Get a First Taste of Hola Arepa's New Restaurant This Weekend

MinneMile Night Market

Saturday June 3 Minnehaha Avenue in Longfellow is closing down for a wander along for a vintage and craft shopping bonanza from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. What was once a sleepy stretch of road has recently become home to a ton of curious little independent shops. Food treats are being put together by Frank & Ernest Market who also do food at the Linden Hills food focused farmers market. Expect beverages from Peace Coffee, food trucks Red River Kitchen, Falafel King and more small food producers.

Milkjam Facebook page

Open Streets Lyndale

This Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Minneapolis is shutting down Lyndale Avenue from West 24th to 54th Street. Head down for the chance to roam freely without any fear of getting run over in this usually traffic-laden part of town. There is a ton of stuff to do out on the streets and plenty of restaurants that will be putting out a spread. World Street Kitchen and Milkjam are taking over their parking lot with live music, local art, cocktails (with booze from 45th Parallel) and treats. Check out scenes from past Open Streets here.

Grand Old Day

Starting at 8:00 a.m. St. Paul's Grand Avenue will close to traffic and flood with people for the annual summer street fair. There is a parade in the morning for the kiddies and beer gardens and live music for the grown ups. Restaurants will put out their treats and several food trucks will be parked along the way. Whether you're looking for authentic Jerk chicken, icy lemonade or cheap beer, there's a spot to stop along the stretch. It's usually packed, so bring a source of shade and some patience.

Joy Summers

Photo by Joy Summers

Get a Taste of What's On Tap at Hola Arepa

Hola Arepa, the food truck that spawned an obsession with the Venezuelan dish, is celebrating three years as a real restaurant this Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There's a full line-up of bands, cocktails will be served from the converted bed of a pick up truck and there will be a pop up of their new Asian Street food venture Hai Hai. That restaurant is still taking shape inside the former Deuce Deuce in Northeast. By the way, this is a pooch-friendly party, if you have a well-behaved four-legged friend.

Little Mekong Night Market

Explore the culinary treasure trove of flavors offered in the Southeast Asian-heavy restaurant district known as Little Mekong along St. Paul's University Avenue. Lemonade made with lime juice, Hmong green papaya salad, craft booths and art that's done in partnership with Northern Spark will all be available Saturday and Sunday nights June 10 and 11th from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.