Have you seen Anderson Cooper yet? They say he's here already, that salty tart. Do you think any of the media heads will brave the fair this weekend? What fodder they could gather! This Fresh Forkin' Friday is for those who are standing on the sidelines and watching the melee with a little grin.

Barrio is the Hot Hot Hot opening of the week. McKee and Thoma undertake their second opening this year with an adventurous little tequila bar and noshery on Nicollet Mall. The drink list looks sassy, thanks to local booze impresario Johnny Michaels, and I personally am game for the blood orange Macho Comacho margarita muddled with pepper. And yet I am a total slut for a good Pisco Sour or well-crafted Michelada. On the small plates, the potato sopes are calling me, and I can't wait to try the tacos. Make no mistake, this is drinking food.

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On the quieter side of town, Cravings Wine Bar & Grille has opened up in Woodbury. This is the second venture by the family behind Cravings Cafe in White Bear Lake, but the menu is broader and a bit more sophisticated. The wine list culls more than sixty varieties with many organic offerings. It may be a good destination to ride out the fuss.

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Rossi's is closing (I believe we predicted that, no?) and Hell's Kitchen is moving into the underground space. Perfect. I can't wait to see what wonderfully twisted world Omer creates for himself in the cavern below. They're adding dinner and full bar service as well as a grab-n-go lunch express, so you can take hell back to your desk. As if it weren't hellish enough.

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Get your last blast of summer in this weekend at spark24 on Peavey Plaza. Not only will you find twenty-four hours of free entertainment (flamenco, opera, Brave New Workshop, oh my!), but you'll be able to snack with local pride on Manny's Tortas or those killer donuts from the Chef Shack.

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Did you hear that SimonDelivers is being resurrected by local grocer Coborns? CobornsDelivers will launch soon, hopefully with a little more oomph from the St. Cloud-based Minnesota 2008 Grocer of the Year.

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And finally . . . it's the 2nd Annual Iron Pie Challenge at the MCFM this weekend. But watch the clock as the market is closing an hour earlier on Saturday.