Eater Twin Cities - These Restaurants Were Torn Down for ApartmentsThe Minneapolis Restaurant, Bar, and Nightlife Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52682/favicon-32x32.png2019-11-04T05:00:00-06:00http://twincities.eater.com/rss/stream/168511292019-11-04T05:00:00-06:002019-11-04T05:00:00-06:0077 Year-Old O’Gara’s Is Not Going to Reopen
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<img alt="The exterior of the now demolished O’Gara’s" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/iUCor3ulvxOzWR2URJpzQIy1--Y=/0x0:1024x768/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65619279/o_garas_bar_grill_st_paul.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>It’s the official end of a St. Paul institution on Snelling | Patricia Bour-Schilla/<a class="ql-link" href="https://saintpaulalmanac.org/saint-paul-stories/places/the-club-ogaras-bar-grill/" target="_blank">St Paul Almanac</a></figcaption>
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<p>The iconic Irish bar had been expected to return to Selby/Snelling</p> <p id="EZQzGv"><a href="https://www.ogaras.com/">O’Gara’s Bar and Grill</a> will not reopen. The Irish bar had stood on the corner of Snelling and Selby Avenues for 77 years before closing last year. It was expected to return in a newly constructed space, at the base of a building that is currently nearing completion. Now, Dan O’Gara says that after careful consideration, re-opening would be financially “untenable.” </p>
<p id="ILG5Oa">However, the St. Paul institution will continue to operate its popular stand at the Minnesota State Fair and O’Gara’s <a href="https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/11/03/ogaras-bar-and-grill-will-not-re-open-at-st-paul-location/">catering will still be available</a>.</p>
<p id="wV0smy">Its original location closed in the fall of 2018 with plans to return with reduced square footage at the base of a brand new apartment building. The restaurant’s website still states, “We are not closing. We are reinventing ourselves,” with a projected reopening of spring 2020. </p>
<p id="XcBgWv">Originally opened in 1941 by Jim O’Gara, his son Tim then expanded the neighborhood bar in 1972 to include more rooms and a live music venue. Tim’s son Dan, the final owner of the bar carried on the tradition after Tim’s retirement in 2003. </p>
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<img alt="A rendering from the website’s landing page of what the newly constructed O’Gara’s should have looked like - with a lot of large window for an Irish bar" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VmKs7Hh0ofu1ZAiYm_qwHq_g-ls=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/19344166/Screen_Shot_2019_11_03_at_8.25.35_PM.png">
<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.ogaras.com/" target="_blank">O’Gara’s</a> [Official]</cite>
<figcaption>What was expected to be a new era for the family-owned bar </figcaption>
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<p id="ap9MtT">O’Gara’s is one of several iconic bars that have succumbed to the wrecking ball in the name of new construction, mainly for new apartment buildings. Kelly’s Depot, the original Grumpy’s, and Nye’s Polonaise Room have all met the same fate. </p>
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<a href="https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2019/11/03/ogaras-bar-and-grill-will-not-re-open-at-st-paul-location/">O’Gara’s Bar and Grill Not Re-open at St. Paul Location</a> [WCCO]</li>
<li id="YXfynd">
<a href="https://www.ogaras.com/">O’Gara’s </a>[WEB]</li>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2019/11/4/20947062/ogaras-st-paul-closed-wont-reopen-new-construction-selby-snellingJoy Summers2019-03-19T11:54:29-05:002019-03-19T11:54:29-05:00Two Very Different Restaurants of 2018 Are Closing
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<figcaption>The dining room at Moderna Kouzina | Moderna Kouzina [<a class="ql-link" href="https://www.modernakouzina.com/about/" target="_blank">Official</a>]</figcaption>
