Bar La Grassa and Burch Steak and Pizza Bar
Jan. 26 — Feb. 5
For the first time, two (four-star)— and dinner-only — restaurants from James Beard award-winning chef Isaac Becker will be adding lunch service. It's a 10-day deal. Don't go to Becker's 112 Eatery during daylight hours; the restaurant, which is much smaller than its siblings, isn't part of the lunch deal. "We don't have the room, or the staff, at 112," said Becker. Be sure to log on or call ahead for a reservation.
Bar La Grassa, 800 Washington Av. N., Mpls., 612-333-3837 and Burch, 1933 Colfax Av. S., Mpls., 612-843-1500
HopCat
Jan. 28
What's being billed "Surly Bowl LII" is taking place the week before Super Bowl Sunday. Newcomer HopCat is devoting the day to an all-Surly, 52-tap takeover. "This will feature the largest variety of Surly-made beers ever assembled in one place," said Surly spokeswoman Tiffany Jackson. "Well, outside of someone's basement cellar, at least." The options will range from rare cellared beers — including all 11 Surly anniversary beers and seven varieties of Darkness, the brewery's Russian imperial stout — to favorites such as Furious (IPA) to Hell (lager). Doors open at 10 a.m., and the first 100 guests receive a free commemorative pint glass.
HopCat, 435 Nicollet Mall, Mpls., 612-276-5555
Fulton Brewing Co. and Inbound Brewing Co.
Jan. 28
Exercise, and beer. Sounds good, right? Run, jog or walk the 100 Yard Super Beer Dash, taking place between these two North Loop breweries. Live music, too, and food truck fare. Check-in starts at 10 a.m., and the race follows at 11. Tickets $40 (10 percent of proceeds go to local nonprofits) and the price includes a commemorative t-shirt and a beer at each brewery.
Fulton Brewing Co., 414 6th Av. N., Mpls., 612-333-3208 and Inbound BrewCo., 701 N. 5th St., Mpls.
The Great Northern: St. Paul Chef Experience
Jan. 29
Bundle up for this outdoor cooking fest (from 6 to 9 p.m.), held under the pavilions at the St. Paul Farmers Market. Chefs Adam Eaton of Saint Dinette, Thomas Boemer of Corner Table and Revival and Tim McKee and Shane Oporto of Octo Fishbar will collaborate on a flame-cooked winter feast. Laurel Elm of Saint Dinette, Nick Rancone of Corner Table and Revival and Erik Eastman of Easy & Co. are teaming up to produce an array of a la carte libations that fall in the warm, chilled and spiked categories. Outdoor games and music, too, plus ice sculpting. Tickets $45, or $125 for the VIP option, a reception that begins at 5 p.m. inside the adjacent Market House Collaborative that will feature a raw bar, cocktails and wine.
290 E. 5th St., St. Paul
Lowry Hill Meats
Jan. 29 — Feb. 4
One of the Twin Cities great burgers (it was my favorite burger of 2016, and my line of work puts me in front of a lot of burgers), the cheeseburger at Lowry Hill Meats, is usually something of a rare commodity, in that butcher/co-owner Erik Sather only offers it on Wednesday. (What makes it so great? In part, it's the beef, an ultra-fresh collection of brisket, sirloin, chuck and strip trimmings from a single animal trimmings — they're raised with care in Blooming Prairie, Minn. — that's topped with house-made American cheese and served in a house-baked, brioche-style bun). But because a certain high-profile sporting event is headed our way, Sather is planning to offer this standard-setter every day for seven days.
Lowry Hill Meats, 1934 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls., 612-999-4200
Rustica Bakery & Cafe
Order by Jan. 30, pickup on Feb. 4.
The brain trust at this top-performing bakery is ready to transform the taste — and taste level — of the basic Super Bowl bash. "I was thinking of my own personal Super Bowl menu," said partner Meredith Schwarz. "I'm going to have Doritos, and pizza, and some kind of Velveeta dip, but then I thought, 'I work for Rustica, why not craft it up?'" And then she thought of doing the same for the bakery's customers. Here's the menu: a bread bowl, crafted from Rustica's signature miche — a round, rustic sourdough — that's filled with a smoked kale dip. "It's a classier spinach dip, and that nutty niche can really hold up to the smokiness of the kale," said Schwarz. Pizza has been given an upgrade to a savory galette, topped with goat cheese, spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Dessert is a hand pie with a blueberry-mascarpone filling. Most prices are in the $4 to $7 range, and there's one hitch: all items must be preordered, by Jan. 30, primarily to accommodate the mix and ferment needs of that spectacular miche. The good news? Pickup is anytime after 11 a.m. on Feb. 4. "Everything will be freshly baked," said Schwarz. "Unlike the average Super Bowl party item."
Rustica Bakery & Cafe, 3220 W. Lake St., Mpls., 612-822-1119 and 8107 Eden Prairie Road, Eden Prairie, 952-479-7631
Travail Kitchen & Amusements
Jan. 31 through Feb. 4
Downtown Robbinsdale's four-star culinary magnet has all kinds of plans, and all are available, as always, through the restaurant's prepaid ticketing system. First up: Co-chefs Mike Brown, James Winberg and Bob Gerken plan to boost the restaurant's 20-plus course tasting menu — served in two seatings, Wednesday through Saturday night — with all kinds of fat-cat additions all week long. "Oysters, prime rub, truffles, suckling pig, the works," said Brown. Cost is $207.
For those seeking a more modest option, chef Nick O'Leary (a former Travailian and the founding co-chef of Borough) will be in the spotlight in the back of the restaurant on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, serving a 10-course "classic Travail menu" in two seatings for $104.
On the weekend, the collective will be creating a 10-course brunch — one seating on Saturday, and two on Sunday — at $104 per person, including bottomless Mimosas. A Bloody Mary bar "experience" will be available for an extra fee.
And during the Big Game, the restaurant is planning a bash that'll start at 4:30 p.m. "It'll be a station-driven experience, like a high-end Costco," Brown said with a laugh. "A fun, food-driven party with basically unlimited food and drinks." Translation: Prime rib, truffled pasta, ahi tuna tacos, multiple variations on chicken wings, a whipped potato bar, a seafood tower and more. The $207 ticket includes unlimited beer and bubbles. Oh, and Brown is promising ice sculpting in the parking lot. "We're going to get out the chain saws," he said.
Travail Kitchen & Amusements, 4124 W. Broadway Av., Robbinsdale, 763-535-1131