Ramen, Lunch and a Little Smoke in the Food News Crib Sheet

—Who doesn't want more ramen? Tori Ramen has moved into the fundraising phase of the restaurant plan. Led by Jason Dorweiler and Asiya Persaud, he was the general manager of Unideli at United Noodle where the ramen Mondays became the stuff of legend. The Indiegogo fund has already hit $1,300 of its $22,500 goal.

The owners share more details with us about the extensive plans with Eater. All of the pork-free ingredients will be made in house. The birds will be humanely raised, free range and the restaurant itself is committed to being a zero-waste space.

In addition to taps and wine, there will be rotating flavors of kombucha and drinking vinegars available. "We are extremely humbled to be able to bring a concept like this to Saint Paul."

The restaurant has secured a location somewhere on Victoria in St. Paul. Could it be the available space on N. Victoria Street and Selby Avenue right next to Lee & Dee's Barbecue? The owners aren't ready to confirm the exact address just yet.

—Domacin Restaurant and Wine Bar has tapped Ian Pierce as executive chef. Pierce's resume includes 128 Cafe, Sandcastle and the Modern Cafe. His experience with the restaurant's reputation for easy, elegant dishes built for wine would seem to be an ideal pairing.

Landon Schoenefeld inside Nighthawks, Photo by Stephanie A. Meyer

—Is lunch the new brunch? It seems no new buzzworthy restaurant can open without soon tacking on a brunch service. Now, boundary pushing restaurants seem to be opening for the midday meal left and right. Now, Nighthawks, Landon Schoenefeld's Nicollet Avenue restaurant will begin opening for lunch starting April 4.

—Tired of waiting in an Uptown line for that Giordano's pizza? There will soon be another location in Richfield at 3000 66th St. West. The Chicago based chain is expected to open this latest outpost in late summer of this year.

—See the 'que fans lining up? It's the siren call of Q Fanatic. The popular Champlain restaurant has expanded to Minneapolis. The new space is reportedly packed at 6009 Nicollet Avenue South in Minneapolis. Smoked meat fans are willing to jockey for parking spots, seat space and the chance to get their fingers good and saucy.

—Speaking of those burning wood fires, grab a whiff down on Eat Street where Pimento Jamaican Kitchen is now open. Tonight is the first dinner service, kicking off at 6 pm Regular hours will kick off tomorrow beginning at 11 am for lunch.

—Bartenders take note, it's almost time for the 10th annual Most Imaginative Bartender competition from Bombay Sapphire. The competition selects the best bartenders who can work their magic with just a few select ingredients and the sponsor's gin. Remember, Robb Jones made it to the Top 10 nationally and then got to run the bar at Spoon and Stable so, this can lead to good things for you and for us drinkers who get to show up to the competition. Here's how to enter. Pour strong, my friends!