C is for cookie, and that's good enough for me. This Fresh Forkin' Friday I am on a cookie mission. It's a rough job, but someone has to traverse the metro in search of the yummy goodness being baked around town to be featured in a photo shoot for the December issue. I'm up to the task. I have the skills. I have sniffed out some amazing ginger molasses cookies from Salty Tart but whose French macaroons will make the cut? Do I include the legendary pumpkin cookies from D'Amico, given their limited availability? Which sickerdoodles are worthy enough to grace your holiday plates? I'm on the job people, I working for you with glass of milk in hand and blue monster leanings in my heart.

p.s. The smart-smart kitchen scientist ladies at Betty Crocker are so obsessed with the pumpkin cookie that they ran down to the test kitchens and deconstructed it. Awesome.

*****

OPEN

If you were worried about what would happen to the behemoth of Copper Bleu squatting in a strip mall parking lot in Lakeville, worry not. It has been reborn today as Molly Cool's Seafood Tavern, a fish restuarant from the guys behind Majors. Already with one location in Milwaukee, the restaurant promises a wide reaching menu of seafood, steaks, platters and baskets, plus sandwiches and pastas. They're hoping to keep it fresh and familiar for the jeans lovin' families of the area.

BAKE ON

Sweets Bakeshop, the force behind the cupcakes and macaroons at Local D'Lish, has finally found a home of its own. Teaming up with Little Cake Studio in St. Paul, they will wonder-twin into Sweets Studio next month. The new storefront will specialize in the French macaroons (mint basil!) and creative cupcakes (pumpkin apple!), but will also offer party/dessert tables.

Another cupcake powerhouse is on the move. Miele y Leche's Cupcake Lady Sheela Namakkal (who has a tatoo that says "there's no crying in pastry" ... rock) and her pal Emily Harris are opening their own shop. Cake Eater Bakery will take over the old Cliquot Club Cafe (thank you) and offer not only those killer cupcakes, but also a light menu of savory snacks, soups, Intelligentsia coffee, and the like. Look for them to open in the beginning of the year.

And, after much anticipation, the Bull Run/Rustica bakery cafe will open near Lake Calhoun on November 9th.

CLOSING

Sea Salt will close for the season on Sunday, and Tejas will close indefinitely on Dec. 31st. 

*****

Don't let fine dining die! There's still time to help La Belle Vie celebrate its anniversary with a spectacular dinner. On Tuesday night, Tim McKee, Mike DeCamp, and Diane Yang will be joined by kitchen buddies Erik Anderson and Isaac Becker in order to prepare a five-course meal. Tickets are $125 and include wine and snacks in the lounge. Get your reservation now!

*****

This Saturday, St. Crispin's Day is being celebrated by Crispin Cider at Brit's Pub as a benefit for Second Harvest Heartland. The festivities include music from Trailer Trash, deals on Crispin Cider, prizes for the best blue and orange outfit as well as the best rendition of the St. Crispin's Day speech (Kenneth Brannagh need not apply). All this will cost you $10 at the door and some kicks: in honor of St. Crispin, the patron saint of cobblers, they're asking for donations of a pair of warm winter shoes to be distributed for the needy.

*****

Hey ... anyone up for a fondue party? Dip over to the St. Paul Cheese Shop today and check it out.

*****

Sameh Wadi wants to spice up your band Midwestern life. Amen. The acclaimed Saffron chef is launcing his own line of gourmet spices for sale at the restaurant and online. I'm excited for the exotic spice blend, adapted from his mother's recipe, and the tagine blend. The collection of spices will be called The Spice Trail and will be available starting Oct. 31st. Hostess gifts anyone?