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<p>Moderna Kouzina has closed, Just/Us will close next month</p> <p id="NdVJrB">Two restaurant that opened last year won’t make it to their first anniversaries. <a href="https://www.modernakouzina.com/">Moderna Kouzina</a> was the creatively spelled modern cuisine restaurant at 50th and France that took over the former Mozza Mia location. The dining room and menu were built as no-expense-spared elegance by it’s chef/interior designer, including gold leaf built into the walls. Menu prices that reflected the opulence. At the time of opening, owner Ashii Vrohidis told the <em>Star Tribune</em> that the name translated to “modern cuisine” from at least “six different languages” with varying spellings. According to the <a href="https://www.modernakouzina.com/">restaurant’s website</a> Vrohidis is battling an undisclosed illness that prevents her from being able to operate the business. She writes, “My rare medical conditions have advanced to a state where I am no longer able to run MK.” A previous public <a href="https://www.facebook.com/205899926692932/photos/a.210136222935969/334589590490631/?type=3&theater">Facebook post</a> on February 15 also mentioned person struggles. It’s unclear how long the restaurant has been closed. </p>
<p id="8rsEjr"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/justusmnrestaurant/photos/a.179508796143871/412551016172980/?type=3&theater">Just/Us</a>, the altruistic restaurant at the corner of St. Peter’s and 7th Street in downtown Saint Paul is losing its location as the building has been sold to developers. Run by a chef collective it operates with rotating menus serving creative whims, which meant everything from burgers for lunch to affordable tasting menus. The restaurant announced plans to close on April 20.</p>
<p id="HKAtSu">Edit: an earlier version of this article misstated the opening date of Just/Us.</p>
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<script async="1" defer crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v3.2"></script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/justusmnrestaurant/photos/a.179508796143871/412551016172980/?type=3&theater" data-width="640"><blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/justusmnrestaurant/posts/412551016172980:0" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore">
<p>We regret to inform you that come April 20th we'll be closing our doors at our St. Paul location.
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The building we are...</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justusmnrestaurant/">just/us Restaurant</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justusmnrestaurant/posts/412551016172980:0">Thursday, March 14, 2019</a>
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<ul>
<li id="BGLjCW">
<a href="http://www.startribune.com/modern-fine-dining-coming-to-50th-and-france-in-former-mozza-mia-space/486395051/">Modern Cuisine Coming to 50th and France in a Big Way</a> [STRIB]</li>
<li id="dC5ODP">
<a href="http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/first-look-at-justus-st-pauls-affordable-new-prix-fixe-imaginations-run-wild/477260773">A First Look at Just/Us: St. Paul’s New Affordable Tasting Menu Restaurant</a> [CP]</li>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2019/3/19/18272744/moderna-kouzina-50-france-just-us-saint-paul-restaurants-closedJoy Summers2018-09-28T10:48:53-05:002018-09-28T10:48:53-05:00Last Call for Minneapolis Two Restaurant/Bars This Weekend
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<figcaption>Lotus will shutter its Uptown location Sunday | Lotus Uptown/<a class="ql-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/theLotusUptown/photos/a.434216006963504/553563658362071/?type=3&theater" target="_blank">Facebook</a></figcaption>
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<p>Lotus Uptown and Grumpy’s Downtown will close forever this weekend</p> <p id="mwcmRG">Grumpy’s downtown neighborhood bar will close on Saturday and Lotus Vietnamese will close its large Uptown location this Sunday.</p>
