/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53697993/Popol_Vuh_pop_up_cocktail.0.jpg)
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8157329/Former_Ristorante_Luci.jpg)
Bar Brigade
Location: 2060 Randolph Avenue, Saint Paul
Key Players: Matty O’Reilly and J.D. Fratzke
Projected Opening: “Soonish,” Construction is underway
The former Ristoranti Luci in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood is getting a French makeover. Matty O’Reilly, the man behind Republic and chef J.D. Fratzke (of the Strip Club) are joining mega-super twin powers style to create a cozy little neighborhood bistro serving casual French fare just steps away from St. Kate’s campus. The room is small and the kitchen is tiny, so it only makes sense that the food will be served on primarily small plates.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8157493/Baja_Haus_cr_FB.jpg)
Baja Haus
Location: 830 Lake Street East, Wayzata
Key Players: Billy Tserenbat
Projected Opening: April
The ebullient chef behind Sushi Fix, the west metro dining phenomenon is pulling inspiration for his next project from south of the border. Fresh Baja-inspired cuisine will be available at this eatery in the new restaurant hot-spot, along Lake Street in Wayzata. Expect an impressive selection of tequilas for sipping inside this super to be a big summer draw restaurant.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8054293/Popol_Vuh_Chef_Jose_Alarcon_.jpg)
Popol Vuh and Central
Location: Northeast, near Indeed Brewing
Key Players: The Lyn 65 Team, chef Jose Alarcon
Projected Opening: Fall 2017
These are two eateries in one. Central will be an all day, laid back taco shop. Next door will be the more refined Popol Vuh, lead by chef Alarcon’s passion for the Mayan cuisine of his youth. Fire will be at the heart of Popol Vuh, where Alarcon will utilize an Argentinian wood burning grill. Alacron has been hosting pop ups inside the other kitchen he cooks in, Lyn 65. The restaurants are a collaboration with the kitchen crew and restaurant leadership there, including chef/owner Ben Rients. Popol Vuh will have 56 seats, including a counter where diners can get up close and personal with those flames.
Restaurant Nine Twenty-Five
Location: The Hotel Landing 925 Lake Street, Wayzata
Key Players: Ryan Lund
Projected Opening: Summer
The longtime chef de cuisine and then chef at Lucia’s (the seiminal locavore restaurant in Uptown) is opening his first restaurant in the suburb we can’t get enough of: Wayzata. When the newly constructed Hotel Landing opens, Lund will commandeer Restaurant Nine Twenty-Five. Details on the restaurant are slim, but with his pedigree, we expect fresh, seasonal cuisine that’s ethically sourced.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8009733/Sunrise_Inn_cr_Yelp.jpg)
Bull’s Horn Food & Drink
Location: 4563 S 34th Ave, Minneapolis
Key Players: Doug Flicker and Amy Greeley
Projected Opening: Summer
The return of the neighborhood bar is being heralded by one of the finest chefs in the Twin Cities. A leader in his field, Doug Flicker recently closed his fine dining restaurant Piccolo and his next project is at the other end of the fancy pants spectrum. He and his business partner and wife Amy Greeley are transforming the former Sunrise Inn into Bull’s Horn Food & Drink which will include Tron, an awesomely stocked jukebox and definitely some great bar eats. That’s not reimagined chef-ed up ideas of what a hamburger can be: we’re talking juicy meat, American cheese and a white bread bun that goes “squish” when you bite into it. We can’t wait.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/8157467/Screen_Shot_2017_03_14_at_2.33.14_PM.png)
510 Lounge and Private Dining
Location: 510 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis
Key Players: Don Saunders
Projected Opening: Summer
We’ll once again be able to dine in the splendor of the restaurant at 510 Groveland. This space was the long-time home to Minneapolis award-winning La Belle Vie. The room makeover is nearly complete and the space is right on track for its summer opening with a kitchen led by Don Saunders. Saunders is the chef who led the late-lamented Fugaisse and currently has the refined neighborhood bistro, The Kenwood. We expect the subtle elegance and seasonal cuisine the chef is known for inside a stunning locaiton. To watch the room come together, follow 510mpls on Instagram.