Last Minute Gift Ideas: Download
Huge Market Weekend + Broders News + Blaine Openings
DOWNLOAD DIALOGUE: TOO MANY OPENINGS?
I started to track restaurant openings as a way to disprove the usual end of the year sad story about the places that are gone forever. In 2017 I was arguing that we have too many new spots [MNMO https://fluence-media.co/41B18As] for our population. 7 years later, I still worry about it. It’s not my money, so invest in what you want, open what you want, but as an observer I highly question whether our population can support all these places.
The Star Tribune tracked 160+ openings this year to 44 closings. No, most of the openings are not in the suburbs, but we are starting to see a shift. Hopkins is on the upswing, Excelsior too. The south suburbs of Lakeville and Burnsville are way underserved and there’s huge opportunity in Plymouth. There are always dreamers willing to take a shot (thank goodness!) by opening a restaurant. It’s part of what I love about covering this stuff. Hope all your dreams come true this holiday week! - Jason
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TOO BUSY TO DOWNLOAD?
Expanding Broder’s
Last Minute Holiday Markets
Blaine Gets High-End Steak
Restaurants of the Year
Maple Grove Crimson Carolers in the Podcast Section!
LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY MARKETS
HOLIDAZZLE: Back on Nicollet Mall, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Several holiday markets including a Very Vintage Holidazzle Market in City Center. https://fluence-media.co/41CmJIO
MALL OF AMERICA HOLIDAY MARKET: Saturday/Sunday 10a-5p. I feel like people are sleeping on this! MOA has 40 local artists and makers on 1st floor, I talked to SHExclusive Jewelry about it at the Mpls Club market last week. Next to L.L. Bean, https://fluence-media.co/3VGJrM4
Winter Solstice Outdoor Market: Saturday night 5:30-8p at Groundswell Coffee, 1340 Thomas Ave W, Saint Paul. Local art and handmade goods for sale from 15 local makers. IG: https://fluence-media.co/3Bz2kd5
FOUR SEASONS NORDIC VILLAGE MARKET: Saturday & Sunday 11a-3p, 4th floor rooftop of Four Seasons Minneapolis.
NICOLLET ISLAND LAST CHANCE MARKET: Saturday 10am–4pm @ Nicollet Island Pavilion with over 60 local vendors showcasing artisan goods, treats, and one-of-a-kind treasures. Free! FB post: https://fluence-media.co/4iHXP0s
LAST CALL ART MARKET: Sunday 3-8p, The Hook & Ladder Theater, 3010 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis. I love Bench Pressed and The Bitter Buffalo - they’ve curated a bunch of makers and artists. IG: https://fluence-media.co/4gvokoa
DIANE’S PLACE MARKET: Monday! 10am-2pm, 1401 Marshall St. NE, enter through the courtyard on Marshall Street. Vendors include Cocoa Flake, Bakers Field Flour, Lowry Hill Provisions, Cornelius Pasta, Farina Rossa Kitchen and more. DETAILS: https://fluence-media.co/4iIHOaD
HOLIDAY GIFT CARD GUIDE: Last minute gift idea? Give your favorite restaurant: my bonus gift card guide at MNMO: https://fluence-media.co/4fUosgy
WOW! We brought my parents to the NORDIC VILLAGE at Four Seasons Minneapolis. What a special experience - amazing service, delicious food, all in a private beautifully deecorated cabin. You can book this through March! RESERVER: https://fluence-media.co/3ZvLvJo
Need Christmas Day plans? Four Seasons Minneapolis has an epic buffet: 11a-7p with live carving station and Christmas-themed dessert display! RESERVE ON TOCK: https://fluence-media.co/3BcXeDn
I love having Mara / Four Seasons Hotel Minneapolis as a Download Partner!