<p id="X62CRH"><a href="https://twincities.eater.com/2018/6/26/17506432/grumpys-closing-minneapolis">Grumpy’s</a> original location has long been home to artists, musicians and lovers of great bar food on Washington Avenue. In the 20 years its been serving at 111 Washington Avenue, the neighborhood has changed radically. The building will be razed and replaced by a 150 unit apartment building. Grumpy’s has two other locations in northeast and Roseville.</p>
<p id="g84uNn"><a href="https://lotusmplsmn.com/">Lotus</a> will close its 2841 Hennepin Avenue location on Sunday. Lotus is the Minneapolis institution that has been serving Vietnamese cuisine since 1983. The Uptown location is closing, according to <a href="http://www.citypages.com/restaurants/lotus-is-shutting-down-its-uptown-location/494539081"><em>City Pages</em></a>, this weekend with owners admitting they bit off more than they could chew. The location on Hennepin Avenue has proven difficult for all recent tenants. It’s seen gay sports bars, Mexican, and faux-Southern restaurants all come and go in recent years.</p>
<p id="YdzwY2">Lotus’ other locations near Loring Park and Maple Grove remain open.</p>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2018/9/28/17914030/grumpys-downtown-lotus-uptown-closedJoy Summers2018-09-25T09:55:31-05:002018-09-25T09:55:31-05:00Longtime Lowertown Bar Could Be the Next to Fall for New Condos
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<img alt="A line of stools before a green laminate bar. Behind the bar is a collection of booze bottles. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/I-h4YekDbeF8ciuyuxf1_KpdfLg=/40x0:680x480/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61534619/Kelly_s_Depot_Bar_cr_FB.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>It’s not yet been determined what will be Kelly’s last day | Kelly’s Depot Bar & Grill/<a class="ql-link" href="https://www.facebook.com/Kellys-Depot-Bar-149585945071219/" target="_blank">Facebook</a></figcaption>
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<p>Developers offer to buy Kelly’s Depot Bar</p> <p id="T9Wof5"><a href="https://kellysdepot.com/">Kelly’s Depot Bar</a>, a family-owned neighborhood bar that has been operating in Lowertown since 1989 could be sold to developers and torn down for a seven-story apartment building. The <a href="https://www.twincities.com/2018/09/24/buyers-want-to-replace-kellys-depot-bar-in-st-paul-with-a-seven-story-apartment-building/"><em>Pioneer Press</em></a> reports that the 2,900 square foot space at 241 East Kellogg Boulevard was listed for $1.9 million through Edina Realty this summer.</p>
<p id="aAKt6S">St. Paul’s Historic Preservation Committee will review the proposal on October 4.</p>
<p id="yqn0Bh">The historic Depot Bar was opened as “Kelly’s,” by John Kelly, Sr. After he passed away in 2013, the family continued to run the business that’s known for its crinkle-cut fries, burgers and affordable prices. </p>
<p id="1Y3SuQ">The business has remained largely unchanged as the neighborhood around it has undergone massive redevelopment. The area would be unrecognizable to a person from the late 80’s: there’s an actual functioning depot now, for one thing. There’s a light rail line and numbers retail, restaurant and condos now surrounding the humble little bar with a suddenly rare parking lot.</p>
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<li id="4lCkBg">
<a href="https://www.twincities.com/2018/09/24/buyers-want-to-replace-kellys-depot-bar-in-st-paul-with-a-seven-story-apartment-building/">Buyers want to raze Kelly’s bar in St. Paul’s Lowertown, for a 7-story apartment building </a>[PiPress]</li>
<li id="BcmdQU">
<a href="http://www.minnesotamonthly.com/Food-Drink/Restaurant-Reviews/Kellys-Depot-Bar-Grill/">Revisiting Kelly’s Depot Bar & Grill</a> [MNMO]</li>
<li id="xLuMrs">
<a href="https://www.twincities.com/2013/08/25/john-kelly-sr-owner-of-kellys-depot-bar-in-st-paul-dies-at-82/">John Kelly, Sr. Owner of Kelly’s Depot Bar & Grill, dies at 82 </a>[PiPress]</li>
<li id="RzquzJ">
