This Fresh Forkin’ Friday is filled with festing. There is so much going on that I don’t know how I’m going to be able to jam it all in. In a perfect world I would be able to get in some whiskey & wings, hit a couple of Taste-Ofs, do a little Gallic snacking, and still find time to get out on the lake, have friends over to grill, and build a bonfire so I can test out my S’machos theory. So much to do, so little summer. I need to go to food camp or something so that I can have a full week of summer days filled with food activities. Someone get on that, will you?

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OPENS

Nadia Cakes is finally open in Maple Grove. The cake and cupcake shop is the latest addition to the treat scene and owner Abby Jimenez, who already has a successful cake shop in California, has won big money on Cupcake Wars and appeared on TLC’s Fabulous Cakes. During the grand opening on July 26, you’ll be able to get a cupcake for $1.

Primebar is open in Calhoun Square.

COMING SOON

Speaking of cupcakes, Cupcake is opening in the Mall of America. Maybe they just got sick of all the NIMBYs on Grand Ave. and decided to go for a location with 40million visitors. Go figure. Frosting shots for everyone sometime in August. (PS, you can still pop into the University Avenue store and get in a little RW action today!)

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The Border Battle Beer Fest is happening this weekend out in Somerset. It’s your chance to really show those ‘Sconnies (or Minnies) whose beer is better! There will be come WI beers that you can’t get locally, so get ready to be surprised. Head out tonight for the Whiskey and Wings spectacular spectacular.

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Taste of Stillwater will rock the St. Croix Vineyards and Aamodt’s this weekend. It seems to be a lot of live music, drinks, and some food trucks.

Taste of Northeast is also on tap at the Northeast Farmers Market this weekend. Beside farmers and their wares, there will be live music and local restaurants such as The Modern and Sen Yai Sen Lek offering small dishes for purchase.

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It’s jail-break season, so let’s party! Bastille Day is celebrated around town this weekend in many ways. Start off on Saturday at The Sofitel for Alliance Francaise partying that includes a free baguettes until noon, Citroen rides, and a bouncy chateau for kids. Then you might pop over for dinner at Vincent for the special menu which includes escargot (si vous plais) and duck leg confit. But for sure don’t miss Sunday’s always-jamming Bastille Day Block Party in front of Barbette. Acrobats, the fire circus, a wine-soaked spit-tacular, libations, music, and snacks make it a worthy afternoon.

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Not to spurn the Flemish, Belgian Independence Week begins this week and there are plenty of beer-fueled activities at local bars with which to celebrate. (I like that they give it a week, I could use a week for all that beer.)

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Gastro Non Grata’s next event is … VEGGIE! The herbivoracious Legume Liberation will happen on July 22 at the Turf Club featuring music from Pink Mink, Cadette, and The Pinsch (with my son Jake’s favorite “nice lady” Sheela Namakkal). The food will be from cult favorite On’s Thai and the beer is Harriet Brewing’s. Check in on the FB page if you feel you have the guts to compete in the salsa/guac off. Put your ‘cado where your mouth is.