Counter intelligence

Opening soon: Filfillah, a Middle Eastern restaurant and shisha (water pipe) lounge at 4301 Central Av. NE., Columbia Heights. It's part of a family restaurant business that started in Saudi Arabia. Filfillah will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a menu that ranges from kebabs and shawarma to spaghetti and meatballs and filet mignon.

Last update: June 7, 2006 - 12:17 PM

Hookahs will be available with a choice of 25 flavored tobaccos from coconut to cappuccino. Two more Filfillahs are in the works, one at 11th St. and 14th Av. S., in downtown Minneapolis, opening next month, and another in Coon Rapids, by the end of this year.

Yes or no?

Is Fogo de Chao coming to City Center? Neither the Brazilian churrascaria chain, nor Brookfield Management would confirm the story, but it seems like a pretty sure thing. Fernando Barreto of the corporate office near Dallas said that they are working with Shea Architects in the Twin Cities, and that if the deal is made, the restaurant will open by November. Churrascarias feature strolling waiters serving fire-roasted meats carved at tableside.

City lights, good bites

Minneapolis is the focus of an article in this month's Food & Wine magazine, written by Rick Nelson, Star Tribune staff writer. He calls the city the "most exciting architectural town in America" and profiles the restaurants such as Wolfgang Puck's 20.21 restaurant at the Walker Art Center, and Lenny Russo's Cue, coming soon to the new Guthrie Theater.

He also offers a hot list of trendy Minneapolis restaurants that includes the 112 Eatery, Five Restaurant & Street Lounge, Masa and the Town Talk Diner.

JEREMY IGGERS