Garden gala at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum for a fundraiser that’s on my list of top galas. If I have only one local fundraiser gala to attend in the future, this would be it. The crowds are dispersed among the fragrant gardens. There is no elbowing for food (because it’s spread out along the garden path) or noise (only tuneful music by local musicians, at different points along the path — loved the baritone brass at the entrance). And we’re outdoors on a beautiful evening. No competition to the typical windowless, crowded ballroom for other galas!

Favorite dishes? The Minneapolis Club served a soft-shell taco with pulled pork, black beans and smoked pineapple salsa, served in paper cones (pictured here) that looked quite elegant. Kevin Sheehy of Cafe Maude served up grilled corn-on-the-cob with chives, feta and tomatoes, as well as lamb meatballs (in preparation, perhaps, for his Istanbul Night at the Armatage Room on July 17). Tracy Singleton of the Birchwood Cafe offered a strawberry-rhubarb shortcake with ice cream. Scott Pampuch of Corner Table wrapped beef around thin breadsticks in homage to the State Fair. The Arboretum’s Appletini (Pepin Heights apple cider with Praire vodka) was a nice touch I’ll try at home. The most food on a cracker? Clearly, from Raghavan Iyer and OM restaurant, with his  Bombay street food of mumbai crackers: crispy crackers with unripe mango, potato and red onion, topped with 2 chutneys and sprinkled with chickpea flour noodles. Outstanding!

But the best of the bunch was a clear standout that diners seemed to avoid in that Minnesota “it’s a little too different” kind of way. Jack Riebel of the Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant served a tuna shooter that was worthy of any James Beard gala in NYC: a shotglass of bacon broth, with bites of fresh tuna (marinated with sesame seeds and chives), and sprinkles of pickled homemade ramps and a tiny dice of watermelon. Unbelieveably good …. and so few takers Jack noted that his cooks would have plenty to enjoy later.

Mark your calendar for the event NEXT year, right around the solstice. 

Arboretum garden