Piccolo Wins Lakeside Concessions Recommendation

Fans of East Harriet's Piccolo restaurant may soon have a second Minneapolis joint at which to sample chef Doug Flicker's cooking. 

On Friday, an citizen commission advising the park board on who should hold the concession rights at a rejuvenated Lake Nokomis concession stand—you might call it  2.0—officially recommended Flicker and wife Amy Greely for the job.

Flicker's proposal, called "Sandcastle," beat out  to renovate the lakeside food hutch and open a new, foodie-flavored eatery in the space.

The menu is based around traditional summer fair, with a twist. For example, hot dogs can come with kimchi and a fried egg, and chocolate-dipped bananas can come rolled in pine nut brittle. The menu also includes several vegetarian and a few vegan-sounding options, plus reasonably-priced ($4 to $8) beer and wine.

Flicker's proposal also expresses a desire to use "green" or salvaged materials in the concession stand's renovation wherever possible, and run a near-"zero waste" operation.

In a writen statement, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board said the advisory commission picked Sandcastle because of "affordable" healthy food choices, "potential of providing increased income to the MPRB," Flicker's environmentally-sensitive business approach, and the prospect of a new amenity being added to the neighborhood around the lake.

“The (citizen commission's) choice of Sandcastle will be an exciting addition and good fit for Lake Nokomis users and the surrounding neighborhoods,” Carol Kummer, MPRB Fifth Park District Commissioner, said in a statement.

The Park Board is slated to hold a public hearing on the advisory commission's pick on Sept. 5, but it is expected to approve the recommendation.