Muddy Pig Owners Bringing Pub Concept to Former Pearson's

"Our landlord at The Muddy Pig purchased the building and asked if we would be interested in developing a new restaurant there," said Mark van Wie. "We were."

That succinctly explains how he and business partner Paul Schatz decided to move into the 50th & France area with a new pub-themed place called Pig & Fiddle. They're creating their eatery in the leftover space in the old , next to the 50th Street Cafe—one of John McCarty's coterie of places, which include the New Uptown Diner, the New Louisiana Cafe and Grandview Grill. In so doing, they'll be his tenants in both St. Paul and Minneapolis.

Like most Twin Cities joints that expand into the Edina/South Minneapolis vicinity, the pair plan to shift the focus onto the food first and the beverages, while important, will run a close second (think ).

"The Muddy Pig is a beer bar with good food," van Wie said. "Pig & Fiddle will be a restaurant with great food and a great beer and wine list."

The Muddy Pig is nine years old, and the guys were ready to branch out and try something fresh. While in St. Paul they carry plenty of top-shelf liquor, the newcomer Pig & Fiddle will start with just a beer and wine license when it opens in July (if all goes as planned). However, the 36 taps they plan on installing at the Edina-adjacent spot should be more than enough to sate thirsty folks.

The decor in what was Pearson's semi-formal dining room will see some tweaking—with a new bar and kitchen going in—but the signature fireplace and woodwork are staying put. They will serve what van Wie refers to as "peasant food," simple dishes that turn out fun and interesting when prepared in traditional ways.

"Things that we are all familiar with and can make at home, we just don't," he said.

As far as who will be cooking up that brand of cuisine, van Wie told Patch a chef is tentatively on board, but is presently working on a private yacht in the islands. He and Schatz plan to make an announcement about this soon.

Meanwhile, they'll continue to oversee the renovations as they unfold at West 50th Street.

"We are not a corporate/chain operation, we like to eat good food and we really like good beer," van Wie said.

If that's all true, it's quite likely the Pig & Fiddle will be quite popular with local diners and drinkers come summer.