The latest openings and closings in the Twin Cities

Now Open

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  Darling (3311 E. 25th St., Mpls., darlingmpls.com) The cafe from Prince's former personal chefs is now open in the one-time Birchwood Cafe space. The familiar Minneapolis venue gets new life as a breakfast-and-lunch spot, with dinner and drinks coming soon. Read our coverage here.
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  Sebastian Joe's Kingfield Social (4301 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., sebastianjoesicecream.com) The newest outpost of the popular scoop shop has opened in the former home of Apoy, after 21 "kids of Kingfield" signed a heartfelt letter published in Southwest Voices asking for a neighborhood ice cream shop. Read our coverage here.
• Oh Crepe! (4408 France Av., Edina, ohcrepemn.com) The very first Caribou, which closed in 2023, is now home to Oh Crêpe!, from Breizh Crêperie's Claire Corvaisier. The chef, who was born in France, first launched her Twin Cities crêpe business at Minneapolis Cider Co. Now at her brick-and-mortar, she is making sweet and savory crêpe, plus taking special orders for crêpe cakes. Open daily except Tuesdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Opened June 26.
• Tap In Kitchen & Cocktails (2618 Lowry Av. N., Mpls., tapinmn.com) Tap In has opened on the site of what was once an abandoned convenience store. The ambitious project is spearheaded by New Rules North, which converts buildings in overlooked communities into innovative spaces. The drink menu includes modernized classic cocktails like a mezcalita, bourbon sour and espresso martini. Food includes salmon, black bean and quinoa and brisket sandwiches, salads, wings and more.
• Ruam Mit Thai (367 N. Wabasha St., St. Paul, ruammitmn.com) Ruam Mit Thai has a new location. The restaurant opened in 1989 in downtown St. Paul and quickly became a classic for Thai and Lao dishes like nam khao, pad thai and red curry. It was displaced last year after its previous location on St. Peter Street was demolished.
• Gatherings Cafe (1530 E. Franklin Av., Mpls., maicnet.org) Gatherings Cafe inside the Minneapolis American Indian Center reopened this spring under the stewardship of chef Vernon DeFoe. Rooted in Indigenous ingredients, the cafe serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday. The menu includes blue corn and wild rice pancakes, veggie hash, smoked turkey melt, Three Sisters Kale Salad and more.
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  Brühaven (1368 La Salle Av., Mpls., bruhaven.com) The former Lakes & Legends, just east of Loring Park, is now Brühaven. And it has an award-winning craft beer veteran as its new owner. Alex Doering, who worked his way up to head brewer over eight years with the Freehouse, has partnered with friend Glenn Oslin to buy the business and make it their own. But fans of Lakes & Legends will find that much of Brühaven will be familiar, too. Read our coverage here.
• Hope Breakfast Bar (8505 Valley Creek Rd., Woodbury; 7585 France Av. S., Edina, hopebreakfast.com) The next outpost of Sarah and Brian Ingram's Hope Breakfast Bar is now open in Edina. Just like the other locations in St. Paul and Eagan, this Hope Breakfast Bar will serve a combination of sweet and savory breakfast foods all day with a full bar and coffee program. The burgeoning restaurant chain is on the move to open another outpost in Woodbury this summer, with more plans on the way. Read our coverage here.
• Alary's Bar (139 E. 7th St., St. Paul, facebook.com/AlarysBarMN) The historic neighborhood bar is making a comeback under new ownership, and the menu is a short-and-sweet Heggie's pizza. According to a press release, the bar also still identifies as a "cop bar," with paraphernalia as well as food and drink specials for first responders.
• Puralima (3925 W. 50th St., Edina, puralima.com) Steele Brands, the owner of Crisp & Green, has replaced its now-shuttered Stalk & Spade in Edina with its Mexican-inspired counter-service concept Puralima. (Another opening in Wayzata is coming soon.) Opened June 29.
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  Paris Baguette (7855 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, parisbaguette.com) Paris Baguette has arrived in Minnesota. Originally from South Korea, Paris Baguette has about 100 U.S. locations. The pastry cases are serve-yourself and stocked with classic French pastries, Instagrammable laminated dough hybrids (like the croissant doughnut) and Asian-inspired treats like red bean buns and mochi doughnuts. Read our coverage here.
• Treats (Mall of America, 372 E. Broadway, Bloomington, treatsmn.com) The boba and cereal ice cream shop opened a fourth location at Mall of America in June. Other Treats locations are in Minneapolis' North Loop, Blaine and on Grand Avenue in St. Paul.
• Sweet Paris Creperie (Mall of America, 100 North Garden, Bloomington, sweetparis.com ) After first opening in Woodbury, a second Minnesota outpost of the Texas-based chain has opened at Mall of America for sweet and savory crepes and a Parisian cafe vibe. Opened in June.
• Ava (124 3rd Av. N., Mpls., avampls.com) A new club from Ben Taheri, owner of the former Tangiers nightclub, has taken over the former Stilheart Distillery in the North Loop. Ava inhabits two floors with three distinct areas and a food menu from chef Kamal Mohamed of Nashville Coop, Parcelle and StepChld. Opened June 2024.
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  Donut Star (7656 160th St. W., Lakeville, 952-255-8287, donutstarmn.com ) The Burnsville doughnut shop, under the ownership of Peter Sebastian (Mario's, Estelle), has expanded to Lakeville. The menus are the same at both locations, and the new spot has plenty of room for parking and seating. Opened June 2024.
• L2 at Tii Cup (2645 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., instagram.com/l2_tiicup) Boba shop Tii Cup has opened a second-floor speakeasy, serving adult versions of several of the chain's boba drinks as well as other cocktails and snacks.
• Rail Werks Brewing Depot (4055 Central Av. NE., Mpls., 612-367-6758, railwerksbrewingdepot.com) Husband-and-wife team William and Denise Roberts have launched a brews and barbecue spot in Columbia Heights.
• Dogwood (2700 University Av. W., St. Paul, dogwoodcoffee.com) The newest location of local Dogwood Coffee Co. has opened in Midway in the former Hodges Bend. The space has been given a big refresh with a cheery mural. Marc Heu pastries are available. Dogwood has two other locations: 4021 E. Lake St. and 1209 NE. Tyler St., both in Minneapolis.
• Waffle Bar Desserts & Tea (3810 W. Old Shakopee Rd., Bloomington, wafflebar.com) The third metro location of this shop specializes in bubble waffles, which originated in Hong Kong. The waffles serve as a base for sweet and savory combinations, from Sebastian Joe's ice cream and Nutella to chicken and maple bacon. An array of smoothies and bubble teas are also on the menu. The other locations are in Lakeville and Minneapolis.
• Dave's Hot Chicken (7720 W. 149th St., Apple Valley, daveshotchicken.com) The Los Angeles-based spicy chicken and loaded milkshakes chain, from the family of former Timberwolves player Kris Humphries, is now open in Apple Valley, bringing the metro total to three locations, with plans to expand to 18 in the state. Next up is Coon Rapids, St. Cloud and Rochester.
• Crossing Bridge Noodle Restaurant (2 E. 26th St., Mpls., crossbridgenoodle.com) A noodle restaurant, from the owner of Sushi Train and three local Mochinut locations, takes the place of the shuttered Bad Waitress restaurant on Eat Street. Crossing-the-bridge noodles, a traditional soup from China's Yunnan province, is served with large bowls of boiling broth, perfumed with star anise and ginger alongside myriad mix-ins to customize each bite with meat, rice noodles, bean curd sheets and vegetables.
• Ococo (811 La Salle Av., Mpls., 612-998-8883, instagram.com/ococofoods) Rice bowls, sandwiches and slushies make up the menu at this stylish new Minneapolis skyway spot for Thai street food.
• Chips Pickleball Club (980 Discovery Rd., Eagan, chipspickleball.com) A cafe and bar offers breakfast by day and cocktails and dinner by night at this new pickleball club in Eagan.

