For Immediate Release

Minneapolis (Dec. 30, 2019) – Many destinations might hibernate when winter sets in – but not Minneapolis. Hot new options for dining and drinks are plentiful and there’s always something fresh to do. Keep up to speed in this Meet Minneapolis leisure travel round-up.

Dining News

New: James Beard Award Winner Opens Snack Bar
A small plates and pizza restaurant from James Beard winner Isaac Becker (112 Eatery, Burch, Bar La Grassa) recently opened in the North Loop and serves elevated “snacks” like Garlic Fried Octopus, Pork Tonnato and slices or whole pizzas featuring ingredients like Chicken Confit, Clams and Calabrian Chili. snackbarmpls.com/

Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) International Airport Continues to Expand Dining Options
At MSP the goal is to make the airport a must-dine destination. Local Chef John Sugimura’s Pinku (which you can also find in Northeast Minneapolis) stands out with its bright pink teahouse in the middle of the new food court, serving Japanese street food, sushi, sake and cocktails. Services like At Your Gate and Grab offer travelers the opportunity to have food delivered to them and even ordering before arriving in the terminal. mspairport.com/airport/eat-shop-relax

New: Ichigo Tokyo-Crepe Extends Eat Street
A successful former pop-up that serves sweet and savory Japanese-style crepes parked on Nicollet & West 34th Street, extending Eat Street’s reach further south and into new international waters. Ichigo serves some Americanized versions as well as Japanese favorites like adzuki beans, whipped cream and match green tea powder. ichigotokyostylecrepes.com/

New: Pay-What-You-Can Provisions Community Restaurant
Payment is optional at this Lyn-Lake neighborhood spot intended to fight hunger and funded primarily through donations. Dinner is served three nights a week and patrons can enjoy Saturday breakfasts. Don’t be afraid to take a seat as they depend on paying customers to keep the good flowing. provisioncommunity.org

New: North Loop Galley Includes a Diversity of Tastes
Galley Group moved into the Nordic building in the North Loop and has four fully built-out kitchens with emerging chefs serving unique food for a year-long lease in this space: Wrecktangle Pizza, Thigh-Times Birdhouse, Ono Hawaiian Plates and Soul Fu. Communal seating, outdoor patio with fire pits and a bar with 20 beers on tap, wine and cocktails round out the experience in the 8,000 square foot hall. galleygrp.com/locations-minneapolis-galley

New: Black Walnut Bakery Opens in Uptown
A baker who built her reputation on pastries at Minneapolis’ loved Spyhouse coffeehouses has her own space in Uptown. Sarah Botcher’s sweet treats are joined by savory items and a cake program: order from five flavors daily by the slice or take the whole cake. blackwalnutbakery.com/

Taproom and Bar News

ONE Fermentary & Taproom Serves More Than Craft Beer
Despite the name, ONE Fermentary & Taproom is actually a brewpub, giving this North Loop spot the freedom to serve everything from their craft brews to wine, crafted cocktails from Tattersall Distilling and even canned and bottled beer to appeal to more of the bar-going public. But they also have a kitchen where James Beard Award-winner Alex Roberts consulted on the menu that includes charcuterie plates and sandwiches, all with a fermented element like yeast breads, kimchi, pickles and smoked whitefish. fermentary.one/

New: Bar Brava Brings Natural Wine to Minneapolis
The newest wine bar in Minneapolis features wine made with minimal technology or additives. There are more than 100 bottles available on a rotating basis including bubbles, reds and whites. Patrons can also choose from vermouth, ciders and beer along with a tapas style menu from co-owner Nick Anderson, former sous chef at San Francisco’s ABV cocktail bar. barbravamn.com

Minneapolis Cider Company Adds Pickleball Courts
Keeping active while drinking isn’t new but finding a taproom with a Pickleball court is unique. Minneapolis Cider Company hopes to join the rising tide in a sport that’s growing throughout the country. There’s no need to worry you don’t know how to play; staff offers free, 20-minute learning sessions all day in the cidery and courts can be reserved for $40/hour. minneapoliscider.co/pickleball

Attractions News

World’s Third Digital Laser Dome Now Appearing at Science Museum of Minnesota
Visitors can now watch films on only the third Imax digital laser dome in the world at the Science Museum of Minnesota’s Omnitheater after a $2.4 million renovation. Offering better contrast, brightness, clarity and color, the giant convertible domed theater also has enhanced sound with IMAX NXOS digital audio to match the imagery. Reservations are recommended, especially on holidays and weekends. smm.org/visit/omnitheater

‘Our Home: Native Minnesota’ at Minnesota History Center
A new, permanent exhibit shares the stories of Dakota, Ojibwe and other tribal nations who have been in the area for thousands of years and still live in Minnesota. Visitors will learn about their enduring presence and deep connections to the land, sky, nature and each other. Press kit: mnhs.org

More Than Music: Minnesota Orchestra Offers Yoga and Other Events
Perform poses in the sunlit lobby of Orchestra Hall downtown to the live music of Minnesota Orchestra players in a series offered Feb. 23 and May 31. The Grammy-winning orchestra continues to branch out beyond the concert hall with events like Music and the Mind, where you can learn more about how our minds engage with music on a neuropsychological level, sensory-friendly concerts and Pint of Music off-site micro-concerts at local breweries. Calendar of all events and minnesotaorchestra.org/yoga

$25 Million Transit Center Renovation at Mall of America
on the Blue Line, giving them efficient access to the mall’s 520 stores and numerous attractions. metrotransit.org/mall-of-america

New Prince Mural in the North Loop
Joining the growing mural collection of Minneapolis native son, Prince, the side of Floyd’s 99 Barbershop at 424 Washington Ave. N. has been spray-painted with his likeness by Los Angeles-based artist Jonas Never. floydsbarbershop.com/north-loop/

‘Just Kids’ Opens at Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) Jan. 4, 2020
Comprised of nearly 200 objects, the exhibition includes images of children and teens by both celebrated and emerging photographers, as well as photographic books and series created for and by young people. Middle and high school students were integral to the curatorial process, writing and editing the gallery texts and weighing in on exhibition design. “Just Kids” will be on view through June 14, 2020. new.artsmia.org/exhibition/just-kids/

For more information about what to see, do and eat in Minneapolis, visit www.minneapolis.org.

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