It's Fresh Forkin' Friday duuuuuude. And it's April 20, which means it is a snacking and munching food holiday! I think food trucks should be prepared for the zombie squads looking for sustenance, I think given the sunny day the line at Sea Salt (clam fries!) might be a bit slower, and maybe you just want to avoid the taco shops. I love the way that the Donut Cooperative is smartly embracing and supporting the holiday, among today's donut flavors: chocolate butterscotch potato chip, root beer float, oreo/m&m/marshmallow, and chocolate malt. Plus, there are some interesting deals for anyone who checks in at 4:20. Now that's knowing your customer.*****
OPENS
Lisa Hanson's Mona Restaurant & Bar opened this week in the former Black Bamboo space in downtown Minny. The small but stylish place is giving out an old-world vibe, but the small plate menu is all modern American. Ramp hummus, twisted chicken and waffles, pork belly pancakes, and the like.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi opens today at the Lagoon Cinema. It's the story of food, art, family, and perfection and it has received rave reviews across the board. Go and expect to leave hungry. And humbled.
Tin Fish is open as of today! Bread & Pickle is open too!
Oh yeah, Rodizio Grill opens in Maple Grove today for you gaucho-lovin' meat friends.
COMING SOON
Fish n' chips are going mobile when Anchor launches its food truck during Art-a-Whirl. Expect fish, meat and veggie pasties, battered sausage, and those damn curry fries among the goods.
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Dining Out for Life is happening on Thursday, April 26 and there are more that 180 places participating in support of the Aliveness Project. Here's an idea, start at Firelake, which is donating 50 percent of breakfast proceeds, lunch at Blackbird, which is donating 40 percent, then pop into Toast Wine Bar, which is donating 50 percent of dinner.
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Seward Co-op's CSA fair is happening this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Get out there and grill those farmers on what they plan to put in their packs. You should be armed with questions about the cubic ton of kale you'll get, how to get a hold of them when you need advice on black radishes, and if you can drop your kids off at the farm for a day of work. Someone's gotta learn them.
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Whatever your relationship to gluten (free, sensitive, exploring ... no judgement) you might want to check out this weekend's Gluten-Free Round Up at the Lakewinds Co-ops. The stores themselves stock more than 1,700 GF products, and this weekend there will be discussions and events to support your queries.
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I honestly don't know if there are any seats left, but if you are a morel-i-phile (a mycophagist?) you will want to dial up Don Saunders at In Season for the morel dinner he is hosting in conjunction with Jim Kyndberg (formerly the king of morel dinners at Bayport). It's all happening on May 12-20 with six courses running $70 per guest. Get on it.