Announced - Coming Soon

• Nashville Coop (6600 Penn Av. S., Richfield, nashvillecoop.com ) The hot chicken spot from brothers Arif and Kamal Mohamed is opening a new location in Richfield. Their proprietary blend of spices includes their mother's homemade blend of Ethiopian spices. The menu centers on crispy chicken fingers in varying degrees of spiciness served on their own or on buns.
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  Steak and Ale (14201 Nicollet Av. S., Burnsville, bennigans.com) It's been 15 years since Steak and Ale and its signature herb-crusted prime rib left the Twin Cities. Now the restaurant is on its way back, and the first location will be in Burnsville. Texas-based Legendary Restaurant Brands announced in January that it will bring 15 locations of its Steak and Ale and Bennigan's to several Midwestern cities. Expected to open July 8. Read our coverage here.
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  Brian Peterson, Star Tribune

  Yia Vang stands in front of the new location for his forthcoming brick-and-mortar restaurant, Vinai, which celebrates food from his family‘s Hmong heritage.
  Vinai (1717 NE. 2nd St., Mpls., vinaimn.com) Chef Yia Vang will open his long-awaited restaurant Vinai in the former Dangerous Man taproom space in northeast Minneapolis. His backers have purchased the building, and the Union Hmong Kitchen chef even owns a small slice of it — a possible first, he says, for a Hmong American restaurateur. Like at his Union Hmong Kitchen, Vang will be sharing the food he grew up with, but in a multicourse format he has previewed in pop-ups over the past few years while Vinai was lying in wait. The restaurant is aiming for a July 2024 opening. Read our coverage here.
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  1881 by Lake Elmo Inn (Union Depot, St. Paul, 1881bylei.com) The owners of the historic Lake Elmo Inn have announced that they will open a restaurant at Union Depot in St. Paul. The menu, from executive chef Michael Pearson, is inspired by the flagship restaurant and will include both Lake Elmo Inn favorites as well as new offerings made with locally sourced ingredients. Also look for a bar with craft cocktails, an extensive wine list, a kids' menu and housemade desserts, including the classic Sin of the Inn — a pecan crust filled with caramel, white satin and chocolate ganache topped with white chocolate mousse. Opens July 18. Read our coverage here.
• Bassett Hound (360 N. 5th St., Mpls., bassetthoundnlg.com) Another addition to the North Loop Green development will be this pub, from Chicago-based Levy Restaurants.
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  Forepaugh's (276 Exchange St. S., St. Paul) James Beard Award-winning chef Tim McKee has been brought on to consult on the menu and rebuild the kitchen team at this landmark restaurant, which closed in 2019 and will reopen summer 2024. Read our coverage here.
• Du Nord Cocktail Room / Lagniappe (2700 E. Lake St., Mpls., instagram.com/dunordcocktailroom) Shanelle and Chris Montana are reopening Du Nord Cocktail Room, along with New Orleans-inspired restaurant Lagniappe, in the newly developed Coliseum Building. Construction is underway with an expected August opening. Read our coverage here.
• Dexter's (3717 W. 50th St., Mpls., dextersmpls.com) Described as having a "casual yet refined" vibe, this restaurant and bar from DDP Restaurant Group hopes to attract neighborhood folks, sports fans and discerning diners. The menu will include dishes like burgers, BLTs, onion rings, shrimp cocktail and dry-rub chicken wings. Dexter's beverages will be created by Megan Luedtke, who oversees the bar program at other DDP properties, including Blondette, Colita, Martina and Macanda. Read our coverage here.
• Razava Bread Co. (685 Grand Av., St. Paul, razavabread.co) Owner Steve Baldinger will open Razava Bread Co. this summer. The menu from head baker Omri Zin-Tamir, formerly of the Bakery on 22nd Street, will include bagels, sourdough, pita and challah, plus accoutrements like schmears, coffee and butters. Read our coverage here.
• Black Duck Spirits and Hearth (2900 NE. Johnson St., Mpls., blackduckmpls.com) An eclectic menu from chef Jason Sawicki (Lyn 65, Popol Vuh) will include smoked fare and dishes that combine his experience with Mexican cuisine and Polish heritage. Coming summer 2024.
• Beckett's (3006 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., instagram.com/beckettsmpls) Beckett's will replace the short-lived Fool Me Once, with nods to classic movies like "The Sandlot," odes to the 1991 World Series-winning Twins and daily service. Bolstering that claim is a sassy little happy hour that will include $5 beers, burgers and buckets of signature cocktails.
• Grackle (11852 Elm Creek Blvd., Maple Grove, facebook.com/people/Grackle/61560089282970) Grackle will take the place of the old Wahlburgers at Hemlock Way and Elm Creek Boulevard in Maple Grove. The all-day cafe is from the same team behind Margie's Kitchen & Cocktails in nearby Andover. Just like their original eatery, the menu is expected to serve the neighborhood approachable (but just a little fancy) fare and drinks. Renovations are underway and they expect to open late summer 2024.
• Backstory Coffee Roasters (8051 33rd Av. S., Bloomington, backstory.coffee) This local roaster will open its first suburban location at the base of the new Fenley Apartments in Bloomington. This will be the third location for the coffee shop that started small in St. Paul and has grown to include another cafe in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood. The new cafe is in the Bloomington Central Station community, not far from the Mall of America. Look for a late-summer opening.
• Hey Bear (791 Raymond Av., St. Paul) A new cafe is taking shape in St. Paul inside the former Foxy Falafel. The grab-and-go restaurant will serve breakfast and lunch — and there will be biscuits. The cafe is expected to open summer 2024.
• Hola Coffee (326 Central Av. SE., Mpls., holacoffeempls.com) This Latina woman-owned coffee shop will open in August, with pre-made items and pastries, and single-origin coffee from micro farmers, Downtown Voices reports.
• Gray Fox Coffee (700 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, grayfoxcoffee.com) Gray Fox Coffee, owned by Danielle and Chris Bjorling, announced plans to expand into the Dayton's Project in downtown Minneapolis. The new spot is expected to open at the skyway level later this summer. Like its other shops in the Deluxe Plaza, 901 Marquette Av. and LaSalle Plaza, this Gray Fox will specialize in sweets, breakfast treats and coffee drinks that double as works of art. Their beverages are known for beguiling foam art and fancy garnishes like gold leaf.
• La Madre (205 Park Av., Mpls., lamadremn.com) La Madre will open this summer in Minneapolis' Mill District neighborhood, at the base of the Vicinity Apartments. The restaurant from the owners of La Tapatia will draw inspiration from the coastal culinary goods of Puerto Vallarta. In addition to tacos and entrees, La Madre will have an impressive bar menu with boutique tequilas, micheladas and more.
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  WildChld (24 University Av. NE., Mpls.) A new cocktail bar is coming to northeast Minneapolis from the team behind StepChld, and it's right next door. WildChld is slated to open in the former Hyde space. It's an offshoot of Kamal Mohamed's Ethiopian- and globally inspired restaurant, and will have light bites from the same kitchen. The bar program will be led by Bridgit Loeffelholz, the creative director of St. Louis Park German-style distillery Dampfwerk. Read our coverage here.
• Tavern Grill (Viking Lakes, Eagan, thetaverngrill.com) Tavern Grill is coming to the Viking Lakes campus in Eagan, just across the street from the Minnesota Vikings' headquarters. Like the other Taverns, all owned by Minnesota-based Hemisphere Restaurants, the scratch menu will be brimming with burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and salads, and have a full bar, patio and plenty of seating. Buildout of the space, adjacent to Vikings Lake Residences, began this spring, with an anticipated late-summer opening.
• Vitality Roasting (1500 Como Av. SE., Mpls., vitalityroasting.com) The Minneapolis skyway coffee shop expands to St. Paul, moving into the space formerly belonging to Black Coffee and Waffle Bar.
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  Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks (3002 W. 50th St. Mpls., tonomn.com) It's been seven years since Michelangelo's went dark. This spring, a new tenant will finally take over the corner of 50th St. and Washburn Av. S. in Minneapolis: Tono Pizzeria + Cheesesteaks. It's the first Minneapolis location for the rapidly expanding restaurant, which initially launched in Maplewood and has since put down roots in St. Paul and in suburbs across the metro. Read our coverage here.
• Nagoya / Mochinut (8030 Olson Memorial Hwy., Golden Valley) All-you-can-eat sushi and mochi doughnuts are coming to Golden Valley in July.
• Minari (323 13th Av. NE., Mpls., instagram.com/minarirestaurant) Chef Jeff Watson, the longtime executive chef and culinary director for Daniel del Prado's restaurant group, will open Minari inside the former Erté & the Peacock Lounge in Northeast later this summer. The menu will lean into East Asian cuisine, especially Korean, drawing in part from Watson's heritage. Expect a menu that celebrates dumplings and serves a weekend dim sum, skewers of hot-off-the-grill meats and bowls of noodles. Read our coverage here.
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  Wells Roadside (3712 Quebec Av. S., St. Louis Park, craftncrew.com) The new owners of the iconic Galaxy Drive In plan to turn the St. Louis Park landmark into Wells Roadside, a dog-friendly burger joint also serving ice cream, beer and wine. Craft & Crew Hospitality acquired the retro spot, once planned by the founders of Famous Dave's and Rainforest Cafe to be a pizza place. They will model their new concept after Gott's Roadside in California. They hope to open the restaurant this summer, making use of a four-season pergola. It will be Craft & Crew's seventh restaurant. Opening August 2024. Read our coverage here.
• Khue's Kitchen (799 University Av. W., Mpls. ) Khue's Kitchen began as a ghost kitchen before moving into an extended pop-up at Bar Brava in Minneapolis. Now, Eric Pham is taking his tasty creations to the former location of Ngon Bistro. He's keeping mum on details of the new venture for now, but hopes are high for the return of his chile crisp-topped fried chicken sandwich.
• Barcelona (Washington Av. N., Mpls., barcelonawinebar.com) With locations in 11 states, Barcelona wine bars typically serve largely Spanish and South American wines with an array of tapas, a few entrees, weekend brunch and cocktails. If all goes according to plans, we'll be here sipping sangria this summer.
