Counter intelligence: Culinary Olympics medal winners, new Ridgedale restaurant, closings and reopenings

Two Minneapolis chefs were basking in the international spotlight last week in a pair of Olympic-level culinary competitions in Lyon, France.

Congratulations to John Kraus, chef/co-owner of Patisserie 46 (4552 Grand Av. S., Mpls., 612-354-3257, www.patisserie46.com), who led Pastry Team USA to a bronze medal in the 14th edition of Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie.

His teammates were two Chicago pastry chefs: Joshua Johnson of Vanille and Scott Green of the Langham Hotel. Italy won the gold medal, and Japan took the silver medal; 21 teams participated.

A few days later in the Bocuse d'Or competition, the U.S. team (chefs Philip Tessier and Skylar Stover of the French Laundry in Yountville, Calif.) won the silver medal, its best showing ever. (The team has never placed higher than sixth.) The team's head coach? Gavin Kaysen, chef/owner of Spoon and Stable (211 N. 1st St., Mpls., 612-224-9850, www.spoonandstable.com), and a 2007 Bocuse d'Or competitor.

It was the 15th edition for the Bocuse d'Or, named for its creator, chef Paul Bocuse. Norway won the gold, and Sweden went home with the bronze; 24 teams competed.

When the Twin Cities' second Nordstrom opens on Oct. 2 at Ridgedale in Minnetonka, the store will include a full-service restaurant as well as a coffee counter.

Mediterranean-inspired Ruscello will feature menu items along the lines of ciabatta filled with chile-rubbed pork tenderloin and a dried cherry-napa cabbage slaw, pizza topped with prosciutto and arugula, a roasted vegetable salad and lemon-scented risotto served with shrimp and asparagus. The bar will serve cocktails, beer and wine.

Mall of America shoppers will recognize Nordstrom Ebar, the counter-service operation that focuses on coffee and tea and includes a sandwich/salad grab-and-go component.

Also coming to Ridgedale: the Twin Cities' second Kona Grill (www.konagrill.com) outlet. The steak-and-sushi chain, which operates 30 locations in 19 states, will be located on the mall's north side and will open before October.

After mourning the loss of Lynden's Soda Fountain (490 Hamline Av. S., St. Paul), let's celebrate the impending debut of its replacement: Cold Front.

Co-owners Laurie Drake and Steve Willis will be continuing the shop's emphasis on ice cream (from the Chocolate Shoppe in Madison, Wis.) in cones, sundaes (candied bacon, anyone?), malts and shakes.

But the duo is also introducing coffee (using Dogwood Coffee Co. beans) and house-made sodas, in traditional flavors (cherry, orange, grape), as well as "signature flavors you'll only find at the store," said Willis, including strawberry-balsamic and lemon grass. Look for a mid-month opening.

Rick Nelson