Minneapolis's 5 Most Anticipated Fall Openings

Fall is a good time to be a diner in the Twin Cities, with openings coming from some of the biggest names in town: Don Saunders (see update below), Jim Christiansen, Jack Riebel, Thomas Kim, and both the Borough and the Travail crews. We're counting down the most exciting openings, with a few more of note. Here it is, a guide to everything you need to know about this year's biggest fall openings.

Have any news about an opening? A photo, a menu, an open date, a tidbit of gossip? Email the tipline and let us know.

6) Pearl (UPDATE BELOW)
Address: 5416 Penn Ave S.
The Players: Don Saunders
The Situation:: This summer, Don Saunders closed his South Minneapolis restaurant In Season to revamp it as Pearl, which will open this fall. The new space will offer a tasting menu only. Saunders—also the chef and owner of The Kenwood—is known for his French-influenced seasonal fare, which will likely be a focus of Pearl's menu.
Projected Opening: Late Fall
[All Coverage of Pearl]

UPDATE: Don Saunders has announced that he will not be opening Pearl and will instead be focusing his energy on his other restaurant, The Kenwood.

5) Heyday
Address: 2702 Lyndale Ave S.
The Players: Jim Christiansen, Loren Zinter
The Situation: In May, Jim Christiansen left his position as chef at Union to open Heyday in Uptown with Loren Zinter, former front-of-house manager at La Belle Vie. They've been working on the restaurant's concept for more than three years, but the food is still top secret. The space—which belonged to the now-departed Sunnyside Up Café and a laundromat at 27th and Lyndale—will also house a cocktail bar.
Projected Opening: Late Fall
[All Coverage of Heyday]

4) Triton
Address: 1610 Harmon Place
The Players: Jack Riebel, David Yusefzadeh, Joe Kaplan, Geoffrey Trelstad
The Situation: Joe Kaplan is stil the owner of the space formerly known as Joe's Garage, but it's getting a total makeover as Triton, with some star power from menu consultant Jack Riebel (of downtown's Butcher & the Boar). David Yusefzadeh (most recently of Smack Shack) is on board as the chef of the seafood-focused restaurant. Expect dishes like seafood sliders and oyster fritto misto, as well as cocktails from Geoffrey Trelstad, the manager of the cocktail program at the now-shuttered King and I Thai.
Projected Opening: Late Fall
[All Coverage of Triton]

3) Coup d'État
Address: Walkway Apartment Complex, 1320 W. Lake Street
The Players: Jester Concepts, ie the Borough team
The Situation: Located in the Walkway Apartment Complex (same ground as the former Cowboy Slim's), this 300-seat space will include a two-story dining space, a mezzanine lounge, outdoor seating, and a street-side window for picking up late-night eats. Owned by the team behind the North Loop's acclaimed Borough, the restaurant promises contemporary Mediterranean food and takes on classic cocktails.
Projected Opening: Late Fall
[All Coverage of Coup d'État]

2) The Rabbit Hole
Address: Midtown Global Market, 920 E. Lake Street
The Players: Thomas Kim, Kat Melgaard
The Situation: The team behind Midtown Global Market stand The Left-Handed Cook will be opening a sit-down restaurant this fall. The Rabbit Hole will also be located inside Midtown Global Market, but it will have its own enclosed space, featuring an open kitchen, a large communal table, and a Japanese charcoal grill. The menu will feature Korean-style double-fried chicken, duck fat mochi rice cakes, and short rib stew, as well as a selection of burgers and an emphasis on craft cocktails.
Projected Opening: Early October
[All Coverage of The Rabbit Hole]

1) Travail 2.0/The Rookery
Address: 4124 West Broadway, Robbinsdale
The Players: Bob Gerken, James Winberg, Mike Brown
The Situation: In late fall, the Travail crew will re-open their beloved and raved-about restaurant, just a few doors down from the original (now home to Pig Ate My Pizza). The Travail space will be shared with new venture The Rookery, which will focus on cocktails, sandwiches, and small plates.
Projected Opening: By Thanksgiving
[All Coverage of Travail]

Also of Note: Union will launch their seafood-focused restaurant-within-a-restaurant Union Fish Market on September 17. Hammer & Sickle Vodka Bar is bringing Eastern European food and vodka flights to Uptown in early October. The owners of the Strip Club start their Lowertown lease in November, if not earlier, but no word yet on when the restaurant will open. Hector Ruíz's Tangletown spot La Fresca is shooting to be open by October. Nico's Taco and Tequila Bar will open in the former Birdhouse/Duplex space in Uptown on September 3. Seventh Street Social will open its 170-seat space on St. Paul's West 7th in mid-September. And Blue Plate's entry into the North Loop—Loose-Wiles Freehouse—will open in early October.

· All Fall Tracking [Eater MPLS]