Recent content from Joy Summers
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Lefse-wrapped Swedish wontons, a soothing bowl of rice porridge and a gravy-laden commercial filled our week with comfort and warmth.
2024 was the year restaurants we missed finally returned
Nostalgia is front and center as Mickey's Diner, Forepaugh's, Annie's Parlour and more reopened.
A new wave of comfort food in 2024
Drive-in burgers, family-fun pizzas, a vintage Homer Hanky and a side of fries gave us cozy eating feels.
Yia Vang closes Union Hmong Kitchen on Lake Street
The nomadic restaurant switches to in-home feasts and catering.
Swedish meatballs are having a moment in Twin Cities restaurants
The traditional holiday mainstay is being championed and reinvented by local eateries.
Travail's new Minneapolis cocktail den is out of this world
Plus: A new date night spot in Highland Park, a Chinese bakery opens on University Avenue and more restaurant news.
To open Vinai, Yia Vang first had to give up on the dream
A life-threatening illness forced the chef to let go of what he thought he wanted: to build a love letter to his family's legacy.
Creative drinks, stellar soundtracks and other Twin Cities restaurant trends we spotted in 2024
Among them: Creative drinks, great service and stellar soundtracks.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
The season for cardamom bread, comfort food and a dish as bright as Bentleyville's holiday lights.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities this week
Massive burritos, brothless ramen, cake muffin and a cup of Dayton's nostalgia.
Apple Valley restaurant group switches gears to open food hall
Plus: Duluth Grill owners get into the fried chicken game, Tattersall leaves Northeast, a Vegas-style seafood buffet in Woodbury and more restaurant news.
22 Twin Cities area restaurants marking milestones this year
Celebrating classic steakhouses, pad thai, al pastor and local burger chains.
From humble dreams to standard bearers, 10 beloved Twin Cities restaurants with staying power
A toast to milestone Twin Cities eatery anniversaries that happened this year.
Black Sheep Pizza closing on Eat Street, and more restaurant news
4 openings to know about include a bakery wine bar, vegan juicy lucys and the return of Nankin's original Wanderers Punch.
Burger sensation Parlour opens in Excelsior this week
The move continues Jester Concepts' suburban expansion.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
Meritage brunches are back, plus a pepperoni roll and tartine worth considering and more.
Food icon Lidia Bastianich celebrates Minnesota changemakers in new TV special
The food icon filmed a feast at Owamni, made pesto with crickets and dined at Oro, shining light on the people who are changing the way we eat.
Travail taking over Graze food hall in Minneapolis
Nixta tacos, thin-crust Wrecktangle pizzas and Robb Jones cocktails are coming to the North Loop in 2025.
How to stock the best home bar like the bon vivant you are
From budget friendly to elevated, we have recommendations for wine, spirits, beer, THC and mixers — and the glasses you'll need to serve them.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
Bargain happy hour sliders, empanadas that deserve your attention plus top-notch gyros, cozy chicken Parm pasta and a new breakfast spot.
Soul Bowl has opening date; another Wuollet closes, and more restaurant news
Plus: A new breakfast restaurant, Xelas close to opening in Stillwater, brunch is back at Meritage and more restaurant news.
Sneak peek: Minneapolis dim sum darling Minari opens this week
Chef Jeff Watson built a personal menu with Korean, Japanese and Chinese flavors at the newest restaurant from the Daniel del Prado group.
Peek inside Aster House, the new modern Minnesota supper club
The refurbished 144-year-old stone-brick building boasts a menu by Karyn Tomlinson and an Old World setting with midcentury touches.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
Comfort food reigned with a standout burger, meatloaf Wellington, nachos, cafeteria coq au vin and pizza.
November brings a rush of restaurant openings before the holiday eating season
Plus, new ramen in Richfield, an Argentine-Uruguayan steakhouse in south Minneapolis and teens tried to save their favorite pizzeria.
Mothership Pizza Paradise opens in Minneapolis with '90s pizzeria flair
Crispy chicken sandwiches land in St. Paul, skyway pop-ups for Hippo Pockets and Centro, a new sports bar, a Dunn Brothers refresh and more restaurant news.
