This Fresh Forkin’ Friday I’d like to give a giant hollering YAWP to all the kids who were recognized by the James Beard Foundation for their talents at life behind a stove. Lord knows, it’s not as glamourous as gits like me like to paint it. I really feel lucky to be a part of these cities right now and to be eating at the tables of so many amazing cooks. As well, it is so cool to see the community rally around each other. I truly believe that is something that sets us apart from other cities, the belief that a rising tide raises all boats. I can’t imagine what my kids will be eating in 20 years, I only hope they share.

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OPENS

Burch Steak and Pizza opened this week in the old Burch pharmacy on the corner of Franklin and Hennepin in Lowry Hill. It’s an Isaac Becker joint and man is it slick. The gutted building is now open and airy, with lots of brick and spare decor, not to mention a wall of street-side windows for the world whooshing by. Steak is on the menu, in a a nice array of cuts and multiple sizes, but so are a bevy of dumplings,  intriguing starters and non-traditional sides. This is not your pop’s steak house. In the basement lives a pizza bar churning out wood fired flat pies with artisinal ingredients. Yowsa, this place is cool.

Red Cow is now open in the old Blockbuster that lived just east of the 50th & France hub. It’s a modern burger tavern with a bunch of craft beer and wine on tap. There’s also the round up of drinking eats: poutine, scotch eggs, cheese curds, and sliders, oh my.

Glam Doll Donuts is now open and attempting to be the donut shop for drinkers. Late night hours will surely entice the post-bar crowd down toward the Eat Street bakery where vanilla bourbon hunks of fried dough are served all day and into the night. If you are of the mind that the bacon donut has jumped the shark, then get ready for The Chart Topper with peanut butter Sriracha to tingle your savories.

One Two Three Sushi has openend in the IDS skyway. From the cats behind Masu, this little place is CRANKING it with lines out the door during lunch. It’s the custom sushi service which lets you pick your rice, your fish, and fillings that they roll while you watch. That’s fresh. The menu also has some nifty ramen with righteously poached eggs, and nifty buns which are a bargain!

Lago Tacos has opened in the former Yumi’s in Excelsior. The tiny shop is offering tacos, burritos, plus a full bar with margaritas. Plus there’s a late night happy hour from 9-11 Su-Th which should be awesome for the movie goers at the Dock next door.

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Need to check in with your favorite foodists? Get thee to Bachman’s on Lyndale today for the Winter Market on Saturday. Chef Shack, Gai Gai Thai, Love Tree Farms, Sun Street Breads, Star Thrower Farms among others will all be there.

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Here’s a new way to explore St. Paul: Dishcrawl is a new food tour in town that is hosting a crawl in Lowertown on Tu Feb. 26. For $45 you get to hit up 4 eateries … but here’s the catch: you won’t know which ones they are until right before you go. I guess if you’ve never been to Lowertown and are looking for a sampling of it, it could work out.

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Come to the CakeWalk this Thursday!! There will be a ridiculous amount of sugary goodness, followed by frenetic dancing. This year there will be some savory bites as well from Victory 44 and Butcher & The Boar … ah, sweet balance.

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Does your “bowl of red” have what it takes to truly REPRESENT? Bring your bidness down to Mayslack’s on Sat. for the annual Chili Cook-Off in which the winner will win $1,000 and the honor of being the house chili for a year. Do it!

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Of course, Sunday is the Night of Nights, which means you’re either glamming it up or couching it down for the Oscars. The official local Oscar Party held by the Aegis Foundation is at Union this year with a VIP three-course meal and lots of chi-chi fun. Brit’s is doing it up a little more casual with no cover, the big screen, trivia and 2Gingers specials. And of course, the couch-bound-yoga-pants-set (ahem) can either make their own movies menus … I’m all about at little Silver Linings inspired crabby snacks and homemades … or perhaps you want to call Bitesquad and see if you can have some Life of Pi Indian food delivered.

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BOOM … it’s Restaurant Week next week! Get down on this list of 54 places where you can eat multi-course meals for $10-30!!!