Parella Is Expected To Open Mid July

Here's hoping third time's the charm for this Uptown address on the corner of Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street. The space was home to Figlio for almost twenty years before before being remodeled and re-imagined by the Parasole restaurant group as Il Gato. The concept didn't catch on, despite chefs Tim McKee of La Belle Vie and Jim Christiansen (now a Food & Wine 2015 Best New Chef) running the kitchen. After Il Gato came the national chain Primebar, which did not last long. Reports say that there was extensive water damage left behind after Primebar vacated.

The space was stripped to the studs and is being reborn by restaurateur Michael Larson, who also owns Digby's in Roseville and chef Todd Macdonald who has returned to Minneapolis after a successful New York City career that included stints at Willow Road, Cru, and Bouley.

According to the restaurant's Facebook page, the restaurant is two weeks away from opening the doors (assuming all goes smoothly.) Test dishes include fresh pastas tossed in sauces that don't appear to skimp on the butter; fresh mussels, cured salmon, glazed chicken from the woodfire oven and more. Here are the picturesposted to tide us over.