Cafe Levain, the cherished neighborhood bistro that closed in 2016, went through a few transformations in its time.
The full-service restaurant from Turtle Bread Company began as a four-star, fine-dining operation overseen by chef Stewart Woodman in 2003. A year later, chef Steven Brown took over, and won the place another four stars from the Star Tribune. By 2007, Cafe Levain went casual, with chef Adam Vickerman in the lead. Three years ago, it closed.
Its next transformation? Pop-ups.
A cryptic Facebook post from the restaurant Wednesday tipped us off.
"Testing ... testing ... is this thing on?... I've already said too much. :)"
Turns out, Vickerman is back. He's now working with Turtle Bread owner Harvey McLain as food and events coordinator. And that means Cafe Levain is back, too, in the form of private events and, eventually, pop-ups.
"Levain isn't planning on reopening as a normal restaurant," Vickerman said. "But private events are already happening, and I hope to do special events and pop-ups as a part of my return to the restaurant that has given me so much."
He's only been back with Turtle Bread for three weeks, so nothing is on the books yet, though Vickerman is considering whether to host pop-ups weekly or monthly, and what kind. "Sunday Suppers, Classics, Beer & Wine dinners, etc.," are some of his ideas. The events will be held evenings at Turtle Bread's 48th-and-Chicago complex (4762 Chicago Av. S., Mpls., 612-823-7333, turtlebread.com). "The space is dormant after 3 p.m. and just begs to be used for those sorts of events," he said.
