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Preview: New T.C. eateries

Facing the prospect of eating actual dogs in these dog days of summer? Try these new restaurants instead. A&E has the scoop.
People enjoy cheeseburgers. Some of these places sell them.
Image by Ashley Goetz
People enjoy cheeseburgers. Some of these places sell them.

By any major cityâÄôs standards, the Twin Cities are far from cultural juggernauts when it comes to dining out. Still, considering MinneapolisâÄô and St. PaulâÄôs modest sizes, thereâÄôs a continuous flux of new food places eager for bored and hungry Minnesotans. That, along with the fact that âÄú$$âÄù typically means a $10 plate here when the same sign can warrant a $20 meal in New York City gives us fly-over gurgitators a sense of value lost on the coasts. In keeping with the aforementioned flux âÄî one hastened both for better and worse by the trying economy âÄî the following is a rundown of the newest restaurants to open up shop in and around Minneapolis. Sea Change 818 Second Ave. S. Minneapolis, 55415 Angle: While the term âÄúsea changeâÄù rings most relevant to maritime scholars and mopey Beck fans, Twin Cities foodies will soon be joining the ranks. Sea Change, the newest restaurant by whiz chef Tim McKee (Solera, La Belle Vie) is set to open at the Guthrie Theater. The menu will focus on sustainable seafood âÄî that is to say, theyâÄôll be buying from fisheries that practice environmentally healthy fishing and farming methods. Sea Change will be harbored in the redesigned hull of the GuthrieâÄôs current restaurant, Cue, and because of the fact that going green is still the new black, the restaurantâÄôs future is decidedly bright. Wakame Sushi 3070 Excelsior Blvd. Minneapolis, 55416 Angle: Where cooked fish failed, raw fish hopes to prevail. Such is the goal of Wakame Sushi & Asian Bistro, the newest of many new Twin Cities sushi joints, which is taking 3,680 square feet that formally housed Three Fish in Calhoun Commons. Since the Calhoun Commons areaâÄôs newest entry into MinneapolisâÄô collective digestive tract is the wildly popular Burger Jones, perhaps Wakame can usurp some of JonesâÄô worldlier and less carnivorous patrons. Galaxy Drive In 3712 Quebec Ave. S. St. Louis Park, 55426 Angle: Steve Schussler, the mind behind gimmick/concept restaurants Rain Forest Café and T-Rex: A Prehistoric Family Adventure is trying his hand at the oldest and truest restaurant shtick: âÄô50s nostalgia. Schussler is taking what was once WagnerâÄôs Drive-In (a rundown âÄî yet still endeared âÄî eyesore) and sinking upwards of $850,000 into it with the hopes that manufactured Americana takes. Among the features being added to the renovated drive-in: a giant lawn chess set, a rack for scooters and a water fountain for dogs. The menu is basic fast food (burgers, shakes, ice cream), but if executed properly, thereâÄôs no end to market for this type of kitsch. And come on; who doesnâÄôt like their grease served via skate-clad teenagers? I Love This Bar & Grill Intersection of Highway 100 and Interstate 394, St. Louis Park Angle: In 2003, when country megastar Toby Keith was topping the charts with his song âÄúI Love This Bar,âÄù who could have thought the addition of a simple âÄú& GrillâÄù could translate into chain eatery success? Well, it has. KeithâÄôs joint is a 15,000-foot behemoth with an 85-foot guitar-shaped bar, 50-plus plasma televisions, and is opening at the soon-to-be-bougie âÄúlifestyle centerâÄù that is The Shoppes of West End later this year. The menu is heavy on country favorites like chicken fried steak, but thereâÄôs also some more decadently trashy fare; fried bologna sandwich, anyone? It remains to be seen if the docile, upper-class residents of St. Louis Park will be eager to dine in a restaurant named after a man who proudly sang , âÄú ‘Cause we’ll put a boot in your ass/It’s the American way.âÄù Sauce Spirits & Soundbar 3001 Lyndale Ave. S. Minneapolis, MN 55408 Angle: From the very premature looks of it, Sauce seems to be just what this city needs. In the wake of The DinkytownerâÄôs demise and with rumors swirling about the 400 BarâÄôs future, a restaurant that doubles as a new venue for local acts is a practical addition. But it appears that Sauce is going beyond practical and even approaching awesome. Heaps of dates already lined up for stellar local acts (The Guystorm , The Wars of 1812 , First Communion Afterparty ), a full bar, the promise of Italian food and a prime Uptown location bode well for any new establishment. For all intents and purposes, Sauce is poised to overcome its manufactured trendy name and become a new beacon for local music. Other notables: Blue Skies Wine Bar 24 University Ave. S.E. Minneapolis, 55414 Angle: A wine connoisseurâÄôs wet dream. 100+ wines all available for sampling set in the ever-increasing hipness of N.E. across the street from SurdykâÄôs. The Anchor Fish & Chips 302 13th Ave. N.E. Minneapolis, 55413 Angle: Lots of delicious junk food and (hopefully) a vibe to match. Fried fish (obviously), battered sausage, pasties and Sheppard’s pie make up the no-B.S. menu. ThereâÄôs beer, wine and something called a âÄúfull Irish breakfastâÄù on the weekends. Read: early morning drinking excuse.

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