New near Calhoun

New Uptown eatery Lake & Irving opened in the old Blue Sky Creamery near Lake Calhoun this week. The restaurant is led by the brotherly duo of Chris and Andrew Ikeda, who cut their teeth in Hawaii and Napa Valley kitchens before returning to Minnesota. The chef bros are doing American fare with global twists and their Pacific Rim influences adorn the menu, with dishes like misoyaki salmon and shoyu-braised short ribs. The 3,800-square-foot restaurant features a 12-seat bar with 11 beers and a pair of wines on tap, and a few classic cocktails.

1513 W. Lake St., Mpls. • 612-354-2453 • www.lakeandirving.com

Fund our vodka

The list of future Minnesota distillers keeps growing. Last week, Lost Falls Distillery launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund its would-be Minneapolis operation. Seward Cafe vet Nils Collins and head distiller Brian Nackerud, who has a home-brewing/wine-making background, plan to make vodka, rye whiskey, aquavit and a black cherry rum out of the City Food ­Studio at 38th Street and Chicago Avenue S. The two are seeking $11,500 in start-up costs and hope to open their small-batch ­distillery next spring.

MICHAEL RIETMULDER