Later this Fresh Forkin’ Friday, I am headed down to KC. I am road-tripping to go see the Jayhawk in her last few weeks as an undergrad. Yes there will be Arthur Bryant’s and I was hoping to sneak in a Bluestem visit, but I don’t think there’s time. I’m taking her roomies out (or they’re taking me?) for a night of Lawrence debauchery. They are pretty psyched to show me the bars, and this drink called a Shark Tank in which a plastic shark filled with grenadine is dumped into your huge blue cocktail. Um, Smiling Moose circa ’94 anyone? My liver is primed.

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OPENS

It looks like Lynden’s Soda Fountain will open this Sunday the 15th. DMG got the early deets, I hope this is a trend that continues and we soon have sodas with pretzel sticks and shelves racked with oldish candy (circus peanuts, not expired gummis) all over town.

Wellman’s Pub opened in the former downtown Drink space. Why don’t I care about this?

CLOSES

Risotto, that dark little is-it-open-or-not joint in Lyn-Lake, will be closing the doors for good after Saturday the 21st. Well, at least today feels a bit like risotto weather.

COMING SOON

Lotsa bar talk … Cowboy Jack’s will take over the non-Aherns by the ballpark, Pourhouse intends to bring a roaring 20′s vibe to the old Spin, and New Bohemia beer hall is rooting in the former Panera space of Nordeast (plus a Noodles & Co. across the street!)

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Scott Pampuch is making his national debut as host of In Search of Food next week on the Ovation Network. You can join friends and supporters on Wednesday as they watch the episode with Jason Mraz at Saga Hill Cooking School. There will be some snacks, music, a cash bar, and donations for Laughing Loon Farm will be collected. Shcckingly, Leonard Nimoy will not be in attendance.

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Even though they have been open for a spell, Northern Brewer in Minneapolis is having a Grand Opening celebration kicking off this weekend. There are all sorts of free demos, yeasty discussions, and notable beer dudes hanging out, so come out of the basement and check it.

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Dontcha wanna come to the library and hang out with a bunch of food writers for a night? On April 19th we’ll spill all of our insidery knowledge and tales of restaurant wonder, plus promise to not use words like delish and yummy and toothsome. And afterwards we can all hoist a beer at Kieran’s and talk about Amanda Hesser’s little note.

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Looks like there’s one more spot available in the class that teaches you how to make veal tongue look sultry.

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Savor Minnesota is going on this weekend at the Cantebury. Head out and sample locally made food, wine, and beer for $40 at the door. I went last year and happily discovered Lucky’s hot sauce, into which I now dip my popcorn.

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