<a href="https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-restaurants-bars-lowertown-st-paul">Where to eat and drink in St. Paul’s Lowertown </a>[ETC]</li>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2018/9/25/17900826/kellys-depot-bar-st-paul-condosJoy Summers2018-06-26T11:37:44-05:002018-06-26T11:37:44-05:00Original Grumpy’s Will Be Razed for Apartments Later This Year
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<figcaption>After 20 years, Grumpy’s will call last call later this fall | Grumpy’s/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/grumpysdt/photos/?ref=page_internal" target="_blank">Facebook</a></figcaption>
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<p>20 year old neighborhood bar succumbs the changing landscape</p> <p id="lM44xE">“We appreciate the hell out of 20 years of support from the area and we would have gladly stuck around for 20 more, but to be blunt, the way tastes are changing downtown we would have maybe made it a couple more years by the skin of our teeth,” <a href="https://www.facebook.com/grumpysdt/posts/1779869778718919">Grumpy’s Facebook</a> page reads with characteristic candor. The restaurant and bar is a rare holdout from a time when the neighborhood along South Washington Avenue near 35W was mostly empty buildings and available parking. Now, it’s the neighborhood that houses several restaurants, the Guthrie Theater, the Mill City museum, hotels, and apartments. Its an area that is growing denser by the moment. </p>
<p id="1ySget">This location has hosted live music, open mic comedy, art shows, parties and more while serving bar food favorites and drinks at reasonable prices.</p>
<p id="32J6W3">The new construction replacing the bar at 1111 Washington Avenue South <a href="http://citypages.com/restaurants/apartments-to-replace-grumpys-in-downtown-minneapolis/486433501">will become an eight-story market rate apartment building</a> with 150 units and a ground floor Op-Ox Art Gallery from Grumpy’s owner Tom Hazelmyer.</p>
<p id="A4G9Iz">There will still be two more Grumpy’s locations in <a href="http://www.grumpys-bar.com/northeast.html">Northeast </a>and <a href="http://www.grumpys-bar.com/roseville.html">Roseville</a>.</p>
<p id="A7j061">The final day of business has yet to be determined, but it’s certain that Grumpy’s will exit on its own terms. “It’s been a great run, and to all of you who supported us, we can’t thank you enough. We are humbled. And to the pedal pubs, and those assholes from the suburbs that left the occasional one star pissy review on a max capacity game day crowded bar, you folks can still fuck right off.”</p>
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<p>First off, we won’t be closing the downtown location until this fall, an exact date forthcoming. Second off, we are not...</p>Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/grumpysdt/">Grumpy's Bar & Grill</a> on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/grumpysdt/posts/1779869778718919">Tuesday, June 26, 2018</a>
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<ul>
<li id="0gTYce">
<a href="http://citypages.com/restaurants/apartments-to-replace-grumpys-in-downtown-minneapolis/486433501">Apartments to replace Grumpy’s in downtown Minneapolis?</a> [CP]</li>
<li id="7WSLB6">
<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2018/06/22/apartments-could-replace-grumpy-s-bar-on.html?ana=TRUEANTHEMFB_MN&utm_campaign=trueAnthem:+Trending+Content&utm_content=5b304ca404d3013de73304dd&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook">Apartments could replace Grumpy’s Bar on Washington Avenue</a> [MBJ]</li>
<li id="l1dSOJ">
<a href="https://twincities.eater.com/maps/minneapolis-best-iconic-dive-bars">The Iconic Dive Bars of Minneapolis</a> [ETC]</li>
<li id="FIXH3Q">
<a href="https://twincities.eater.com/2017/10/16/16484782/triple-rock-social-club-closing-closed-date-address">Triple Rock Closing After 19 Years</a> [ETC]</li>
</ul>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2018/6/26/17506432/grumpys-closing-minneapolisJoy Summers2018-03-06T12:30:38-06:002018-03-06T12:30:38-06:00Another Restaurant Icon to Be Bulldozed for Apartments
