Stay in the Loop

An Emotional Time For North Loop Restaurateurs

Just a few short weeks ago, award-winning chef and restaurateur Gavin Kaysen was celebrating the latest nominations from the prestigious James Beard Foundation for Demi (Best New Restaurant), Spoon and Stable’s Diane Yang (Best Pastry Chef), and for himself (Chef of the Year).

Sunday night, Kaysen posted an emotional video message on Instagram announcing that he was voluntarily suspending dining operations immediately at Spoon and Stable and Demi in the North Loop, along with his French bakery in Wayzata, Bellecour.

Other North Loop restaurants followed suit by Monday afternoon, including Bachelor Farmer, Borough and Parlour.

By early Monday evening, every restaurant and bar in the state was being ordered by the governor to do the same, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kaysen said they’ll make an announcement via social media and email on Wednesday about take-out service at Spoon and Stable and Bellecour.

“We need to take care of each other,” he said, “and in an effort to do that, we have to do some pretty crazy things right now.”

He said those with reservations will be getting calls from the restaurants, asking if they’d like to reschedule.

“We’re committed to taking care of our staff,” said Kaysen. “The team that creates those moments for you, those majestic moments of hospitality that we live by every single day are so important to us and we are going to do everything we possibly can financially to take care of the team.”

By Mike Binkley, North Loop Neighborhood Association


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