Wilde Roast Cafe adding a full bar

Like a lot of Wilde Roast fans, I walked into the riverfront café recently and almost yelled out: "Where's the gelato counter?!" Calm down, it simply moved across the entry way. In its old spot is something even better: a shiny new bar. That's right: By early May, the Wilde Roast Cafe will have in its possession a full liquor license. In the meantime, they're putting the finishing touches on the black granite bar, which will have eight all-local tap beers and a cocktail program when finished (there are some photos on Facebook). Co-owner Dean Schlaak said he's looking to hire a mixologist to put a spin on some Prohibition-era drinks. "We call them 'Wilde' versions of the classics," he said. He already has a name for the bar's standard martini: the Dorian Gray Goose Martini.

Schlaak is hoping to start serving from the new bar by May 8 or 9. Wilde Roast will stay open later on weekends (probably midnight). The café will also debut a revamped food menu (adding pastas). The full gelato counter will be up and running around that time too (currently, you can get gelato from the coffee counter).

Wild Roast moved into its new (and much larger) location last summer. With the new bar, I'm thinking they might need to tweak the name. Maybe the Wilde Roast Cafe & Bar? "I hadn't really thought about that," Schlaak said. "But I suppose we should add something so we can get the word out."

Details: 65 SE. Main St., Mpls. 612-331-4544. www.wilderoastcafe.com

(Photo by Bre McGee)