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<figcaption>The restaurant hopes to re-open in Northeast next year | Market BBQ / <a href="http://marketbbq.com/">Website</a></figcaption>
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<p>72 year-old Market Bar-B-Que will move to Northeast</p> <p id="VsLzHY">Joining the ranks of Nye’s, Jeruselum’s, Tryge’s, Villiage Wok and possibly O’Gara’s, Market Bar-B-Que’s historic location will soon be rendered into rubble as a planned apartment building takes over the current Eat Street address. This won’t be the first move for the restaurant, still operated by the Polski family. According to the<a href="http://www.startribune.com/market-bar-b-que-72-years-young-is-moving-to-northeast-minneapolis/476007343/"> <em>Star Tribune</em></a>, this will be the fourth address the restaurant will occupy. What that exactly address will be is still under wraps. A purchase agreement has been signed for a building, but father/son owners Steve and Anthony Polski says the deal isn’t final just yet.</p>
<p id="a8AtVW">Marketplace Bar-B-Que first opened in 1946 by brothers Sam and Willard Polski after they returned from World War II. The name came from the original location at 130 North 7th Street near the Minneapolis Market Place. In 1962 the business moved to 28 Glenwood Avenue North, now the site of a parking ramp. It was 1987 when Willard’s son Steve took the reigns of the restaurant and it moved to its current location at 1414 Nicollet Avenue South. Anthony eventually joined the family business and launched a food truck in 2016.</p>
<p id="MszhKY">As the move happens, the Polski’s are dedicated to preserving as much of the history of the restaurant as possible. For one, the barbecue, slow cooked over wood in a brick pit will not change. That pit, as well as the historic bar, ceiling and light fixtures are planned to be painstakingly transported to the next location. </p>
<p id="73ZZWf">Market Bar-B-Que on Eat Street will close some time near the end of the year and plans to re-open in Northeast some time in 2019.</p>
<ul>
<li id="gREbF0">
<a href="http://www.startribune.com/market-bar-b-que-72-years-young-is-moving-to-northeast-minneapolis/476007343/">Market Bar-B-Que, 72 years young, is moving to northeast Minneapolis</a> [STRIB]</li>
<li id="kClUZm">
<a href="http://marketbbq.com/">Market Bar-B-Que</a> [WEB]</li>
<li id="miJbtV">
<a href="https://twincities.eater.com/maps/best-barbecue-restaurants-minneapolis-st-paul-twin-cities/market-bar-b-que">The Twin Cities Essential Barbecue</a> [ETC]</li>
</ul>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2018/3/6/17086866/market-bar-b-q-barbecue-minneapolis-tear-down-new-addressJoy Summers2018-03-01T14:49:50-06:002018-03-01T14:49:50-06:00Another Iconic Restaurant Could Meet the Wrecking Ball
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<img alt="The exterior of the now demolished O’Gara’s" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/d90qeOZvrZLHdaB9uQrhoJ7zgV4=/0x0:1024x768/1310x983/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58869215/o_garas_bar_grill_st_paul.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Patricia Bour-Schilla/<a href="https://saintpaulalmanac.org/saint-paul-stories/places/the-club-ogaras-bar-grill/">St Paul Almanac</a></figcaption>
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<p>O’Gara’s would be rebuilt at the base of an apartment building</p> <p id="At6NBg">The O’Gara family has operated the bar on the corner of Snelling and Selby Avenues since 1941, but a new plan would have the building that houses it torn down and replaced with apartment buildings. The bar would re-open once the new building was constructed, but on a much smaller scale, according to a report in the<em> </em><a href="http://www.startribune.com/o-gara-s-in-st-paul-could-be-demolished-then-rebuilt-in-new-apartment-building/475550373/"><em>Star Tribune.</em></a></p>
