Guy holding up a drink at sunset.
This is that weird weekend. The one that's already seeing leaves turning and acorns on the street, but is also wicked hot. Some of us are pre-gaming for the State Fair, and some of us are cracking books and starting classes. Camps are over, vacation time has been used, and the end of half-day summer Fridays looms. And yet, there are still corn and brat feeds to attend, block parties to roll into, and ye olde fest for which to don the pantaloons. Huzzah.
OPENS
>> Popul Vuh is finally open in Nordeast. The finer dining Mexican restaurant was still under construction when its other half, taco shop Centro, opened last month. But now it's open and offering a short course tasting menu nightly. Starting with four courses for $45, they'll add an eight course option soon. Reservations are recommended, but the bar is first come first serve, and there's a sassy white wine from Baja that you should go order, right now.
>> Sweet Chow in North Loop has opened their ice cream shop addition. It's all small-batch scratch-made ice cream that loves cream, sugar, and eggs. And if you're a scoop shop and you don't have boozy floats, did it even happen?
>> Animales Barbeque Co. is the name of Jon Wipfli's bbq trailer parked next to Able Brewing. It's quietly open at 5 p.m. with a limited menu, if you're following the smell of beef ribs and brisket.
>> For more than a year, every Thursday night before this page gets in line to be pubbed, I've checked the Funky Grits page to see Dear God when they might open. No check required tonight, Jared Brewington's homage to creative soul cooking is open. Grits bowls, country ham sandwiches, a hoppin' john burger are all finally ready for you in South Minny.
>> Brick & Bourbon is now open in Maple Grove. Due to the takeover of the former Don Pablo's up there, this second location is much bigger than the original Stillwater spot. Grovers will likely flock for the smoky cocktails B&B has become known for—who doesn't love to smash a smoke-filled ice ball? But there's plenty of tavern fare, burgers, mac-n-cheese, and the like to take the edge off.
>> Happy day skyway eaters, Los Ocampo Express has opened their new Mpls. spot in City Center. It has a whole new and fresh look, with a gorgeous mural on one side and a living green wall on the other.
>> Meanwhile, Excelsior has a new bar. The Rebel Room is now open underneath Red Sauce Rebellion. The space had originally been intended as a jazz club by the former owners, but Eli Wollenzien brightened it up a bit and made it into a cocktail lounge. To celebrate the opening, you are invited to enjoy a free cocktail from their "short list" through the end of August.
>> Hyacinth opened up this week on Grand Ave., and it's rather lovely.
COMING SOON
>> Raghavan Iyer, who is our local master of Indian food and a James Beard Award winning cookbook author, is getting into the pizza game. Later this year Iyer will launch Pizza Karma in Eden Prairie. This is a tandoor oven story he's telling, global pizzas made on naan crust will come out of the clay-lined oven known as a tandoor. Top your own, or choose one of the house specialties: Tandoori Chicken Pizza with local, free-range chicken marinated in Greek yogurt, garlic, and freshly ground spices or Pulled Pork Pizza with hand-shredded pork simmered in a red chile cinnamon paste with a touch of vinegar and garlic. If what goes around, comes around ... this will be a smash hit.
NEWS
>> Spoon and Stable chalked up an incredible honor this week. Food & Wine named the North Loop restaurant to a published list of The 40 Most Important Restaurants in the Past 40 Years. The list includes icons such as Commander's Palace, Chez Panisse, Zuni Cafe, Spago, The French Laundry, and Alinea, among others. Heady stuff.
AGENDA
>> Gents and miladies, it's Ren Fest time again. This weekend kicks it off with a new theme, Buccaneer Beer Bash (read: drunk pirates). There's a first time Turkey Leg Trot 5K this Sunday and a new Battle Axe Throwing Pub. WHAT COULD GO WRONG? Weekends, now through Sept. 30.
>> The 15th Annual Corn and Brat Feed happens on Saturday at the Northeast Farmers Market. Throw in for the $12 meal deal that sports you a Kramaczuk's brat, some buttery sweet corn, and a fresh lemonade.
>> HOW has it been 10 years since Lift Bridge Brewery showed up and made us all fall madly in love with a braided and sassy Farm Girl Saison? Get out to Stillwater on Saturday for their birthday bash, where live music will pump all day, taps will flow, cigars will be rolled, axes tossed, and food trucks patronized. Think about getting a hotel.
>> If it's lakeside shenanigans you seek, check out the always buoyant Travail Lakeside Party on Saturday in Birdtown. Not only will there be so so much food and drink, and copious amounts of inflatable golf, but there will be a round of First Wrestling live and outside, and that stuff is fun. I'm not NOT betting that a Travailian or two will get in the ring.
>> I'm not mad at anyone who wants to start Oktoberfesting early, you have my permission to start this Sunday at Augtoberfest in Linden Hills. Tilia & Fulton puts on this block party every year and they get the best music (Solid Gold!) and the best nosh (Red Wagon Pizza and Terzo) and the best people. Tickets are $8, under 10s are free! Maybe you'll make a first stop at Linden Hills Farmers Market where Julia Child's Birthday Party with Lynne Rossetto Kasper is also always fun.
>> For something a little quieter, the Japanese Obon Festival is happening on Sunday at Como Conservatory. The traditional festival will have exhibitions, demonstrations, performances, and of course Japanese food vendors, all to enjoy before the lantern lighting at dusk. Love this.
>> Your dinner on Wednesday, Aug. 22 could be stuffed fried olives, grilled artichokes, baby octopus, and more if you come to the Naughty Citizen Dining Series: Harvest Dinner. See, Naughty Greek on University is heading around the corner to Dual Citizen Brewery and they are creating a collaboration beer dinner, because neighbors are fun. Each of those plates is paired with a house beer and the whole night will run you $45.
>> This usually sells out, so get on board for a little Kräftskiva Crayfish Party next Friday, Aug. 24 at ASI. A magical summer night awaits as you crush crayfish under the lanterns, with party hats, music, and dancing. Grab a bib, your ticket includes one shot of aquavit.
>> See what kind of good trouble you can get up to in the after hours of a coffee shop. Northern Coffeeworks is hosting their first dinner series on Fri. Aug. 24. At two seatings they'll serve a four-course dinner for $75 that includes meat, fish, and produce from local farm stars such as DragSmith, Twin Organics, Singing Hills Goat Dairy, and more. This might be a great dinner for those who want to stay away from the Fair as far as possible.
>> But for the rest of us, six more sleeps.
Photo from shutterstock.com
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