The 5 best things our food writers ate this week

When the pizza ovens inside the Roseville VFW went cold, Michael Foehse had an idea. “If we could just elevate pizza in Roseville a little bit — that would be fun."

Foehse grew up nearby and has been deeply dedicated to serving his hometown and making the world a better place. He’s a coach, entrepreneur and pizza fan. He, his wife Jen and their adult son Andre launched Ville City Pizza Co. this summer, running as a ghost kitchen inside the VFW.

“We went all in on the adventure,” he said. Studying the mechanics of making great pizza, their home kitchen filled with experiments last summer until they cracked the code on a superb crust. It’s a hybrid of Neapolitan technique with a New York-style shape using the best flour and the flavor that comes from a 72-hour ferment. The result is crust that’s thin and crispy on the bottom, but retains that plush tug with every bite. Not satisfied with one style, there’s also a thick crust, pan-baked Sicilian-style option.

All the pizza’s names have special meaning: the Pocket Full of Soul ($18/$25), with salty/crisp pepperoni cups, ricotta dollops, fresh basil on a fresh-tasting red sauce comes from a Tower of Power song. The Jeni I Have Your Number is an ode to his wife. And if that all isn’t enough to make a person smile, the restaurant is committed to donating 3% of profits back to their community with their Be Kind Eat Pizza initiative. Through December, proceeds are going to Do Good Roseville. (Joy Summers)

1145 Woodhill Dr., Roseville, vcpizzaco.com

If there’s one thing Minnesota could use more of, it’s “luxury chocolate.” (Couldn’t everyone?)

Mall of America now has the state’s first outpost of Läderach, a Swiss chocolatier known for its thick sheets of “FrischSchoggi,” or fresh chocolate.

I tried a nibble of the Dubai milk FrischSchoggi and walked out with a half pound of the pistachio-filled, kataifi-flecked chocolate. Toasty, crisp and as luxury as chocolate gets, it made for a stunning dinner party dessert centerpiece, simply resting on a wooden board, ready to shatter into shareable pieces. (Sharyn Jackson)

Mall of America, 147 West Av., Bloomington, laderach.com

If your downtown Minneapolis plans include a game or a show, add a meal at Cosmos to your lineup. The fourth-floor restaurant across from Target Center has survived the space’s many hotel rebrands — from Graves 601 to Loews to today’s Lofton — and still delivers a polished meal with a view of the street below and a glass of bubbles at the ready.

Under chef Taylor O’Brien, Cosmos retains a confident focus on local ingredients. The blackened salmon arrives crusted and smoky with harissa, still rosy within, set over a corn-and-tomato succotash tinged with Moroccan spices ($35). It’d make suitable pre-“Purple Rain” fare, though you can also grab a burger “neat” and wings before the Timberwolves tip-off. (S.J.)

601 1st Av. N., Mpls., cosmosmpls.com

Take the White Kasel Sliders. Rather than emulate the square beef sliders topped with grilled onions and a steamy bun from a particular fast-food chain, they’re making it their own. These sliders ($17 for three) are sizable and round, and hints of onion are worked into the patty before it all gets topped with pickles and American cheese. Appropriately, there’s also the option of ordering a 10-pack ($50).

While the space has gone mostly casual, fans of the over-the-top Apostle decor will be happy to know that the quaint Palm Springs-esque lounge in the back corner (Malm-style fireplace in the middle of the room and all) has been preserved. That way, you can still feel like you’re stepping inside of a Shag painting. (Nancy Ngo)

253 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, theeaglestreet.com

My deep and abiding love for fettuccine Alfredo was born at a young age. My childhood is dotted with memories of the creamy dish ordered at special family occasions, usually inside historic dining rooms that have since faded into the history pages.

The Hubbell House in Mantorville is Minnesota’s oldest restaurant, and still stands as a beacon of how an older restaurant can continue to serve generations with a steadfast commitment to serving up the good stuff.

502 N. Main St., Mantorville, hubbellhouserestaurant.com