DeRUSHA Download: How Did Vinai Get So Much National Love?
Plus A Sad Roundup of Obits, Ideas for Derby Day Weekend
BREAKING NEWS: Gavin Kaysen to open a restaurant in the Four Seasons Naples Beach Club this fall. Details in MNMO: https://fluence-media.co/44p9WuZ
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: SPORTS UNIFIES US
The arena soon-to-be formerly known as XCel Energy Center needs a massive refresh. Target Center will be replaced. We will undergo a robust debate on the public role in subsidizing the businesses of billionaires. The economic case for new arenas is not strong, and I talked about the issue on my show. It’s complicated. But it is undeniable that more than anything else, sports unifies us. Wolves Back. We went to a Wild playoff game last week which had downtown St. Paul popping. The number of young families and Latino fans at Minnesota United FC Sunday afternoon gave me joy. Target Field in the summer is magical. Vikings dominate conversation even in the off-season. The Lynx were so close. The upstarts are bringing energy too - the Frost, and Aurora.
What else gives us this? In a time of increased polarization, where formerly non-partisan things become fodder for the hot take machine that our politics have become, sports bring us together instead of tear us apart. We can debate the finances - but don’t forget about the value. And let’s have some fun! Onward!
This publication is supported by you! Every free subscriber helps; every paid subscriber gets bonus posts and my gratitude for helping make this worth it for me!
TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
Inside Vinai’s Success Nationally
Apostle, North Loop Galley Among Those Closing
Save $75 off the NAZ Jon Batiste Concert Afterparty!
My take on the neighbor v. kids hooping lawsuit
Another MN Guy Goes To Naples
HOW VINAI IS GETTING SO MANY NATIONAL ACCOLADES: The latest - Conde Nast Traveler’s 25 best new restaurants in the world. “Every dish and cocktail on the menu—which features both Hmong and English languages—has a backstory, and Yang is often on hand to tell the tales.” The blurb was written by local writer Kate Nelson, who contributes to CNT and was asked to submit suggestions for the list. Good thing for Vinai that Kate lives here! Kate told me: “I have worked with these editors for a few years now, so they asked me to pitch some places for possible inclusion in the package and I suggested Vinai, as I think Yia's story and work should be showcased far and wide. I agree that it's pretty incredible to see the ongoing love rolling in!” Kate is a really well-connected local writer and former editor, she knows food and she knows storytelling - so it’s no surprise that Conde Nast trusts her pitches for a package like this. https://derusha.short.gy/VinaiCN
So what about on Time’s World’s Greatest Places list [https://derusha.short.gy/VinaiTime] ? WORLD’S!? You can thank Kristen Montag from Meet Minneapolis, as the author of the blurb (who got paid $150) explains in her substack
. It’s sort of a wild scenario- where sometimes Cassandra takes tons of pitches, sometimes she hosts these private pitch calls with trusted media pros. She came to town last fall, Montag drove her around, it was right after Vinai opened, and things came together.
THE OBITUARIES:
DASHFIRE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY: In the Strib, the bitters company and cocktail room talks about debt and the expensive NE Minneapolis lease. They want a court to break the lease - Tattersall had issues with this landlord too. https://derusha.short.gy/dashfire
GUACAYA QUIETLY SAYS GOODBYE: Their Insta says “relocating to the Kingfield neighborhood.” Strib has details on how they let staff decide if they wanted to announce the closing in advance or not. Staff chose the quiet/quick goodbye. Seems crazy to me, but trying to close your business without getting torched for being mean is not easy. https://derusha.short.gy/Guacaya
NORTH LOOP GALLEY TO CLOSE: May 10 is it: 4 restaurants are done as this food hall is shutting it down. https://derusha.short.gy/NLGalley Ono told me they’re looking for a new home if anyone has ideas.
APOSTLE SUPPER CLUB CLOSING: June 1 is the end for Brian Ingram’s spot across from the X. On FB he blamed the crime-vibe in St. Paul downtown. He’s not wrong- but the concept never connected either. https://derusha.short.gy/ApostleClosed
CHIP’S CLUBHOUSE CLOSED: New ownership took over in November, now it’s done via Strib: https://derusha.short.gy/stribclose
WHERE I ATE IN APRIL: Every month I give paid subscribers a list- hopefully it inspires you to visit somewhere new! LINK: https://derusha.short.gy/AprilEatsList
Social media posts you may have missed:
Giveaway with Naf Naf Grill: https://derusha.short.gy/IGNaf
Soft Open of Rosalia: https://derusha.short.gy/IGRosalia
Tour of O2 Luxury Apartment Tower: https://derusha.short.gy/O2Tour
SUBSTACK RECO: My favorite guide to weekend shopping and art events is now on Substack - check out ! SPOTTED: Jahna looking fashionable as always at Wanderlust Fashion show at Minneapolis Club.
TAKE YOUR MOM TO BRUNCH AT MARA!
Does it get better than this? The most lovely Mother’s Day brunch at a spot that will make a memory for her and you! Chef Gavin Kaysen’s team at Mara at Four Seasons Minneapolis has an epic buffet: spanakopita quiche, belgian waffles with orange mascapone, and chefs rolling chicken roulade in front of mom. You know the desserts will be Facebook-worthy too. Book between 10am-2pm now! DETAILS: https://derusha.short.gy/MaraMom [and watch Sous Chef Kenzie on KARE 11 Saturday morning!] (Thanks for being a Download Partner, Mara!)
Sign-up for the Thomas Liquors Wine Club by clicking the graphic above!
WHAT AM I DOING THIS WEEKEND?
FRIDAY: Going to The Cabana Club for the first time with friends. Staying the night in the Stadium Suite @ Four Seasons. SATURDAY: Prob going to Pizza Summit (see below); Sam has prom; we’re going to the Northside Achievement Zone fundraiser (you can buy a ticket to the Jon Batiste concert + Houston White afterparty, USE CODE GETDOWN100 to save $75 https://derusha.short.gy/NAZParty).
WHAT COULD YOU DO THIS WEEKEND?
THE PIZZA SUMMIT: Twin Cities Pie Chasers are hosting a food drive for Neighborhood House and a pizza fest with food trucks at Summit Brewing. FB Event: https://derusha.short.gy/PizzaSummit
DERBY DAY: Saturday May 3. Lots of parties - Canterbury Park, 6 Smith, Utepils, North House - full rundown from Emma at MNMO: https://derusha.short.gy/DerbyDay
MEET MILK BAR’S CHRISTINA TOSI: SAT: Caribou is bringing in Milk Bar cookies to stores. Free pop-up at West End in SLP from 10a-1p, Tosi's meet and greet 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. https://derusha.short.gy/MilkBar
BRYN MAWR GARAGE SALES: 100+ Sat. MAP: https://derusha.short.gy/BMGarage
MILL CITY MARKET GOES OUTDOORS: Sat 8a-1p https://derusha.short.gy/MillCity
VIDEO FROM THE WCCO RADIO YOUTUBE CHANNEL:
WE ARE WEATHER BABIES: Why close everything for thunderstorm risk? https://derusha.short.gy/WXBabies
NEIGHBOR SUES NEIGHBOR OVER HOOP: DIRECT LINK: https://derusha.short.gy/cjSQIM
VETERAN VILLAGE: Homes for Vets from Housing First MN Foundation: https://derusha.short.gy/VetVillage
AUDIO: GIVE MOM A BREAK FROM THE MENTAL LOAD:
joins me: https://derusha.short.gy/RaddatzMomsCHRISTINA TOSI, Milk Bar, on ingredients for success. https://derusha.short.gy/Tosi