taste

For these kids. there really is a free lunch

How sweet is this? Anodyne @ 43rd, Victor's 1959 Cafe, Grand Cafe, Corner Table, Sebastian Joe's Ice Cream Cafe, Breadsmith, Great Harvest Bread Co., Whole Foods Market, Broders' Cucina Italiana and Chipotle got together and presented a free dinner last week for the children from Waite House Community Center in Minneapolis who were passengers on the school bus that miraculously survived the collapse of the I-35W bridge.

"I was really touched," said Jane Reilly, a clinical social worker and the event's organizer. "We called restaurants and they said, 'Of course, what do you need?'"

Dinner for 50-plus kids and their parents was preceded by a ride on a school bus, their first since the bridge collapse on Aug. 1. "It took a lot of courage on their part, but they all got on the bus, and they were fine," said Reilly, one of 12 team members who have been working with the children for the past several weeks. "It was a big day for them, and we wanted to recognize that with a dinner."

Around town

A small part of the Minnesota State Fair lives on Friday morning, although not at the fairgrounds. Tejas (3910 W. 50th St., Edina), which makes a wickedly good breakfast burrito at its State Fair outpost, is serving them for one day only -- and one hour only, from 7 to 8 a.m. -- on its 50th Street sidewalk, drive-by style. Cost is $2.50, and all proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure breast cancer movement.

Cocktailers, listen up: Learn how to make the latest in libations with mixologist Wayne Roemhildt during Monday night seminars (next Monday and Sept. 24, plus Oct. 8 and 22) at Crave (3510 W. 70th St. in the Galleria, Edina). The $20 fee buys drinks, appetizers and knowledge; for reservations call 952-697-6000.

Fans of the fabulous pancakes from the former, much-missed Ruby's Cafe on Loring Park in Minneapolis (site of the soon-to-open Nick & Eddie) can get a chance to relive their memories. Former Ruby's chef/co-owner Mary Brahneman is serving the memorable -- and memorably huge -- flapjacks for one day only: Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts (6666 East River Rd., Fridley); all proceeds benefit the center. For information, call 763-574-1850.

RICK NELSON