New Minneapolis bars to check out and what to order
Boozy boba, a sweet-sounding wine bar and day drinking at a super cool cafe: where to go and what to order at the city's coolest new bars.
She gave us the most exciting weekday brunch of 2024. Now Diane Moua is finally ready for dinner.
Staring Nov. 9 the classically French pastry-trained chef brings her version of Hmong comforts into the culinary conversation.
Best New Chef behind the menu at Aster House, now open in Minneapolis
Plus Union Hmong Kitchen will exit Graze food hall at the end of the month and more food news.
11 great new burgers to try right now in the Twin Cities area
From luxurious wagyu to bargain smashies and a tender turkey burger, these new next-level burgers should be on your fall itinerary.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
A French dip worthy of a cult following, a great new pizza to try and a restaurant addition serving up delicious green chile-chicken eggrolls.
Krispy Kreme plans a return to Minnesota
The company is in expansion mode and has its sights set on Fridley.
A new chocolate shop in Robbinsdale, a comeback for Walkin' Dog, and more restaurant news
Plus: The return of Walkin' Dog, new locations for Mother Dough and Los Ocampo, and Tattersall's Northeast swan song.
Could Minneapolis restaurants finally land in the Michelin Guide?
The Downtown Council plans to woo the global guide as a part of its 2035 Plan to revitalize the city.
The 5 best desserts our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
In honor of National Dessert Day on Oct. 14, we went on the hunt for sweetness and found plenty of it.
Brian Ingram's Salt & Flour opens next week across from Target Field
The Hope Breakfast Bar chef's newest restaurant takes him back to his pasta roots.
Heather's all-day cafe opens in Minnetonka
Plus, a new date-night destination in Wayzata and more fall restaurant openings are on the way.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
Sushi, burrito bowls, short stacks and more were on our minds as we ate our way through the metro.
An icon returns: Mickey's Diner is open in St. Paul
All the favorite menu items are still there, with additions to attract a new generation of fans.
Another St. Paul restaurant staging a comeback in October
Pazzaluna returns to downtown St. Paul for a brief run with its classic Italian dishes.
Du Nord's comeback cocktail room serving Lake Street once more, and more restaurant news
Plus: La La Ice Cream closes, North Loop breakfast news, a devilish Stillwater restaurant seeks new concept and a Minneapolis restaurant titan has died.
10 coffee drinks we love for National Coffee Day
Sip on the lattes and mixes that tell the tales of the Twin Cities-area coffee shops that make them.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
It was a week of cultural comfort food with walleye and wild rice, tacos, sambusas, paffutos and chopped cheese.
The original 'Great British Baking Show' winner is betting on small batches
Social media darling Edd Kimber believes in the power of therapy baking and sharing that joy at home. He'll be in Minneapolis next week.
New York Times lists two Minneapolis restaurants among its favorites of 2024
Oro by Nixta and Vinai are among the 50 restaurants declared the best in America.
Breakfast sandwich alert: Momo Korean Egg Drop coming to Dinkytown
Plus: A new coffeeshop, an opening date for Grackle, a dive bar changes hands, Oysterfest and more restaurant news.
The 5 best things our food writers ate this week
It was sandwich heaven, including last call for Crooked Spoon in Grand Marais. Plus, a maple bacon ice cream worthy of dessert or breakfast – up to you.
5 Twin Cities restaurants that opened while you were on summer vacation
From the historic Union Depot to a permanent spot for chicken tenders and a fancy sports bar, you might have some catching up to do.
With her new cookbook, Zoë François is firmly in her cookie era
The bestselling "Zoë Bakes Cookies" shares recipes, stories and lessons that dot the author's sweet journey from humble beginnings to awe-inspiring desserts.
Hospitality titans team up on new Minneapolis bar, and more restaurant news
Plus: David Fhima heads to Excelsior, Vellee's back in the skyway, the end of a Chicago dog era and more restaurant news.
