It’s an understatement to say that it’s a difficult time for restaurants, following two-some months of relentless ICE operations across Minnesota. And while the news cycle has—for good reason—hewed closely to ICE activity this winter, we wanted to make sure you haven’t missed these local restaurant openings in Minneapolis and St. Paul, these glimmers that have brightened up a very dark winter. From a sun-washed plant-based restaurant to a Central Avenue cocktail bar to a new sambusa spot on the Northside, here are new restaurant openings around the Cities to know.
House of Sambus, from owners Hana Mead and Abdiqani Abdi, is now open on Broadway Avenue on the Northside! Sambusa fiends will be deeply satisfied—both the lentil and the beef versions are stellar, offering a quick, filling, and deliciously crispy lunch. As a donut lover, I was equally captivated by the bur, which are subtly sweet and beignet-like, truly perfect with a cup of steaming cardamom-laced Somali tea. There’s also a hefty pastry case for customers with a real sweet tooth. 527 W. Broadway Ave., Mpls.
Dahlia diehards have been waiting years for Travail alums Alex Althoff, Sarah Julson, and Nat Moser to take their popular pastry-and-savories pop-up brick-and-mortar—and that day is here! As of late January, Dahlia is open on Quincy Street, sharing the same space as MN Nice Cream (Dahlia is open for breakfast, brunch, and lunch hours from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, while ice cream rules the evening hours). If you love Dahlia, you’re well familiar with Althoff’s exceptional pastries, and while a single banana cream pie croissant is reason enough to stop in, the lunch/savory menu is exceptional. There’s a killer Italian sandwich served on focaccia, a seasonal soup, French toast bites, smoked salmon toast, breakfast sandwiches, the works. Plus, if you’re on the go, Dahlia has a little deli case stocked with bites like chimichurri potato salads. And there’s great coffee and tea options, too. 807 NE Broadway St., Mpls.
Kamal Mohamed (of Nashville Coop and now-closed Stepchld) and pastry chef Yon Hailu have officially opened their downtown skyway location of their new sandwich shop, Paper Boy Deli. I have eaten a number of these sammies and can attest to their deliciousness, much of which is owed to Hailu’s impeccable schiacciata, a Tuscan flatbread that is similarly airy-golden-delicious in the way of focaccia. Get your hands on this pistachio mortadella set-up, or honestly the classic Fiorentina, made with prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato, truffle cream, and arugula. 733 Marquette Ave. S. #223, Mpls.…