This week on Minneapolis Roundup, host Alex dives into the North Loop's hottest new restaurant, Fjord & Field, a fusion of Scandinavian and Hmong culinary traditions by Chef Anya Vang. Discover how Riverbend Cycles is revolutionizing urban commuting with its "Bike-as-a-Service" e-bike subscription model. Plus, get ready for the free Lakes & Loons Music Festival at Lake Harriet, featuring acts like The Suburbs and Cloud Cult.

Key Highlights:

• Fjord & Field, Chef Anya Vang's new Scandinavian-Hmong fusion restaurant in the North Loop, is the Twin Cities' most sought-after reservation.

• Riverbend Cycles has launched an innovative "Bike-as-a-Service" subscription model for e-bikes, including maintenance and theft insurance.

• The Lakes & Loons Music Festival at Lake Harriet Bandshell offers free live music all weekend, featuring national indie acts and local legends like The Suburbs and Cloud Cult.

• Sponsors mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com provide essential guides to plant-based dining and cannabis culture in Minnesota.

Topics: Minneapolis Roundup, Fjord & Field, Chef Anya Vang, North Loop dining, Riverbend Cycles, E-bike subscription, Lakes & Loons Music Festival, Lake Harriet, The Suburbs, Cloud Cult, mplsveganhub.com, mncannabishub.com

---

TRANSCRIPT

(0:00) - INTRO

[UPBEAT, CHILL INTRO MUSIC FADES IN AND THEN DIPS UNDER HOST]

Alex: Hello, Twin Cities, and welcome back to the Minneapolis Roundup! I’m your host, Alex, and it is a gorgeous Friday, June 12th, 2026. The sun is out, the lakes are sparkling, and we have a jam-packed show for you covering the best in local food, business, and events.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com – your essential guides to navigating the plant-based and cannabis scenes here in Minnesota.

Coming up, we’re talking about the North Loop’s impossible-to-get-into new restaurant, a local company that’s changing the way we commute, and the music festival you won’t want to miss this weekend. Let’s get into it.

[SHORT MUSICAL TRANSITION]

(0:45) - FOOD & DINING

Alex: Alright, let’s kick things off with food. If you’ve tried to get a dinner reservation anywhere in the North Loop lately, you’ve probably felt the shockwave of one new opening: Fjord & Field.

Located in that beautiful new brick-and-timber space just off Washington Avenue, Fjord & Field is the brainchild of Chef Anya Vang, and the concept is pure Minneapolis genius: a fusion of modern Scandinavian and Hmong culinary traditions.

The buzz is real, folks. We’re talking dishes like Smoked Walleye with dill, galangal, and a lemongrass beurre blanc. Or the Cardamom-Spiced Pork Belly served with a lingonberry-chili glaze that is absolutely out of this world. It’s familiar Minnesota flavors—the smoke, the dill, the berries—but reimagined in a way that feels completely new and incredibly exciting.

The design is what you’d expect: minimalist, warm woods, lots of natural light, but the energy is electric. It’s been booked solid for two months straight, so my advice is to set a notification for when new reservations drop or try your luck walking in for a seat at the bar right when they open. It is the table to get in the Twin Cities right now.

And of course, while Fjord & Field has some incredible vegetarian options, if you’re looking for purely plant-based perfection, you have to check out our friends at mplsveganhub.com. They’ve got the definitive guide to vegan dining in the Twin Cities, from food trucks to fine dining. Seriously, they make finding great vegan food effortless.

[SHORT MUSICAL TRANSITION]

(2:45) - BUSINESS & MARKETING

Alex: Next up, let's talk business. It’s no secret that Minneapolis is one of the best biking cities in the country, but a local company is taking that to the next level and absolutely crushing it. I’m talking about Riverbend Cycles.

Now, Riverbend has been around for a while, a trusted local bike shop. But their recent pivot is a masterclass in marketing and understanding the modern consumer. Instead of just selling high-end e-bikes, they’ve launched a “Bike-as-a-Service” subscription model.

Think about it: for a monthly fee, you get a top-of-the-line e-bike, all maintenance included, theft insurance, and even seasonal tire swaps. Their tagline is brilliant: "Own the Commute, Not the Bike."

They’ve tapped directly into a desire for less hassle and more access. People don’t want to worry about a thousand-dollar piece of equipment getting stolen or needing a complex repair. They just want to get on the Greenway and go.

[SOUND of a bicycle bell, soft and friendly]

By shifting from a one-time purchase to an ongoing service, Riverbend has created a recurring revenue stream and a loyal community of riders. Their new flagship store near the Midtown Greenway is constantly buzzing. It’s a fantastic example of a local business not just adapting, but leading the way. A huge win for them, and for anyone who wants to enjoy our city on two wheels without the headache.

[SHORT MUSICAL TRANSITION]

(4:45) - EVENTS

Alex: Okay, it’s a perfect June weekend, and you need a plan. Look no further than the Lakes & Loons Music Festival, happening all weekend at the Lake Harriet Bandshell.

This has quickly become a signature early-summer event. It’s big enough to draw some great national indie acts—I hear Starlight Bloom is putting on an amazing show—but it stays true to its local roots. Minnesota legends The Suburbs are playing a legacy set on Saturday, and Cloud Cult is closing things out on Sunday night, which is guaranteed to be magical.

But the best part is the vibe. It’s not an overwhelming, massive festival. It’s quintessentially Minneapolis. You’ve got families on blankets, people pulling up in their kayaks to listen from the water, and an amazing lineup of local food trucks and breweries. Think cheese curds, craft IPAs, and fantastic live music with the sun setting over the lake. It’s just about perfect.

The music starts around 3 PM both Saturday and Sunday and goes until 10. It’s free, it’s outdoors, and it’s the place to be this weekend.

And speaking of local happenings, if you're looking for a calendar of cannabis-friendly events, industry pop-ups, or just want the latest info on local dispensaries and brands, our friends at mncannabishub.com are your go-to source. They’ve got everything you need to know, all in one place.

[SHORT MUSICAL TRANSITION]

(6:15) - OUTRO

Alex: And that’s our time for this week! To recap: try to snag a seat at Fjord & Field in the North Loop, give a nod to the smart folks at Riverbend Cycles, and definitely get yourself over to the Lakes & Loons Music Festival at Lake Harriet.

[UPBEAT OUTRO MUSIC BEGINS TO FADE IN]

The Minneapolis Roundup is brought to you by mplsveganhub.com, your guide to the best plant-based food in the city, and by mncannabishub.com, your complete resource for Minnesota’s cannabis culture. Be sure to visit them online at m-p-l-s-vegan-hub-dot-com and m-n-cannabis-hub-dot-com.

I’m Alex. Enjoy the incredible weekend, get out there and explore this amazing city, and we’ll catch you next week.

[MUSIC SWELLS TO FINISH]