Doughnuts, downtown

The four words that will soon be heard all over downtown Minneapolis?

"There goes the diet."

That's because Bogart's Doughnut Co. (904 W. 36th St., Mpls., www.bogartsdoughnutco.com) is opening an outpost in the IDS Crystal Court.

The main-floor kiosk debuts in mid-July and will follow a Monday-through-Saturday schedule, serving owner Anne Rucker's trademark brioche doughnuts, as well as cake doughnuts and other deep-fried novelties.

It's Rucker's first expansion since opening her brick-and-mortar shop a year ago, after several years of selling at the Kingfield Farmers Market.

"I used to work in the IDS, back in my lawyer days, so it's a personal thing for me," she said. "And I've always thought of the Crystal Court as being this special place. It's beautiful, and it has a lot of history. It was my first pick, and I feel so lucky that I got it."

For an interview with Rucker, go to startribune.com/tabletalk.

Taste of 'Mediterranean'

Readers of chef Sameh Wadi's recently released cookbook, "The New Mediterranean Table" (Page Street Publishing, $28), have the opportunity to immerse themselves into two tribute-style meals.

Wadi is hosting the first, set for May 18 at his Saffron Restaurant & Lounge (123 N. 3rd St., Mpls.). It's a nine-course, family-style meal that will feature recipes from the book. Cost is $125 per person, reservations at www.saffronmpls.com.

The second, hosted by Wadi's mentor Tim McKee on June 3 at McKee's La Belle Vie (510 Groveland Av., Mpls., www.labellevie.us), is a five-course dinner (inspired by the book's recipes) with wine pairings. Cost is $125 per person, reservations at 612-874-6440.

Duluth is smokin

For food lovers, Northern Waters Smokehaus (394 Lake Av. S., Duluth, www.nwsmoke haus.com) is nearly as synonymous with the city of Duluth as the Aerial Bridge.

Which is why fans of the Canal Park shop and counter-service cafe have reason to cheer: Owner Eric Goerdt is expanding, taking his cured meats and smoked fish up the hill into a former bagel shop (1608 Woodland Av., Duluth). The second location will include a larger menu — tapas, as well as beer and wine — and will open in the fall.

In the meantime, be on the lookout for the shop's twice-a-month appearances at the Mill City Farmers Market (Chicago Av. and S. 2nd St., Mpls., www.millcityfarmersmarket.org) and the Kingfield Farmers Market (4310 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls., neighborhoodrootsmn.org). First scheduled dates are May 30 and 31, respectively.

All hail the morel

Who will be crowned Chef de Shroom? Find out on May 30 at the Sample Room (2124 Marshall Av. NE., Mpls.) at the inaugural MNMorelFest, a day dedicated to music, dancing, cocktails (from leading Twin Cities barkeeps) and, of course, 500 pounds of the official state mushroom.

The chef's competition, hosted by Sameh Wadi of Saffron, will include Thomas Boemer (Corner Table), Jim Christiansen (Heyday), Todd Macdonald (the upcoming Parella), Gavin Kaysen (Spoon and Stable) and Nick O'Leary (Smack Shack). Tickets $55 to $75 at www.mnmorelfest.com.

Closed, again

The great-looking Lake­ville address that was originally Copper Bleu — and then Molly Cool's Seafood Tavern — just lost its third tenant in nine years. Copper River Fish and Chop House (17516 Dodd Blvd.) has closed.

Rick Nelson