Less is more in PR Land People in my line of work get inundated with marketing materials, and I'm here to tell all you folks out there in PR Land, less is definitely more (the announcement of this week's opening of Cantina No. 1 at the Mall of America in Bloomington included a coconut, a lime and an empty Corona beer bottle, not exactly what my desk needed). Just give me a plain old news release anytime. While you're at it, send it via e-mail and save a tree.

My favorite bit of Republican National Convention-related chutzpah this week came from the good folks at Pracna on Main (117 SE. Main St., Minneapolis). Their sharply produced e-release opened with this attention-grabber: "Pracna on Main played host to the 1892 Republican National Convention held in Minneapolis and has been waiting all these years to be the site of your landmark RNC party in 2008!"

Seems the last time the Grand Old Party came to town, just a scant 116 years ago, they congregated at the former Exposition Hall, just down the street from Pracna, which dates to 1890. Now that's an angle that I've yet to see anywhere else. Good one.

On a different news release note, restaurant Max (yes, lowercase "r," 215 S. 4th St., Minneapolis), is debuting a week later than planned, as is its host hostelry, the Hotel Minneapolis. Look for doors to open Aug. 8.

Be'wiched (800 Washington Av. N., Minneapolis, bewiched deli.com) made Bon Appetit magazine's 10-best-sandwich-shops list. Look for it in the magazine's August issue.

Manny's Steakhouse fans, listen up: The last day to rip into a porterhouse at the downtown beef palace's original location (1300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis) is Aug. 9. The restaurant will reopen in its new Foshay Tower digs (9th St. and Marquette Av. S., Minneapolis, mannysteakhouse.com) on Aug. 13.

Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer will take on different duties Aug. 17 when he and other teammates work as servers at Morton's the Steakhouse (555 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis) during a four-course dinner benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities. Tickets are $250; call 612-673-9700.

Just a reminder that, as part of the Aquatennial, the Twin Cities Originals (TCO) holds its "Taste of the TCO" on Tuesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Nicollet Island Pavilion, 112 E. Hennepin Av. Thirty-four restaurants will participate. Tickets can be bought online for $35 (www.tcoriginals.com) or for $45 at the door; tickets are available at participating restaurants also.

RICK NELSON