Hungry for new restaurants, Twin Cities? You're in luck

Could an icy few months of restaurant closings finally be behind us?

While we can't speak for the actual winter, it appears the sun is coming out over the Twin Cities' restaurant scene, as late February and early March usher in a new season of openings.

Here is just a taste of what's newly open or imminent.

Basement Bar (4134 Hubbard Av. N., Robbinsdale, 763-535-1131, travailkitchen.com/basementbar). You can't embark on one of Travail's signature dinner adventures in its new Robbinsdale complex until it officially opens next month. But you can nosh and sip at the Basement Bar, which opened Feb. 19. Food and drink (including some nonalcoholic cocktails) are overseen by Nathaniel Smith, its creative bar director.

Mango Mango Dessert (406 14th Av. SE., Mpls., mangomangodessert.com). An expanding franchise highlighting Hong Kong-style desserts opened in Dinkytown Feb. 19. On the menu: fruit bowls with mango, snow white juice, red bean, black rice, durian and more; mochi; mille crêpe cakes; egg custard; and bean paste soups.

Trax Burgers and Bar (525 N. 5th St., Mpls., 612-524-1900, traxburgers­andbar.com). Connected to the new Fillmore music hall in Minneapolis' North Loop, this gastropub is serving burgers, shareable appetizers, shakes and local beers and spirits. Chef David Fhima collaborated on the menu. The 80-seat space with communal bar and outdoor patio neighboring Target Field incorporates design elements that amplify its proximity to the city's newest music venue: vinyl records and vintage audio equipment.

Uptown Pizza (323 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-823-7203, uptownpizza­mpls.net). The longtime Lake and Grand pizza dive (it's been there since 1980) quietly closed last fall. Now, it's back with a new owner — a former staffer who is reviving the original recipe.

Hamburguesas El Gordo (161 Victoria St., St. Paul, gordoburgers.com). The Mexican street food spot will add its third Twin Cities location this spring in the Summit-University neighborhood storefront that formerly housed Tori Ramen (the other Hamburguesas El Gordo restaurants are in West St. Paul and Minneapolis). Dine-in or take out burgers, hot dogs, handmade tortilla tacos or Mexican specialties.

Mill Valley Market (1221 Theodore Wirth Pkwy., Mpls., 612-355-7757, loppet.org). The Theodore Wirth Trailhead gets a new food vendor when this counter-service spot from the folks behind Mill Valley Kitchen opens in mid-March. (The previous tenant, Cajun Twist, left to open a stand-alone restaurant in south Minneapolis.) Like the original, this outpost will have "healthy, nutrient-dense food," said owner Mike Rakun. Also look for burgers and fries, beer and wine and bar snacks.

Pajarito (3910 W. 50th St., Edina, pajaritostp.com). The upscale St. Paul taqueria is opening a second location at 50th and France by mid-March. The menu will closely resemble that of the original location: Mexican bistro fare such as soft-shell crab tacos with watermelon, serrano chile and curry; shishito peppers with lime, soy and chipotle; and their popular shaved beef torta.

Pie & Mighty (3553 Chicago Av., Mpls., pieandmightymsp.com). Opening in time for Pi Day (3.14, get it?), this occasional pie pop-up — they call it an "underground pie hookup spot" — is going brick and mortar. They'll have seasonal sweet pies in two sizes, plus slices and "lil' pies" on a first-come-first-served basis. Bootstrap coffee will wash them down.

Pillbox Tavern and Red's Savoy (400 Wabasha St. N., St. Paul, savoy pizza.com). Opening in March in the Treasure Island Center in downtown St. Paul is a tavern from executive chef Graham Messenger, as well as the local pizza chain that first opened in downtown St. Paul in 1965. The redevelopment brings new life to the former Macy's/Dayton's department store.

Tori Ramen (603 W. 7th St., St. Paul, toriramen.com). After closing last summer in the Summit-University neighborhood, Tori Ramen is back in St. Paul. It'll be opening soon in the former Chicago's Taste Authority on West Seventh.

A pop-up market Thursday (Feb. 27) is celebrating black-owned businesses, including several restaurants. The Black Bazaar, hosted by Minneapolis ad agency Fallon, will feature bites and drinks from Heritage Tea House, Trio Plant-based, Ted Cook's, Du Nord Craft Spirits, the Breakfast Bar, Soul Bowl, Safari, One Fermentary & Taproom, Breaking Bread, Juanita's Jar, Afro Deli and All Square. Shoppers can also find artwork, clothing, jewelry and more. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fallon's offices, 500 N. 3rd St., Mpls.