Saint Dinette in St. Paul will likely close next year; cue the long, Minnesota goodbye
Tim Niver explains what goes into deciding whether it's the end of the road for his restaurant in St. Paul's Lowertown.
The best new local food at U.S. Bank Stadium for the 2024 Vikings home opener
The stadium unveiled a new season of tasty bites and these are the touchdowns.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
Our favorite bites — brunch skillet, hot dogs, rice bowl fiesta, ice cream and a new cocktail — will take you from morning to late night and through all corners of the metro.
It's booya season: Where to find these once-a-year events
Every year folks line up for this special stew and the community it fosters.
Myriel's Karyn Tomlinson is a Food & Wine Best New Chef
The St. Paul chef is praised for her skill and "Grandma Chic" aesthetic as part of the magazine's 2024 ranking.
![Executive Chef and Owner Tommy Begnaud stands for a portrait Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Mr. Paul's Supper Club in Edina, Minn. ] AARON LAVINSKY • aa](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/MZUJ7YD6DHEXWX5XNB2OPMHE6U.jpg?h=120&w=180&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Mothership Pizza Paradise will land at 50th and France, and more restaurant news
Plus: Soul Bowl is on the move, local chains expanding, more praise for Oro and more restaurant news.
4 restaurant locations unexpectedly close over the weekend
Barrio closes in St. Paul after 15 years; Vellee Deli ceases operations at all three sites.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
From porketta sandwiches to hot dishes, comfort food and other things that warmed the belly.
New Minneapolis restaurant Lynette has roots in Richfield's lost Lyn 65
The rare all-day restaurant with fine-dining cred opens with a neighborly how-do-ya-do.
Mediterr-Asian steakhouse from Crave owners opening in St. Louis Park
Plus, Korean barbecue comes to Savage, tracking the TGI Fridays and Red Lobster closings and more restaurant news.
Indigenous Food Lab ushers in a new era of Native visibility at Minnesota State Fair
Chef Sean Sherman's Indigenous Food Lab offers Native food that's made to order — and served by Indigenous makers — at the Minnesota State Fair.
Our picks to eat and drink your way through a perfect day in White Bear Lake
There are tiki drinks, stacked scoops, fine dining and more around every charming corner of this lakeside town.
Eating our own words: Our food writers return to the fair and reassess these low-ranking new foods
Second time was the charm for trying these new foods at the fair.
Hope Breakfast Bar opens in Woodbury, and more restaurant news
The local chain continues its suburban expansion, Suni Lee posts "fav" foods at the fair, plus mark your calendars for a taco tour.
The 5 best healthy-ish things our food writers ate last week
From vegan to whole food finds, healthy eats were on our minds in anticipation of all the fair fare ahead of us during the Great Minnesota Get-Together.
It's here: Reviews of all the new foods at the 2024 Minnesota State Fair
There were 33 new "official" foods, but we went the extra mile and found 30-plus more.
LynLake cafe closing, Forepaugh's is open, and more restaurant news
Plus, it's a great time for dining as Dexter's, Forepaugh's and Lynette are all open for business.
It's been one hot, affogato summer
Douse the dog days of summer — and your sleepies — with these 14 ice cream-espresso treats.
Ouro Pizzaria closes at Eat Street Crossing; a noodle shop is moving in
Plus, an opening date for Tender Lovin' Chix, a new pizza place for 50th and France, apple season and more in this week's food news.
An exclusive first look at Centro's new Roseville restaurant
Jami Olson is betting on a bright suburban future for her new taco restaurant in the former Good Earth.
St. Paul restaurant destroyed by overnight fire
Khue's Kitchen on University Avenue was close to opening; now its future is uncertain.
The 5 best things our food writers ate in the Twin Cities area this week
The pursuit of great frickle pizza, eggs Benedict, pad Thai and more led us across the metro.
Animales finds a sprawling new home in north Minneapolis, and more restaurant news
Plus: Francis' vegan burgers expands, Keys Cafe nears opening in Stillwater, Masu's closing and more restaurant news.
