This Fresh Forkin’ Friday kicks off a weekend of Twin Cities Pride. Last year I went to Pride with my son who came out in his senior year of high school. It was his first Pride fest and it was very cool walking through the mass of humanity in Loring Park with him, sort of soaking in the fact that this was a whole new community for him, from the guys in plaid shorts to the ones in fishnets. He’s had his share of trials and tribulations, transferred from a school where there was little acceptance of the gays to a school steeped in it (NYU), but he’s just managing the course of life like anyone else. One of the reasons he said it was so easy to come out to us, was the fact that as restaurant industry people we’d always had gay friends. He considers himself lucky that he had such an easy family transition, but I think I am lucky to have a genius kid living in NYC sending me pictures of his discovered pizza, dolmades, and noodle soups. I’m not going to the fest with him this summer, he’s still out East, but I will go in support of the restaurant community that has always been my community. It has just become a little more personal.

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OPENS

Tavern Grill has opened in the former Aperitif space in Woodbury. Sibling to Tavern on France, this one follows suit with a build-your-own burger theme and  serious patio.

Birdhouse is officially open for dinner and drinking.

COMING SOON

Foxy Falafel will be opening in the former Caribe spot on University. What? Is that girl crazy? Erica Strait just launched her food truck (Roxy) and now she’s planning a brick and mortar in one of the “doomed” locations?! I like her moxie. She’s previewing her little space between 11am and 1pm this afternoon if you’re feeling falafel.

OUT

Kathie Jenkins is no longer the food critic for the Pioneer Press. I bumped into her coming out of LoJ yesterday and she told me that she has accepted a buyout after 17 years at the St. Paul paper. She also said she didn’t think the paper has plans to replace her.

Scott Pampuch is leaving the building. He’s heading for the Iron Horse Hotel and will also consult on Milwaukee’s Stack’d Burger Bar.

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If you’re one of the kids who sadly doesn’t work in a downtown and therefore feel left out of the foodtrucking (yes, it’s a verb) frenzy, this is your weekend. Tonight at Pride, the Beer Dabbler has paired up local beers with local trucks in a genius mash up. The Fork in the Road girls will be braising their pork in Badger Hill Minnesota Special Bitter (I sneaked a sip last night, soooo goooood!) for the win.

Tomorrow night is Food Truck Fest out at Canterbury so this is your chance to weigh in on the legendary lobster roll or dive into a Yum Yum bowl. And if you’re looking for something a bit more family friendly, Long Lake Summerfest has a few trucks all day tomorrow (like Rusty Taco and Anchor) alongside bouncy houses and a beer garden.

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Just want to remind y’all that there are plenty dates still open for the Dinner on the Farm series. Tyge Nelson is cooking at Dave’s Brew Farm, a bunch of talented guys are cooking at Common Harvest, and Birchwood’s Marshall Paulson is hitting the harvest at Riverbend.

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Looking to get out of town? Those in search of suds might head to the Craft Brew Fest in Winnebago this Saturday. There’s a nice mix of about 25 local and national craft breweries on board, plus there will be live music and food vendors.

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The Mpls. Parks movie tomorrow night is Fast Five at Bossen Field. To go with Paul Walker and lots of zippy driving and crashes, might I suggest a little takeout from nearby Singapore! to keep it spicy. Or plan ahead and order a Di Noko’s deep dish pizza for the pick-up on the way to the park.