Ann Kim’s Korean-Mexican Restaurant Is Now Serving Curbside Feasts

Fresh out of the fire that was 2020, there are plenty of things to look forward to, including the opportunity to eat some new food from these intrepid entrepreneurs. A handful of new eateries have opened around the metro area with saucy bites, swoon-worthy desserts, oozy, crusty sandwiches, and more to make us want to order in.

Cafe Cerés in Linden Hills

Chef Shawn McKenzie has taken over the former Penny’s Coffee location in Linden Hills. McKenzie had already been making her sweet dishes in this location back when it was Penny’s, but taking the lead means the show is all hers to run. In addition to traditional coffee drinks, there is also Turkish coffee: incredibly rich dark brew spiced with just a bit of cardamom and sugar. On the trim opening menu are savory dishes like a bagel topped with labneh and za’atar, and sweeter items, like the tahini and chocolate braided babka.

The cafe is open from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. seven days a week. Order ahead online.

Boludo’s Second Location in East Town

Kingfield’s hotspot, Boludo is expanding with a second location, serving the same empanadas and pizza that caused a sensation when it opened. The cheese-stuffed darlings arrive at the edge of downtown Minneapolis inside the former McKinney Roe location. Owner Facundo Defraia expects to open sometime next week. If all goes well, expanded hours, online ordering, and menu options are expected.

Boludo began when Defraia was working alongside his longtime friend Daniel del Prado at del Prado’s first restaurant, Martina. On that menu were Defraia’s empanadas, a recipe he brought with him from Buenos Aires that caused a stir. People couldn’t get enough of the thin dough wrapped around savory fillings. Almost from the moment he opened Boludo, a tiny shop on Nicollet, lines formed, and they haven’t really let up since.

It’s 7am Somewhere [WEB]

North Loop’s Food Hall Expands with Three New Stands

Graze in the North Loop has added three new tenants over the past few weeks. One comes from a familiar team, B.a.d. Wingz from Gerard and Brittany Klass, who also operate Soul Bowl, has moved from its location within a location at Glam Doll Donuts to the food hall. The menu remains a whole selection of wings, sauces, and sides that are built to appeal to both omnivores and vegans.

It’s 7am Somewhere brings all-day breakfast to the North Loop with hearty dishes like Paul Bunyan’s BLT, Minnesota biscuits and gravy, and a stuffed-to-the-gills vegan burrito. Like many of the food hall’s vendors, It’s 7am Somewhere began as a food truck from chefs Edward Devine and Kyle Nichol.

Avocadish also has a location in Dinkytown serving dishes centered around the creamy green fruit. Get it in bowl, hummus, guacamole, sandwich, and shake form. Order online for takeout or delivery.

Bap and Chicken Adds Sandwich Serving Restaurant to its Roster

Grand Sandwich has opened alongside the Korean fried chicken and rice bowl darling Bap and Chicken on St. Paul’s Grand Avenue. The menu is stacked with sandwich classics like grilled cheese, BLTs, a vegetarian tartine, and a Cuban. There’s even a crustless pb&j for the kids. Order for curbside pick up or delivery Tuesday through Saturday.

Katie Cannon

Sooki & Mimi Is Serving Take and Bake

This is one of the big ones we were waiting all of 2020 to see. James Beard Award winner Ann Kim has been diligently working on her newest restaurant in Uptown for over a year. And while it still isn’t officially open, there are take out options available. The menu will be a weekly, rolling take and bake meal. This week, the offering is a carnitas ssäm kit. Roasty pork is packed up cold alongside the handmade tortillas Kim has been laboring over, alongside cacahuate beans, vegetable fried purple rice, salsa verde, escabeche, habanero-caramelized onion hot sauce, dongchimi kimchi, butter lettuce, ssamjang, and soy pickled onion and peppers. The dinner is available to feed two for around $75 or four for $150.

Optional add ons include build-your-own cocktail kits, wine, and a sixer.

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