<p id="2Pxc87">Owner Dan O’Gara and a Ryan Cos. representative are scheduled to share plans at a <a href="http://www.unionparkdc.org/">Union Park District Council</a> land use committee meeting on March 19. Residents are invited to share input on the designs and the project is still in the early development phase.</p>
<p id="qdRiP9">The Irish bar, restaurant and music venue is largely recognized as the longest running family-owned bar in St. Paul in its original location.</p>
<p id="fRoIFY">The intersection of Selby and Snelling has undergone several changes over the past few years, including the building of a new apartment building across the street from O’Gara’s that houses <a href="https://www.twincities.com/2016/03/09/new-st-paul-whole-foods-will-have-restaurant-many-other-new-features/">5,231-square-foot Whole Foods</a>. That <a href="https://www.twincities.com/2017/09/30/st-paul-whole-foods-building-and-apartments-sold-to-new-york-firm/">complex recently sold</a> to a New York-based firm for $87 million. That complex was also originally developed by Ryan Cos. </p>
<p id="THCLdj">Owner Dan O’Gara has yet to publicly comment on the proposed development.</p>
<ul>
<li id="pT6fQP">
<a href="http://www.ogaras.com/">O’Gara’s</a> [WEB]</li>
<li id="kc3h5t">
<a href="https://www.twincities.com/2018/02/28/demolition-for-ogaras-landmark-st-paul-bar-wants-to-build-apartments-over-smaller-tavern/">Demolition for O’Gara’s? Landmark St. Paul bar wants to build apartments over smaller tavern </a>[PiPress]</li>
<li id="RuXnSu">
<a href="http://www.startribune.com/o-gara-s-in-st-paul-could-be-demolished-then-rebuilt-in-new-apartment-building/475550373/">Plan would demolish O’Gara’s and build new bar in apartment building</a> [STRIB]</li>
<li id="tt0aZZ">
<a href="https://twincities.eater.com/2018/1/8/16863898/the-story-of-nyes-polonaise-room-minneapolis">The Storied History of Nye’s</a> [ETC]</li>
</ul>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2018/3/1/17068186/ogaras-bar-tear-down-apartments-construction-st-paulJoy Summers2018-02-28T11:28:24-06:002018-02-28T11:28:24-06:00The Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings, Spring 2018
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<figcaption>The Parlour burger is coming, St. Paul | Joy Summers / Eater Twin Cities</figcaption>
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<p>The snow is melting and the excitement is building</p> <p id="XLluF2">As the curbside mountains of snow suddenly vanish and it’s actually too warm to wear a parka, it’s dawning on us that spring might actually be around the corner. As we kiss February farewell for another year, it’s time to get serious about some of these about to open restaurants. On the horizon is a mega-watt food hall, upscale Mexican fare (with a side of tacos), lakeside dining and the burger that became a legend. These are the most anticipated spring restaurant openings in the Twin Cities.</p>
<h2 id="OSJTBK"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/parlourbarstp/">Parlour St. Paul</a></h2>
<p id="KgLvOB"><strong>Location:</strong> 267 W. Seventh Street, St. Paul</p>
<p id="yMjebW"><strong>Key Players:</strong> Jesse Held, Michael DeCamp, Jester Concepts</p>
<p id="X6xeLy"><strong>Projected Opening: </strong>Before March 17</p>
<p id="OkZtR0">Construction is moving quickly at this second location for the wildly popular, subterrean Minneapolis bar. Parlour has become synonymous for cutting edge cocktails and a cult-status burger. This second location has a much different layout than the first, with basically <a href="https://www.twincities.com/2018/02/15/new-restaurants-opening-2018-minneapolis-st-paul-parlour-bar-spring-cafe-red-rabbit-colita/">four storefronts</a>, transformed into three distinctive spaces. First is a dive bar styled standing space with pull-tabs. Next is a a curvy longer bar for a diner where chef DeCamp is embracing his love of high/low end food. The chef built his name in fine dining (he also oversees the menu’s at the company’s Borough and Monello restaurants.) However, DeCamp holds in his heart a low-brow love of places like Madison’s Mickie’s Dairy Bar. At this bar, diners can order eggs any way, including on top of that burger.</p>
