The May 11, 2026 episode of Minneapolis Roundup highlights the new North Loop restaurant Kindred Hearth, a brilliant fusion of Nordic and Hmong cuisine from Chef Lena Jensen and Chef Pao Vang, which is creating a massive buzz. Host Alex also covers Boundary Supply Co.'s authentic "Find Your True North" marketing campaign and the unmissable Art-A-Whirl event happening May 22-24 in Northeast Minneapolis. The episode is sponsored by mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com.

Key Highlights:

Discover Kindred Hearth, the new North Loop restaurant blending Nordic simplicity with Hmong vibrancy from Chefs Lena Jensen and Pao Vang.

Learn about Boundary Supply Co.'s "Find Your True North" campaign, celebrating Minnesota pride through user-generated content.

Get ready for Art-A-Whirl, the country's largest open studio tour happening in Northeast Minneapolis from May 22-24.

Explore plant-based dining options with mplsveganhub.com and cannabis culture events with mncannabishub.com.

Topics: Minneapolis Roundup, Kindred Hearth, North Loop, Nordic Hmong fusion, Boundary Supply Co., Minnesota marketing, Art-A-Whirl, Northeast Minneapolis, mplsveganhub.com, mncannabishub.com, Twin Cities events, local business

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TRANSCRIPT

(Intro music: upbeat, modern, indie-pop vibe - fades in and then lowers to a bed)

ALEX: Hey Minneapolis, and welcome back to the Roundup, your weekly guide to what’s new, what’s happening, and what’s delicious in the Twin Cities. I’m your host, Alex, and it is a gorgeous Monday, May 11th, 2026.

The pollen is flying, the patios are packed, and it finally feels like we’ve earned this Minnesota spring. This is the perfect week to get out and explore what our city has to offer.

This episode is brought to you by our friends at mplsveganhub.com and mncannabishub.com—your local guides to the best plant-based eats and cannabis culture.

Coming up, we’re talking about the new North Loop restaurant that’s creating a massive buzz, a local company that’s redefining what it means to market Minnesota-made, and the massive art event you need to clear your calendar for.

Let’s get into it.

(Slight musical transition)

### Food & Dining (2 minutes)

ALEX: Alright, first up: food. If you’ve tried to get a weekend reservation anywhere in the North Loop lately, you’ve probably seen the lines forming outside a new spot on Washington Avenue called Kindred Hearth.

Folks, the hype is real. Kindred Hearth is the brilliant collaboration between Chef Lena Jensen, who you might know from her work at the beloved Nordic restaurant, Fika, and Chef Pao Vang, a rising star from St. Paul’s Hmong food scene. The concept? A seamless fusion of Nordic simplicity and Hmong vibrancy.

And it works. It really works.

Think dishes like smoked walleye served over rye toast points but with a bright, zesty dill and lemongrass sauce. Or their take on Khao Soi, the coconut curry noodle soup, made with hearty, chewy rye noodles and topped with pickled beets and mustard greens. It’s familiar but completely new at the same time. The flavors are complex, layered, and pure comfort.

The space itself is stunning—minimalist Scandinavian design warmed up with textiles and art from local Hmong creators. It feels like a dinner party at your coolest friend’s house.

Reservations are booked out for weeks, but they do keep the bar open for walk-ins. My advice? Show up early on a Tuesday, grab a seat, and order the venison meatballs with chili crisp. You will not regret it.

They also have some incredible plant-based options, like a mushroom larb that is out of this world. But if you're looking for a comprehensive guide to vegan dining all across the cities, from fine dining to food trucks, you have to check out mplsveganhub.com. They make finding your next great meal so easy.

(Slight musical transition)

### Business & Marketing (2 minutes)

ALEX: Next up, let's talk business. In a world of flashy digital ads, it’s refreshing to see a local company win by celebrating what makes Minnesota, well, Minnesota. I’m talking about Boundary Supply Co.

If you don't know them, Boundary Supply Co. is a Minneapolis-based company that makes beautiful, sustainable outdoor gear—think backpacks, dopp kits, and jackets made from recycled materials. But it’s their latest marketing campaign that has everyone talking.

It’s called "Find Your True North," and it's brilliantly simple. Instead of professional models in some far-off mountain range, they’ve built their entire campaign around user-generated photos of Minnesotans using their gear right here at home.

Their Instagram feed is just a gorgeous collection of real people. There’s a student with a Boundary backpack studying by the Stone Arch Bridge, a family on a weekend trip to Split Rock Lighthouse, someone canoeing on Bde Maka Ska with one of their dry bags.

Each photo is tagged with #FindYourTrueNorthMN, and the company re-shares the best ones, sending the original poster a gift card and a handwritten thank-you note.

It’s not just selling a product; it’s building a community. It’s authentic, it’s local, and it taps directly into that quiet Minnesota pride we all have. It proves you don’t need a massive budget to make a real connection with your audience. It’s a huge win, and a great reminder of the creative spirit powering our local business scene. Major props to them.

(Slight musical transition)

### Events (1.5 minutes)

ALEX: Alright, let's get you out of the house. If there is one event you absolutely cannot miss this month, it is Art-A-Whirl. It’s coming up fast, happening the weekend of May 22nd through the 24th.

For anyone new to town, Art-A-Whirl is the largest open studio tour in the entire country, and it happens right here in Northeast Minneapolis. Hundreds upon hundreds of artists—painters, sculptors, photographers, glass blowers, you name it—open their studio doors to the public.

You can wander through massive, historic buildings like the Northrup King Building or the Casket Arts Complex, meet the artists, see their process, and of course, buy some amazing, one-of-a-kind art directly from the person who made it.

On top of that, there’s live music on outdoor stages, breweries hosting special events, and some of the best food trucks in the city all gathered in one place.

A pro tip: Don't try to see it all. You can’t. It’s impossible and you’ll just stress yourself out. Pick one or two buildings to explore, wear your most comfortable shoes, and just soak in the creative energy. It's one of the best weekends of the year in Minneapolis.

And hey, with the scene being what it is in 2026, there are always interesting after-parties and pop-ups happening around the main event. For a full list of cannabis-friendly gatherings and related events happening that weekend, your best resource is mncannabishub.com. They’ll have the full rundown.

(Slight musical transition)

### Outro (30 seconds)

ALEX: And that is your Minneapolis Roundup for May 11th, 2026!

So, to recap: try to snag a walk-in spot at Kindred Hearth, give a follow to Boundary Supply Co. on social media, and get ready for Art-A-Whirl weekend.

A huge thank you to our sponsors for making the show possible. For the absolute best in plant-based eating, visit mplsveganhub.com. And for all things cannabis culture, news, and events, head to mncannabishub.com. We’ll have links to everything in the show notes.

I’m Alex. Get out there and enjoy this beautiful city. We’ll catch you next time.

(Outro music swells and fades out)