• Mad Chicken (1st Av. N. & N. 4th St., Mpls., madchickenusa.com) A Wisconsin-founded fast-casual chicken spot will open in the historic building that used to house the American Army Navy Surplus Store, according to a report in Downtown Voices.
• Mother Dough Bakery (Multiple locations, Mpls., motherdoughbakery.com) David Fhima's bakery now has two more downtown Minneapolis locations in the works. One will open this summer at the base of the Vicinity Apartments building in Minneapolis' Mill District neighborhood, at 205 Park Av. The other is slated to open spring 2025 at the U.S. Bancorp Center, at 800 Nicollet Av. The French-influenced bakery and cafe serves pastries and coffee in the morning and a few sandwiches for lunch. The original two locations of Mother Dough are in downtown's Capella Tower.
• Salt & Flour / Hope Breakfast Bar (360 N. 5th St., Mpls., saltandflourkitchen.com) Brian Ingram, who owns Purpose Restaurants with wife Sarah Ingram, will open a new pasta restaurant and market in the new North Loop Green development this fall. The same complex will house the newest Hope Breakfast Bar, known for its all-day breakfast menu. Fall 2024.
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  Le Burger 4304 (4304 Upton Av. S., Mpls.) Former Bachelor Farmer chef Jonathan Gans will open a French-inspired burger spot in Linden Hills this fall. There will be about 10 different burgers and sandwiches on the menu, including house-made veggie patties. Roast chicken will be sold by the piece. They'll have soft-serve ice cream for dessert. Plus, beer, wine and cocktails on tap from Peder Schweigert, another TBF/Marvel Bar alum. Read our coverage here.
• Xelas by El Sazon (Stillwater, instagram.com/xelas_by_elsazon) El Sazon, the south Minneapolis Mexican restaurant that got its start in an Eagan gas station convenience store, is opening its second stand-alone restaurant, this time in Stillwater. Operated by Cristian de Leon, a chef trained in French cuisine, and Karen de Leon, a longtime restaurant manager, El Sazon Tacos & More made a splash at a suburban BP, not only for its regular menu but for the couple's occasional Night at the Gas Station tasting dinners, with drinks by Zoilo Ruacho. Last October, the de Leons and Ruacho opened El Sazon Cocina & Tragos in Minneapolis. The new operation will delve deeper into chef de Leon's Guatemalan roots. Read our coverage here.
• Walkin' Dog (walkindog.com) "A legend returns," says a LinkedIn post from Northstar Center Minneapolis, the building where the beloved hot dog stand and malt shop Walkin' Dog had been posted for more than 30 years. An "updated version" is in the works that will honor the original owners' vision with dogs, malts, sides "and camaraderie." Coming Sept. 2024. Read our coverage here.
• Eloise (332 Broadway Av. S., Wayzata) This fall, Lindsay Pohlad will open Eloise, a restaurant with seasonal, global influences. It'll take over the Lululemon next door to her first restaurant, the Grocer's Table. (The name comes from her husband's grandmother, philanthropist Eloise Pohlad.) Read our coverage here.
• Bar Siena (Hopkins, instagram.com/barsiena_mn) Inspired by the chef's travels in Italy, Rhett Roberts (Petite Leon) will open Bar Siena in downtown Hopkins this fall.
• Qahwah House (1851 Central Av. NE., Mpls., qahwahhouse.com) The metro's first Qahwah House coffee shop is expected to open in Northeast this fall in the former home of Half Fancy and the Mill Northeast. Aslam Jamal will open Minnesota's first location of the coffee house, which was established in 2017. It serves espresso, drip coffee, sweet treats and coffee beans imported from Yemen. The opening follows the immediate success of Qamaria, another Yemeni coffee house chain that opened an outpost in Little Canada. That company is working on a second location in the south metro area.
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  Russell's Bar and Grill (656 Grand Av., St. Paul) The Tavern on Grand has closed, but a new restaurant will rise in that location from first-time restaurateur Todd Russell, who owns the building. The menu will be composed of American classics through contemporary light, which is code for: There's going to be a burger, but that's not all. Construction is underway, with a planned opening in November. Read our coverage here.
• Pearl & the Thief (250 Portland Av. S., Mpls.) Justin Sutherland, the Emmy Award-winning television personality, will work with Restore Restaurant Holdings and Sherman Associates to open Pearl & the Thief on the ground floor of the 22-story O2 Luxury Tower that will be located at 250 Portland Av. S. in Minneapolis' Mill District. At this revival of Sutherland's short-lived Stillwater restaurant, which closed in 2018, the menu will be Southern-focused with seafood playing a starring role. Expect Pearl & the Thief to open later in 2024. Read our coverage here.
• Ate Ate Ate (1178 Burnsville Center, Burnsville, ateateatemn.com) New details are emerging about the food hall slated to open this spring in Burnsville Center. Ate Ate Ate will anchor the mall's redeveloped north section, in the space once occupied by a Gordmans Department store. The vendors will offer international flavors. A list of vendors teased last year had promised everything from a Brazilian steakhouse to Korean fried chicken. Seven of the nine spots were previously announced, but we're told the list has "evolved" and no names are being released yet. One space is still available to rent. Read our coverage here.
• Local Rumor The new venture comes courtesy of Scott Cochran, who was the COO of Keg and Case food hall. His Local Legend Hospitality group is expected to launch a new eatery in the small space that previously housed the first Blue Door Pub before it went dark during the pandemic. Expect an opening later in 2024.
• Tender Lovin' Chix (2700 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., instagram.com/tender_lovin_chix) Tender Lovin' Chix is shifting into park for its new full-time home on Lyndale Avenue. The food truck from Marques (Ques) Johnson and Billy Tserenbat of Billy Sushi will set up a full restaurant in the former home of Fire & Nice Alehouse, with a target opening in 2024.
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  Pig Ate My Pizza (10700 Bloomington Ferry Rd., Bloomington, travailkitchen.com) The Robbinsdale-based Travail team has set its sights to the south, with the revelation of a new Pig Ate My Pizza location coming to Bloomington. The group behind its eponymous fine-dining complex and the casual Nouvelle, both in Robbinsdale, has filed a proposal with the city of Bloomington to take over a former gas station. The new pizzeria could open by December or January. Read our coverage here.
• Los Ocampo (2186 Marshall Av., St. Paul, losocampo.com) The former Bark and the Bite address will be the newest outpost of Los Ocampo, the family-run Mexican enterprise.
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  The Block (21455 John Milless Dr., Rogers, craftncrew.com) Craft & Crew Hospitality won Rogers City Council approval purchase the city's municipally run bar. When the sale closes in November, the restaurant group rooted in Minneapolis and the west metro will expand to this fast-growing suburb. Renovations, including the addition of a kitchen, will take place over the winter, with an expected opening sometime in spring 2025. Read our coverage here.
• Bubble Line Brewery (St. Paul, bubblelinebrewing.com) Launching in early 2025, Bubble Line Brewing Co. is currently crowdfunding to open a brewery and taproom in St. Paul's Rondo neighborhood. In addition to brewing beer, the taproom would serve coffee drinks and other nonalcoholic beverages and serve as a family-friendly gathering space.
• Lynette (3753 42nd Av. S., Mpls., instagram.com/lynettempls) Two legends of the much-missed Lyn65 are teaming up to open an homage to the restaurant. Lynette is in the works for the former Riverview Wine Bar. The new neighborhood restaurant is the work of beverage maestro Travis Serbus and chef/hospitalitarian Ben Siers-Rients and their partners, Billie White and Melissa Siers-Rients. Construction is underway. Read our coverage here.
• Animales Barbeque and Burger Co. (TBA, animalesbarbeque.com) After a tumultuous year, Jon Wipfli of Animales Barbecue and Burger Co. is ready for more stability. So he's packing up his massive meat smokers and is on the hunt for a permanent restaurant location. And he's pulled in a fellow restaurateur as an investor — Billy Tserenbat of Billy Sushi. Read our coverage here.
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  Tim McKee project (121-125 N. 1st St., Mpls., thewesthotel.com) When James Beard Award-winning chef Tim McKee, the La Belle Vie trailblazer, announced his intentions to open a Spanish restaurant in Minneapolis' North Loop in 2023, details were hazy. Now, the picture is becoming clearer, with news of a new hotel opening in Minneapolis, potentially in 2024. Salt Hotels will launch the West Hotel in a development on the corner of 2nd Avenue N. and N. 1st Street. And there's more: In addition to a Basque-inspired restaurant featuring pintxos and other dishes cooked over charcoal, McKee will spearhead an Eastern Mediterranean-inspired bakery that will utilize a wood-fired oven. McKee is also overseeing the hotel's events and in-room dining. After a delay in construction due to funding, there is no official opening date. Read our coverage here.
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  Dahlia (TBA, eatatdahlia.com) Three former Travail staffers are bringing their fine-dining pedigree to breakfast and lunch. After traveling to other cities and noticing a trend in restaurants that hadn't made its way to Minnesota yet, they had an idea. Dahlia, a full-service restaurant, will apply the team's hospitality chops to daytime dining. The team is already hosting pop-ups each weekend at area breweries. Look for a permanent home in 2024. Read our coverage here.
• Saffron (TBA) It's been eight years since Saffron, the influential Mediterranean restaurant, closed its doors in downtown Minneapolis. Now, chef/owner Sameh Wadi has announced he will reopen Saffron. Read our coverage here.
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  Golden Thyme / Justin Sutherland project (934 Selby Av., St. Paul) The next eatery inside St. Paul's Golden Thyme will be the brainchild of Justin Sutherland. The celebrity chef and his father, Kerry Sutherland, are developing an idea that will serve breakfast and coffee through dinner inside the cafe in St. Paul's historic Rondo neighborhood. Read our coverage here.
• North Loop tequila restaurant (113 N. 1st St., Mpls., nololovestequila.com) Local restaurateurs Josh Thoma and Kevin Fitzgerald are doubling down on their efforts in Minneapolis' North Loop with a second restaurant. The duo, which owns Burger Dive, Smack Shack and the Lexington, originally announced that their yet-to-be-named restaurant would open summer 2023 in the former Alliance Française, but there have been no recent updates to that status. Read our coverage here.

