Anyone else tracking the rise in ice-cream-alternative frozen desserts that seems to be gaining steam this summer? There are swirls of fro-yo in the Sculpture Garden, there are popsicles taking over Stillwater, and major PSA that there are now lemon-lime-lychee delights from MN Dairy Lab at Saturday Dumpling Co. In a town as ice cream–strong as ours (bury me in a tub of Bebe Zito’s salted caramel flan brûlée flavor), it’s fun to have a little shake-up. Elsewhere around town, celebrate the Minnesota Frost with a cold IPA or down one last pint at a pub’s farewell.
News
- Congrats to Hoyo on their move into a $1.6 million kitchen space at Midtown Global Market—production is ramping up to 8,000 sambusas a day! Keep your eyes peeled for the brand’s sambusas coming to the freezer aisle at Lund’s this July, and hot, crispy, steamy sambusas at the State Fair in August.
- We sat down with Du Nord Social Spirits co-founder Chris Montana to talk about the recent closures of Lagniappe and the Du Nord Cocktail Room—as well as what the area of Lake Street that was so heavily impacted by the 2020 unrest needs to heal. It’s worth a full read.
- If you own a bakery, the fine folks over at Vikings and Goddesses have some very valuable advice on how to get tax exemption for certain equipment.
- After a month-long hiatus, Savory Bake House is back in action! Keep an eye on Instagram for this week’s menu, and be sure to show up even earlier than usual, as you’ll be competing with whole crowds who missed hazelnut sweetbread and chocolate-dipped raspberry amaretti just as much as you did.
- Per Bring Me the News, Rosie Peters, the owner of Marine on St. Croix’s Brookside Bar and Grill, is in need of some extra community support after she suffered a heart attack in May during a lapse in insurance coverage. She now needs 36 sessions of cardiac rehab as she recovers. Donations to Rosie’s GoFundMe will go to medical bills, other bills, and groceries.
Closes
- The folks at Dashfire are closing their cocktail room with hearts full, writing “THANK YOU to everyone who has supported us, sipped with us, and been part of our community these past few years. NE Mpls, you’ve shown us so much love—and we’re endlessly grateful.” The brand will continue its production of bitters, cocktails, and spirits, however, so don’t despair. Last day of service is June 28.
- Longtime downtown Minneapolis pub Dan Kelly’s is taking a bow. Plans are in place for a worthy send-off on May 30 and 31, the pub’s last nights of service—come for drinks, music, and one last chance to raise a glass.
Coming Soon
- Big news for Wisco’ ice cream lovers: Bebe Zito is expanding to Milwaukee’s 3rd Street Market Hall. An exact opening date is forthcoming. Does this mean a Blue Moon flavor is in the works?
- Thank goodness Sota Shop is expanding to not just Edina but now St. Louis Park, because the current Maple Grove flagship just cannot sustain the current dirty soda craze on its own!
Agenda
- Again, have to share these excellent events out at Keepsake Cidery this weekend: Friday Night Feast season kicks off on Friday, June 6, with a meal from chef Nettie Colón of Red Hen Gastrolab and folk/bluegrass jams. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and music starts at 5 p.m. Also, on June 8, the cidery is hosting a cheese, pickle, and ferment fest, with many creamy, briney, and funky snacks to be had.
- You may have heard it’s Prince’s birthday this weekend (June 7, to be exact). If you happen to find yourself at the Dakota, be sure to ask for “Prince’s favorite cookie,” and you’ll be rewarded with an off-menu white chocolate macadamia and lime confection from chef Asher Zulosky (the cookies are originally pastry chef Katie Elsing’s creation).
- Fulton Brewing Co. is celebrating the Minnesota Frost’s double championship with a victory party at the taproom on Saturday, June 7, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Plus they’re debuting a new collaboration beer with star forward Kelly Pannek—a lemony blonde ale called “Been There, Won That… Again.”
- Owamni is hosting chef Alexa Numkena-Anderson June 7 and 8—it’s not a ticketed dinner; rather there’ll be traditional Hopi and Yakama special menu items offered alongside the regular menu. Still, it’s wise to make a reservation.
- Head to St. Paul’s Burnt Chicken for the ultimate chef’s battle on June 8—the Struggle Meal Showdown, where “creativity meets comfort food.” A ticket gets you two rounds of tasting plates, two craft cocktails, voting rights to help choose a champion, and of course, good music and vibes.
- Listen, do you have a pizza farm plan in place for the summer? If not, Alpha and Omega Farm’s Thursday pizza nights are a wise place to start.
- Elsewhere in beer collab news… BlackStack Brewing has teamed up with the Science Museum of Minnesota on an IPA called “Thunder Lizard,” which, honestly what a power move of a name. (It’s also a lil nod to Dustin of the Netflix show Stranger Things, if you’re a fan.) The beer launches at Black Stack on June 8, with both museum fossils and paleontologists present; then the Science Museum will host a fun adults-only night June 12.
- Graze Food Hall is celebrating Father’s Day with a “Wingin’ It” fest on June 15 from noon to 3 p.m. A $25 ticket gets you a dozen wings from the hall’s vendors, plus a beer. There’s also a hot wings contest at 2 p.m., if that’s your kinda thing.
- Head over to Forepaugh’s for an open-fire barbecue with meats from Maple Lake’s Butchery on Friday, June 20, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Get ready for the MN Food Truck Festival’s return to Hopkins on June 21. That means somewhere in the ballpark of 45 to 50 food trucks in one place at one time, for maximum feasting, plus live music, dog adoptions, games, and a beverage station with cocktails.
