Some Minnesotans migrate south when the snow flies. If you're a downtown Minneapolis food cart vendor, you head indoors. Brothers Deli (www. thebrothersdeli.com) owner Jeff Burstein has relocated the sandwich cart he outfitted this summer at 8th Street and Nicollet Mall into a temperature-controlled, skyway-level spot in the Soo Line Building (5th St. and Marquette Av. S.). Weekday lunch plans include the same pastrami and corned beef goodness, plus house-made potato chips and popovers with honey butter.
Meanwhile, Turkey to Go (www.turkeyguys.com), which also carved out a niche this summer at 8th and Nicollet, is heading into the street-level food court inside the Northstar Center (7th St. and 2nd Av. S.), selling its full complement of roasted turkey sandwiches for weekday lunchers. "We might even do something like cinnamon rolls and coffee, early, if we see that there is a need," said executive chef Tim Malloy. "Nothing too fancy, just a simple grab and go." The stand should pop up sometime next week.
Chime in The James Beard Foundation is soliciting suggestions for its 2011 restaurant and chef awards. Anyone can chime in, and it's free. Go to www.jamesbeard.org, click on "awards," follow the "online voting" trail, log in and enter your suggestions in 20 categories, including Best Chef: Midwest, the title currently held by 2010 winner Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma (528 University Av. SE., Mpls., www.restaurantalma.com). Deadline is Dec. 31. Winners will be announced May 9 at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Around town Palomino (825 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., www.palomino.com) fans, listen up: The restaurant's last day is Sunday. The 20-year-old fixture is being replaced by an outlet of fast-growing Crave (complete with the now-requisite rooftop terrace), set to open just in time for next year's Twins season.
The restaurant is going out with a bang: All wines by the bottle are 50 percent off. Say your goodbyes at the Last Call party, which starts at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Raffle ($5) prizes include one of the chain's distinctive art glass chandeliers; part of the evening's proceeds benefits the House of Charity. Find more details at www.palomino lastcall.com.
Going to Holidazzle (www.holidazzle.com)? Warm up with freshly roasted chestnuts ($3 and $5) at La Belle Crepe (825 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., www.labellecrepe.com), the tiny stand-up shop inside the Medical Arts Building. While you're there, indulge in owner Alain Lenne's terrific hot chocolate ($2).
Look who's cooking at Kings Wine Bar & Restaurant (4555 Grand Av. S., Mpls., www.kingsmpls.com): Chad Reilander, formerly of the Old Ways in Wabasha, Minn.
RECENT REVIEWS
Blvd Kitchen & Bar, 11544 Wayzata Blvd., Minnetonka, 763-398-3200, www.blvdkitchen.com ★★1/2
Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, 289 E. 5th St., St. Paul, 651-699-3536, www.heart landrestaurant.com ★★★★
Parma 8200, 5600 W. 83rd St., Bloomington, 952-896-8888, www.parma8200.com ★★★1/2
Travail Kitchen & Amusements, 4154 W. Broadway, Robbinsdale, 763-535-1131 ★★★1/2
RICK NELSON
