After Years As a Nomadic Restaurant, Chef Yia Vang Is Ready to Put Down Roots for his Hmong Eatery

Chef Yia Vang of the incredibly popular pop-up Union Kitchen is finally opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant, named for the refugee camp he was born in. The Hmong-American chef will open Vinai later this year. The location is still under-wraps, but a Kickstarter will launch February 4 from 6 to 8 pm at Able Seedhouse + Brewery.

For now, Union Kitchen will continue its long-standing pop-up out of an Airstream trailer at Sociable Ciderwerks.

Sanctuary Restaurant Closed After 12 Years in Minneapolis

Known for its affordable tasting menu and being an easy walk to the Guthrie and US Bank Stadium, Sanctuary served its final meal on New Year’s Eve. For the final service, the restaurant’s longtime chef Patrick Atanalian returned to join the closing chef Marc Paavlova for a final service. Other longtime workers returned to close the restaurant for the final time.

There’s no word yet on what will take over the location.

Marvel Bar [Official]

Downtown’s Boundary-Breaking Speakeasy Serves A Revolutionary Alcohol-Free Drink Menu

Every quarter Marvel Bar, the industry-leading bar beneath The Bachelor Farmer, explores a different arena of drinking culture. Now through April of 2020 the bar, under the leadership of Peder Schweigert will explore dry, or non-alcoholic drinks. Schweigert is one of several bartenders in the Twin Cities that continues to make delicious cocktails, while abstaining from alcohol. This exploration series will dive deep into creating the forward-thinking flavors Marvel is known for, while skipping all the intoxicants.

Those that worship of the alter of Marvel’s perfect martinis needn’t worry, the regular menu is still available in all its subtle and boozy glory.

From the What-Could-Go-Wrong File, Minneapolis Puts All Restaurant Health Inspections Online

The City of Minneapolis has now allowed access to health inspector reports online. The new website adds a caveat to the knowledge, “A health inspection can be compared to a checkup at your health clinic. At your checkup, the doctor or nurse may tell you that you are in good shape, but you should exercise a little more, lose a few pounds, and eat more fruits and vegetables. In other words, you are basically healthy but could make a few improvements.” Reports are available for all local restaurants, food trucks, and grocery stores. Breweries are not, however.