There's so much to look forward to in the new year. Here are a handful of Twin Cities projects you'll want to put on your dining-out radar.
Work up an appetite for the Twin Cities' most anticipated restaurants of 2017
Looking ahead to next year: Gavin Kaysen heads to Wayzata, Don Saunders takes on 510 Groveland and the Revival crew opens in St. Paul.
BELLECOUR
In March, Gavin Kaysen of Spoon and Stable is opening Bellecour, a French brasserie with a bakery component in the former downtown Wayzata home of the Blue Point. "I want to serve really great escargot, roast chicken, a bibb lettuce salad, all the things that I love to eat," said Kaysen, who said that the restaurant is an homage to his mentor, Daniel Boulud, and Boulud's mentor, Paul Bocuse.
KEG & CASE MARKET
St. Paul's historic Schmidt Brewery will continue to come back to life, thanks to Keg & Case Market, a $9 million project set to open next summer that will feature a restaurant by Revival/Corner Table co-owners Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone and branches of Hola Arepa and Five Watt Coffee, along with 40 small food-hall-style vendors.
510 LOUNGE
Chef Don Saunders of the Kenwood is turning the chandeliers back on at the former La Belle Vie. When it opens next summer as 510 Lounge & Private Dining, the building's swank lounge will focus on shareable snacks and cocktails, and the dining room will be reserved for private events.
BAJA HAUS
Sushi Fix chef/owner Enkhbileg "Billy" Tserenbat plans to channel sushi-grade seafood into fish tacos, grilled fish and other delights at Baja Haus. Lots of tequila, too.
MRS. DUMPLING
Mrs. Dumpling will tap into the craze for Asian dumplings when the Lyn-Lake shop debuts this winter.
J. SELBY'S
Chef Rick Berdahl and first-time restaurateur Matt Clayton will focus on plant-based (translation: vegan) dishes at their J. Selby's, currently set to open in January.
TENANT
And when tiny Piccolo closes in March, it'll be replaced by (even smaller) Tenant, run by Piccolo vets Cameron Cecchini and Grisha Hammes.
Lefse-wrapped Swedish wontons, a soothing bowl of rice porridge and a gravy-laden commercial filled our week with comfort and warmth.