Closing - Changing

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  Tavern on Grand (656 Grand Av., St. Paul, 651-228-9030, thetavernongrand.com) Tavern on Grand has served its last walleye. The North Woods cabin-themed Grand Avenue restaurant, famous for its many preparations of Minnesota's state fish for 35 years, closed June 2. The end of a lease, a slowdown in business since COVID, steep price increases, a dip in foot traffic on Grand Avenue, and personal transitions for the family members who own the restaurant all were considerations. Read our coverage here.
• i.e.-Italian Eatery / Un Dito (4724 Cedar Av. S., Mpls., italianeatery.com) i.e. and its sister restaurant, Un Dito, have closed. Eric Carrara, who co-owns the restaurant with his spouse, Vanessa, said the decision was due to several factors, but "It's nothing bad." Read our coverage here.
• Peppers and Fries (3900 E. Lake St., Mpls., peppersandfries.com) The casual restaurant on E. Lake Street in Minneapolis' Longfellow neighborhood closed June 29 after almost a decade of great indoor-outdoor summer dining and selection of burgers and burritos. The silver lining is that the food truck will live on. Read our coverage here.
• AxeBridge Wine Co. (411 N. Washington Av., Mpls., axebridgewineco.com) The North Loop tasting room closed June 30, after a three-year run. The winery is shifting operations back to its sister location in Waconia, at Schram Vineyards, where the AxeBridge brand will live on.
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  Tattesall Distilling cocktail room (1620 Central Av. NE., Mpls., tattersalldistilling.com) One of Minneapolis' first distillery taprooms will close at the end of the year. Tattersall co-founder Jon Kreidler said that Tattersall will be looking for other Minnesota options for its cocktail room and distillery (it also operates a distillery, cocktail room and restaurant in River Falls, Wis.). Read our coverage here.

