'Tis the season as they say. Regardless of what type of event or fundraiser it may be, local chefs and restaurants are usually a committee's first call for contributions. No group rallies around causes as well as the food world does.

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The folks at Parasole know what they are doing, but when I saw the press release for Il Gatto the restaurant going into the old Figlio’s space I flinched at the reference to “of course there’ll be a burger on the menu…”. Is it just me or is that idea yesterdays news?

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Over the last six months, I've felt that the food at Little Szechuan has slipped a full notch or two. I may now know why. Dan Luo, the owner of the new Grand Szechuan restaurant in Bloomington, has hired Little Szechuan head chef Luo Guanghe (who was also the head chef of the Teahouse in Plymouth) to run his new eatery. Grand Szechuan holds amazing promise given the guy running the kitchen. You can find the new restaurant at 10602 France Avenue South in Bloomington (at the intersection of France Avenue and W. Old Shakopee Road in the strip mall next to Cub Foods), and the number is 952-888-6507. See you over there tonight for a chili oil pig out! Anyway, let me know what you think. And yes e-mailers, I like Tian Jin in Chanhassen very much, just ate there once though.

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D'Amico Kitchen (see attached menu) opens on the 24th and will have a street-level patio area, a rooftop bar, and a lounge area with a DJ on weekends. There will be live entertainment and lots of stuff to get groovy to and the best news is that Doug Flicker will be working the line during the opening. This guy is a major league talent. John Occchiato has created a great menu and any restaurant where I can order suckling pig is A-OK in my book.

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So I send in my blog last Monday and my editor Adam e-mails me the next day that I am an episode behind in Top Chef. Not only was my pick 86-ed Wednesday, but Art’s pillow had been cold for a week as well. That’s what happens when you don’t know where you are or what day it is. Anyway, it has been a busy week…here are some things to check out. They are much more timely than my last blog:

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My buddies at Parasole tell me that when Figlio re-opens in the late fall the new menu will have a memories section with stories and remembrances supplied by local notables. So prepare yourself for hearing all about some arcane menu item served in 1985 that Don Shelby, Sue Zellickson, Tom Kelly, and Sharon Sayles Belton wish could make a return to the new and improved Figlio. Anyone care to share their favorite off-color Figlio moment here with me now? Ever get lucky in the bathroom? See an out of town or home-grown celeb do anything embarrassing? Lets’ hear it.

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What a strange weekend. Happy 4th by the way, belated is better than not at all. Anyone been to Hans Bakery in Anoka on 5th Avenue South? It is a delight, old school in the extreme with homemade donuts that are to die for, incredible coffee cakes like Granny used to make, insane apple fritters, and, best of all, something called a Beehive—two yeasty spongy bready layers of an Eastern European variety stuffed three inches deep with fresh pastry cream.

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After 22 years, and untold droves of ecstatic diners, D'Amico Cucina served its last meal on Saturday evening. This morning, less than 48 hours later, it was announced that the Fratelli D’Amico are taking over the food service at the Chambers Hotel. Jean-George Vongerichten is out, and D’Amico and Partners takes over later this summer. Plans and a name for the new eatery will be forthcoming around July 20th, according to Richard D’Amico.

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After 22 years, D'Amico Cucina is shutting its doors serving its final meal on June 27th. This is very sad news—but not unexpected. Rumors persist that the Fratelli D'Amico are still bullish on the local food scene and might be opening a new restaurant before summer's end.

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Here is a great idea for a movie night adventure for everyone you know. Check out FRESH, which is showing at the Riverview Theater next Wednesday, June 3rd at 7 p.m. FRESH features urban farmer/ activist Will Allen of Growing Power, the recipient of a 2008 MacArthur Genius Grant, and sustainable farmer and entrepreneur Joel Salatin of Omnivore's Dilemma fame. According to Tracy Singelton of Birchwood Cafe, “FRESH offers real-life stories of real-life local foods heroes working hard every day toward a shared vision of an American food system that is environmentally sustainable, socially just, healthy, and tastes good too!”

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