This week on the Minneapolis Roundup, host Alex dives into the vibrant spring scene, highlighting the highly anticipated opening of Hygge Hus, a modern Scandinavian restaurant in the North Loop from Chef Lena Halvorson. The episode also celebrates the successful rebrand of Superior Sitters, a local pet-sitting app, and previews the stunning River of Light festival at the Stone Arch Bridge.

Key Highlights:

• Hygge Hus, a new modern Scandinavian restaurant by Chef Lena Halvorson, is now open in the North Loop, offering innovative plant-forward dishes like the Wild Rice Croquette.

• Superior Sitters, formerly Twin Cities Pet Professionals, has tripled its user base after a successful rebrand and marketing campaign focused on "Your Dog’s Best Day."

• The River of Light festival returns for its second year this weekend, projecting mesmerizing light installations onto the Mississippi River and local landmarks near the Stone Arch Bridge.

• The podcast highlights local sponsors mplsveganhub.com for plant-based dining and mncannabishub.com for Minnesota cannabis culture resources.

Topics: Minneapolis Roundup, Twin Cities, Hygge Hus, North Loop restaurant, Lena Halvorson, Scandinavian cuisine, Superior Sitters, pet care app, River of Light festival, Stone Arch Bridge, local events, mplsveganhub, mncannabishub

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TRANSCRIPT

(Intro Music: Upbeat, modern, slightly chill indie-pop track. Fades in and then fades to background.)

HOST: What’s up, everyone, and welcome back to the Minneapolis Roundup, your weekly dose of what’s happening in the Twin Cities. I’m your host, Alex, and it is a gorgeous Wednesday, April 29th, 2026. The stubborn chill is finally gone, the patios are packed, and it feels like the entire city has decided to come out of hibernation at once. It’s the best time of year.

This is the show where we keep it tight and local, covering the best in food, business, and events.

And a quick shout-out to our sponsors who make this all possible: mplsveganhub.com, your guide to plant-based eating in the cities, and mncannabishub.com, the ultimate resource for cannabis culture in Minnesota. We love ‘em.

Alright, let’s get into it.

(Transition sound: A quick, clean whoosh sound effect.)

HOST: First up, let’s talk food. The North Loop has another new contender for your weekend reservation, but this one is doing something truly different. It’s called “Hygge Hus,” which translates to “Cozy House,” and it’s a new concept from Chef Lena Halvorson, who you might know from her incredible pop-ups over the last few years.

Now, when you hear “modern Scandinavian,” you might think of tiny portions and stark white plates. But Hygge Hus is flipping that script. It’s all about taking the comforting, familiar flavors of Minnesota’s Nordic heritage and giving them a vibrant, global twist.

Forget the heavy creams and think lighter, brighter, and incredibly creative. The star of the menu that everyone is talking about is the Wild Rice Croquette. It’s made with Minnesota wild rice, mushrooms, and corn, fried perfectly, and served with a lingonberry chili crisp aioli. It’s savory, it’s sweet, it’s spicy… it’s basically Minnesota on a plate, but a version that’s been on a very cool vacation.

They’re also doing amazing things with vegetables. The salt-roasted beets with a dill-cashew yogurt and toasted hazelnuts is a showstopper. They’re really leaning into sophisticated, plant-forward dishes that don’t feel like an afterthought.

It’s the perfect blend of nostalgic and new, and it feels so right for right now. Reservations are tough to get, so plan ahead. And speaking of incredible plant-based food, if you’re looking for the best vegan dining all over the cities, from upscale spots like this to the best vegan Juicy Lucy, you have to check out our friends at mplsveganhub.com. They have maps, reviews, everything you need.

(Transition sound: A subtle, positive chime.)

HOST: Okay, next up: business. We’re talking about a local win that’s a masterclass in rebranding a legacy. Let’s talk about “Superior Sitters,” the dog-walking and pet-sitting app that has absolutely exploded in the last six months.

Now, this company isn’t new. They’ve been around for over a decade as “Twin Cities Pet Professionals,” a reliable, if a little old-school, service. But last year, they brought on a new marketing lead, a U of M grad, who saw a huge opportunity.

They did a total overhaul. New name—Superior Sitters, a great nod to the lake. A slick, easy-to-use app that feels like a tech startup, not a local service. And here’s the genius part: their marketing campaign, “Your Dog’s Best Day.”

Instead of just showing someone holding a leash, their social media is filled with these beautiful, cinematic videos of dogs having the absolute time of their lives. A Golden Retriever leaping into Lake Harriet. A Corgi getting a puppuccino at a local coffee shop. A Bernedoodle running through Minnehaha Falls. They partnered with local dog influencers and photographers to create this incredible content that’s pure joy.

The result? Their user base has tripled since the rebrand. They’ve gone from being just another service to a beloved local brand that understands the deep connection Minnesotans have with their dogs and our amazing city parks. It’s a huge win, proving that a smart, authentic marketing refresh can make all the difference. We love to see it.

(Transition sound: A slightly more energetic, forward-moving whoosh.)

HOST: Alright, let’s round this out with what you can do this weekend. If you’re looking for something that’s free, family-friendly, and absolutely stunning, you have to head down to the Stone Arch Bridge for the “River of Light” festival.

This is the second year for the event, and it’s even bigger. Starting this Friday, May 1st, and running through Sunday, local artists will be projecting these massive, mesmerizing light installations onto the Mississippi River, the mill ruins, and the side of the Guthrie Theater.

Imagine the water itself shimmering with animated patterns, or the old Gold Medal Flour sign slowly morphing into a piece of digital art. It’s a completely different way to see a part of the city we know so well.

There will be food trucks parked near Father Hennepin Bluff Park, and local ambient and electronic musicians will be providing a live soundtrack each night. It’s a great way to just chill out, walk the bridge, and enjoy the city as it comes alive for spring. The projections start at dusk, around 8:30 p.m., and run until 11. Get there.

And if you’re looking for other ways to relax, or want to stay on top of the latest store openings, brands, and cannabis-friendly events happening around town, our sponsor mncannabishub.com is your go-to guide. They’ve got it all covered.

(Outro Music: The same upbeat, modern track from the intro fades back in.)

HOST: And that’s our time for this week! So, to recap: try the incredible new Nordic food at Hygge Hus, download the Superior Sitters app for your furry friend, and go see the beautiful River of Light festival this weekend.

The Minneapolis Roundup is brought to you by our fantastic sponsors. For all your plant-based food needs, visit mplsveganhub.com—that’s M-P-L-S-vegan-hub-dot-com. And for everything you need to know about the local cannabis scene, check out mncannabishub.com.

I’m Alex, and this has been the Minneapolis Roundup. Get out there and enjoy this amazing city. We’ll talk to you next week.

(Music swells to full volume and then fades out.)