May 2024

• Openings
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  Starling (4917 Eden Av., Edina, starlingmn.com) Jester Concepts, the restaurant group behind P.S. Steak and Butcher & the Boar, has opened its first suburban restaurant in Edina. Opened May 1. Read our coverage here.
• LBC on the Lake (Antlers Park, Lakeville) Lakeville's Antlers Park has been redeveloped and includes a place to buy food and beverages — and that building will take the form of two 40-foot shipping containers sitting side by side. The walk-up food and beverage counter from Lakeville Brewing Co. sells burgers, fish tacos, beer and wine. Lakeville Brewing has a brewpub in downtown Lakeville and also owns Inver Grove Brewing in Inver Grove Heights. Opened May 2024. Read our coverage here.
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  Qamaria (3 LIttle Canada Rd., Little Canada, 651-219-5973, qamariacoffee.com) Since its opening May 4, lines have been out the door for Minnesota's first outpost of this Yemeni coffeeshop. According to staff in the Little Canada location, plans to expand to other Twin Cities suburbs are in the works. Read our coverage here.
• Spice Shack (121 S. 8th St., Mpls., spiceshackus.com) The downtown Minneapolis skyway has a new Spice Shack. With locations in Fridley, Bloomington and St. Paul, the mini-chain serves Indian fare, including chicken tikka, samosas, fresh naan and carrot halwa.
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  Hodgepodge (38 Northern Stacks Dr., Fridley, hodgepodgeeats.com) The team behind the successful recipe website Fit Foodie Finds has opened a food-truck in partnership with Forgotten Star Brewing. Read our coverage here.
• Minne's on Glenwood (1825 Glenwood Av., Mpls., facebook.com/p/Minnes-on-Glenwood-100083926879441) The restaurant, which started as a food truck and expanded into the permanent location earlier this year, held a reopening celebration May 4. The Harrison neighborhood spot serves floats, Chicago dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings and more.
• Staff Meeting (2819 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., eatstreetcrossing.com) Las Vegas chef Louross Edralin opened Staff Meeting May 4 in the space that formerly belonged to Ramen Shoten, at Eat Street Crossing food hall. Edralin recently held a pop-up in that location as a test drive of ideas. The restaurant is inspired by the post-service food adventures he'd take his restaurant crew on late at night.
• Corner Coffee (905 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., corner.coffee) Corner Coffee has opened its fifth location in the former Coconut Whisk spot. The first Coffee Corner opened back in 2007, and now there are locations in Northeast, Camden, Uptown and the North Loop. The shop's menu includes coffee drinks, beans and limited snacks.
• Bom Día Treats (251 1st Av. N., Mpls., bomdiatreats.com) The smoothie bowl pop-up that's been operating inside St. Paul's Quixotic Coffee has landed a new full-time location in the North Loop. Opened May 25.
• Sizzle Street (813 Marketplace Dr., Waconia, sizzlestreet.co) Founded by brothers Tirlochan and Paramjit Mand, the restaurant blends Punjabi cuisine with American dishes. On the menu are alu fries, French fries seasoned with Indian spices; Punjabi-stuffed papad, described as a papad quesadilla with shredded cheese, pico, fried onions and potatoes; and tikka pizza topped with masala sauce, onions, bell pepper and tomatoes. There are also vindaloos, korma, plenty of vegetarian options and more.
• Fitchn (1024 Washington Av. S., Mpls., instagram.com/fitchn_) This daily cafe in Bridgewater Lofts has a menu of salads, pita sandwiches, grain bowls, fresh juices and smoothies.
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  Convention Grill (3912 Sunnyside Rd., Edina, conventiongrillmn.com) After more than four years on a pandemic-induced hiatus, the Convention Grill in Edina officially reopened May 8 for burgers, malts and nostalgia. Read our coverage here.
• Chez Annalise (6001 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., chezannalise.com) This new bakery bills itself as Minnesota's first "cannabakery," thanks to one key baking ingredient derived from the hemp plant, cannabidiol. Read our coverage here.
• Broadway Bar & Pizza (7890 Main St., Maple Grove, broadwaypizza.com) Maple Grove's former Max's on Main has become a Broadway Bar & Pizza. But they're be slinging more than just dough at the new spot. The thin-crust mainstay also houses an axe-throwing space courtesy of Broadaxe. Opened May 2024.
• Mi Pueblo Mexican Bar & Grill (2281 Commerce Blvd., Mound, mipueblomin.com) The fourth location of this Mexican restaurant recently opened in Mound. The other locations are in Eden Prairie, Lakeville and Mankato.
• Closings
• Daddy-O's Cafe (709 NW. Main St., Elk River) Elk River's ode to the 1950s, Daddy-O's Cafe, closed May 24. Daddy O's had been flipping burgers, serving malts and frothing over those 1919 Root Beer floats for 58 years.
• Protagonist Kitchen & Bar (6601 Lyndale Av. S., Richfield) The restaurant, from the owners of the Richfield institution Sandy's Tavern, opened in January 2022 in a former Houlihan's and quickly drew buzz for its Big Mac-esque smash burger, brisket poutine and other neighborhood restaurant staples. It closed May 21.

April 2024

• Openings
• Punch Pizza (5799 W. 16th St., St. Louis Park, punchpizza.com) The local Neapolitan pizza chain opened a new location near the Costco in St. Louis Park April 30. That makes a dozen locations in the Twin Cities for distinctive Italian-style pizzas that are cooked in just 90 seconds.
• Jellybean & Julia's (2501 Coon Rapids Blvd. NW, Coon Rapids, jellybeanandjulias.com) The restaurant that had already grown out of a food truck has moved from Anoka to Coon Rapids, into the space that was formerly Grumpy's, with expanded square footage and the opportunity for a full bar. While it's now up and running, the smoker hasn't arrived yet, so expect sandwiches for now, with barbecue to come in the future.
• 

