Edina’s Cocina del Barrio closing Oct. 1 as Daniel del Prado’s Americana moves in

After 15 years on Edina’s France Avenue, Cocina del Barrio will close Oct. 1.

After that, Barrio owner Ryan Burnet will team with chef Daniel del Prado for an extensive remodel of the space to open Americana. The new American restaurant will sport a glassed-enclosed rooftop patio courtesy of Christian Dean Architecture. The new spot is currently projected to open in the fall of 2026.

Burnet and del Prado’s working relationship dates back years, when Burnet was a part of the opening ownership at Burch Steak and del Prado was in the kitchen. The two also have joined forces to open Porzana and Minari, both in Minneapolis.

Americana is one of three restaurants del Prado is planning to open in the 50th and France neighborhood. It was just announced that he will take over the Lynhall Edina location for an unnamed concept, and built into the announcement for Americana was mention of a third, smaller project at an undisclosed address in the area.

Reps for del Prado say that the cuisine for Americana (5036 France Av. S.) is still in the rough-draft stages, and more details will be shared after the project starts to take shape.

Del Prado is also opening another Rosalia Pizza in nearby St. Louis Park, and did we mention that he’s part of the ownership of Dexter’s, the elevated sports bar that’s not far from Barrio? It’s a lot.

For fans of Barrio’s queso and tequila, the downtown Minneapolis location plans to carry on, as will the outpost at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s Terminal 2. The Minneapolis Barrio will accept gift cards bought at the Edina location, which will have usual hours until its final day.

Mohamed, the force behind the clean-eating cafe Parcelle and the recently closed StepChld, will base PaperBoy on schiacciata, an Italian flatbread, filled with cured meats and cheeses. MSP Business Journal reports that Parcelle chef Yon Belaineh will lead the kitchen, and that Mohamed has signed a five-year lease on the space at 706 2nd Av. S. Expect an opening by the end of the year.

Fresh off of opening a location in Rochester, Ichiddo Ramen’s next Minnesota location will be at 303 1st Av. NE. in Minneapolis.

The restaurant space at the base of the NordHaus apartments was most recently Vellee Deli, and the first outpost to close before the restaurant group folded. It comes with room for dining in, an outdoor patio and interior bar space.

Ichiddo Ramen has 12 Minnesota locations, including St. Paul, Minneapolis, the Mall of America and Rochester (1123 Civic Center Dr. NW.), which opened Aug. 29. No word yet on when the Northeast location will open.

It’s been 15 years since a collective of enterprising chefs in downtown Robbinsdale stepped out of the kitchen and started hosting dinners with joyous abandon that would break all the rules and revolutionize dining in the Twin Cities.

And of course, there will be snacks. Tickets for food and beverages can be purchased ahead of time for multiple food stations and beverages. As the invite says, “Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and a little madness, just the way we like it.”

Find more details on Travail’s website.

Oysterfest, the oyster-fueled autumnal street party courtesy of Meritage, returns to its full glory this year on Sept. 28 in downtown St. Paul. The celebrated French restaurant hosted the first Oysterfest 15 years ago, closing a portion of St. Peter Street and bringing in the best of the briny bivalves for feasting, oyster shucking contests and even specially brewed oyster shell beer.

This year, the party will boast three bars, educational seminars, live music, oyster tastings and a special Oyster Stout from Venn Brewing. Passes are available on Meritage’s website for $35, $75 for a VIP pass or $195 for VIP tent access — all come with various beverage and oyster opportunities. VIP tickets are close to selling out. Find more details on Meritage’s website and Instagram account.

On Sept. 16, Owamni and its nonprofit NATIFS are hosting a riverside cookout outside the Water Works Pavilion in Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis. There will be drummers, dancers, educational info and, of course, food. The beer truck and Tatanka food truck will be on site at the lower level, where attendees can join in the fun for free. Or, there’s additional VIP seating on the terrace of the James Beard Award-winning restaurant for $45, with food stations, shucked oysters, signature cocktails, zero-proof beverages and more. Find more details on Owamni’s website.

Modeled after “The Longest Table” dinners held around the country, the event will showcase Minneapolis restaurants, food trucks and chefs with a variety of cuisines and ticket prices, starting at $27 per person up to more than $250. Diners purchase a seat at the table of participating restaurants for an all-inclusive dining experience.