Chef Ann Ahmed is making some big moves in 2023, starting with the closing of her first restaurant. The final service at Lemon Grass Thai Cuisine (8600 Edinburgh Centre Dr., Brooklyn Park, lemongrassmn.com) will be March 31, 2023. Chef-owner Ahmed opened the restaurant in 2005 and would go on to open the critically acclaimed Lat 14 in Golden Valley in 2018 and Khâluna in Minneapolis late last year.
Lemon Grass is where her journey began as a chef, cooking the food of her culture and creating dishes that became classics of the Twin Cities food scene, like the iconic basil chicken wings.
After she closes this chapter, Ahmed will turn focus to her next restaurant inside the former 4 Bells location overlooking Loring Park. She's mum about details for now, but that jumps to the top of an already packed list of anticipated restaurants for the new year.
Fhima unveils name for new North Loop complex
There's more news in major chef-development projects happening in 2023; the David Fhima-run restaurant complex in Minneapolis finally has a name: Maison Margaux.
"We are a winter away from opening, and happy to announce that amid the greatest storm, we have found a 'Margaux' (the French word for pearl)," the Fhimas announced in a social media post.
Fhima has a fondness for historic buildings, as evidenced with his almost four-year-old eponymous restaurant in the preserved Goodfellows space. His newest project will transform the North Loop's Ribnick Fur buildings (224 N. 1st St., Mpls.) into a multilevel restaurant, bar and event center. The Fhimas are only the third family to own the 120-year-old building.
There's a long list of helpers working with him to restore and reimagine the building, including New History as the historical consultant and architects Firm Ground.
Maison Margaux will eventually be a French brasserie, underground bar and Ralph Lauren-inspired event center. Follow the progress on Instagram at maisonmargauxmpls.com
