Counter intelligence: Apache Plaza is gone, Silver Lake Village has risen in its place

Apache Plaza is gone, and Silver Lake Village has risen in its place. Along with a Wal-Mart and a Cub Foods, the new neighborhood also includes a number of chain restaurants (Chipotle, Caribou Coffee, Applebee's) plus a new, locally owned one: Cabina Italian Kitchen (2700 39th Av. NE., St. Anthony). The counter-service setup specializes in affordable red-sauce fare at lunch and dinner (most prices are under $9) and a dozen take-away meals for five ($20 to $32). A second Cabina is getting ready to open at 10150 Hudson Road in Woodbury.

Last update: January 11, 2006 - 4:29 PM

Logging off

While many coffeehouses have started offering free wireless Internet access for customers, Wilde Roast Cafe (518 E. Hennepin Av., Minneapolis) is moving in reverse. On Jan. 1, the cafe dropped free Wi-Fi access on weeknights and weekends.

"We've always wanted to create a place where people could have conversations and create a community," said co-owner Dean Schlaak. "But with [free Wi-Fi], we noticed that it had become more of a study place. And people talking spend more money than people studying."

Around town

All three locations of Zeno Cafe (downtown and Uptown Minneapolis and Eden Prairie) have closed. The Uptown branch (2919 Hennepin Av. S.) is undergoing a renovation and, according to a sign on the door, will reopen in February under new ownership.

Chef Philip Dorwart has left the building at Tryg's (3118 W. Lake St., Minneapolis).

An addendum to the half-price wine list: Vino 610 (610 W. Lake St., Minneapolis) on Monday and Tuesday evenings.

Twin Citians familiar with Chicago, listen up: The city's legendary, 107-year old Berghoff Restaurant is closing Feb. 28. The dining room will become a catering operation, but the bar will reopen in the spring.