Here Are the Twin Cities’ Most Anticipated Summer Restaurant Openings

A new Northeast wine bar, a “billion dollar chicken story,” and more openings to look forward to

The busiest restaurant season of the year is upon us, promising new adventures in velvet-cloaked North Loop lounges; lunches shared in sleek new gas-stations-turned-restaurants; wood-fired meats dunked in silky pepper sauces; and nightcaps poured in snug Northeast bars. Here are this summer’s biggest anticipated restaurant openings in Minneapolis and St. Paul, in no particular order.

Tender Lovin’ Chix

Tender Lovin’ Chix, a new restaurant by TLC food truck owner Marques Johnson and Billy Tserenbat (of Billy Sushi), is readying to open on Lyndale Avenue in the former Fire & Nice Alehouse space. Johnson calls it the “billion dollar chicken story”: He’ll be serving the same chicken tenders and Tokyo fried rice that made him a downtown food truck favorite, but he and Tserenbat are adding dishes like basil chicken, chicken bulgogi, curry chicken, and chicken wings, to name a few. Expect a full bar serving sake; a relaxed vibe with pull tabs (Johnson says he’s going for “upscale dive bar”); TVs, so customers can catch game nights; and maybe, in the future, karaoke. Tender Lovin’ Chix is slated to open in early July. 2700 Lyndale Ave S., Minneapolis

Ava

Ben Taheri — the name behind now-closed North Loop nightlife spot the Tangiers — is bringing a new bar and lounge to the neighborhood this summer. Ava, set to open June 14, has two distinct vibes: a main-level bar with cushy lounge seating, cocktails, and a menu of small plates by StepChld chef Kamal Mohamed; and a downstairs lounge with a discotheque feel. It’s the latest addition to the North Loop’s roster of pre- and post-dinner spots, like the Flora Room and Berlin. 124 Third Avenue N., Minneapolis

Vinai

Chef Yia Vang’s much-anticipated Hmong restaurant, Vinai, is slated to open in the former Dangerous Man taproom space this July. The restaurant is an homage to Vang’s parents: It’s named for the Thai refugee camp where they settled after fleeing Laos at the end of the Vietnam War. Expect a menu broken into sections (small treats, appetizers, wood-fired grilled meats, vegetables, rice, and pepper sauces — Vang has done a few dish sneak peeks on Instagram) and, if Vang gets his wish, maybe even future collaborations with neighboring restaurant Oro by Nixta. “I told Gustavo, I don’t know who we have to pay off in the city, but that intersection right there — I want to close it down once a year and throw an intersection party,” Vang told Eater last year. “Throw a big grill in the middle, we bring sticky rice; you bring tortillas.” 1300 NE 2nd Street, Minneapolis

Vinai

WildChld

A new cocktail bar is in the works in Northeast Minneapolis. WildChld, a collaboration between chef Kamal Mohamed of StepChld and Bridgit Loeffelholz of Dampfwerk Distillery, is currently under construction just next door to StepChld, promising a sleek-but-unpretentious place to grab a nightcap or pre-dinner drink. Expect a menu of small plates from the StepChld kitchen, according to the Star Tribune, and an emphasis on fruit brandy cocktails. 24 University Avenue NE, Minneapolis

Small Hours

Small Hours, a new wine bar coming to Northeast Minneapolis, is a collaboration between Zenska Glava sommelier Sarina Garibović and songwriter and musician Sam Cassidy. The focus here (besides wine, of course) is music: Small Hours is being constructed with acoustics in mind, promising playlists as thoughtfully curated as its bottle selection, according to the Star Tribune. As far as the menu goes, expect plates built for grazing, like tinned fish and fresh bread. 2201 NE Second Street, Minneapolis

Tap In

Beneath the luminous tile work and sculptural golden alcoves of new North Minneapolis restaurant Tap In lie the bones of a Lowry Avenue gas station, now transformed into a neighborhood restaurant, bar, and community gathering space. Tap In, a New Rules project led by Chris Webley and Sophie Weber, hit a licensing snag on its road to opening, but its grand opening is now set for June 22. Expect a fast-casual menu of sandwiches, bowls, and salads; nonalcoholic options at the bar; a shared workspace; and ample green space outside. 2618 Lowry Avenue N., Minneapolis

Tap In

Lynette

Lynette, a new restaurant from Billie Conaway, Travis Serbus, and Melissa and Ben Siers-Rients, is in the works in Longfellow’s former Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar. Serbus and Siers-Rients are veterans of both Petite León and Lyn65, the restaurant that carved a cozy, time-worn haunt out of a Richfield strip mall — expect a similarly laid-back feel at Lynette, which, according to Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, will offer bistro-like dishes like fresh pasta, sourdough pizza, rotisserie chicken, and duck fat fries, plus wine and cocktails. Lynette’s exact opening timeline hasn’t been set yet, but keep an eye on Instagram for updates. ]3753 42nd Avenue S., Minneapolis