Open, or opening soon
What was Citizen Cafe is now Pilgrimage (2403 E. 38th St., Mpls., www.pilgrimagecafe.com).
The name reflects chef/owner Craig Ball's background. After logging 13 years in global sales for a food company, as well as a stint as a beekeeper in Paraguay for the Peace Corps, "food has always been a pilgrimage for me," he said. "I've always wanted to open a restaurant, and decided to go for it before it was too late."
The menu's focus is on what Ball calls "globally inspired comfort food, seen through a Midwestern lens," he said. Translation: a turkey mole eggs Benedict, a Philly-style steak sandwich finished with chimichurri sauce, all crafted fresh on the premises.
Ball is starting with breakfast and lunch Tuesday through Sunday. Dinner (along with beer and wine) will arrive by the end of the month.
Twenty-year old Hoban Korean Restaurant (1989 Silver Bell Road, Eagan, www.hoban restaurant.com) is expanding into Uptown Minneapolis, opening in the former home of Design Within Reach at 2939 Hennepin Av. S.
In the downtown Minneapolis skyway, Sprout Salad Co. (555 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., sproutsalad.com) is now serving a full roster of chopped-to-order salads made with a wide variety of proteins (Korean-style barbecue flank steak, blackened shrimp) and a dozen house-made dressings at weekday lunch.
Freshii (651 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., www.freshii.com) will be setting up shop on the next block in Gaviidae Common. The Canadian quick-service chain emphasizes fresh, quick-service salads, rice bowls and burritos at breakfast and lunch.
And since three constitutes a pattern, meet Greenfield Natural Kitchen (120 S. 6th St., Mpls., www.greenfieldnk.com). This roomy iteration of the fresh-and-healthy skyway set specializes in made-to-order bowls or wraps filled with grains or beans, greens, proteins and vegetables; in the a.m., add eggs.