Not really. Let’s not try to pin it down and make the decision because there will always be data and arguments and crazy gusts of wind to prove yourself against. Instead, let’s be like cats and just take the sun where it falls. On a patio deck. In a beer garden. At a bar with your favorite bagel. Going home with a decent slice of pizza. Squat in a parking lot while you slurp up pasta or tuck into a burrito. Maybe just be.
MESSAGES
After seven years with Tim Niver and Saint Dinette, chef Adam Lerner makes a move. He was announced as Executive Chef for all of Ann Kim’s restaurants under the Vestalia Umbrella. He will work with the culinary teams at Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza, Young Joni and Sooki & Mimi.
OPENS
+ Wrecktangle Pizza has opened their new location in LynLake. Detroit-style Pizza Kingpins has taken the old Falafel King/Hasty Tasty/Prieto spot right on the corner and given the space a sophisticated makeover. This is their first location with a full bar that harks back to owner Jeff Roger’s bartending days of yesteryear. But there’s also a Makers Market on-site, called Silver market & delicatessennamed after the one in Hibbing that belonged to Rogers’ grandparents.
+ In the Golden Valley, the new pizza is round and comes out love pizza. This newcomer just opened in the former Smashburger area near Winnetka and 55 and is takeout and delivery only (and they will do their own delivery, not a third party). But if you stop by and order takeout, you’ll get a free glass of wine/beer/NA and a comfortable place to sit while you wait for your square-cut pizza or your triangle-cooked pizza. I love that they named their pineapple cake GFY. Also: Meatball Hero, Coupla Salads and Sebastian Joe’s Ice Cream.
+ Midori’s Floating World Cafe is now open at their new digs on East Lake Street. The restaurant, evicted by the riot, has sporadically offered takeout at the Seward Cafe while their new location took shape. Currently, they’re still on the takeout route, so you’ll have to slurp up some kitsune udon noodles or slam a spicy tuna roll in the parking lot, as one does. They plan to open for indoor use as soon as possible.
+ Minnetonka Drive-In is open for the season! This year they are closed on Mondays.
+ Here is a good way to celebrate Earth Day: Tare market NE is hosting their grand opening party today. This is the second location for the shop dedicated to zero-waste lifestyle. Over the past three years, they have evolved into a great place to get bulk groceries, sustainable bath and beauty products, and other eco-friendly items that have helped divert over 34,000 plastic bags from landfill. Donuts and cold press in the morning, adult bevvies in the afternoon!
CLOSES
– Very sad to hear that big catch closes at the end of the month. Chef Sameh Wadi’s Seafood Boil spot has decided not to renew its lease.
– dumplings in South Minneapolis is also closing after six years. Can’t say it any better than Bun did in his post, “Bottom line: Dad is tired.”
AGENDA
// Hello Happy Earth Day river cleaning day! See you at Hidden Falls Regional Park to help pick up trash and do a little spring eco-clean while listening to live music and snacking on treats from the West Indies Soul Food Truck.
// Saturday is the return of Record Store Day! Visit your favorite vinyl stores for great deals. And then go to Brewing the Broken Clock for a collab beer called Liquid Fidelity, made with music store Down in the Valley (where samples are also distributed). Asian Invasion will also be very popular outside of the food truck Electric Fetus.
// Breakfast Burrito Pop-up! Breakfast Burrito Pop-up! The very tasty quince breakfast burritos that disappeared from the Mplser farmers market with the pandemic will be available again. This Saturday and many more this summer, find them at The Get Down Coffee Co. for a patio pop-up from 9am to 1pm.
// Why not? There is one on Monday Vegan Meat Sweepstakes at Falling Knife Brewing. Draws are called every half hour from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prizes include vegan meats and cheeses from The Herbivorous Butcher, and you can win by purchasing $1 worth of tickets at the bar. All funds go to Herbivorous Acres, a 501c3 non-profit farm sanctuary.
// Renewing the Countryside joins forces with Curry in a hurry for a Community meal benefiting MN Farmland Access On Wednesday. This is the latest fundraising push to help The Lor family takes over the Singing Hills Goat Dairy Farm. The $15 four-course buffet and other items from the menu will help support this farm’s transition into the next generation and give a family a lasting place in the farm community. And, you can also just donate.
// Bars with bagels should be more regular. But at least for now we can find it Bagel Taïm at Palmer’s Bar thursdays Every week on Thursdays from 4pm to 7pm, the local bagel makers toss up Schmears (and the Pony Boy Hot Pastrami + Schmear for just $8) and offer bags of bagels to take home.
// Eating out for life is in full swing again this year. All you have to do to fund the fight against HIV is eat out. There’s a long list of restaurants that have pledged to donate a portion of their Thursday sales to the Aliveness Project. Call out Herbie Butcher’s Fried Chicken and The Nicollet Diner, which are among the places that are donating 100% of sales. But there are countless others who donate 20-50% of sales and it all helps.
// One of the greatest chefs and cookbook authors in the world is coming to town. Yotam Ottolenghi will be with our David Fhima on a panel discussion and book signing at Temple Israel on May 5th. You can be in the audience in person or grab a virtual seat for $50.
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