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<cite>Funky Grits/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/funkygrits/photos/a.1664984047049956.1073741829.1643114159236945/2022940431254314/?type=3&theater">Facebook</a></cite>
<figcaption>The grits are almost ready</figcaption>
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<h2 id="tcWmfQ"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/funkygrits/">Funky Grits</a></h2>
<p id="ZBfz1q"><strong>Location:</strong> 805 East 38th Street, Minneapolis</p>
<p id="bvxDPA"><strong>Key Players:</strong> Jared Brewington and Jordan Carlson</p>
<p id="JLc4b2"><strong>Projected Opening: </strong>March</p>
<p id="lxjPl3">This beloved pop-up has landed a home in South Minneapolis. Brewington <a href="http://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/foodie/coming-soon-funky-grits/">comes from a restaurant-family background,</a> his father used to own South Minneapolis Rib Cage back in the day. He’s using that history and entrepenural knowledge to build this new restaurant with the help of chef Jordan Carlson. The menu will have, as one might expect, plenty of grits bowls, using Anson Mills stoneground corn and offer a slew of toppings, including Gulf shrimp. Vegans won’t be left out, Brewington told <a href="http://mspmag.com/eat-and-drink/foodie/coming-soon-funky-grits/"><em>Mpls./St. Paul Magazine</em></a> that there will be a hoppin’ John burger served with a vegan aioli.</p>
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<cite>Keg & Case/<a href="https://www.facebook.com/kegandcase/photos/a.333510773719144.1073741828.253042918432597/348815945521960/?type=3&theater">Facebook</a></cite>
<figcaption>The east entrance is finished at Keg & Case</figcaption>
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<h2 id="ULteUS">
<a href="https://twincities.eater.com/2018/1/12/16886224/in-bloom-keg-case-restaurant-address-st-paul">In Bloom</a> at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kegandcase/">Keg & Case</a>
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<p id="wtFg2e"><strong>Location:</strong> 928 West 7th Street, St. Paul</p>
<p id="4grSJX"><strong>Key Players:</strong> Nick Rancone and Thomas Boemer</p>
<p id="oiBc0E"><strong>Projected Opening: </strong>Early Summer</p>
<p id="mIV44C">Keg & Case will be the revitalized Schmidt Brewery food hall on West 7th. In addition to food stalls and shops like the very first permanent <a href="http://www.sweetscienceicecream.com/">Sweet Science Ice Cream</a> scoop shop and a <a href="http://fivewattcoffee.com/">Five Watt Coffee </a>shop there will be a gorgeous anchor restaurant of rustic fine dining from the duo that also operate<a href="https://twincities.eater.com/search?q=revival"> Revival</a> and <a href="https://twincities.eater.com/venue/2225/corner-table">Corner Table</a>. In Bloom will continue to get ingredients from the small family farms and foragers that these guys already work with and prepare everything over a twenty foot wood-fire fueled hearth. The restaurant will be large and the construction has been moving at a methodical pace. Right now, there are doors and duct work. After nearly a year of anticipation, the opening date is creeping closer.</p>
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<cite>City of St. Paul/Como Park</cite>
<figcaption>Future home of Spring Cafe</figcaption>
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<h2 id="XIH1eM">Spring Cafe</h2>
<p id="s2qD3h"><strong>Location:</strong> Como Lake Pavillion </p>
<p id="R3hNNk"><strong>Key Players:</strong> Matty O’Reilly and JD Fratzke</p>
<p id="uEXvxM"><strong>Projected Opening: </strong>Spring</p>
<p id="FGz4Ir">The successful collaboration between chef JD Fratzke and restaurant owner Matty O’Reilly continues with the duo’s newest plans to take over the restaurant inside the historic Como Lake Pavillion. O’Reilly built Republic and Fratzke came to local fame as the chef/co-owner of the Strip Club Meat and Fish and Saint Dinette. The two already operate the nearby Delicata pizza place and Highland Park’s darling Bar Brigade along with the seasonal, waterfront Red River Kitchen at City House. The new restaurant takes the place of Como Dockside, which closed last fall. The new restaurant will be open for the warmer months from 11am to 9pm and then do a weekend-only brunch when the weather shifts back to cold. Construction on the room will de-emphasize the prominent bar and make it much more family friendly to appeal to park-goers.</p>
