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With August right around the corner, a few local restaurants are shifting into high gear to get the doors open before Labor Day looms imminent. These are the new eateries we can’t wait to visit this month and the dates they will be opening.
Popol Vuh
Location: 1414 Quincy Street NE, Minneapolis
Key Players: Jamie Olson and chef Jose Alacron
Opening: August 15
The fine dining side of the upscale/casual Mexican eatery in Northeast is almost ready to open. Chef Alacron and chef de cuisine Jason Sawicki (both alums of Lyn 65) are both working hard at mastering the art of cooking over an open flame before the new restaurant opens. Owner Jami Olson is excited to launch the bar program along with the fine dining side after the overwhelming success of Centro. That was the first phase of the project, a vibrant taco shop with margarita pitchers that has been buzzing since day one.
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Hyacinth
Location: 790 Grand Avenue
Key Players: Rikki Giambruno, Paul Baker and Beth Johnson
Opening: August 14
Italian dining by way of Minnesota with a New York City polish is heading to the former home of Golden Fig Fine Foods. (The gourmet grocery moved next door.) Hyacinth will have a full bar along with wine and beer. Menu items include bruchettas, fresh made pasta and entrees like roasted prawns with sweet corn salsa. Reservations are available now.
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Animales Barbecue Company
Location: Able Seedhouse + Brewing 1121 Quincy Street NE, Minneapolis
Key Players: Jon Wipfli
Opening: August 15
The former Bachelor Farmer chef has immersed himself in barbecue for the past couple of years. His pop-up pairing with chef Jorge Guzman during the Super Bowl caught the attention of Food & Wine Magazine. Now, he’s bought a massive smoker trailer and will be serving up smoked meats and oysters outside of this Northeast brewery. Catch a preview of it all on Wipfli’s Instagram page.
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Home Street Home
Location: 285 George Street, Saint Paul
Key Players: Destiny Buron and Daniel Kidd
Opening: Wednesday August 1
The owners of the Home Street Home food truck have been working since spring of 2017 to rehab this location in St. Paul. Finally, the time for down home food is near at hand. The cute cafe has expanded the menu that was available on the truck: including burgers, tacos and some seriously gooey grilled cheese.
