Counter Intelligence: The Little Wagon is back in the saddle

The Little Wagon is back in the saddle

The Little Wagon (420 S. 4th St., Minneapolis) is back in business. The casual bar and grill, a downtown fixture since the 1930s, closed abruptly in December. New owners Terry and Virginia Keegan and Marty Neumann (of Keegan's Pub, 16 University Av. NE., Minneapolis), hope to cater to the neighborhood -- city hall, the Grain Exchange, the Metrodome -- by restoring Little Wagon traditions, including turkey and walleye dinners, among other all-American fare.

"There's never going to be the Little Wagon of old, but we can open a new chapter," said Neumann. Right now the drill is lunch Monday through Saturday and dinner daily (with a late-night pizza menu to 1 a.m. for Twins fans). Neumann said that breakfast service and live music will be added in the fall.

Around town

Saturday is the last day to enjoy one of the delicious pulled pork-avocado-lime mayonnaise sandwiches and chicken-pepper tamales at tiny Cafe Limon (611 W. Lake St., Minneapolis). Owners Hector Ruiz and Erin Ungerman are closing their Lyn-Lake counter to make room for its larger sibling, Cafe Ena (4601 Grand Av. S., Minneapolis), which should be opening in May.

Shelly's Restaurant (6501 Wayzata Blvd., St. Louis Park) has closed.

Celebrate the state's official mushroom, the morel, at the Bayport Cookery's (328 5th Av. N., Bayport, 651-430-1066) annual morel mushroom multi-course meal, starting May 3 and running through June 17.

Coffee lovers, take note: Barista Andrew Kopplin offers a free coffee tasting and discussion every Friday at noon at his cozy coffeehouse, Kopplin's Coffee (490 Hamline Av. S., St. Paul).

Sidewalk and patio dining opportunities are sprouting up like daffodils and tulips. A real harbinger of spring is the official opening of the beer garden at the Black Forest Inn (1 E. 26th St., Minneapolis), taking place May 4, with an alphorn call at 6:30 p.m., live music starting at 7:30 p.m. and of course beer and bratwurst, along with the Krautini, a martini flavored with sauerkraut juice.

Tuesday was officially Barbara Flanagan Day in the City of Lakes. Mayor R.T. Rybak signed the proclamation in honor of the longtime Star Tribune columnist and her unflagging support for sidewalk cafes.

RICK NELSON