BRODER’S DELI TO EXPAND: Dine-in is back in a meaningful way at Broder’s Cucina in South Minneapolis. The MSPBJ reports the pandemic changed the deli/grocery/pizza joint: “Takeout still accounts for at least 90% of business… so adding roughly 36 seats will help reintroduce a dine-in revenue stream” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3BDnG9i
UNION HMONG KITCHEN TO CLOSE FOR DINE-IN: I love when restaurants get poetic about their news, but if you’re closing it’s ok to just say you’re closing. It’s not a failure. In an IG post I described as “beautifully confusing,” Yia Vang announced the counter-service UHK at Lyn/Lake is closing. I think. He’ll focus on Vinai and UHK as a catering/in-home experience.
HOLIDAY POP-UP guide at MNMO: https://fluence-media.co/3CCqVOu
NOW OPEN and COMING SOON
ZAO BAKERY + CAFE: Opened Saturday, has been selling out of egg noodles and congee. MENU: https://fluence-media.co/3ZZiqWI
OG ZAZA IN ST. PAUL: Opened 11am Monday inside King Coil Spirits.
BLAINE PIZZA PUB + PRIME STEAK IN BLAINE: Opened Tuesday at 2190 105th Ave NE near the National Sports Center. Pizza downstairs, steak up including Japanese Wagyu Beef. https://fluence-media.co/3DdEkg3
XELAS IN STILLWATER: Via email: “Due to the holiday season's hectic pace and minor construction delays that impacted the issuance of select permits, Xelas by El Sazon is now set to open in January 2025”
RESTAURANTS of THE YEAR: When I wrote my story for the next Minnesota Monthly about best new restaurants - I struggled to pick my “BEST.” Dario brought us the most exciting version of pasta since BLG. Vinai tells a profound Hmong-American story, deliciously. Bûcheron is defining the new generation of what fine dining can be. And Diane’s Place brings Diane Moua’s precision and flair for flavor to brunch, then delivers her heart and soul to dinner. (I did pick one - it’s Diane.) The Star Tribune named 3 best: https://fluence-media.co/3Df0TkL MSP Mag names 50: https://fluence-media.co/40679UZ. Eater TC named Vinai best and Diane best new chef: https://fluence-media.co/4gER3GX
LONG LIVE VINCENT A RESTAURANT: Still a few tickets left for Vincent Francoual’s pop-up dinner at Chloe Monday night (5:30p). Seafood cappuccino; rice poha crusted halibut, pan seared foie gras, braised wild boar and Louis XV chocolate cake. TICKETS: https://fluence-media.co/41t4dmq
DERUSHA’S HOLIDAY GUIDES
EXPERIENCES INCLUDES:
WINE CLASSES: Surdyk’s inside Sidebar. https://fluence-media.co/4evXquY
ULTIMATE HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE includes local ideas plus:
J. Crew: Great prices, terrific style and quality too. Cotton poplin shirts.
Madewell: Both Alyssa & I shop at Madewell, great basics, terrific denim.
GQ Box: Quarterly mens grooming and style products.
Houston White x Target: We love Houston! Great local entrepreneur!.
VOLUNTEER GUIDE:
SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND: My family does this often!
OPEN ARMS: Prepare medically tailored meals for critically ill clients.
DRIVETIME PODCASTS ON DEMAND
SARAH EDWARDS: Mental health in digital world. https://fluence-media.co/41IvYqT
SATANISTS ARE TROLLING US: https://fluence-media.co/3BuftEu
JOY SUMMERS: On Strib Restaurants of the year https://fluence-media.co/41HfKyo
WHY HOLIDAZZLE CAME BACK: Adam Duininck https://fluence-media.co/4gIG0wK
ASK ADRI: Adrienne Lee’s holiday advice https://fluence-media.co/4gJnsMH
RANK YOUR FAVE CHRISTMAS MOVIE: https://fluence-media.co/402bLLu
CRIMSON CAROLERS LIVE IN STUDIO: https://fluence-media.co/4gnWlal