DeRUSHA: ON CLOSURES, SCANDAL, OPENINGS, AND STATE FAIR FOODS
Plus first glimpse at Black Horse St. Paul & Liliana Woodbury
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: VIBES vs. REALITY
This week 2 TV stations called me about the closure of Lurcat, and I get it. In this newsletter I tend to focus more on openings than closings - I want to give you things to do, not obsess on things that are gone. But it’s human nature: we mourn closed restaurants and closed drive-in movie theatres in the same way: I loved that place! Haven’t been there in years! Palmer’s (major update from me below), Lurcat, StepChld, I suspect we’ll have more closures as leases come up for renewal. AND - this week I went to 4 soft-openings for new restaurants. There are even more new spots in the pipeline. Dreamers are gonna dream. We have Myriel and Bucheron booked up because of their recent James Beard Awards. There is so much good happening.
AND: if your favorite spot is jam packed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday - ask the server or bartender how it is on Tuesday or Wednesday. I don’t blame people for cooking at home more or shifting from sit-down to fast-casual. But you don’t want to be one of those “haven’t been there in years” people at your favorite spot’s funeral.
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TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
Palmer’s Bar Can’t Dig Out From Missing Money
State Fair New Foods
Watch My Radio Show Live on YouTube next week to win Paul McCartney tix
Save 50% on MNMO Fine Spirits
Four Seasons Starts A Membership Program
HUGE list of things to do this weekend!
DeRUSHA SCOOP: Missing money and broken trust is at the heart of the real reason for Palmer’s Bar closing. Owner Pat Dwyer indicated that in a Facebook post, I uncovered paperwork from a divorce proceeding that put a dollar amount on it: $340k taken out of Palmer’s business account in 2021 that was unaccounted for. Read more about this in MNMO: http://fluence-media.co/44Cq2Qe
STATE FAIR NEW FOODS RANKED: I’m excited about O’Garas partnering with Saturday Dumpling Club for potato dumplings, Timber Twists from Giggles, Caprese Curds from LuLu’s and more. What’s a no for me? Read this in MNMO: http://fluence-media.co/3GsvWvi
LURCAT TO CLOSE: I tend to think it’s more about D’Amico focusing on Naples instead of MN. Larry D’Amico and I have talked about how Naples people dine out, they don’t think twice about spending lots of money - our market is a little more frugal. Plus 23 years is a long run - if they stayed that room needed a major refresh. Me in MNMO: http://fluence-media.co/4lJKINa | Me on KARE 11: http://fluence-media.co/3IkRHh
FRENCH RESTAURANT COMING TO SELBY AVE: Aubergine hopes to open in November in the former Revival. [IG: http://fluence-media.co/4kt8xrz] Chuck at Solo Vino is very excited about this. Saint Paul’s Bucheron? Jeanie Janas Ritter says “Our style is a little more less-is-more, where their style is a little more more-is-more and big flavors, big portions, rich and fun.” Sharyn has a preview in the STRIB: http://fluence-media.co/40G4lgR
ABANG YOLI CLOSES ANOTHER SPOT: Jamie Yoo wants to focus on just one location - Abang Yoli will close July 13 at Malcolm Yards. “Running two locations proved to be more challenging than I expected. I found myself physically and mentally exhausted” Heartfelt comments on Facebook: http://fluence-media.co/40wDGTZ
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL MINNEAPOLIS UNVEILS MEMBERSHIPS
Cool concept from my partners at Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis. Join as a Wellness Member and you get access to the indoor pool, fitness center, steam rooms and more; Join the Hotel Membership and you also get 20% off at Mara, Riva Terrace, guest room and suite stays, a quarterly massage. All the details are here: http://fluence-media.co/44t3eDS. BIZ JOURNAL: http://fluence-media.co/46zoadx
QUANG GENERATION 2 & 3: Heather Mandanas and her grandson Andrew Truong share their family's story through food. Listen on Audacy [http://fluence-media.co/4kkqLeP] | Spotify [http://fluence-media.co/46iCjM0] | Apple Podcasts [http://fluence-media.co/3ZWTwXv]
PUB 819 IS OPEN IN HOPKINS: We checked out a soft open - they have a compression smoker from the same people behind the Broaster. So they smoked corned beef for the reuben sandwich - really good. Look for more experimentation this fall. Great bourbon list here.