  
  Diane's Place (117 14th Av. NE., Mpls., dianesplacemn.com) Celebrated Minneapolis pastry chef Diane Moua has opened her first independent restaurant. The cuisine draws on her Hmong heritage and French training and expands her cooking realm beyond pastry and into savory dishes. Opened April 2024. Read our coverage here.
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  Chilango (2730 W. Lake St., Mpls., chilangomextex.com) Jorge Guzmán, the chef/owner behind the three-star Minneapolis restaurant Petite León, has opened Chilango with partner Zach Sussman. The name comes from Guzmán's birthplace; Chilango is the word for someone born in Mexico City. The restaurant offers "elevated 'Mex-Tex," and takes over the Urban Eatery space in the historic Beach Club Residences on Bde Maka Ska. Opened April 18. Read our coverage here.
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  Coastal Dive Bar & Oyster Palace (286 Snelling Av., St. Paul, coastalseafoods.com) Coastal Seafoods moved late last year to a new location in St. Paul, and in April, added a cafe seating up to 30 guests. It has many of the dishes beloved at the Minneapolis location, including lobster rolls, fish and chips, tuna smash burger, and the addition of a raw bar and poke. A canned beer, wine and cocktail program will eventually accompany the seafood selections. Read our coverage here.
• Picnic (4307 Upton Av. S., Mpls., picniclindenhills.com) A new lunch and dinner restaurant and bar has opened in the Linden Hills neighborhood inside the former Clancey's location. Menu centerpieces include picnic boards, sandwiches and cozy entrees like a cheesy lasagna served in a bowl. Read our coverage here.
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  Chimborazo (508 Lexington Pkwy. S., St. Paul, chimborazorestaurant.com) After 15 years of ceviche, platanos and saltado in Minneapolis, the city's beloved Ecuadorian restaurant Chimborazo has opened a second location, this time in St. Paul, in a former Rusty Taco. Opened April 22. Read our coverage here.
• Wrap (520 N. 4th St., Mpls., grazenorthloop.com) The team behind Wrecktangle has taken over the stand formerly occupied by Avocadish at Graze food hall with a concept devoted to wrap sandwiches.
• Southern Social (1424 Weir Dr., Woodbury, southernsocialmn.com ) Southern Social has opened a second location in Woodbury. The new restaurant, like the Eagan original, focuses on Southern food and bourbon drinks. With a menu that spans lunch and dinner, dishes include classic comforts like hush puppies, fried chicken, shrimp and grits and the like.
• Marma (11127 Stillwater Blvd., Lake Elmo, marmamn.com) Marma is now open inside the former No Neck Tony's in Lake Elmo. The sleek new spot is the work of chefs Max Basaker and Marcus Clark. On the menu are dishes with flavors from around the globe, including a crispy Bengal chicken sandwich, Thai chili noodles, spaghetti Genovese and rib-eye with chimichurri.
• Manila Sizzling Plate (Burnsville Center, 1178 Burnsville Center, Burnsville, facebook.com/ManilaSWG) Manila Sizzling Plate opened inside Burnsville Center April 20. The Filipino eatery was last seen on University Avenue in St. Paul, where it operated as Manila Sizzling Wok & Grill; the new location is in the mall's food court. Expect to find popular dishes like pork sisig, the juicy, chopped bits of meat; lumpia, stuffed with goodies inside a thin and crisp wrapper; and lechon, the succulent pork with crispy skin.
• Closings
• Soul to Soul Smokehouse (920 E. Lake St., Mpls., midtownglobalmarket.org) Owned by brothers Jewuan Marshall and Charles Robinson, Soul to Soul opened in May 2021 with a mission to serve the soul of Minneapolis with the food they've been cooking since childhood. The Midtown Global Market stand closed April 27.
• Hark Cafe (430 1st Av. N., Mpls., harkcafe.com) The vegan, gluten-free cafe in the Warehouse District closed April 28, transitioning to a commercial kitchen/catering operation. Read our coverage here.
• Ramen Shoten (2819 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., eatstreetcrossing.com) The ramen-centric restaurant from chef John Ng and Lina Goh inside Eat Street Crossing, closed April 28. Read our coverage here.
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  Fool Me Once (3006 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls.) Fool Me Once, which described itself as a "cosmic cantina" at the intersection of Lyndale and Lake Street in Minneapolis, closed abruptly at the end of April. Read our coverage here.

March 2024

• Openings
• Eggflip (601 Marquette Av., Mpls., instagram.com/eggflip.mn) A skyway-level breakfast sandwich shop has taken over the old Taco John's, with a menu that includes a Spam sandwich with an over-medium egg and cheese, a scrambled egg sandwich with avocado, and bowls for a gluten-free option.
• Klassics Kitchen + Cocktails (428 S. 2nd St., Mpls.) In addition to opening the breakfast and lunch spot C.R.E.A.M Cafe in the former Smith & Porter space, Gerard and Brittney Klass have opened a lunch and evening option at the neighboring restaurant space with flavors from Klass's Guyanese heritage, crab boil wings and oxtail sliders. Opened March 2024. Read our coverage here.
• Pink Ivy (712 Mainstreet, Hopkins, https://pinkivymn.com) Michael and Viorica Shaughnessy opened a new restaurant focusing on vegetable-forward global flavors, after previously operated Advellum Vegetable Eatery inside the Market at Malcolm Yards food hall. Opened March 2024 inside the former Cam Ranh Bay location. Read our coverage here.
• A Bar of Their Own (2207 E. Franklin Av., Mpls., abaroftheirown.com) A Bar of Their Own opened in the former Tracy's Saloon in Minneapolis' Seward neighborhood with plenty of screens for women's sports. Food is traditional sports bar food — including the famous wings from Tracy's, robust N/A options and more than token options for those eating vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free. Opened March 1 — just in time for the Big 10 women's basketball tournament, which was held in Minneapolis. Read our coverage here.
• Treats (316 N. 2nd St., Mpls., treatsmn.com) Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood is now home to a third Treats, the cereal-infused ice cream and boba shop from sibling partners Trisha Seng and Minh Dinh. Treats is one of two businesses on the retail level of the under-construction Intersect apartment building. In addition to boba and frozen goods, the new location also serves waffles mixed with cereal, plus hot chocolate, matcha lattes, brown sugar milk teas and more. The other two locations are on St. Paul's Grand Avenue and in Blaine.
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  Keefer Court (Asia Mall, Eden Prairie, keefercourt.com) Minneapolis' iconic Chinese bakery is now open in Eden Prairie, on the first floor of Asia Mall, between Pho Mai and Home Taste. The sesame balls are back. Beloved for affordable bites and sweet treats, the 40-year-old bakery has returned to the Twin Cities dining scene just over a year since it closed. Read our coverage here.
• TokiDoki Burger (3406 Nicollet Av., Mpls., instagram.com/tokidoki.burger) Ramen Kazama's chef/owner Yuichiro Matthew Kazama opened a burgers shop right next to the ramen shop. The menu is inspired by Japanese McDonald's, where teriyaki burgers and tonkatsu cutlets are served with rice. Opened March 1.
• Treats (314 N. 2nd St., Mpls., treatsmn.com) The boba and cereal ice cream shop opened a new location on March 16 in the North Loop. Other Treats locations are in Blaine, on Grand Avenue in St. Paul, and a forthcoming one at Mall of America.
• Young's Korean Barbecue (2125 4th St., White Bear Lake, youngswbl.com) A new Korean barbecue spot opened March 15 in downtown White Bear Lake with a menu that offers classics like bibimbap and katsu and even a kids' menu. The restaurant has moved into the former Burger Bar location.
• Vitalist by Sarah H (4016 Shoreline Dr., Spring Park, vitalistsuperfood.com) The former fine-dining restaurant Vann has transformed into a new vegan, gluten-free cafe, with a menu of foods built around nutrient density from chef/owner Sarah Ann Haugen. Opened March 14. Read our coverage here.
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  Slice Watch Bar (400 N. Wabasha St., St. Paul, slicebrothersusa.com) There's a new Slice in town as Adam Kado and Hosie Thurmond have opened their latest pizza venture in downtown St. Paul's Treasure Island Center. Slice Watch Bar is the duo's fifth location, featuring plenty of TVs for fans to catch games, and a patio. Read our coverage here.
• Closings
• Apoy (4301 Nicollet Av., Mpls., apoympls.com) After five years of adobo and pancit on Nicollet Avenue and 43rd Street, Apoy closed March 23. The bright spot in the sad news is that Apoy will revive its food truck some time after closing. Brothers Sherwin Resurreccion and Shawn Nafstad opened the restaurant in the fall of 2018 as one of the few sit-down Filipino restaurants in the metro area. "The Minnesotan palate has evolved," Resurreccion said at the time.
• Coconut Whisk Cafe (905 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., coconutwhiskcafe.com) The Nicollet Mall cafe for boba, vegan and gluten-free foods, closed at the end of March. Originally a farmers market product, it opened as a cafe in May 2021. Read our coverage here.
• Tori 44 (2203 N. 44th St., Mpls.) Tori 44 in Minneapolis' Victory neighborhood, which centered its restaurant around its vegan and chicken-based ramen broths for the past six years, closed in March. The announcement came via social media saying, "It's become untenable to noodle around any longer," and that "new adventures await." The silver lining is that chef/owner Jason Dorweiler's second Tori, on W. 7th Street in St. Paul, remains open.
• Momento (360 St. Peter St., St. Paul) Morrissey Hospitality's Mediterranean-styled Momento, which replaced the popular Pazzaluna about a year ago, closed in March, shortly after a menu and concept refresh. The company has scrapped the restaurant altogether in favor of using the address as an event space.
• McCoy's Public House (3801 Grand Way, St. Louis Park, mccoysmn.com) The Excelsior and Grand fixture since 2003 celebrated one last St. Patrick's Day, closing at the end of March. Marty Collins and his late father, Tom, founded the St. Louis Park restaurant and bar in 2003. Read our coverage here.
• Fly Chix (309 SE. Oak St., Mpls., fly-chix.com) Stadium Village's go-to for fried chicken, Fly Chix, has flown its coop at International Plaza. The restaurant is packing up to move to a new, undisclosed location that has a bigger kitchen and more space for more chicken fingers. Keep an eye on their social media for a new address announcement soon. Closed March 28.
• Black Coffee and Waffle Bar (1500 Como Av. SE., Mpls.) The business closed its original location March 17, while its outposts in Rosedale Center and on Marshall Avenue in St. Paul will continue to serve coffee and a variety of sweet- and savory-topped waffles.

