Parasole Mulls New Restaurant Concept For Uptown Mpls.

Parasole is remaining mum on its plans for a new Uptown eatery, although it's asking for input on what the restaurant should be named.

Parasole Restaurant Holdings—the Edina-based company behind Manny’s Steakhouse, Chino Latino, Salut Bar Américain, and other restaurant concepts—is looking to open a new bar and restaurant in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood.

Reached by phone Thursday, Parasole owner Phil Roberts declined to disclose details about the company's plans but said Parasole will likely share information in mid-April. Roberts, known for his irreverent sense of humor, would say only that his company is “in the heavy petting stage” of planning a new restaurant.

Hints at a new Parasole restaurant surfaced when dining news outlet Eater published a survey, which appears to have been created by Parasole and asks respondents to weigh in on what the new concept should be called.

Parasole's survey lists four possible answers for its new restaurant name: Libertine, Paleron, Gambrel, and Skol. (Eater offers definitions for each of the proposed names.)

When respondents select an answer, they're asked about their “instant reaction” to a bar and restaurant that bears that name. The survey then asks how unique and attractive they find the name and to denote what they like and dislike about it. They’re also asked how likely they’d be to try the new restaurant.

Parasole currently operates two restaurants in the heart of Uptown: Chino Latino, which sells “street food”-inspired dishes, and the Uptown Cafeteria & Sky Bar, which sells American food and features a large rooftop patio at the Calhoun Square complex. It also operates a Burger Jones nearby. It's unclear whether the plans for a new restaurant concept would affect any of Parasole's existing restaurants in the neighborhood.

Twin Cities Business recently reported that The Minneapolis-based Ackerberg Group is buying Calhoun Square and is planning a series of upgrades. A corner restaurant space in the mall was long anchored by Parasole’s Figlio restaurant, which was subsequently replaced by another Parasole restaurant, Il Gatto, which lasted a couple of years. The space was then briefly occupied by Primebar but has been vacant for about a year.

Elsewhere in Uptown, the former Suburban World Theater building was recently purchased for $750,000. That space sits alongside retailers such as Apple, and Finance & Commerce reported that the buyer, a Florida company called Elion Partners, has a plan to re-create the property as a “retail showcase” building.

Several new restaurants have recently opened in Minneapolis' Uptown neighborhood. Twin Cities Business recently reviewed the new Lake & Irving, and other new additions include barbeque joint The Boneyard, upscale eatery Coup D'état, and the Russian-influenced Hammer & Sickle.

In addition to the previously mentioned concepts, Parasole operates the following restaurants: Mozza Mia, Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse, Muffuletta, and Good Earth. During its 35-odd-year history, Parasole's successful restaurant concepts have also included Pronto Ristorante, as well as Buca di Beppo and Oceanaire—both of which were eventually sold off.

Roberts, the company's owner, was inducted into Twin Cities Business’ Minnesota Business Hall of Fame last year. Learn more about the successful and colorful restauranteur, and view a video of his Hall of Fame acceptance speech, here.