
Photo courtesy St. Paul Winter Carnival

Salsa a la Salsa has opened in the former Boneyard space in Uptown. With two other locations, one in the MGM and one on Eat Street, they already have the street cred to bring authentic family recipe Mexican food and slick margaritas to the 'hood. (Why is everyone bringing us tacos all of a sudden? Bygones.)
The Wedge Co-op has a new venture. Let's welcome The Wedge Table, open for business next week. The cafe and market is attached to their new Eat Street facility on 24th and Nicollet. You'll be able to dine in or take out your soups, salads, and sandwiches as well as freshly made burritos and other hot entrees. There's aslo a quick market to pick up needs, and a community room for your book club (which can finally get fun as there is beer/wine/cocktails available).

Porter & Frye has closed in the Hotel Ivy. There are rumblings, people, of something interesing afoot . . .

Dan Oskey, bartender to the stars, is throwing his last bar party (for a while) this weekend at Hola Arepa. That's because he's leaving to open his own distillery, Tattersall, with a childhood chum. Go see him and let him pour booze down your throat.
Apparently, Naf Naf Grill (fun to say, no?) is coming to town. Those cheeky pita pushers (Get Your Naf On) are opening their first MN stores in Eden Prairie (Southwest Station), Maple Grove (former Houlihan's) and my building, US Bank Plaza (in that way former Burger King on ground level). It's a fresh and modern Middle Eastern concept with pita, falafel, and shawarma.

This Weekend
Beer Dabbler still has some tickets for this weekend's big snowy beer slosh at the State Fair! Don't miss your chance to see the new coliseum digs, which will be packed with cheese and meat, for the win.
If you're heading to Crashed Ice in St. Paul this weekend, don't forget to give the locals a little love: Red Cow is a hot spot to stop, the new Salt Cellar might be a little jammed, but there's always Moscow on the Hill for vodka warmth, and W.A. Frost for great fireplace action.
Winter Carnival has officially kicked off!! There are ice bars, food trucks, ice skating, and all sorts of good fun happening all over Capitol City, don't miss it!