February 2024

• Openings
• 

  
  Gia (5555 Xerxes Av. S., Mpls., giampls.com) Chef Jo Seddon's restaurant, which ran as a seasonal pop-up at Sovereign Winery overlooking Lake Waconia, offers fresh, seasonal cooking inspired by travels in Italy and southern France. Seddon, originally from London, walked away from a career as a doctor and into the kitchen as a professional chef. She cooked locally at Bellecour before launching Gia as an outdoor eatery. Now, she and co-owner, chef Lisa Wengler have taken it brick-and-mortar. Opened Feb. 6. Read our coverage here.
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  Berlin (204 N. 1st St., Mpls., berlinmpls.com) At this new music club, former Grand Café proprietor Jamie Malone oversees a mostly snacks-style menu that includes a vesper board, prawn skewers and baked gnocchi, plus some true German touches such as chicken schnitzel and pretzels. The drink menu is being run by Ruby Langworthy, previously of Young Joni. Its decidedly "un-fussy" offerings include martinis, old fashioneds, Sazeracs and Negronis — all $12 (modest by North Loop standards). Read our coverage here.
• Itton Ramen & Japanese Street Food (1000 County Rd. 42, Burnsville, ittonramen.com) Itton Ramen & Japanese Street Food just opened its second location. The original restaurant opened just over a year ago in Bloomington (2137 W. 80th ½ St.) with a bright and lively dining room and Hakata-style Tonkotsu soup by head chef Sam Lin. Both locations are open daily for lunch and dinner.
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  Bebe Zito (Woodbury Lakes, 9120 Hudson Rd., Woodbury, bebezitomn.com ) Woodbury Lakes is home to the first suburban location for Bebe Zito, the scoop shop from Gabriella Grant-Spangler and Ben Spangler. The new location at the suburban outdoor shopping center, located at the Interstate 494-94 interchange, also includes a lounge area and private event space. Opened Feb. 9. Read our coverage here.
• Càphin Mpls (4503 France Av. S., Mpls., caphinmpls.com) Vietnamese coffee has come to the former Jinx Tea/Folly Coffee shop in Linden Hills. Càphin (pronounced "caffeine") started as a food truck parked at the Mill City, Northeast and Midtown Farmers Markets, where they have brewed up ube matcha, drinks with pandan or salted caramel cold foam, and egg coffee. Opened Feb. 2024. Read our coverage here.
• Dave's Hot Chicken (1959 Ford Pkwy., St. Paul, daveshotchicken.com) The former Dairy Queen on Ford Parkway in St. Paul has made way for the newest location of Dave's Hot Chicken. Franchised by the Humphries family, which includes former NBA player and Golden Gopher Kris Humphries, the newest location is one of 16 planned for the metro area. The state's first Dave's Hot Chicken opened in at 1805 Plymouth Road in Minnetonka this summer with a menu of spicy fried chicken fingers in various configurations and an array sides.
• Cafe Ceres (4603 Minnehaha Av. S., Mpls., cafeceresmpls.com) The bakery and cafe from James Beard Award-nominated chef Shawn McKenzie and Daniel del Prado has opened another location on the first floor of the Wakpada Apartments building.
• Nico's Tacos and Tequila Bar (4949 Penn Av. S., Mpls., 612-216-1188, nicostacobar.com) This is the third location for Jenna and Alejandro Victoria's Mexican restaurant and agave. Alejandro's cuisine is going further into his Michoacán roots, and the kitchen staff is working on the onsite nixtamalization of corn for tortillas.
• SunBean Coffee (4553 34th Av. S., Mpls., sunbeancoffeemn.com) The new shop is the work of Fred and Annie DuBose, who used crowdfunding and a lot of elbow grease to open the shop. In addition to being a great place to get a cup, the DuBoses have a mission to provide training and mentorship for youth "with barriers to employment" as well as supporting just wages and conditions for coffee farmers and partnering with BIPOC- and women-owned food vendors."
• Closings
• Hell's Cafeteria (80 S. 9th St., Mpls., hellskitcheninc.com) The lunch tray-led quick-serve spot in downtown Minneapolis, sister to full-service Hell's Kitchen, has closed. The spot, aimed at returning lunch crowds post-COVID, opened in 2022. The employee-owned company is shifting gears to focus on the full-service restaurant instead.
• Pannekoeken Huis (4995 Excelsior Blvd., St. Louis Park, pannekoekenhuisslpmn.com) The metro area's last Pannekoeken Huis closed at the end of February. Opened in 1999 as a franchise of the now-defunct Edina-based Sytje's Pannekoeken Huis Family Restaurants Inc., the restaurant built its brunch and breakfast menu and reputation around the puffy Dutch-style pancakes, which were delivered to tables with fanfare. Read our coverage here.
• Galactic Pizza (2917 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., galacticpizza.com) After a 20-year run on Lyndale Avenue, Galactic Pizza has closed. The pizzeria was founded in 2004 by Peter Bonahoom, and New Jersey native John Wackerman bought it in 2017. Galactic Pizza was notable for its commitment to the environment. Delivery workers dressed as their own lo-fi costumed superheroes, winging from store to doorstep in weather-dependent three-wheeled electric cars. Read our coverage here.

