The latest food truck to hit downtown Minneapolis: YumMi Banh Mi (www.yummitruck.com), which specializes in delicious sandwiches (on chewy Franklin Street Bakery baguettes) inspired by the traditional Vietnamese staple. (My tip: Get the braised pork belly, or the tofu with red cabbage slaw.) Find the lunchtime trailer on Nicollet Mall at 11th Street.

At Mall of America, Puck is out, French is in

The first-floor space at the Mall of America that was most recently home to Wolfgang Puck Express has a new tenant. It's a branch of Pardon My French, and it features the same salads, sandwiches, quiches and elaborate pastries that are on the menu at the cafe/bakery's original location (1565 Cliff Road, Eagan, www.pardonmyfrench.eu).

The mall's other upcoming food-and-drink tenants include two new-to-Minnesota chains. Fast-growing Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill (parent company Flat Out Crazy Restaurant Group operates 36 restaurants in 12 states) dabbles in Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese flavors. The full-service restaurant and bar also boasts a design-your-own stir-fry option. Opening date is Nov. 21, just in time for Black Friday shopping madness.

Also on the horizon is Dick's Last Resort, a casual, all-American bar-restaurant.

Must-see documentary

Anyone interested in small-scale farming and the movement's influence on the way we eat, cook and dine out, needs to see "Dirty Work," a fascinating and lovingly produced documentary by director Deb Wallwork from Minneapolis-based Redeye Video.

The aptly named film follows a year in the life of farmers Don Roberts and Joni Cash at their western Wisconsin CSA operation, and the attendant spiritual joys and financial pitfalls of running an organic vegetable farm. Roberts' son Alex, chef/owner of Restaurant Alma in Minneapolis, makes a cameo appearance.

Catch a free screening at 7 p.m. Monday, in Room 230 of the Science Teaching & Student Services Building (222 SE. Pleasant St., Mpls., the new oval-shaped building opposite the Washington Avenue Bridge from the Weisman Art Museum), followed by a panel discussion with Wallwork and some of the farmers who appeared in the film. The event is a part of the University of Minnesota's Food Day, a first-annual initiative to promote healthy, sustainable food.

The 54-minute film is also being screened Sunday at 7 p.m. as a part of the Flyway Film Festival, at the Widespot Performing Arts Center in Stockholm, Wis. (N2030 Spring St.). Tickets $8, www.flywayfilmfestival.org.

Make your reservations

Restaurant Week, sponsored by Mpls.St.Paul magazine, kicks off Sunday and runs through Oct. 28. Fifty-plus participants are offering great $10-$30 lunch and dinner specials; get the details at www.mspmag.com.