Mucci and Scena Push Back Opening and More in the Food News Crib Sheet

—We'll have to hold off on tying on the napkins for just a bit longer. Tim Niver is holding off on opening his modestly-sized red sauce joint in Saint Paul until 2016. Mucci will have Chris Uhrich running the kitchen (and if you follow him on Instagram, you can see the menu developments are quite tantalizing. Also, his new baby is adorable.) Until then, he teases there may be a pop up. This tactic worked well for his other new restaurant, Saint Dinette. Patience can pay off.

we've decided to open Mucci's just after the new year. Maybe a POP UP and some holiday lasagna instead?

— HOT LINE BLING (@tniver) November 5, 2015

—Stephanie March of Mpls./St. Paul Magazine reports that Scena Tavern has pushed back opening to the public, as well. The restaurant (also owned by Paul Dzubner who is a part of yesterday's opening Harriet's Inn) has a super star team of consultants that includes chefs Erik Anderson and Jamie Malone, plus a bar program being put together by Bittercube. Marc Paavola will helm the kitchen which should begin serving us the first week of December. Mittened fingers are crossed this is true.

—Last night was City Pages 10th Annual Iron Fork culinary competition. Corner Table's team of Kyle Bultinck and Jared Storseth brought home the win, solidifying a hot streak of food battles for the South Minneapolis restaurant that began with the national pig cooking championship at Cochon 555.

—Taco Cat is expanding inside Midtown Global Market. The bike delivery palindrome will occupy part of the space vacated by El Burrito Mercado. The location is just down the hall from Kitchen in the Market, the commercial kitchen space that they had been working out of. Finally, those without a delivery address can get their hands on the grub. The owners are also plotting a menu expansion. The space should open before the end of the year.