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<cite>Geneoh Photography / Kickstarter</cite>
<figcaption>The Copper Cow’s owners Danielle and Chris Bjorling</figcaption>
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<h2 id="plok8V"><a href="https://twincities.eater.com/2017/12/20/16803376/copper-hen-opening-copper-cow-restaurant-minnetonka">The Copper Cow</a></h2>
<p id="QjO64X"><strong>Location:</strong> 5445 Eden Prairie Road, Minnetonka</p>
<p id="KIE87n"><strong>Key Players:</strong> Danielle and Chris Bjorling </p>
<p id="AkGB2n"><strong>Projected Opening: </strong>Summer</p>
<p id="nnLpjG">This counterpart to the couple’s The Copper Hen on Eat Street is moving forward with an ambitious construction plan to convert an old Dairy Queen into a quaint little eatery with some cool indoor/outdoor features. The flavors will be a bit bolder, portions a bit heaftier than the first restaurant and instead of all manner of boozy cupcakes, there will be boozy milkshakes. All the permits have been cleared and construction has just started to gain steam. There will be lunch and dinner served on weekdays with an additional weekend brunch. The outdoor patio with the roaring firepit will be ready in time to savor some long summer nights outside.</p>
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<cite>Joy Summers/Eater Twin Cities</cite>
<figcaption>A whole roasted cauliflower entree at Red Rabbit</figcaption>
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<h2 id="aeW3XV"><a href="http://www.redrabbitmn.com/">Red Rabbit, Grand Avenue</a></h2>
<p id="asIVU6"><strong>Location:</strong> </p>
<p id="L4vdbO"><strong>Key Players:</strong> Luke Shimp, Todd Macdonald</p>
<p id="avUnXr"><strong>Projected Opening: Summer</strong></p>
<p id="DIYhtr">The second Red Rabbit will land in the former Wild Onion spot on St. Paul’s little shop-loving stretch of Grand Avenue. Restaurant owner Luke Shimp is again partnering with chef Todd Macdonald to bring a huge selection of cocktail/wine/beer and family friendly foods like fresh pasta, pizzas, roasted whole cauliflower heads and more. The Onion has just closed, so the building process is just getting going.</p>
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<cite><a class="ql-link" href="https://www.kevinkramer.photo/index" target="_blank">Kevin Kramer</a>/Eater Twin Cities</cite>
<figcaption>Chef Jose Alacron</figcaption>
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<h2 id="1jdeoQ"><a href="https://twincities.eater.com/2017/2/27/14732352/popol-vuh-central-address-minneapolis-lyn65">Popol Vuh / Centro</a></h2>
<p id="uhluEb"><strong>Location:</strong> 712 15th Ave. NE Minneapolis</p>
<p id="gLWRnW"><strong>Key Players:</strong> Chef Jose Alacron and <a href="https://twincities.eater.com/search?q=lyn+65">the Lyn 65 Players</a></p>
<p id="BlTH2y"><strong>Projected Opening: </strong>Mid-Summer</p>
<p id="ltpSTS">Construction is still happening at this dual restaurant space in Northeast, not far from the intersection of Broadway and Central. After a few unforseen delays, Popol Vuh and Centro are on track to open halfway through the summer season. Centro will be a more casual, taco restaurant and Popol Vuh will serve elevated Mexcian fare from chef Jose Alacron. Behind the bar on the Centro side will be margaritas and sangria on tap, plenty of local beers, plus large mezcal and tequila selections. Plus, the bar team is hard at work on a guava mezcal slushy. The space will be light, bright and colorful.</p>
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https://twincities.eater.com/2018/2/28/17062350/most-anticipated-restaurant-openings-spring-2018-minneapolis-st-paulJoy Summers