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.
