Pop goes the restaurant at these dining pop-up events.
The Birchwood Cafe is closed for renovations, but that isn't stopping chef Marshall Paulsen from teaming up with Verdant Tea owner David Duckler. Their collaboration is yielding a remarkable pop-up breakfast (8 a.m. to noon, daily) that pairs B'wood standards — glorious savory waffles, cleverly embellished granola — with Verdant's eastern-looking sensibility. Translation: buckwheat crêpes filled with meaty mushrooms and pickled vegetables, dainty pan-seared pot stickers stuffed with chicken or tofu and slices of thickly cut, hoisin-glazed bacon. All are paired with Verdant's singular tea selection.
2111 E. Franklin Av., Mpls., 612-223-8907, www.minneapolis.verdanttea.com, www.birchwoodcafe.com
After several years of innovation and accolades in Nashville, former Sea Change chef Erik Anderson has returned to Minneapolis with plans to open a restaurant. In the meantime, he's staging pop-up events in his friends' restaurants. Next up: A 20-course dinner (with beverage pairings by Bill Summerville of La Belle Vie) on March 31 for 16 diners — eight at 5 p.m., another eight at 9 p.m. — at the kitchen counter at Borough. Cost is $250 per person, reservations (after 2 p.m.) at 612-354-3135.
730 Washington Av. N., Mpls., www.boroughmpls.com
Hurry in to Crema Cafe, because Sunday is the last day that Vellee Deli has the run of the place. What a smart idea: Crema owners take a break, and Vellee's food-truckers get a winter home for their delicious fusion approach to tacos, burritos, quesadillas and bahn mi.
3403 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls., 612-824-3868, www.cremacafeminneapolis.com, www.velleedeli.com
RICK NELSON