HIPPO POCKETS IN MINNEAPOLIS: I love this concept. Crunch-wrap inspired, they added a couple bowls and salads, tiny dine-in at 48th & Chicago this will be a take-out heavy operation. Now open at 735 48th St E, Minneapolis.
DARK HORSE in Lowertown: Opens today. Really high on this from Shane Oporto and the team behind Can Can Wonderland/St. Paul Brewing. Pictures from all three in this instagram post: http://fluence-media.co/4nE6wf3
LILIANA: Whoa. Woodbury you’re gonna love this. Great prices, great flavors from Kenzie Edinger (Saint Dinette) - she’s killing it and we were there on the first soft opening. Opening July 14 for dinner service - I’ll have more next week.
SUMMER MUSIC AT TREASURE ISLAND AMPHITHEATER
JOIN ME at MUSIC BY THE MISSISSIPPI at Treasure Island Resort & Casino. Not sure which day is more fun - maybe buy tickets for the weekend and stay at the resort! Friday July 25 + Saturday July 26: Friday features Shane Smith & The Saints [tickets here], Saturday it’s Soul Asylum and Mason Jennings [tickets here]. Alyssa and I will be there for Soul Asylum on Saturday. Outdoor, by the river, it’s going to be so much fun. ENJOY SUMMER! Let’s get at it at TICasino.com.
Treasure Island Resort & Casino is a Download Partner! Thank you!
MNMO FINE SPIRITS CLASSIC 50% TICKETS: Thursday, July 24 at Orchestra Hall - explore a ton of amazing spirits! Use my code JASON50 you’ll get 50% ($30 + tax) or click this: http://fluence-media.co/4nD9MqQ
GET SOCIAL: POSTS FROM DERUSHA
JUCY LUCY TEST AT TASTE OF MN: http://fluence-media.co/45WKQnU
3 SKYWAY LUNCH SPOTS THAT MAY BE NEW TO YOU: http://fluence-media.co/3IixzMv
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND
TEXTILE CENTER’S SLOW FASHION SALE: (via
by ) Shop sustainable garments made or mended by local creatives… prices ranging from $5 to $75. Friday & Saturday 10am–4pm @ Textile Center, 3000 University Ave SE, Mpls, textilecentermn.orgNELLY POST-TWINS-GAME CONCERT: Friday night. Buy a ticket to the game, stay for the show. It’s gettin' hot in… twins.com
TROMBONE SHORTY: Friday, Surly Festival Field. first-avenue.com/event
GROWN-UP BOOK FAIR: InBound Brew’s book fair was so big last time they moved it to the Ed Building at the State Fairgrounds, Saturday. https://inboundbrew.co/craft-beer-blog/bookfairforgrownups
MN AURORA PLAYOFF: Saturday at TCO: https://fluence-media.co/4lFQNdj
PRIOR LAKE LAKEFRONT MUSIC FEST: Foreigner Friday, Miranda Lambert Saturday. Tickets: lakefrontmusicfest.com
PANDAFEST: Giant Asian food fest at MOA parking lot. 100+ street food vendors. Fri/Sat/Sun, $14 ticket at pandafests.com
WHAT I’LL BE DOING THIS WEEKEND
Twins game tonight - Superman movie tomorrow. Nothing else scheduled!
EVAN RAMSTAD: WE LOVE/HATE THE RICH: http://fluence-media.co/46DEY38
TRACY PERLMAN on State Fair Foods / Diabetic Barbie: YouTube http://fluence-media.co/3TU6ulD
BLUE BARN unveils New Fair Food, STEPH SHIMP reflects on first State Fair without David Burley: http://fluence-media.co/4lkpHZx
HIGHWAY MEGA-MAINTENANCE: we’re sick of it. http://fluence-media.co/4f3omUV
ERIN MURPHY reflects on a path forward after political assassinations (audio only http://fluence-media.co/3GmaWX7)
THANK YOU FOR READING! I love hearing your feedback - Jason@JasonDeRusha.com and on X, Threads, Blue Sky, Insta, Facebook and TikTok.