January 2024

• Openings
• Scratch Pizzeria (3450 Pilot Knob Rd., Eagan, 952-866-1080, scratchpizzeria.com) The former owner of Cooper's in Eagan branches out with pizza, pasta and more in a space that once housed a Leeann Chin.
• Minnesota Burger Company (14883 Florence Trail, Apple Valley, 952-431-1497, minnesotaburgercompany.com) In a game of restaurant musical chairs, the Farmer & the Fishmonger has moved in with its sister restaurant across the street, Pizzeria Social -- making room here for a new sibling devoted to all things burgers.
• Nico's Tacos and Tequila Bar (4959 Penn Av. S., Mpls., 612-216-1188, nicostacobar.com) Nearly a decade after opening the first Nico's on Hennepin Avenue in Uptown, owners Jenna and Alejandro Victoria took over the former Tinto Kitchen to open Nicos' third location. Chef Alejandro delves into his Michoacán Mexican heritage for the menus, for tacos, agave and nixtamal offerings. Opened Jan. 2024.
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  Bûcheron (4257 Nicollet Av., Mpls., bucheronrestaurant.com) The former chef de cuisine at Demi, Adam Ritter, has opened a place of his own with his wife and partner, Jeanie Janas Ritter. Bûcheron opened Jan. 9 in Minneapolis' Kingfield neighborhood. The snug 38-seater is inspired by the Parisian "bistronomy" movement, where restaurants elevate simple bistro dishes with high-level gastronomic technique, allowing chefs to get a little less fancy, a little less fussy, and a little more in touch with the ingredients. Read our coverage here.
• Andiamo (80 N. Snelling Av., St. Paul, andiamomn.com) An Italian restaurant is open in a former Buffalo Wild Wings. The menu lists some saucy pastas: spaghetti, penne and more, along with a few pizzas and an all-you-can-eat soup and salad lunch combo. It joins two other locations, in Eagan and Woodbury. Opened Jan. 2024.
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  Mr. Paul's Po'boys and Jams/Revival Smoked Meats (Market at Malcolm Yards, 501 30th Av. SE., Mpls., malcolmyards.market) Two new vendors have joined the food hall lineup at the Market at Malcolm Yards in January, and both are beloved Twin Cities eateries. Mr. Paul's Po'boys and Jams and Revival Smoked Meats claimed the two available stands at the bustling market near the University of Minnesota. Read our coverage here.
• Ono Hawaiian Plates (2015 E. 24th St., Mpls., onohawaiianplates.com) Chef Warren Seta and business/life partner Jess Kelley have expanded the reach of their Ono Hawaiian Plates by opening a sit-down and takeout location within United Noodles Jan. 20. Ono's North Loop Galley location, at 729 N. Washington Av., Mpls., remains open. Read our coverage here.
• Dario (323 N. Washington Av., Mpls., dariorestaurant.com) Chef Joe Rolle and bartender Stephen Rowe opened Dario Jan. 26 in the former Dalton and Wade restaurant in Minneapolis' North Loop. The menu centers on pastas made with imported Italian flours, star-worthy vegetables, several a la carte proteins, and beverages to complement them all. Read our coverage here.
• Smorgie's (150 N. Smith Av., St. Paul, smorgiesbar.com) The name Smorgie's is a cute shortening of smorgasbord, and the menu is stacked with all kinds of comforting bites. In addition to the set items, each month a crowd-submitted dish — like something out of grandma's recipe box — will be featured. The restaurant, across W. 7th Street from Xcel Energy Center, is already looking like the perfect spot to grab a drink and affordable bite before this summer's Pink concert. Read our coverage here.
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  Bina's (1404 NE. Quincy St., Mpls.) A new bar, a twist on the classic dive bar, from Centro Restaurant Group, was named as a tribute to owner Jami Olson's grandparents. Bina's occupies 2,800 square feet right next to Olson's first restaurant, Centro. Comfort food comes from the fryer and includes a sandwich built from chicken fingers, baskets of mozzarella sticks and burgers, but there's also vegan sloppy joes and snacks like Nordeast sushi and deviled eggs garnished with chips. Read our coverage here.
• Parcelle Organics (223 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls., parcelleorganics.com) Kamal Mohamed, the restaurateur behind Stepchld and Nashville Coop, brings an "organic clean eating cafe" to the former New Bohemia space in northeast Minneapolis. A Wesley Andrews coffee counter is also in the mix. Opened Jan. 2024.
• C.R.E.A.M Cafe (428 S. 2nd St., Mpls.) A new coffee and tea shop is now open in the Mill District of downtown Minneapolis, courtesy of the proprietors behind Soul Bowl, Gerard and Brittney Klass. C.R.E.A.M Cafe — it stands for "coffee rules everything around me" — takes over part of the former Smith & Porter space at 428 S. 2nd St. Barista-brewed coffee drinks and flights, shaken teas, breakfast and lunch are on offer Sundays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• My Burger (Edina) (4945 W. 77th St., Edina, myburgerusa.com) A new development in Edina has a new burger joint. Locally grown chain My Burger is opening its ninth store at the intersection of Highway 100 and W. 77th St., in Pentagon Village. This is the fourth new My Burger since 2019, and CEO John Abdo has designs on doubling the company's growth in the Midwest in the years ahead. In Edina, expect the usual burger joint fare, including burgers, fries and malts. Opened Jan. 3.
• Blackwater Coffee & Cafe (150 S. 5th St., Mpls.; 11210 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka, blackwatercc.com ) The Maple Plain-based shop has expanded to a former Caribou in downtown Minneapolis and to Minnetonka. Read our coverage here.
• SK Coffee (50 S. 6th St., Mpls., skcoffeeplease.com) SK Coffee has opened a third coffee shop (its first is in Vandalia Tower in St. Paul; the second opened in Minneapolis' Whittier neighborhood earlier this year). Notably, it takes over a former skyway Caribou Coffee in downtown Minneapolis' 50 South Sixth Building. Read our coverage here.
• Closings
• First Draft Tap Haus/Burnt Chicken (324 6th Av. N., Mpls.) The pour-your-own beer business closed Jan. 31 after a six-year run. In 2022, Chef Bernard Collins opened Burnt Chicken inside its kitchen. With the loss of First Draft, Collins is on the hunt for a new location for his fried chicken restaurant.
• Arepa Bar (Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake St., Mpls., arepabarmpls.com) Chef Soleil Ramirez (Crasqui) closed her first Minneapolis restaurant, in the Midtown Global Market, at the end of January. The good news is that her arepas, cheesy tequeños and crispy little empanadas will still be available. Ramirez said she's moving Arepa Bar into a new phase — catering — that will include online ordering and event opportunities. The new era will launch in March. Read our coverage here.
• Khue's Kitchen at Bar Brava (1914 Washington av. N., Mpls., khueskitchen.com) Eric Pham's longstanding residency inside the wine bar ended Jan. 13, and he is hinting at big changes coming soon — which we're hoping is a new restaurant. Pham is part of the family that runs the iconic Minneapolis restaurant Quang's, and he opened Khue's Kitchen, named for his mother, as a ghost kitchen. Khue's extended Bar Brava residency began in late 2022. No word yet on who will take the kitchen space next — or where we'll find Khue's Kitchen. Read our coverage here.
• Salut Bar Americain (917 Grand Av., St. Paul, salutbaramericain.com) The Parasole-owned Grand Avenue French bistro closed Jan. 8. Gift cards will be honored at other Parasole restaurants, including Manny's and Pittsburgh Blue, as well as the Salut in Edina (5034 France Av. S., Edina), which remains open. Read our coverage here.