Twin Cities restaurant preview 2010

Aperitif, 772 Bielenberg Drive, Woodbury; 651-578-3000; aperitifrestaurant.com: St. Paul developer Jerry Trooien brought in the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Nyman Group (Taj Mahal Hotel Casino and Resort, Atlantic City, N.J.; Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles; etc.) to come up with a concept for this 270-seat space. Aperitif will debut any day now with a menu inspired by countries that border on the Mediterranean: zucchini fritters with yogurt sauce, oven-roasted lamb meatballs, swordfish with citrus glaze, shish kebabs, pasta and pizza. 'Aperitif will offer a lot of flexibility,' says Corey Nyman, director of operations. 'It's designed so people will feel comfortable coming in for lunch, brunch or dinner or to just get a nice dessert and oversized cappuccino.'